Coaching Kids

A little bird told me I hadn't even posted one thing this month, which is just sad, and I really should have, so the least I can do is take some time during lecture to get out to my millions of readers.
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Yesterday, I watch this show called Big Bang Theory (a show that appeals to my nerdy side) and was about to leave for the library when the next show, How I Met Your Mother came on. I watched it for about 5 minutes and left at the scene where one of the main characters was coaching some 7 year old kids, and started yelling at them. This show is a comedy, so it was just a joke, but it struck a chord with me, as I eventually want to get into coaching some day, probably in soccer. At what point do I strike home that winning is not everything, but try to win anyways? When do I transition from 'just have fun' to 'get better'?

We all know that when you are in your teens, you should be focusing on getting better, and its fine for a coach to drive home points about spacing, decision making as opposed to straight instincts, and plays. We also know that when you are 4, 5, 6, 7 years old, the coach focuses on having the kids run around, learn the rules of the game, and smile, whether it be through candy or silly drills.

But that transition period, the tweeners (I think that is the term) is of utmost importance, because this is where you make or break a kids passion in the sport. Push too hard, too early and they'll hate it. Don't push enough and you may keep your kid from reaching their full potential. Both mistakes result in your child quitting. Let me make one thing clear, a child quitting is not a bad thing, but you would hope they quit for reasons LZ Granderson's son quit, as opposed to reasons that shouldn't come into play, such as the ones mentioned in this paragraph.

Usually, I go through my posts pointing out problems, leaving them open ended, but today, because I'm in the mood and because this is an hour and a half class (56 minutes to go), I'm going to attempt to answer it. Hopefully, if any of you guys have improvements on this solution, let me know, I'd like to hear them.


UPDATE: Just like that Bill Simmons podcast where he cut off to say the next section would be put into another podcast because it was intense and long, I am doing the same thing. This is a very difficult topic and I want to make sure I hit the points well. But shoot me some ideas if you have any.