In a study conducted by kidshealth.org, teens were asked to answer the question, "What makes a good coach?”
The teens interviewed for this study described a good coach as someone with the “’ability to tell you the straight truth or facts without making you feel bad.’” Good coaches include coaches who are “tough but fair,” who “teach life skills along with sports skills,” who “understand and motivate their players,” and who “make it a team effort.”
The kids identified a bad coach as someone who plays favorites, who “[yells] or puts players down,” and who “can’t teach or don’t give it their all.” Kelly, 13, said “you can’t be too nice or you get no respect.”
Ok—flash forward to now, the day after practice where I serve as an assistant coach for a youth team. I’d say I spend a solid three days a week, Tuesday, Wednesday, and this day, Thursday, stressing about my “coaching style”. Well, you may be asking—Katie, what is your coaching style and why is it so stressful? The answer? I don’t have one!!
This is the second time in my life (read: in 3.5 years) I’ve ever been asked to coach a hockey team, and this is the second time I’ve had the thought process of, “Yes, I would absolutely love to! But wait… I’m still learning how to play…” Earlier in the year, I let down a wonderful group of individuals who were desperately in need of a head coach, and every time I think back on that day—I would like to flick my former self on the side of the head-- first, for re-nigging on my promise to coach them, and secondly, for agreeing to take a job in the first place that I had no business taking. They deserve better than what I, currently, have to offer (and I say that in all honesty and fairness.
I have no problem coaching volleyball—in fact I love it! But, and here’s the catch, I also know how to play volleyball! Hockey—is a work in progress. Maybe one day, I’ll achieve coaching greatness… but for now I think my time is best spent figuring out how to play this game. Every time I hit the ice (and folks, this is why I love it) brings something new for me to do, learn, master, and consider. I have “Hockey strategy book” on my Christmas list for this year.
For all of you hockey coaches out there that happen to read this, when and why did you start coaching hockey? What are your successes? What’s your style—are a you a player’s coach or stern, fearless leader? Do you focus mostly on strategy or skill development? Do you believe in the “dropping-little-johnny-off-in-a-pool-of-sharks-and-letting-him-fight-his-way-out” mentality or do you have game strategy and situational experience down to a science?
I’ll keep plugging away at this for this season, but I just don’t know if I’m cut out for it…. yet. Any and all advice is always appreciated. I just want these girls to have all the opportunities that they deserve, and I’d like to help them reach their goals…
Anyway, hockey tonight, woohoo-- I'm going to try to recap tonight or tomorrow!!
No comments:
Post a Comment