Mar
28
Written by:
Steve Stenersen
3/28/2010 8:59 AM
I'd love to see lacrosse coaches limit their instruction and direction of players only to practice, timeouts and quarter breaks. Men’s college lacrosse, particularly – with the exception of a handful of programs – has become a coach’s game in which players are conditioned to listen for barked instruction from the sideline…too often afraid to push an unsettled situation or improvise for fear of making a mistake and experiencing the wrath of their coach. It’s one thing to watch this happen in a college game, where the stakes are increasingly higher for coaches. And, it’s become the norm at high school games, as well. But I’m seeing it happen regularly at youth games, and it’s always like watching a tragic comedy unfold as the booming voices of coaches continuously compete for the attention of befuddled young players throughout an entire game. It’s often funny…but it’s also sometimes unbearable to watch.
Now those of you who know me understand that I believe coaching is one of the more noble and rewarding activities in life. Coaches have the opportunity to positively impact lives by helping players reach their highest levels of individual and collective achievement and, far more importantly, also by infusing in them the values of team sport and the joy of athletic competition.
But I don’t think listening to the constant drone of a coach shouting direction after direction to players throughout a youth game contributes meaningfully to either of the above. What harm would it do to give young players the opportunity to think and learn for themselves in a game? Who really cares if they make a mistake – or ten? (OK…we know who cares…adults). Kids learn best through experience and by making mistakes…not by being micromanaged through every pass. So youth coaches, I challenge you to give this a try at least one time this year. Spend the week leading up to a game focused on teaching skills, concepts and strategies just as you always do. But, come game time, don’t use your booming voice to confuse your young players with a non-stop stream of commentary…use it only to share positive encouragement during play. Take advantage of teaching moments only when a player leaves the field, during a timeout or at halftime. Resist the urge to interrupt the beauty and fun of watching young players make their own decisions based on what you have taught them. You might be surprised at what you see…and how much more fun they have.
11 comment(s) so far...
Re: A Suggestion for the Loud Youth Coach
I couldn't agree with you more! Great blog - I look forward to each new post :)
By just a fan on
4/9/2010 10:07 AM
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Re: A Suggestion for the Loud Youth Coach
Would you want to see a rule to that effect. Similar to the 'seat belt" rule in BB. How about only one coach may bark. Women used to have an "excessive coaching" rule. Time to bring it back?
By Suediff on
4/9/2010 10:07 AM
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Re: A Suggestion for the Loud Youth Coach
Agreed one million percent. If you ask the kids they really don't hear the screams and shouts anyway! The one I love best is the "what are you doing" shouted out. I would love a player to yell back " I don't know I am only ten years old!"
Keep up the good work with your good words.
By Bisonlax on
5/5/2010 4:58 PM
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Re: A Suggestion for the Loud Youth Coach
Agreed.
On the other hand, one part of the 'positive' experience is to have success on the field and many youth players (think of the attack players here looking to cherry pick easy shots without moving or passing much or playing defense on their half when the ball is turned over) need occaisional 'acute' assistance with positioning, passing, and marking up on defense. While its nice to think that they'll learn from 'mistakes', sometimes a quick wake-up call to position themselves for defense or reminders to pass the ball can make a big difference in team play. This can also be done on substitution but deftly placed coaching or encouragement can assist with a successful experience for the team. This is especially true when there are loud opposing coaches and the youth refs (often the most inexperienced) are not managing the game well. So its a balance and mommies need to understand that their boys and girls may not always be playing team ball appropriately.
By youthlaxcoach on
9/2/2010 1:34 PM
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Re: A Suggestion for the Loud Youth Coach
My words to my youth coaches: Coach ON the bench - not FROM the bench.
By CoachScott13 on
9/2/2010 1:34 PM
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Re: A Suggestion for the Loud Youth Coach
Amen to your suggestion Steve!
By Kottler on
9/2/2010 1:34 PM
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Re: A Suggestion for the Loud Youth Coach
When my son was 7, his rec baseball coach (a man with much experience) chose a handful of key skills and those were his focus for the season. (Running through 1st base was one, and he would occasionally chase the batter down the 1st base line to get him to run fast & through the bag - hilarious to watch & the boys loved it). When the boys were in the field during a game, he sat in the shade under a tree and let them play, interrupting only for something unsafe. Afterward, he would calmly talk. Rare & wonderful, a pleasure to watch and play, and very effective in setting base skills for future building.
I often wonder how much big picture strategy a player can possibly learn when s/he is merely reacting to orders?
By Charlie on
9/2/2010 1:34 PM
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Re: A Suggestion for the Loud Youth Coach
I agree 100%! I have watched many a girls' youth game this season as the coaches yell direction and they not only look around confusingly but then miss the ball. Our young players tend not to be problem solvers because they have had adults telling them everything to do. When they get on the field it is the same thing. They need to play to see the opportunities, to make mistakes, to problem solve for themselves. If we allow them to do that think how goo they will feel when they make a goal or a great pass all on their own!!!
By pcas on
9/2/2010 1:35 PM
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Re: A Suggestion for the Loud Youth Coach
Fantastic! Couldn't agree more. We have all watched too many games in which the kids freeze when faced with having to improvise or are too afraid of making a decision b/c of reprecusions from the coach. This fear also opens kids up for more injuries because they tend to hesitate instead of just playing. You are right on the mark, keep up the good work!
By laxmom on
9/2/2010 1:36 PM
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Re: A Suggestion for the Loud Youth Coach
OMG, you are so right on this - especially with a young child who wants to please and actually does listen. A couple of times, my young son would literally stop and turn to ask the coach "what?!?" in the middle of a play because he was being screamed at by the coach! If the coach had just shut up, my son would have gone in and done his thing. It was pretty comical!
By momofone on
9/2/2010 1:36 PM
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Re: A Suggestion for the Loud Youth Coach
my son play lax since 3rd grade, now is 6th. He, to me is a good sport player. When I see him on the field, he listens to what the coach wants him to do, which erks me, because I see plays that I know my son knows he can make, but he has been told to listen to the coach. I told him to not listen to the coach completely. If you see a play make it. So There are a lot of times my son has been clearly open, but the coaches tell the other team mates the play and they do it, where if they passed the darn ball to my son, he can make that "keep it simple stupid" shot and get more goals that way. But no, the coach wants to make it hard and not let the kids play the game.
By katsons on
9/2/2010 1:36 PM
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