Verified by 
The most important factor determining the outcome of participation in youth sports is the quality of adult supervision. No matter what the program's potential may be, a subpar coach can ruin an otherwise good experience. Consequently, the quality of a program is greatly dependent on how well coaches are trained/educated.
Most youth sport administrators now recognize they have a responsibility to prepare coaches for their leadership role. They also realize that instruction in the technical aspects of sports and in sport safety isn’t enough. Workshops/clinics must also be provided that teach coaches how to create a healthy psychological environment—one that promotes youngsters’ personal and social development. (For more information, see my Psychology Today blog titled “The Key to Educating Youth Sport Adults.”)
Before the season begins and while you're looking into a program, you may not know much about who will be coaching your child. At that point, about all you can do is to ask whether the coaches have preseason training or have gone through a certification program. Once the season begins, however, you will have opportunities to observe the coach. This is your right and your responsibility.
What should parents look for in a coach?
Here’s a checklist of qualities that are important in a youth sport coach.
Knowledge and Teaching Skills
- Does the coach know the rules and techniques of the sport? Can he communicate these to children?
- Does she demonstrate how to perform and give clear explanations?
- Are practices and competitions well organized, safe, and fun for the kids?
- Is instruction matched to the age and knowledge level of the children?
Motives and Philosophy
- Does the coach seem to have a sincere interest in youngsters, or is coaching an ego trip?
- Does she put winning and losing in perspective? Is the focus where it should be—on fun, participation for all, and learning?
- Does the coach teach values as well as skills?
- Can he communicate his coaching philosophy to athletes and parents?
Coaching Style
- Does the coach try to motivate athletes through encouragement and praise, or do punishment and criticism dominate?
- Does the coach seem enthusiastic and enjoy relating to her athletes? Does she have fun?
- Are substitutes given as much attention as the stars, or are they ignored and made to feel inferior?
- Does the coach keep things well organized and prevent misbehavior, or does he let things get out of hand and have to scold the children to maintain control?
- Does the coach recognize and praise good effort even when things are not going well?
- Does the coach ask for input from athletes and listen to it, or does she call all the shots?
- Can the coach control his own emotions, or does he lose his cool with athletes or officials and provide a poor role model?
Relationship Skills
- Is the coach sensitive to the individual needs and feelings of her athletes?
- Can he be flexible and know when everybody should not be treated exactly alike?
- Can she generate respect without demanding it and show respect for her athletes, officials, and opponents?
- Is he fair and consistent in his expectations of athletes?
- Can she communicate effectively with youngsters at their level?
- Do athletes he has coached wish to play for him again?
- Does she take the time and effort to communicate with parents, and is she open to their input?
Good leaders are like referees and umpires: They go practically unnoticed when doing their job right.
Obviously, no coach is going to be perfect, since they all are fallible human beings who make mistakes from time-to-time. You can't expect to get answers to every question presented above. But evaluating a coach can (hopefully) give you confidence that your youngster is in the hands of a competent individual.
Do you want to learn more about coaching and parenting young athletes?
- The Mastery Approach to Coaching and Mastery Approach to Parenting in Sports are research-based videos that emphasize skill development, achieving personal and team success, giving maximum effort, and having fun.
- To access the videos, go to the Youth Enrichment in Sports website.
