One word that coaches like to use with student athletes is accountability, or simply being responsible for your actions. Coaches emphasize accountability as an integral piece to building a successful team, especially as this applies to team cohesion and chemistry. When kids are not held accountable they are left to their own decisions, and often those decisions can be detrimental to the team (i.e. skipping practice to stay home and play video games). Accountability is important for both individual and team success, but often there is a disconnect between how coaches and parents define accountability. This week we will examine a few basic expectations coaches have for kids that accompany being a part of a sports team, and how being accountabile leads to more fun, improved mental health, and more success on the field.
Examining basic accountability
It is extremely difficult for a coach to run a solid youth/interscholastic team without kids committing to the team, even if parents don’t always see this challenge. When kids only show up when they want, are disinterested in participating, and get in trouble off the field, it not only affects them individually, but the entire team also pays a price. Additionally, unnecessary finger-pointing almost always occurs with inconsistent participation, especially when coaches are faced with trying to play talented kids who only show up some of the time, with less talented kids who are always at practice and trying their best. Is it fair to play the more talented kid, even if she doesn’t always attend practice? Herein is a perfect example of what coaches deal with all the time, yet few parents stop to think about the challenges that surround these kinds of decisions.
Obviously there will be individual differences when it comes to coaches and what they specifically expect from their kids, but generally speaking the list below illustrates the basics when it comes to accountability:
- Attitude & effort. Every kid, regardless of talent, can attend practices and games with a positive attitude and ready to hustle.
- Commitment to the team. Being on a team is a big responsibility, and needs to be prioritized as such. This means that kids on sports teams may have to miss outside activities and experiences that conflict with practices and games, as well as exercise discipline and patience while working hard to earn more playing time.
- Early to practices and games. Make it a point to model for your kids the importance of being prepared and showing up early so that they can maximize the time spent working out with the team.
- Communicate when issues arise. Inevitably things will occur that require your child to miss a practice or game (i.e. family event), the key is to communicate as early as possible so that the coach can make the adjustments needed for the rest of the team.
- Attend 90% or more of practices/games. If your son or daughter is only partially committed to a team, you might want to revisit the question of whether to play on that team. When kids regularly miss practices, it sends an inconsistent message for the rest of the kids as it applies to responsibility and commitment.
- Diet, exercise, and injury management responsibility. Kids need to be aware of the importance of managing their bodies, especially as this applies to how they eat and exercise. Additionally, when injuries occur (and they will), it is important to adhere to medical advice — including proper rest!
- Social media responsibility. Pay attention to the websites you visit, as well as the social media posts that you make. Many kids have faced suspensions, or even been expelled, because of poor choices stemming from social media activity.
- Appreciate the privilege of being on a team. It is a privilege, not a right, to be on a sports team. Coaches will set standards that are expected to be met, and these standards are designed to maximize fun and odds for success on the field. Embrace the experience, and encourage your kids to do the same!
It is important to note that while the expectations above may seem punitive to some parents, the reality is that coaches need to uphold standards in order to do their job properly and live up to their own expectations as leaders of kids. Without expectations and standards, the odds of a group of kids becoming a team dramatically decreases, essentially relegating the coach to being a babysitter overseeing recess.
Final thoughts
While it is easy to lose sight of the importance of commitment and accountability as it applies to youth sports, it is important to understand the value of these concepts as they apply toward fun, growth, and success. When families only partially commit to a sports team, valuable lessons are missed, and increased confusion develops on the team when other kids aren’t sure of the philosophies and values of the team. Basic accountability helps prepare kids for the real world, where teachers and future bosses won’t tolerate bad attitudes, lacking communication, or inappropriate social media posts. On the other hand, embracing accountability will allow your child to maximize the sport experience, and provide your child a solid life experience that will prove to be invaluable well beyond sports.
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