While we often hear about the criticisms of youth sports today, there are some places where things have improved, including minimal training expectations for coaches. Generally speaking, the more training one receives the better he or she will do at their chosen job, but when it comes to expectations and requirements of coaches things get murky in a hurry. Sure, in an ideal world we might expect coaches to regularly receive training, but when we add the realities of long hours and low pay to the discussion you can quickly see the conundrum that exists as it applies to coach training, requirements, and expectations.
Today’s coach training
Unlike the old days where a coach was provided a whistle and clipboard and directed to the field to coach his or her team, today’s coaches are expected to have a familiarity with many issues, including basic first aide and safety risks. But that’s not all, as coaches today also have to complete background checks, as well as training for concussions and mental health issues. And then there are the additional issues that coaches need to be aware of that might not be covered in the required training, including being up to date on the latest equipment changes (and what is legal/illegal), working with coaches from other sports so that kids are not overwhelmed playing for multiple teams, and learning basic communication strategies to deal with upset parents. And, of course, coaches have to develop their own team strategies, as well as scout other teams. Yes, coaches are better trained today, but an argument can be made that there is a finite amount of time (and willingness) for coaches to continue taking on more training, while at the same time trying to juggle all the expectations of the job.
Beyond the increased training, there are additional variables that dictate the expectations we have of coaches today. Interscholastic coaches often work long hours, and the hours they work include early mornings (before school starts), evenings, and weekends (not exactly bankers hours). Many coaches miss their own family dinners, or important times when their own kids have games and other significant life experiences, further evidence of the price coaches pay while committed to leading a team. And oif that’s not enough, after the long and weird hours the pay coaches receive for their work is often pennies on the dollar when you add it all up, providing even more evidence of the unique — and significant — work that coaches do for our kids.
So, how much training should we require coaches complete? That is a tricky question to answer when you weigh the importance of training against the very real concerns of over-worked and under-paid coaches who already give so much of their lives to help kids play sports.
Final thoughts
Coach training today may be more important than ever before, especially with so many kids specializing in one sport and training year-round with few, if any, breaks. Finding quality coaches is always a tough task, but it becomes even more challenging when potential coaches simply can’t keep up with the increasing requirements, long hours, and low pay. Examining these realities does not mean we should not continue to train coaches, but instead to direct our attention toward hurdles that lie ahead as we continue to expect more from coaches, but overlook how stretched thin many coaches are already.
drstankovich.com
