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What it Takes to Coach Girls
The following excerpts were taken from the book
Sports Her Way by Susan Wilson.
What it Takes to Coach Girls - Chapter 8
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Always keep in mind the idea that experiencing joy is essentially what girls are interested in when they're physically active.
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Be prepared to deal with all kinds of needs and interests. Girls' needs will range from the desire to be part of a team to enjoy the social nature of being with other girls to truly wanting to achieve sports skills and the glory of winning.
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A great coach will have a specific constructive comment for every girl about her effort when she leaves the field or the gym.
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Your team can have a very mediocre season record, but if your focus is on player development and fun, the girls will come back next season.
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The process of learning should be emphasized above the product of winning. Girls reported "there was too much pressure" as a higher ranking reason to quit sports than did boys.
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If you can create an emotionally safe environment in which you respect and encourage each player, whatever her skill level, growth will occur.
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If you show your athletes that you care about them as people, that you care about them learning, you'll win their hearts and they'll be more likely to give the sport their all.
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A lot of coaches try to get through to their athletes using fear, yelling and threats. But with girls your best bet is to be organized and supportive, because girls do not respond positively to threats or yelling.
Learn to Manage Your Team One Girl at a Time - Typical Personality Types
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The new girl on the block: Inexperienced girls need more guidance. Assign a "buddy" or "sister" who can answer what the new player may think are "dumb" questions.
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The underperformer: Has skills but may not be committed. This girl needs more emotional support than technical direction.
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The superstar: Make sure this person is constantly challenged so she won't get bored.
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The no-show: Take time to call and find out if there's a problem.
Know When to Punish or Redirect Behavior
Do You Have the Social and Psychological Skills?
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Be Enthusiastic: Leave your personal dramas behind when you show up to coach. Focus on the girls, not your personal life. You have to help them believe they can reach their goals.
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Catch Your Players Doing Something Right: Find something your athlete is doing right, even if it's merely standing in line properly. Success breeds success and girls are highly responsive to praise. If you compliment a child in front of her parent, that is more rewarding than a hot-fudge sundae with a brownie!
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Help Timid Players Come out of Their Shells: The longer a coach waits to help a shy child, the tougher it is for the child to emerge as a productive athlete. We do a disservice to girls if we let them believe that hanging back is an acceptable way to go through life. The real world is just too tough - in business, school, sports, and personal life to avoid all conflict and flee from all possible failure. Often when a group leaves an area, the timid girl will try an activity when she is sure no one is looking. Allow her the opportunity to do this.
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Make the Klutz Feel Like a Jock: Help her set individual, attainable goals; notice progress. Another way to help a girl with coordination problems is to improve her physical strength.
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Learn to Deal with Tears: Why do girls cry during practice or competition? Commonly it is a reaction to frustration or fear.
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Frustration Issues
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The inability to perform the skills that are being trained
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Perceived unfair coaching or refereeing decision
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Losing a game
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Name-calling, fighting between players, cutting in line, not getting enough turns
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Not receiving enough attention by the coach
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Emotionally stretched to their limits
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Fear Issues
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Potential for physical harm
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Bullying tactics by a coach
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Nervousness before competition
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Parental reaction
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Entering a new group or a new environment
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