Yesterday I found myself doing what I've halfheartedly told myself many times not to do again: coach youth soccer. My youngest son is eight and I'm coaching him along with 13 other 7 to 9 years olds. Since 2001 I've probably coached around 10 different teams. And I don't even like or know very much about soccer!
I suppose they keep taking me because the demand for coaches exceeds supply.
There are some things I've learned over the years. With 14 kids the mix will likely be about one third ballers, meaning kids that can play, one third shy and/or indifferent, and one third knuckleheads that are ballers or indifferent.
When I taught middle school for one year in Puebla, Mexico the principal always urged me to be a dictator, or a Stalin as he would put it.. I think his view could be correct for a career educator. In my first years coaching soccer I was more of an enthusiastic coach who tried to will the kids into good behavior by making the practice so varied and fun that they would not have time to misbehave. As the years have passed I've realized the fallacy of that thinking and now am becoming more serious, gruffer, Stalin-esque. I no longer accept that some kids are just knuckleheads. Some need attention, but it's not always a kind word or pat on the back that works best. I agree with the maxim that children, and some adults, are looking for leadership. It seems in youth soccer what usually works best is a stern but fair coach who occasionally smiles instead of a fun coach who is occassionally stern.
Our next practice is next Tuesday. I'll be sure to get my game face on before then.
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