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The world works in strange ways. People who do not deserve recognition get it. Others toil there lives away in near anonymity - until their accomplishments finally can no long be ignored. Still others enjoy success seemingly over-night.
Then there are the people who persevere against the longest odds, and those who seem to realize everything so easily.
Because sports and coaching are microcosms of society, all these observations apply to the games as well. The lessons we can take from them? I don't know! I've gotten past looking for such things. Rather, I've learned to enjoy each day - especially if I can spend time with young athletes!
And maybe that's the lesson to be learned. Cherish the small victories, the successes and failures, the cheers and the tears. These are the reasons we should be coaching.
Mike Clark
Coaching & Sports Section Editor
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A great front door in an unexpected place! Sports Media currently provides a huge number of links relating to practically any sport you might imagine - including cricket, lacrosse, roller hockey, ultimate Frisbee and the like.
But before you leave Sports Media, check out their "Lesson Plans" link. Plenty of information here for the coach as well as the physical educator. After all, coaching IS teaching; and practice plans are lesson plans.
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Sportsmen of the Year
"TSN looked for a distinguished athlete/shining citizen as the recipient of its 2000 Sportsman of the Year award but decided that two nominees - Rams teammates Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk - were equally special because of their on-field prowess and their off-field endeavors."
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If you have ideas, comments, letters to share, or questions about particular topics, please email one of the following Coaching & Sports Section Editors:
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Help to support quality physical education and health education by contributing to this site.
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Some of us learn quickly. Some are slow learners. Hopefully, all of us get it sooner or later. One father coaching baseball also happened to be a writer. Bill Geist's book "Little League Confidential" ends with this realization:
"He (his son Willie) has baseball in proper perspective. He and the other kids always did; for the adults, particularly the fathers, it has taken longer...
I think I'm finally starting to get it now, starting to understand. So it really is just a game, huh? And if it's not being played for fun, why play at all? To learn values? That's asking a lot of a game. Play for fun and they'll learn the values, I think. Come to think of it, that is a value."
The book is a quick read. But it comes up with these little gems gradually. The father/coach learns the realities that seem to elude so many of us when during our careers as coaches.
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It is really important for coaches to take an active role in the lives of
their athletes - away from sports. What coaches say, do, and expect have important
influences on what athletes do. Some consequences are unintentional. Off-hand
remarks may have serious meaning to young athletes. This can be especially true
when it comes to nutrition, weight, and eating habits. And these are not solely issues related to female athletes. Growing evidence suggests that any young
athlete may suffer from disordered eating. A good introduction can be found at ANRED.
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The Philosopher
I saw him sitting in his door,
Trembling as old men do;
His house was old; his barn was old,
And yet his eyes seemed new.
His eyes had seen three times my years
And kept a twinkle still,
Though they had looked at birth and death
And three graves on a hill.
"I will sit down with you," I said,
"And you will make me wise;
Tell me how you have kept the joy
Still burning in your eyes."
Then like an old-time orator
Impressively he rose;
"I make the most of all that comes,
The least of all that goes."
The jingling rhythm of his words
Echoes as old songs do,
Yet this had kept his eyes alight
Till he was ninety-two.
~ Sara Teasdale ~
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An up-coming conference will focus on the things coaches need to know. Some sport specific sessions will be included, but much of the time will be spent on what every coach needs to know.
"Quality
Sports Begin With Quality Coaches" will happen in Indianapolis
from June 28 through July 1. A downloadable registration form is available.
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The deceptively simple site name Sports Coach leads to a variety of information. At first the site may appear to focus on track and field coaches. However, move to Coaching and you'll find so much more.
It begins with the usual intro to the "role of the coach." But this is followed by links to such topics as ethics, communication, nutrition - all areas that coaches usually expect to study. But then there are some out-of-the-ordinary ones like learning
styles and teaching
methods. In addition, there is a brief look at each of 14 different "roles" filled by coaches.
Probably the best thing to do when visiting is to connect, click, and think. Print off a few pages and give them some careful thought.
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Spring brings us to the season when most coaching occurs outdoors - and even those who stay inside have weather concerns. You know... heat and humidity.
Lightning is a critical issue in many parts of the country. The NCAA has established lightning
guidelines. They are available at several sites, but try the laxpower site first. That site has the complete text, plus references and a link to the NCAA Sports Library.
Possibly more usable guidelines appears several places, including one authored by an athletic trainer for a school system, titled Lightning
Safety. There is also a link to the Lightning Safety Institute, if you want the last word!
As for heat and humidity guidelines, look into the in Centers for Disease Control information on heat
emergencies.
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Fact: | According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 14 to 17 age group will increase by 6 to 7% during this decade. |
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At the same time, the 5 to 13 age group will grow little if any. |
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Fact: |
During these years, there will be a dramatic shift in the ethnic make-up of the youth population. Asian American/Pacific Islanders, and Latino youth will increase. The numbers of African American and white youth will decrease.
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Fact: |
Other sources have identified differences in both interests and participation patterns among ethnic groups. |
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Implication: |
Coaches and program administrators will face challenges as they attempt to grow their programs - especially those involving younger athletes.
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