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Coaches face the responsibility of filling many roles when they assume the title of "Coach". In this edition, we try to identify sources of information on a variety of topics which you may, or may not, have to deal with. Although the topic of volunteers has been addressed in a previous issue of this section, the article by Max Appleby in Coaching Notes may be of additional help because it poses numerous questions which coaches or program administrators should try to answer for themselves as they attempt to recruit volunteers to work in their program.
The use of sport psychology and sport psychologists have often been a somewhat controversial issue in organized sports. Although we hear coaches say "the game is 90% mental," training still seems to be 90% physical. The article from the Boston Globe written by Patricia Wen may be evidence of more broad based acceptance of the role sport psychology can play in enhancing athletic performance.
Richard Stratton
Coaching & Sports Section Editor
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Equal Playing Time: Earning the Right
One initiative that has been pervasive in youth sports is Equal Playing Time for All. Although most of us agree with this philosophy, many coaches find themselves at odds with two sets of parents: the "my child the star athlete" parents who want their children to get maximum playing time, and the "its all about self esteem" parents who argue that every athlete should get equal playing time because they are a member of the team. Derek Wade offers this alternative: Equal Playing Time: Earning the Right.
In this article, he argues that competition is an extension of practice. Attitude and effort developed and exhibited on the practice field translates to effort and performance in the game. Accepting personal responsibility for their own effort, performance, and contribution to the team as a whole is critical to the development of self esteem.
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Kid-E-Sport
Kid-E-Sport is another web site that specifically focuses on providing information for parents, or they say it: "created for parents, by parents". Their section called The Learning Center is especially helpful.
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Recruiting Volunteers
Are you faced with the job of recruiting volunteers to assist you? Do you have any idea about how to accomplish this task? Max Appleby, in his article Recruiting Volunteers, discusses the processes involved.
Max poses several questions and offers some answers to them. Who will be qualified and interested in the position(s) you are trying to fill? Can you explain clearly the benefits and costs of serving as a volunteer in this position? Where will you find these people? What motivates people to volunteer? And finally, What is the best way to approach them?
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MomsTeam.com
MomsTeam.com bills itself as "The Place for Moms With Kids in Sports". Although this is a relatively new site, it has quickly become a very comprehensive source of information for moms (and dads) with children in youth sports.
The site uses a variety of resources, linking to articles published on commercial media, reprinting information from other web sites, and providing original material from their own group of experts.
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Dealing with athletes with special needs can be difficult for coaches. Disabled Sports USA and the International Special Olympics both maintain web sites which could serve as a resource for you or as a contact point to direct you to additional resources.
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Ultimately, control in sport is not about opponents or external obstacles. It is about learning to discipline a wandering mind, fluttering emotions, an unsteady will. Sport creates the possibility of achieving control over the self.
~ From Flow in Sports by Susan Jackson and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi ~
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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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Using Sport Psychologists
During media coverage of professional sports events, it is becoming increasingly common to hear the sportscasters mention that a team, or particular athlete, had recently used the services of a sports psychologist. Although not widespread, several NCAA member institutions have sport psychologists on the staff of the athletic departments.
Other colleges and universities use the resources available through the counseling services provided for the student body. Now, we are hearing more about use of sport psychologists by high school, and even youth sport athletes. Patricia Wen of the Boston Globe staff reports on sport psychology and high school athletes.
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One of the questions we receive most frequently at Coaching Youth Sports from coaches, parents, and athletes is "How can I improve an athlete's speed?" One point we always try to make is that speed of movement, particularly running speed, is partly controlled by genetics via predominant muscle fiber type. However, training can improve running speed.
Strength and conditioning coach Jay Johnson, with co-author Richard Stratton, offer Speed Development as a resource. Running speed is the interaction of stride frequency and stride length. Developing running speed involves the use of three types of workouts: aerobic, speed-endurance, and sprint. The article includes examples of each of these types of workouts.
Additional information on speed development can be found on Brian Mackenzie's Sports Coach web site in his section on training for speed. In addition to a discussion of training for speed, the section includes an example of a detailed training schedule for improving speed.
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Prevention and Treatment of Heat Disorders
As we move into the summer sports season, certified athletic trainer Marianne Rubinberg discusses the management of heat related injuries. She reminds us that heat disorders are caused by strenuous physical activity in combination with heat and elevated humidity. The resultant loss of fluids causes a breakdown in the body's thermoregulatory system. Recall that the progression in terms of severity is: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and ultimately, heat stroke.
Standard steps in prevention of heat injuries include eating foods which contain sodium chloride and other minerals, staying well hydrated prior to practice or competition, and replacing fluids regularly during practice or competition.
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