T'ed Up?

[Hawks Coach]

Tim
I have done this for years, not as long as you. I used to run a NYSCAA certification program for coaches in a league I ran. No cert, no coach. End of subject.

Sadly, I have quit thinking that "training" does much for many coaches. It is a good thing to introduce and remind people of the concept of teaching the game and making it fun, but it is a competition. Some people will never be able to handle competition in a responsible manner. As soon as you put a score up, regardless of age or level of play, there are a fairly large number of people out there who will care just a bit too much. And unfortunately, some think that the way to satisfy their competitive urge is to coach.

I will readily admit that I am competitive and that is in part why I coach. I also like to teach, to see a team improve, to see players grow in skills and confidence, etc. And I have learned to control my emotions, out of decency to the kids I coach and out of a desire to have long term success. Many of my peers have no idea how to control their personal feelings when coaching. Some do, but there are far too many who do not. And that will not change in a sport that needs volunteers to run programs. Its simply that the wrong type of person volunteers for all the wrong reasons. And programs need coaches, so they take them every time.