Positive Coaching - Building Team Chemistry

Building team chemistry is always a challenge for youth sport coaches. Trying to mold numerous personalities and different skill- level athletes into a cohesive unit is difficult, even for professional and college coaches.

Expecting, often-untrained youth coaches to create great team chemistry can be asking a lot. The good news is that youth sport coaches do not have to deal with oversized egos or over paid athletes that college and professional coaches have to deal with.

The bad news is that youth coaches have to deal with over-zealous parents that can put a thorn into building great team chemistry. Often, it only takes one uncooperative player or parent to disrupt team chemistry.

Team chemistry building is a process that takes time to develop. Good coaches are continually on the lookout for teaching moments that will enhance team chemistry as well as build positive character in team individuals.

With that being said, there are many ways that youth sport coaches can incorporate into their coaching that leads to great team chemistry.
1. Open communication is one of the main keys to maintaining team chemistry. Coaches who clearly explain all team rules and coaching philosophy are off to a good start in developing team chemistry. Of course, following their stated rules and philosophy is always necessary, too.
2. Coaches should devote equal time to each team member, which makes every player feel like an integral part of the team. On the other hand, coaches, who display overt favoritism to some, often create factions on teams, which is detrimental to overall team chemistry.

Even young players notice when teammates may be slighted with the coach's attention or negativity and this can be detrimental to team chemistry development.
3. Youth coaches should always watch for team members who comment or act negatively towards less talented players. Coaches should not allow any negativity to be displayed from one player or group of players towards others.

Additionally, coaches should keep an eye out for any negativity displayed by parents towards players, coaches or towards other parents.
4. Teams often take on the attitude of their coach. Youth coaches who display an enthusiastic, fun and encouraging style will see their team display this attitude. Happy coaches often translate into happy kids, which leads to good team chemistry.
5. Coaches should teach sportsmanship and teamwork and watch for examples of these on their team, on other teams and in the news.

6. Team members that hang out together, even when not practicing or playing, often create stronger bonds. Coaches, or a designated parent, should organize team outings away from the game itself.

7. Fun is always a key - youth sport coaches, who can make things fun for kids, have a great chance of molding teams into a cohesive unit. Fun for athletes includes: overcoming challenges, activity, positive feedback, chances to compete, knowledge, winning and having the opportunity to win.
8. Coaches should teach the philosophy of "we." Explaining to players "we win as a team and we lose as a team" is key, as well as emphasizing the importance of each team member's contributions to the group.
9. Coaches should encourage players to "reach out" to all players so that cliques are not formed. Breaking up kids into groups with different players each practice is a good start to helping kids get to know each other.
10. As mentioned, it only takes one player or parent to disrupt a team so coaches should try to "get ahead" of any negativity with open communication before gossip and disruption can form.

Of course, winning teams often feel better about themselves. That should be motivation enough for coaches to the best job they are capable of to help teams win. Finally, creating an atmosphere where "kids can be kids" is important.

This does not mean that coaches have to be friends with all players, but that coaches use their authority role to promote a positive experience for all, which leads to team chemistry.

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Good Coaching

Coaching a sports team takes a lot of work and effort. Coaches are rarely better performers than the players they coach. In fact many coaches these days were fairly average players back when they played the game. They are responsible for getting sporting teams or individuals ready to compete, and lead them through their particular game or event with success.

Drills, practices and scrimmages are done before the event to get the athlete or team ready for competition. To also aid in the win, coaches usually have a playbook and make sure the team properly executes the plays in it. Some other duties coaches have include player recruitment and some general manager responsibilities.

Great sports coaches inspire their teams to believe they can win. Some well know coaches who were known for stirring emotion and inspiration are former UCLA coach John Wooden, Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, Tennessee Vol's coach Pat Summit, and long time gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi.

To be a successful coach you must know your players (or team) needs to be mentally, physically and emotionally in tune. A coach who seems to master balancing these elements within his team is Phil Jackson. Jackson realizes his players must learn to expand, sharpen, and focus all these areas to really excel and master their sport.

Now the question shifts to why do some coaches constantly win and others seem to always loose? One element of a winning team is to be in shape. A good coach understands this learn to motivate their players to stay in shape, eat healthy and avoid drugs and other substances which are bad for their body. Another element good coaches use to assure wins is making sure players know the game time situations.

We all remember in 1993 when Chris Webber called a timeout in the final seconds of the game when the team did not have one. I am not blaming that loss on the coach but that's an example to show how vital relaying key information to your team is. This turns into good coaches testing their athletes mentally, which means winning teams are smart teams.

The last element that makes a good coach is making sure your team plays as one and within the spectrum of the rules. Top coaches mold teams into cooperative units working as one. Great teams are instructed by their coach to play within the rules of the game.

Also if team is playing as one unit they learn to win as a team and lose as one. Teams that continuously win, are usually coached by people that see sports as a way to lead a richer, fuller life. They help their players prioritize sports into their daily life rather than let the sport consume it.

In conclusion, good coaches are good teachers. They work hard at developing skills, ensuring values, and guiding their athletes to success. Winning coaches win because they have utilize players' skill, know the rule, understand the value of communication, and believe in commitment.

A coach's character and his or her ability to teach are the leading winning elements. Good coaches usually have a bond with their players long after they complete their athletic competitions.

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Important Cover For All Coaches

There is always plenty of insurance for sportspersons but many are not aware of the levels of cover available for coaches and instructors. If insurance is important for competitors it is arguably even more important for coaches as they are responsible for all competitors during training sessions and competition.

Whatever level of sport you coach at you should be fully insured. This is true for all sports including football, hockey, gymnastics and many others. Insuring yourself as a sports coach means you are protected against lost, stolen or damaged equipment during any sessions in which you are in control of.

As a coach you will put a considerable amount of time and effort into making training sessions useful and tasking and this will normally include a range of equipment. Fitness instructors probably have the widest range of equipment that is under supervision during any given session. Fitness equipment is expensive and if anything happened to it and you did not have sufficient cover you would be facing some hefty bills for replacement.

You are also responsible for the safety of the participants as ensuring that you all operate in a safe environment is your responsibility. However, we all know sport does not always go to plan and anything can happen at any time; a slip, fall, broken bones are common in most sports. Again, failure to be comprehensively covered could result in you covering these medical bills.

It is not just about having a certain policy, it is vital that you choose a product that will cover you against all eventualities. All sporting coaches and instructors need to ensure they have the required cover as it provides you with peace of mind during training sessions and also you can use this when advertising your services. You are much more likely to have people come to you knowing they are in safe hands.

Policies cover coaches at all levels so whether you coach amateur, professional or just do it in your spare time you will find the right level of cover for you. You can use many policies abroad if, for example, as a football coach you take your team on tour, you will still be covered.

There are also some coaches that may coach different sports and there are selected policies specifically designed for these coaches. Go online now and see what deals you can find.

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