Put Me In, Coach - I'm Ready To Play

by David & Kris Peterson

       
      Coach, don't take me out," Brad pleaded. "Ryan'll mess up and lose the game for us."
      "Brad, no one player wins or loses a game," I said.
      "We're a team, and it's Ryan's turn to play. I'm confident he'll
do his best."

      I knew Ryan didn't have much athletic talent -- everyone on the team knew that -- but he deserved to play. With two outs, a routine fly ball was hit to Ryan in right field, and we all held our breath. But his heart-stopping catch ended the game, and Ryan became a momentary hero, earning respect from his teammates and giving him a jolt of confidence.

     That's what youth sports is all about. If you're coaching a team this spring, be prepared for some challenges.

Here are some ideas that have helped me:

       Build relationships. Game scores and win-loss records will fade away, but friendships and fun will be remembered long after the last out. Teaching your players to care about one another promotes camaraderie.

       Earn their respect. Kids appreciate knowledgeable coaches who admit mistakes and don't act like they know it all. Before each season, I study videos and books to learn age-appropriate drills and coaching tips. I attend clinics and recruit other coaches to lend me a hand. I also follow a plan for practice, which keeps me on track.

      Set rules and standards of behavior. Peter was a skilled player with a bad temper. After striking out one game, he tossed his bat and let out a stream of expletives.

     "Peter, you're benched for the rest of this game!" I admonished, realizing this would penalize our team.

     "Please, Coach, give me another chance," he begged, "I won't do it again."

      I held firm, and we lost the game. But Peter's conduct improved, and his parents thanked me in the end.

     Rules need to be spelled out from the start, then reinforced consistently. Good sportsmanship and appropriate behavior have to be expected from players and coaches.

     Motivate, encourage and have fun! Enthusiasm is contagious. Kids like coming to practice and playing games when the parents are fun to be around. Laugh with them. Surprise them. I've seen coaches hand out bubble gum during practice or organize a parent/player pizza night after a game.

     I look for something to praise about each child. One of my players, Derek, had little natural ability, but he was a whiz at keeping a scorebook. Derek could rattle off each player's batting average, runs scored and strikeouts. Playing ball became secondary when he excelled as a statistician.

      Set an example. It's difficult keeping spirits up when a team loses game after game. But this is a good chance to build character, develop proper attitudes, and teach lessons about life.

      Then come the blessings, both on and off the field. One Sunday morning, I ran into one of my players, Robert, and his mother in front of our church.

     "Coach Peterson, what are you doing here?" Robert asked, his cheeks fighting a grin. "It's our first time at this church, and we don't know anybody. I thought this'd be boring, but it'll be cool with your sons here."

     Not only did we introduce them to our church, but my wife, Kris, shared her faith and love for Christ with Robert's mom, and they began a friendship.

     In our position as coaches, we must realize the Lord pencils us into His game plan to demonstrate His rules, score His points, and love His participants. Playing joyfully for Him and for His glory is the way to be a winner and have ball!
 

This article is reprinted here with permission of the authors. All rights remain with the authors. If you need to contact David or Kris Peterson they live in La Hoya, California and can be reached at (619) 459-1841. Decatur Sports Page thanks them for allowing us to reprint the article here. This article was originally published in the April 1996 edition of a terrific magazine called Focus on the Family. Focus on the Family is an organization founded by Dr. James C. Dobson, Phd. which provides Christian leadership and educational materials for families. If you would like to learn more about Focus on the Family click the hyperlink to go to their website. If you prefer you may e-mail them at family@custhelp.com or write them at Focus on the Family, P. O. Box 35500, Colorado Springs, CO 80935-3550 or call them at
(719) 531-5181.