Coaches

Code of ethics

I hereby pledge to live up to my selection as a RCMFA Coach by following the RCMFA Coaches’ Code of Ethics:

I will place the emotional and phsical well being of my players ahead of a personal desire to win.

I will treat each player as an individual, remembering the large range of emotional and physical development for the same age group.

I will do my best to provide a safe situation for my players.

I will promise to review and practice basic first aid principles needed to treat injuries of my players.

I will do my best to organize practices that are fun and challenging for all my players.

I will provide a sports enviroment for my team that is free of drugs, tobacco, alcohol, profanity of any kind and firearms, and I will refrain from any use at all sports events.

I will lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all my players.

I will be knowledgeable in the rules of each sport that I coach, and I will teach these rules to my players.

I will use those coaching techniques appropriate for all of the skills that I teach.

I will remember that I am a youth sports coach, and that the game is for children and not adults.

I will refrain from “running up” the score against an Opponent.  This includes keeping in the first team defense at all times.

COACHES CORNER

1.  Get to know each child likes and dislikes.  You can the base your praise and reinforcement to their individual needs.

2.  Use mistakes as positive opportunities to learn rather than negative outcomes     to dwell on.

3.  Setting clear expectations in “Team Rules” will help maintain order and      discipline.

4.  Whenever correcting a mistake, don’t emphasize the bad effects of the      mistake.  Instead, point out the good things that will happen if the child follows your instruction.

5.  Always be open to learn more about coaching.  Remember “If you’re through learning, you’re through.”

6.  Always plan your practices.  Unplanned practices often deteriorate into the same old “favorite” drills of the coach.

7.  Try and make sure you give praise to each individual child during a practice.

8.  Always end practices on a positive note.

9.  Get to practice early to inspect practice area for unsafe conditions.

10.  When planning your practice, always think FUN!!!

Children deserve equal playing time.

If you were to ask children if they would rather play and be on a losing team, or sit on the sidelines for a winning team, the vast majority would say they would rather play.

In fact, if children aren’t allowed to participate they’re not going to have much fun, and they aren’t likely to stay involved in the sport very long, either.

Regardless of their age or the sport, every child wants to participate and feel that they’re part of the team.

And that can only happen if the coach takes the time to make it happen.

Successful volunteer youth coaches aren’t just judged by how many first-place trophies they’re got lining their mantel.

The truth good coaches are those that understand that wins and losses aren’t as important as making sure each child is having a fun and rewarding experience while under their supervision.

And if children aren’ playing they aren’t having fun.   And they’re not waiting around long, either,

Studies reveal that boys participate in sports for just 3.17 years.

That doesn’t leave much room, or time, for coaches to make a positive impact.

A sound coaching philosophy must revolve around meeting the need of each child, not just on those children who run faster, throw harder or catch better.

Take a moment to reflect on your youth sports experiences.  What do you remember?  Is it the winning and losing? Probably not. Rather, it’s the activity, the involvement of being with your friends and playing.

They’re called “forever memories” and whether they occurred on a baseball field or football field, they’re what you’ll look back on for the rest of your life.

Children, who are forced to sit on the sidelines while their friends play, often walk away from their sports experience with “forever memories” too.

Unfortunately, these are destructive memories that tear apart they’re confidence and self-esteem, and that‘s not what youth sports are all about.