Four Steps to Better Youth Sports Coaching Kate Nematollahi National Alliance for Youth Sports
National Alliance for Youth Sports Improving Youth Sports Nationwide Since 1981 Non-profit 501(c)(3) organization NAYS strives to make playing sports fun, safe, and positive for all kids Education Membership Resources Programs
Youth Sports Today
Youth Sports Today What else is happening in youth sports? Prevalence of Youth Sports Organizations Age of participants Specialization Travel/Select/Elite
Pop Quiz
Today s Session Learn a proactive approach to managing youth sports coaches. Gain insight on developing policies for evaluation and accountability of volunteer youth sports coaches. Discuss obstacles that relate to youth sports coach management. Sign giveaway!
Volunteer Coach
Compare to employment process 1. Screening 2. Training 3. Evaluation 4. Accountability
Step 1: Screening Why screen coaches? To make an unwelcome environment for anyone who doesn't put children s needs first. To keep people who have a history of inappropriate behavior or who are unfit to work with children out of your organization. To select the best volunteers. To clarify what the standards and expectations of the organization are in terms of child protection.
Step 1: Screening Have a written screening policy Provide job descriptions Obtain completed applications Have a consent/release form signed and dated Evaluate application Interview the applicant Conduct a criminal background check Review results check against disqualifiers
Small Group Discussion 1.Describe your coach screening process from recruitment to selection. 2.In what ways could your coach screening process be improved this year?
Step 2: Training Orientation which includes the philosophy of your program Sport specific information Behavior expectations Code of Conduct, etc. Important needs beyond the training Insurance coverage Educational resources Coaching tools
Step 2: Training Training Follow Up Reinforce learning points from orientation Take Homes Commitments (Code of Ethics) Resources Drills & Skills Practice Planners Peer to Peer Resources Coaching Tools Team Communication Tools Self Evaluators
Small Group Discussion 1.Describe the training and resources you provide to coaches. 2.What s the most important thing you want your coaches to know? (Your opinion)
Step 3: Evaluation How are your coaches doing? Feedback from parents Type of feedback Frequency of feedback Evaluations should be convenient and practical Define steps for reviewing and responding to evaluations
Step 4: Accountability Codes of Ethics Established Procedures for Disciplinary Actions Reporting Responding Follow Through Coach Accountability Committee/Individual Information Sharing
Scenarios A parent calls you and says that his child s coach plays favorites and disregards the playing time policy. The parent is upset because kids who do not attend practices regularly are getting more playing time than his child. He does not want to be confrontational with the coach because they are friends but wants to see the established playing time policy enforced. How do you handle this situation?
Scenarios Last year your committee made the decision to permanently suspend a coach from your program. You recently heard from a parent that this individual is coaching in a neighboring league. What actions do you take, if any?
1. Screening Guidelines & Management 2. Training Live and Online Clinics continuing education membership benefits - value 3. Evaluation Coach Rating System 4. Accountability Code of Conduct/ Reporting & Revocation Procedures
National Youth Sports Coaches Association Coach Administrator Training Membership Management
National Youth Sports Coaches Association NYSCA Training Online & Live Clinics $20 Annual Membership Part 1: Coaching Youth Sports Part 2: One Sport Specific Training 12 specific sport trainings live clinic options for non-traditional sports Code of Ethics Exam add additional sports for $5
Login to NYSCA online clinic: www.nays.org/nyscaonline
Part 1: Coaching Youth Sports
Part 1: Coaching Youth Sports Psychology and philosophy Working with parents and young athletes Teach good sportsmanship Tips on communication Safety Injury prevention Conditioning Nutrition/Hydration
Part 2: Sport Specific Training 12 sports Baseball Softball Basketball Football Flag Football Boys Lacrosse Girls Lacrosse Soccer Ice Hockey Inline Hockey Cheerleading Volleyball
NYSCA Membership Benefits Training course Membership card $1,000,000 in excess liability coverage Increases to 2,000,000 + $250,000 accident in year 2 Youth Sports Journal SportingKid Live! Monthly Coaching E-Newsletter Additional trainings at no cost Online Membership
Login to NYSCA member area at: www.nays.org
NYSCA member area:
NYSCA member area:
Additional FREE Trainings
Advanced Training Option
Chapter Management Coach Oversight & Management View Member Status Coach accountability procedures Order materials Download forms Set-up/manage background checks Manage coach evaluations Access to youth league resources Chapter E-Newsletter
Log in to NYSCA Chapter Management at: www.nays.org
Chapter Management Area
Rate Your Coach Results
National Guidelines Created with input from youth sports professionals Coach Accountability Reporting Feature Allows NAYS to keep track of incidents and report back to chapters Revocation Coaches not living up to the Code of Ethics can have their memberships revoked -permanently
Starting a Chapter No fees to be a Chapter. First step to get started with the Chapter development process is to complete the Chapter Interest Form online. www.nays.org/start-a-chapter
Your Responsibility
Thank you for all you do for the children in your community! Kate Nematollahi kate@nays.org 1-800-688-5437 www.nays.org/presentations/mparks-2016