Joe Liotine Life Time - 10 Things Coaches Can Do to Create a Positive Youth Sports Experience. For more about Joe Liotine of Life Time Fitness, check out http://joeliotine.info

1. JOE L IOT INE
1 0 THINGS COACHES CAN DO TO
CREATE A POSI T IVE YOUTH
SPORTS EXPERIENCE

2. 1. Redefine success.
I T NOT ALWAYS ABOUT BEING THE BEST OUT ON THE
F IELD. SET PERSONAL GOALS FOR KIDS AND HELP
THEM CELEBRATE WHEN THEY ACCOMPL ISH
SOMETHING THEY NEVER COULD OF DONE BEFORE
YOU HELPED.

3. 2. Be knowledgeable about the sport you are
coaching.
I T HELPS TO HAVE PLAYED THE SPORT , BUT
CONSIDER STUDYING THE SPORT AND ASKING OTHER
COACHES FOR T IPS.

4. 3. Be knowledgeable about the age group you are
coaching.
THERE IS A HUGE DI F FERENCE BETWEEN 5 YEARS
OLDS AND 8 YEAR OLDS, THAT 3 YEARS MAKE A HUGE
D I F F E R E N C E D E V E L O P M E N T A L L Y . D O N ’ T T R E A T
EVERY AGE GROUP THE SAME.

5. 4. Understand the unique developmental skill
patterns of that age group and make adjustments
for that skill level
COORDINAT ION AND OTHER SPORTS AREAS MIGHT
NOT BE FUL LY DEVELOPED. MAKE SURE TO MAKE
EXCEPT IONS FOR THE AGE GROUP.

6. 5. Remember that the inability to perform a certain
skill may just be a lack of developmental timing,
rather than a true lack of ability.
T H I S I S N ’ T T H E P R O S , N O T E V E R Y K I D I S G O I N G T O
BE THERE DEVELOPMENTAL LY AT THE SAME PACE.
HELP THEM LEARN AND GROW.

7. 6. Reinforce and refine the skills that are achieved
without pushing too quickly for other skills.
SPORTS ARE LARGER THEN JUST A SET OF
PHYSICALS SKI L LS. REMEMBER TO TEACH THEM
ABOUT WINING AND LOSING, PERSEVERANCE, AND
WORKING TO REACH GOALS.

8. 7. Give kids small tasks to learn to increase
chances for accomplishment
SET SMAL L AND MORE EASI LY REACHABLE GOALS TO
HELP GIVE THE KIDS POSI T IVE ACCOMPL ISHMENTS.

9. 8. Be enthusiastic and genuine.
T H I S I S N ’ T T H E P R O S , C O L L E G E , O R E V E N H I G H
SCHOOL SPORTS. THESE KIDS ARE NOT HERE TO BE
YEL LED AT AND MOT IVATED. BE GENT LE AND HELP
THEM.

10. 9. Make kids feel comfortable so they are not afraid
to try new skills.
MAKE YOUR PRACT ICES PLACES WHERE KIDS ARE
COMFORTABLE SCREWING UP SO THEY CAN LEARN
NEW SKI L LS.

11. 10. Let everyone play and substitute players
frequently.
EVEN KIDS WHO ARE LESS TALENTED SHOULD GET
OPPORTUNI T IES TO PLAY SO THEY CAN DEVELOP.
I T ’ S N O T T H E P R O S .