Coaching philosophy should be positive
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Editor,
Improving coaching philosophies should be top priority in high school athletics. It is something that has been obvious for years, but until recently I hadn’t considered the ramifications of how negative coaching affects the athletes and their families. Each school athletic program should have in place a clear philosophy for their coaches, players, school, and community to follow, foster, and support.
I have observed favoritism, bullying, and confidence destroying tactics bestowed upon players by coaches who are responsible for bolstering the skills, unifying a team, and building self-confidence and self-worth in individual players.
I feel freshmen do not belong on varsity level teams because they have yet to gain the experience and maturity older teammates possess. However, freshmen should be treated as valued members of any team. The idea of having junior varsity and freshmen level teams is to identify specific skills players need to learn, practice, and put into action with other players of the same ability level, maturity level, and physical condition. These leveled teams should not be used as a form of humiliation, segregation, or subservience to the more mature, higher skill set, and usually upper classmen/lady players on varsity level teams. Just as varsity teams should not be placed at a higher significance than the other teams.
It is disappointing to witness a group of individual players who possess wonderful character qualities and game skills become reduced to feeling they aren’t “good enough” due to a coach’s language, practice, and approach. Coaching with a positive philosophy will gain positive results. Schools should require a coaching style that fits within the established school district athletics philosophy.
Sports are a great way for players to become a part of something bigger than themselves. Having an athlete also unites families with other families and community members all supporting their individual players as well as players on a team. The idea of a team is to unite the group into positive action for a unified goal.
Players have the right to positive, unbiased, fair and equal treatment by coaches. A good coach ensures all team members feel important.
Angie Mock
Charlo
