It’s no secret that coaches today are under tremendous scrutiny to lead our youth sports participants in a caring, supportive, and encouraging manner. If you, like me, have spent your life in leadership roles, you’ll know that any leadership role is tough. Like really tough. Not because there is a lack of knowledge, resources, or support to succeed. But rather our requirement to succeed is now more critical than any other time in history.
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
James 3:1
Coaches today are being demanded to contribute in young athlete’s lives in several areas. Gone are the days of coming to the rink, teaching hockey, and going home to your family. Coaching has morphed into a 24/7 job of mentor, teacher, role model, counselor, nutritionist, psychiatrist, cheerleader – all while accessibility to coaches isn’t just requested, it’s required.
15 years ago I began coaching youth sports with one goal: To introduce and disciple for Jesus to my players through the sport of hockey. It was an audacious goal on two fronts. I was an ok hockey player growing up topping out at the college level (pay to play variety) and always relied on hockey IQ to differentiate myself from competitors. I was more of an “athlete” growing up lettering in several sports in HS – than I was a hockey player.
The other front was my waning relationship with Christ. I grew up a Lutheran and was Confirmed my Junior year in high school. I wasn’t overly religious per say, but I did grow up exposed to the understanding the vital role Jesus plays in adulthood. I wasn’t embarrassed of my faith, or overly aggressive courting discipleship. It just wasn’t important enough.
Living in faith during my early 20’s just wasn’t something I felt on fire for. I was determined to make it on my own during college. I was successful in the workforce (laying the banking foundation I now am an expert at) and at one point felt confident that I had life under control. I coasted through the rest of my 20’s drifting further from Christ and picking up bad habits along the way – continuing doing things on my own terms.
Living in faith during my early 20’s just wasn’t something I felt on fire for. I was determined to make it on my own.
Jason witt
It took a humbling moment from my twin brother in my early 30’s and a phone call follow up to understand that I had hit rock bottom in my relationship with Christ. I had become the one thing I despised more than anything else. I was a user. If Jesus lived his life to serve, I was living my life then to take (none of the illegal variety I might add. I was drifting from God, not moral standards). I was hurting people by not living my destined life, as a discipled warrior for Christ.
Statistically speaking, cultural consensus analysis of childhood parenting shows that the period for greatest impact of parenting on a child’s development occurs at adolescence, at a median age of 12 years old. Why? Articulated clearly: Protection from development distractions and powerful context specific risks like early pregnancy, substance abuse, and social pulls like clicks and friendships (show me your friends and I’ll show you your future). Enter youth sports.
I’ve always had a heart for helping children. I believe now that if we can help children stay on track early, we will not have to help fix them when they are older. Even though I was drifting from Christ in my 20’s, I was spending time learning the art of leadership. After 20 years of leadership roles in a variety of industries and situations, effective leadership and the transfer of that knowledge has been a passion I have cultivated and honed.
Coaching youth sports can be rewarding and frustrating – both within a single practice actually. Let’s walk through 7 important pillars for a coach that makes a successful season. [Read More]
As much as sports has been a part of my life as an athlete, so has the desire to be a great leader and teacher. I come to this point in my life (and coaching career) giving thanks to the greatest example of effective leadership that has ever been with the desire to introduce to youth athletes that same Christ at the most impactful time in their lives.
Creating a playbook for the biblical approach to coaching youth athletes has culminated in A Mighty Coach. Daily affirmations through His word and examples of Christ on how you might also coach and train athletes in this new world of always on sports. In the bible, Christ reiterates that He walks with us side by side so that we may have the strength to continue on. I’m hopeful that A Mighty Coach can serve in a small way as helpful tool in your walk as a youth sports coach. We are stronger as the 99.
Give everything your everything. And then some.
If you’d like, connect with me on Twitter and Facebook, where I’ll share near daily insight on helping you navigate youth sports.
