It’s beneficial for me as a coach to be the subject matter expert. Continuing to learn about what I am teaching makes me exponentially more valuable to an athlete. But I don’t want to know more so I can be a better coach – I want to know more so I can pass more along to the athlete. Know the difference, align it with your why. #DailyMight
I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure I will never be satisfied with how much I know. There are benefits as a youth coach to be the subject matter expert in teaching the sport – no one should disagree with that. But what I’ve found after all these years, is my reason for learning has changed. Here’s what I mean.
When I started my coaching journey, I had a pretty well established knowledge of the game. I had grown up around the game, and made it to the club college level in my playing days. I could have easily appointed myself at that time a subject matter expert and never open a book again. But man, I’m sure glad I did. As I began to pour into these athletes, I found myself hungry to be better, to know more. I had activated a secret weapon in being a successful coach. I wanted to learn. All the time.
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
PROVERBS 22:6
Transitioning into my late 20’s and right before going into coaching, I realized in most facets of my life I still had plenty to learn. And, I had plenty reason to learn. None was more prominent at the time though, then my desire to be a really good coach for youth sports athletes. As times changed over the next 15 years, and athlete thoughts, ideas, and commitments to youth sports changed – I needed to change with them.
Something interesting happened as I began to learn new techniques, drills, and ways to connect with athletes. What I thought was going to be the reason to change with them (knowing more about the game), ended up not being the reason at all. Don’t get me wrong, I still needed to grow, and learn in the game. The same that I was expecting of my athletes. But as a coach, season after season, I came to the realization that the reason I wanted to learn wasn’t so that I could be more knowledgeable, but that I would have the capacity to pass more training along to the athletes I coached.
It’s beneficial for me as a youth coach to be the subject matter expert. By continuing to learn about what I am teaching makes me exponentially more valuable to athletes I coach. But don’t misunderstand the reason for continued learning. I don’t want to know more so I can be a better coach (although its helpful) – I want to know more so I can pass along more to the athlete. I now know the difference and align my why with it.
Give everything your everything. And then some.
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