Four Steps to Improve Four Steps to Improve Youth Sports CoachingYouth Sports Coaching

Kate NematollahiNational Alliance for Youth Sports

National Alliance for Youth Sports

• National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1981 as National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA), a training and membership program for the dads and moms coaching their kid's sports teams.

• NAYS offers programs and services for everyone involved in youth sports, including professional administrators, volunteer administrators, coaches, officials, parents, and young athletes. NAYS strives to make playing sports fun, safe, and positive for all kids.

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…

TodayToday’’s Sessions 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

1. Screening2. Training3. Evaluation4. Accountability

Compare to employment

process

Step 1: Step 1: ScreeningScreeningWhy screen coaches?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 your standards and expectations.

• Have a written screening policypolicy • Provide job descriptionsjob descriptions• Obtain completed applicationsapplications • Have a consent/release form consent/release form signed

and dated • EvaluateEvaluate application• InterviewInterview the applicant• Conduct a criminal background checkbackground check• Review results check against

disqualifiersdisqualifiers• Access Access to results/expirations

Step 1: Step 1: ScreeningScreening

Small Group DiscussionSmall Group Discussion1.Describe your coach

screening process from recruitment to selection.

2.In what ways could your coach screening process be improved this year?

Step 2: Step 2: TrainingTraining• Orientation which includes the

philosophy of your program• Sport specific information• Behavior expectations – Code of

Conduct, etc.

•Beyond the Training• Reinforce learning points from orientation• Take Homes• Commitments (Code of Ethics)

• Resources• Drills & Skills• Practice Planners• Peer to Peer Resources

• Coaching Tools• Communication Tools• Self Evaluators

Step 2: Step 2: TrainingTraining

Small Group DiscussionSmall Group Discussion1.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: Step 3: EvaluationEvaluation• 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: Step 4: AccountabilityAccountability• Codes of Ethics• Established Procedures for

Disciplinary ActionsReporting RespondingFollow Through

• Coach Accountability Committee/Individual

• Information Sharing

ScenariosA 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?

ScenariosLast 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. ScreeningScreening – Guidelines & Management

2. TrainingTraining – Live and Online Clinics – continuing education – membership benefits - value

3. EvaluationEvaluation – Coach Rating System

4. AccountabilityAccountability – Code of Conduct/

Reporting & Revocation Procedures

• Training• Membership• Management

Coach

Administrator

National Youth Sports Coaches Association

NYSCA Training– Online & Live Clinics

• $20 Annual Membership– Part 1: Coaching Youth Sports– Part 2: Sport Specific Training

• 12 specific sport trainings • live clinic options for non-

traditional sports– Code of Ethics– Exam

Login to NYSCA online clinic:www.nays.org/nyscaonline

Part 1: Coaching Youth Sports

Psychology and philosophyTips on communicationTeach good sportsmanshipWork with parentsSafetyInjury preventionConditioningNutrition/Hydration

Part 1: Coaching Youth Sports

Part 2: Sport Specific Training12 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!• 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:

NYSCA member area:NYSCA member area:

Additional FREE TrainingsAdditional FREE Trainings

Advanced Training Option

Chapter ManagementCoach 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:Log in to NYSCA Chapter Management at:www.nays.orgwww.nays.org

Chapter Management area:Chapter Management area:

Rate Your Coach ResultsRate Your Coach Results

Coach AccountabilityCoach Accountability

Reporting Feature:Allows NAYS to keep track of incidents and report back to chapters

National Guidelines:Created with input from youth sports professionals

Revocation :Coaches not living up to the Code of Ethics can have their memberships revoked -permanently

Starting a ChapterStarting a ChapterNo 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@nays.org 1-800-688-5437

www.nays.org/presentations/cpra-2015