I won’t enumerate all the facets of a youth coach’s job. It would take an entire book and more. I will argue, however, that a coach’s primary job is to teach. No, it is not to win; it is to teach kids how to win. Most of that teaching goes on at practice, and I’m going to focus on just one part of coaching: teaching a skill. If you are new coach or a parent trying to help your child learn, these techniques will help make the teaching easier and more successful. Coaching is harder than it looks.
It should be obvious, but it is real important to be sure you are teaching the right thing! Techniques may be different from when you learned or from what you see at the college or pro level. You can find all kinds of sources to help with what to teach. Books, videos, and clinics are readily available. Assistants and parents should all be teaching the same skill basics. Head coaches should not assume everyone is on the same page. Teach the adults on your team too.