If you do these 10 things this season, I can’t help but imagine you’ll have a great season!
1. Arrive early/stay late
The power of your presence as a coach can’t be underestimated. Once practices and games begin, coaches have to be focused on the game. Before and afterwards though is often the best time to get to know parents and your kids. These are the times when relational equity is established and bridges for ministry are built.
2. Remember, you are in a fish bowl
What I mean by that is everyone is watching you. Your actions and words are amplified because of this. Be prayerful and mindful of this. Strive to make your actions as a coach an apologetic to the world.
3. Remember who your teammates are
I don’t just mean the players, parents, and coaches on your specific team but instead the leadership of your league, the referees, and other
coaches/volunteers. You are all on the same team! You all have the same goals to impact people with the gospel through sports (hopefully anyway!). Don’t see people as enemies or adversaries but co-competitors and family.
4. Teach life lessons and Biblical truths just as much as the sport itself
You’re failing as a coach if you are just teaching a sport. You are more than a coach! You’re a teacher, you’re a mentor, and you’re a minister! Look at your coaching as such. Look for ways to integrate sports, life, and Biblical truth together.
5. Affirm, Affirm, Affirm!
This doesn’t mean you can’t rebuke and constructively criticize your players. Just remember, kids are longing for affirmation. The state of the American home is severely lacking in encouragement and affirmation. Let your team be a place where that can be found.
6. Pray…and then pray some more!
Pray for your actions/attitudes during games and practices. Pray the same thing for your kids, parents, and opposing teams. Pray for the gospel to be advanced. Pray for opportunities (Colossians 4:1-20). Pray for good conversations. Etc.
7. Empower your parents
Get your parents involved with the team–don’t be a one-man show. Ask a parent to consider being an assistant coach. Get parents involved with snacks or being the team communicator (reminders, emails, etc.). Ask believing parents to reach out to non-believing families.
8. Be solutions oriented
If there’s a problem in the league (rules, format, other teams, etc.), think through some solutions to the problem before bringing the issue to the leadership. Think of ways you can help the situation.
9. Spend time with your players/parents outside of practice and games
Sometimes this can be hard to do but…initiate team lunches after your games or dinners after your practices. Invite the team over to your house (or someone else’s house) before the season starts to get to know everyone. Do a team party after the season. During the season, invite the team to watch a game on TV and use it as a place to learn the sport more. Again, all of this proves to be fertile ground for relationship building. Make an effort to share your life with your team.
10. Handle conflict well
Conflict will be inevitable. Embrace it and vow to make your conflict resolution redemptive.