Let the children PLAY

Believe it or not; this is a very powerful statement and one which I hope resonates in your head the next time your team takes the floor.

Unfortunately I have witnessed – as we all have – coaches of really little ones – telling them every single thing to do on the court – and I mean – EVERYTHING.

It gets to a stage where the players are looking at the coach with eyes asking the question…. “What do I do now?”

Gee I hope that if you are one of those coaches – you don’t do it from this day forwards.

If you see a coach doing it – print this out and give it to them.

When young children are playing – the ONLY words they need to be hearing are words of encouragement and laughter because the game is great fun! Little kids bring the game back to the absolute basics for us grown ups – they run, they travel, they try to bounce it, the ring is too high and they play because they love it!

And yes – I know as parents we get caught up in a 1 point game and we start yelling and going crazy – but I have a lasting memory which pretty much sums it up for the kids – let me share that with you….

A game was being played – just like I wrote above – less than a minute to go – 1 point game – parents going crazy – a time out is called.

Right in the middle of the timeout… a Fire Engine goes screaming past the gym – every single child involved in the game – ran from the timeout – to see this Fire Engine – go past – because THAT is exciting to them!

Now – I KNOW you are sitting there with a grin on your face and thinking to yourself – yep – I think I know some kids who would do that – well – let me tell you a little secret – ALL kids are like that. Let them be KIDS!!!!

The next time you are feeling yourself getting too competitive and trying to push kids too hard – think about that story – the bottom line is that these kids are more excited about going to a fast food restaurant after the game – then the game itself – because quite frankly – it doesn’t matter!

If anyone can tell me otherwise – I would love to hear it.

So…. From now on – have fun with the kids, let them play – and let them be kids!

If they lose – SO WHAT!!!!

The only ego that gets damaged is usually yours – and I hope that isn’t the reason you are coaching in the first place!

If the players have tried, and simply haven’t been good enough on the day – then shake the other teams’ hands, congratulate them and go to work on improving.

That my friends – is why we play sport – because we LOVE IT!

To every coach, parent and person who takes time to help improve others lives by coaching.

THANK YOU!

Have a brilliant week

Bruce

Feel free to distribute this article to wherever you please – all I ask is that you include all credits and information as it is stated here.

Bruce Hultgren, A Recognized Expert in Children’s Basketball Coaching, is the founder and creator of the international brand BillyBounce™ and a leading authority on Getting Children Involved in the game. Also an accomplished public speaker. If you're ready to jump-start the lives of children, make a real difference in the world and have more fun and joy in this thing called life, get your FREE success tips from Bruce Hultgren now at: www.billybounce.com or visit Bruce’s blog - www.billybounce.com/bruce

Full copyright exists © 2009 Bruce Hultgren and BillyBounce, LLC.