Listen to The Dan & Bob ShowOur monthly podcast with long-time TV basketball broadcast partners Dan Bonner (CBS) and Bob Rathbun (Fox Sports Net) gives you the lowdown on anything and everything basketball.For the parents Let’s face it: Dealing with an 8-year-old boy on the basketball court is much different than dealing with a 15-year-old girl. When it comes to coaching young people, there is not an owner’s manual for each child. That’s why Dan Bonner and Bob Rathbun say you master certain competencies when it comes to coaching youth sports. You can’t just watch the game on television and talk about it around the water cooler. To be a volunteer coach takes effort – and resources. “The coaching part is crucial when it comes to working with kids,” Bonner says. “As a volunteer coach (regardless of the sport), you have a responsibility to learn as much as you can about coaching, organizing practices, and recognizing and supervising drills. Those are the really important parts when you are working with young people. Kids must learn the basic skills of the sport.” Bonner and Rathbun say that being a volunteer coach is one of the most rewarding experiences you can undertake. They also recommend that you turn to programs such as On Court Player Development® for help. “Coaching youth sports is a volunteer job,” Rathbun says. “The On Court program doesn’t just leave a parent out there. It’s there to help you teach the kids you are coaching. You want them to learn – and have fun while doing it. It gets you ready for the experience. You must understand the game and be able to teach that aspect of it, too.” Bonner emphasizes that you can’t assume being a fan of the game means you can teach it properly. “There is a difference between playing and coaching – a huge difference. The teaching element is very important.” With programs like On Court, volunteer coaches – and officials – have a resource they can trust. Says Rathbun, “One of the problems is that there are a lot of people willing to take the time to volunteer, but not a lot of resources out there to help. Now there is.” OC “The coaching part is crucial when it comes to working with kids.”
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