Recently, I wrote an article about confidence inspired by a friend’s answer to a question I had asked, “What is the most important thing you learned playing youth sports?” There is no doubt our children learn a great deal through their involvement in sports. While I was impressed by my friend’s stories about his youth sports days, I had no experiences to share or reflect on. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to play any sports until high school, so I was unable to answer this question myself. Fortunately, we never stop learning. I am a volunteer youth coach and coaching kids has been among the most enlightening and enriching times of my life. This led me to ask myself a slightly different question, “What is the single most important thing I have learned coaching youth sports?”
Coaching Tips
APIVEO® LESSON TEN – Courage
Courage
Leaders have courage to remain positive in difficult situations.
This lesson will illustrate the value of courage when we experience difficult times. When things are going well we tend to relax and believe that they will continue. During this time our confidence is high and we are open to many opportunities. However, as problems arise and our “luck” begins to change we become cautious. Caution causes us to close down and miss opportunities. Caution can quickly grow into panic as we shut down and try to hang onto what we already have.
What Does Your Leadership Label Say?
If what is on the inside is most important, does that mean what’s on the outside doesn’t matter? When it comes to being a leader we need to understand the importance of what is on the outside, as well as the inside. The content of our character is paramount, but what you show people initially can be truly inspirational. This is an important concept about leadership to teach kids; appearance does matter.
APIVEO featured on CBS Atlanta
APIVEO featured on The Ultimate Sports Parent podcast
Award winning writer and author, Lisa Cohn, recently interviewed Brad Jubin about APIVEO for the Ultimate Sports Parent podcast. Click above to hear the podcast and be sure to visit The Ultimate Sports Parent website for additional information about the world of youth sports and parenting your way through it.
4 things every kid should know about leadership
When I began coaching tee ball several years ago I wanted to teach the kids about more than just baseball. I wanted to help build strong, courageous and caring kids. After a few practices, I found the key to this: leadership. Regardless of age or gender, everyone is a leader in one way or another. The question is not, “do you want to be leader?” it’s actually, “how can you be a great leader?” There is a real need to teach our kids, starting at a young age, about leadership. I was inspired to use my position as a coach to accomplish this.
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