It is important as a coach to understand these reasons and make the best effort to overcome any problems in these areas.

These factors are:

• The coach did not understand the athletes.
• They did not get enough playing time.
• The coach was a poor teacher.
• There was too much pressure to win.
• They did not like their teammates.
• Poor sportsmanship.
• The coach played favorites.
• The coach put too much pressure on me.

It is important that coaches recognize that the title "Coach" does not guarantee automatic respect and devotion from their athletes. The athletes on your team expect a lot from you. Four of the eight factors on the above list are coaching behaviors. Even the other factors are influenced by the coach. Most coaches do a great job working with their young athletes. Hopefully you are one of those.

The purpose of this article is not to be critical of coaches, but rather to reinforce the importance of each coach thinking carefully about what you say and do as you coach your team. Good coaches are individuals who understand that they are coaching amateurs, not professionals. These coaches need to spend much of their time teaching skills the athlete needs to be successful. Having fun, learning, getting better is the path to winning.

Look at the list of concerns expressed by the athletes. What can you do to change these so that your athletes have a positive experience? Do you pay attention to how your athletes act towards each other? Encourage your athletes to help each other, not criticize a teammate's performance. Sportsmanship is taught by example. Are you a good role model as you interact with your own athletes, other teams and coaches, and the officials? Can you go home after a practice or game, look at yourself in the mirror, and say I did the best I could for the athletes on my team? If you can, you should be proud of yourself. If you can't, you must try harder the next time. Do everything you can to make the athletes on your team thrilled to call you COACH!

This article is provided by Dr. Richard Stratton, Health and Physical Education Program, Virginia Tech.