I started this last week, all chipper about spring cleaning and hitting
reset before summer madness. Then the economic world got chucked into a
blender.
Somewhere in the shadowy margins of a suburban sports complex, a
beleaguered youth sports director is drowning in spreadsheets, unanswered
emails, and the ceaseless bickering of parents who want their kid to play
attack but don’t know what offsides means.
The number one question I get about 5 times a week - which software system
should I use? And my answer is always….it depends. I know it's frustrating,
but there are MANY factors that should be considered when choosing a
software system.
Are we contributing to the stress? Are we just spurring on the
professionalization of youth activities? Are we part of the solution or
just continuing the problem.
For anyone involved in youth sports it’s a question you must keep asking,
especially as you reflect on the state of youth sports and your role within
it.
Most people don’t become the President of a youth sports organization by
choice. It’s not because they don’t want to help out, but it’s often thrust
upon them in a moment of need. With the decline of volunteerism in this
country, the true volunteers are often being asked to do part-time if not
full-time jobs, but for no pay and with very little resources.
So what do you do if you find yourself in this situation?
We often speak at Focus on the Field about a concept called the “Tyranny of
the Urgent”, the imperative that what needs to happen first is often what
is the most urgent and seemingly important. But when the tyranny of the
urgent takes over, processes, systems and inevitably humans start to break
down. So how does one combat this tyranny or put more simply “the chaos of
now”. Is it possible to stop the tyranny before it starts?
I’m here to say YES it is possible.
What began as an idea in the fall of 2019 has blossomed into a thriving
business dedicated to alleviating the off-field administrative burden of
coaches, directors, and volunteers, ensuring that kids have the best
possible on-field experience.
Coaching youth (and adult) athletes is one of the most rewarding
opportunities. Working in youth sports, it is important to get back to
these Five Foundations, passed on to us from some of the best coaches we
know in our youth partner groups:
Five Of The Best Coaching Foundations
Growing up in youth sports in the 80’s and 90’s, physical performance,
discipline, and teamwork were always the focal points. Grit and toughness
were exalted and physical pain was a necessary feature, not necessarily in
a bad way. That said, mental pain and anguish was a non factor, it just
wasn’t discussed.
