Without volunteer coaches, youth sports programs like the PFFL simply would not exist. Often, parents with no background in the sport or experience leading a team of kids, step up to lead the team. Being an effective coach is about setting a good example and building the players confidence and ability, and not always about the final score.

The kids on a youth sports team will likely not remember the final score of the first round PFFL playoff game they played in when they were 10. The will, however, likely remember the impact their coach had on them. It’s important to remember that winning is great, but the real point of leagues like the PFFL is to teach kids how to be part of a team, play the game, and exhibit sportsmanship.

Instilling values of hard work, dedication to their team, and making the season an enjoyable experience are the primary tasks of a great youth sports coach. Teaching fundamentals now will give your athletes a solid base to build on when they join a school team. It’s important that kids enjoy their time on the team, since a bad experience so early in their sports careers could cast a negative cloud over the rest of their time on organized sports teams or deter them from even joining other teams.

Celebrating their victories, correcting their errors, and providing a fun environment to get active and learn the sport are really the ultimate goals of coaching in leagues like the PFFL.