The Coach-Teacher: A Key Figure in the Development of Children in Sports (Patreon)

We must not forget that during youth sports practice, the coach-teacher must primarily adopt the role of an educator, adapting to:

• The new configuration of multicultural societies, with students from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds;

• Changes in family structures;

• Working with children who have experienced catastrophic situations or significant developmental challenges.

All these societal changes not only influence how the coach must work with children but also modify attitudes, culture, learning styles, and behaviors of new generations of students.

Benefits of Sports

It is common for children to start practicing sports due to influences from friends, parents, media, etc. However, it is crucial to consider sports as an additional aspect of a child's education and development. Sports serve as an extra sphere for socialization and interaction with the environment.

The Role of the Coach-Teacher

• Teaches children to follow rules.

• Helps children overcome shyness.

• Assists in anxiety regulation.

• Encourages collaboration over individualism.

• Teaches children to recognize their limits and respect teammates and opponents.

• Enhances children's psychomotor skills.

• Helps children learn to tolerate frustration.

• Stimulates physical growth.

• Can correct physical impairments.

• Promotes the development of healthy habits.

• Encourages a love for movement.

• Reinforces hygiene and health awareness.

• Instills a sense of responsibility in children.

"The art of teaching depends more on how we convey knowledge than on what we know."

First and foremost, the role of the Coach-Teacher in youth sports differs significantly from that of a coach in professional categories. The responsibility expected of a Coach-Teacher at these stages extends beyond merely transmitting sports knowledge. They also serve as role models for children and adolescents.

Additional skills are essential for fostering holistic development in students: engaging in dialogue with players, stimulating interest in cooperative sports, providing personal guidance, nurturing emotional and moral development, recognizing student diversity, and promoting teamwork.

At younger ages, sports should be presented as a game and an end in itself, ensuring that every child feels integrated into the team and enjoys all moments. To achieve this, the Coach-Teacher should:

• Offer individualized attention, understanding each child's unique characteristics.

• Establish empathy with each child and their specific circumstances while actively listening.

• Be a motivator, proposing small challenges where winning is not the main objective.

• Encourage teamwork over individualism by promoting cooperation-based games and avoiding conflicts.

• Maintain a positive attitude to foster children's engagement in sports and intervene in resolving any conflicts that arise.

• Work toward developing values such as Respect, Solidarity, Companionship, Motivation, and Personal Growth.

The Coach-Teacher as a Role Model

As previously mentioned, the Coach-Teacher for children and adolescents plays a vital role in their education, alongside families and academic teachers. For this reason, they must serve as behavioral role models for their team. This entails:

• Encouraging collaboration and understanding with referees, as well as with opposing team coaches and players.

• Helping students manage anger by teaching ways to release tension and rewarding self-control.

• Preventing student exclusion.

• Treating all students with respect and expecting them to do the same among themselves.

• Promoting gender equality in sports.

• Teaching conflict resolution through dialogue.

• Encouraging students to empathize with teammates and understand their emotions in different situations.

Attitudes That Encourage Children and Adolescents to Engage in Sports

• Prioritizing emotional needs over competitive results: The Coach-Teacher should adapt to the circumstances surrounding students' lives, fostering attitudes that benefit them (e.g., companionship, solidarity) and helping them develop resilience in challenging environments. Sports thus become a learning tool for values that are essential in other areas of life.

• Reinforcing goal achievements at both individual and group levels: Positive reinforcement helps promote beneficial behaviors within the team. It is crucial that all students feel valued by their Coach-Teacher, as young athletes often seek adult approval for self-esteem. Additionally, this reinforcement builds confidence in children, enabling them to make decisions within the game and beyond.

• Setting achievable and age-appropriate goals: If objectives are too easy, students may become demotivated; if too difficult, they may feel frustrated. Goals must always align with each student's level and the group's overall abilities.

• Creating stimulating training routines: Dynamic exercises and games should foster interaction among children, enhance motivation, and promote positive emotions. The training environment should be relaxed, offering children an escape from potentially difficult realities in their daily lives.

Reference: Real Madrid Foundation Didactic Guide