Coaches' Responsibilities

"There isn't any other youth institution that equals sports as a setting in which to develop character. There just isn't. Sports are the perfect setting because character is tested all the time."
-John Gardner, Presidential Medal of Freedom Winner and Founding Member of Positive Coaching Alliance's National Advisory Board

We strive to become a Responsible Coach because coaches are amongst the most influential adults in the lives of youth athletes. In conjunction with parents and schools, coaches are key to developing character in our children.

Children who are coached responsibly in sports achieve better grades, are less likely to engage in dangerous behavior, live longer and healthier lives due to improved fitness they carry forward from youth sports. Sports provide the ideal "virtual classroom" for teaching life lessons, if coaches prepare themselves to become Responsible Coaches.

By now you may be wondering what we mean by "Responsible Coach."

Let's begin by explaining what a Responsible Coach is not. A Responsible Coach is not:

Soft
A source of empty, unearned praise
Satisfied with everyone just having fun

Responsible Coaching actually is more difficult, challenging and rewarding than coaching with a win-at-all-cost approach. In addition to learning all you can about your sport, honing your "X's and O's," and competing fiercely for wins you are also committed to:

Ensuring player safety
Placing education and character development before wins
Coaching beyond the "X's and O's"
Coaching athletes to master their sports
Filling "Emotional Tanks" to improve performance and instill love of sport

Medfield Coaches Expectations

Exhibits a high level of coaching competence

Personal commitment to coaching excellence - on and off the field
Commitment to constant development of personal coaching skills
Collaborates and partners with other coaches for personal and game improvement
Plans and prepares for training sessions and games

Achieves and maintains excellence on the field

Maintains paramount concern for the health and safety of the athletes
Focuses on mastery of skills over winning; effort over outcome
Fosters success through positive feedback, valuing teamwork and consistently providing support to players
Participates in tournaments, scrimmages and other opportunities to broaden the athletes exposure to the game
Builds team spirit, respect and camaraderie

Demonstrates an on-going commitment to the well-being and development of athletes

Concerned for the development of the athlete as a whole person - emotional, physical and intellectual
Understands and embraces their role as mentor and role model
Respects the rights, dignity and worth of every athlete and treats everyone equally regardless of background or ability
Upholds playing time guidelines - Half the game

Honors and respects the Game

Upholds the spirit as well as the letter of the rules of the game
Respects all opponents, officials and opposing players
Instills a love of the game to players and parents alike
Upholds zero tolerance

You cannot be a Responsible Coach without deep knowledge of your sport. Know your X's and O's, as well as age-appropriate drills.

Then, realize there is much more to being a Responsible Coach. Understand that the life lessons you teach young athletes will carry far beyond the playing field. Preparing the players for competition entails imparting values and strategies that will impact them long beyond their playing days.