Rules

For as much as I want to encourage parents - or anyone - to volunteer their time to coach, you have to really want it. You have to be the "authority" on the team - the example for everyone to follow. And, you have to know the rules... of the sport, and of the league you're playing in. It doesn't matter when you learned them - just that you know, and adjust your coaching and strategy accordingly.



Why isn't this just really obvious? Because there are a lot of other things to think about. Equipment. Emails to the team. Dang, work was really bad today... When is practice? Little Johnny can't make that day, can you please move it to Tuesdays? In fact, that's the only day he can make it... But, you've seen soccer on TV - it can't be that hard, right? No hands, 11 players per side...?


Nothing is more embarrassing than to show up having practiced with goalies and now you can't use them. Or finding out that the basketball hoops are really 8 feet and not 6. Or that your team missed out on scoring a touchdown because you didn't realize you only had 2 timeouts per half. I've seen all of this happen, and none of it was positive.


Reading the rules literally takes a few minutes. It's ok to have questions. Every coordinator I've ever worked with was more than happy to follow up on any questions I had. Once you've read and understand the rules, don't let anyone else dictate the rules as they understand them to you (not parents, and especially not other coaches!). You will have practiced skills and put in strategy around the rules to give your kids the best chance of success (RIGHT?!). This is not to say you shouldn't agree to minor rule modifications with other coaches or officials as individual situations dictate! But knowing the rules puts you in that authority role that coaches should be in. Your parents will respect this, and the kids will rally around it.


Rules are your ally. They are in place to put the kids in the best and safest environment to succeed in the given sport. Knowing them well gives you an advantage, and it is difficult to argue what's written in the coaches' packet (vs. what you've "heard" or assumed about the league). This simple action can make the difference between great and not-so-great experiences on the field.


For my friends who may be reading - or for those of you who enjoy "The Big Lebowski" - yes, the scene with Smokey and Walter was the inspiration for this post.