Pursuing Excellence in Youth Coaching
An Orientation and Training Manual for Youth Coaches
by
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TABLE OF CONTENTS As you may or may not know, youth recreation sport programs are without a doubt the most utilized, and important programs a community can offer. These programs are designed to enhance the growth of youths in various areas such as life skills, and basic skills, which would include, but are not limited to, accepting responsibility, sportsmanship, and developing interaction skills. These programs are also utilized as an avenue to decrease juvenile delinquency within the community. Another advantage to programs such as this is the development of physical fitness early on in life, which is critical to youth development. Because of this, it is of the utmost importance that individuals accepting youth coaching positions within the community execute their employment function as either a paid coach or a volunteer coach in the best possible way, and at the same time, take pride in doing so. This manual was designed as an information and training tool for anyone in the field of recreation sports for youths. It includes very important information pertaining to every aspect of the position to which you, as a coach, are about to fill. It is suggested that you familiarize yourself with the contents of this manual immediately. The training of youth coaches is not something that can be properly accomplished on a one-time basis. It is an ongoing process that begins with this manual but must be continued throughout your career as a youth coach. There is no doubt that if you follow the guidelines listed in this orientation and training manual, you will see an improvement in your program, which will, of course, please everyone involved. Good luck in your program. Yours in recreation, Larry Hinkle
SUBJECT MATTER PAGE/S
Letter from Author 1
Objectives 2
Benefits 2-3
Youth Coaching Philosophy 3-4
Organizational Chart 4
Suggested Requirements for Employment as a Youth Coach 4-5
Emergency Action Plan 5-7
Personal Records 7-8
Waiver/Release/Hold Harmless Agreement 8-9
Pre-Season Physical 9
Athletic Equipment Inspection 9-10
First Aid Certifications 10
First Aid Kit 10-12
Conditioning of the Recreation Sport Participant 12-14
Warm-up Activity
Skills
Cool-down Activity
Prehydration and Rehydration 14
Disease Prevention 15
Introduction of Coach/Coaching Staff 15-16
Practice Sessions 16-17
Rules and Regulations – Enforcement Actions 17
Suspension and Dismissal Policy 17-18
Legal Responsibilities 18
Coaches’ Evaluation – Coach/Coaching Staff 19
Recreation Sport Participant Evaluation Form 19-20
Conclusion 20-21
Works Cited 29
Dear Coach:
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Book Details
About the Book
In many youth organizations, such as local city and/or county youth bureaus, the youth coach receives very little training in the way of coaching, and most likely, little or no pay for his or her services. Because of this, it is very difficult for youth organization to require their coaching staff to complete mandatory training (in the way of college course work) in the areas of philosophy, methods, and first aid/CPR training. It must be mentioned that these items are very important ingredients in accomplishing the goals and objectives that are expected of a youth coach. This orientation and training manual will teach the coach how to develop policies pertaining to his or her program, and how to follow policy established by the sponsoring agency. He or she will learn ways to prevent problems that may involve the program participants, and/or parents. He or she will learn training skills in the areas of warm-up exercises, skills practice, and of course cool-down techniques. Other administrative skills will be covered such as developing an emergency action plan, knowing the appropriate agency chain of command or organizational chart, inspecting equipment before it is issued. The importance of obtaining and maintaining proper first and CPR certifications is covered and also the importance of having appropriate first aid supplies on hand at all times during practice sessions and contests. The subject of "legal liability" is covered. Coaches will learn how to improve their program by utilizing participant and staff evaluations. The youth coach will learn communication skills, and a philosophy of coaching is offered. Suggestions for practice sessions are made, and policy in regard to rules and regulations and the enforcement of same. The benefits of this type of manual are unlimited. It is a continuous reference manual that can be utilized by the coach at almost anytime.
About the Author
Larry Hinkle is currently serving as Director of Athletics at Cincinnatus Central School, Cincinnatus, NY and served as Director of Athletics and Recreation Sports at Tompkins Cortland Community College, Dryden, New York from September, 1986- August 2000. He holds New York State Teaching certifications in Recreation, Business and Distributive Education, and Technology Education. Mr. Hinkle has also coached Wrestling and Golf at the collegiate level. Mr. Hinkle continues to teach various recreation activity courses as an adjunct instructor for the Lifetime Sports and Recreation Education Department of Tompkins Cortland. He has served as the Tournament Director for an annual youth wrestling tournament that involved between 200 and 300 youths. He has many years of coaching experience at the youth, scholastic, and collegiate levels. Mr. Hinkle served as the New York State (North) Director for the National Intramural-Recreation Sports Association (NIRSA) from 1989 to 1991, and has offered workshops, and seminars in Risk Management for recreation sports and aquatics. From 1988 to 1990, he served as the founding president of the Mid-State Athletic Conference, which involves two-year colleges from central New York. In 1993, he was voted NJCAA Region III Wrestling Coach of the Year, and in 1996 while coaching at Dryden High School, he was voted as Interscholastic Athletic Conference Wrestling Coach of the Year. Mr. Hinkle holds an A.S. Degree in Recreation Leadership from Tompkins Cortland Community College, a B.S. Degree in Liberal Studies from The University Of The State Of New York, Regents College, and an M.A. in Social Sciences from Binghamton University. He is a New York State Certified High School Wrestling Coach and Golf Coach, and is a Nationally Certified Recreation Sports Specialist (NIRSA).