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12 Ways to Be a Model Coach

1. Everything you say or do makes an impression on kids. What they don't see, they often sense.

2. Your praise and criticism are amplified many times in the mind of a child. Praise works best in public; critcism in private.

3. Demonstrate intergrity by admitting when you're wrong. Being accountable increases credibility and trust.

4. The measure of character is how you act when you think no one is looking. You would be surprised at what kids know, hear about and discover by accident. Behavior speaks louder and more persuasively than anything you can say.

5. You never know when you'll touch the life of a child or where your influence will stop.

6. Only a fraction of young people will play sports beyond high school, but most will become parents, employees, and citizens. By building thier character, you'll give them and the rest of society a permanent gift.

7. Setting rules is important because young people are especially vigilant for unfairness and hypocrisy. Too many adults (and pro athletes) are selfish and undisciplined because rules weren't enforced or didn't apply to them when they were young.

8. When the game's on the line, remember that so is integrity.

9. No activity is value neutral. In all you do and teach, you have an opportunity to advance or undermine core ethical values.

10. Consistenct is important to teaching values. Kids are'nt good at understanding the differences from one situation to another, so make few exceptions. But when you must, explain why.

11. Be careful about what you say. Kids tend to treat any statement short of an absolute "no" as a promise.

12. If you're not sure how to handle a situtation, ask yourself;

- What would I tell my child to do?

- What would I do if my child was looking over my shoulder?

- Do I want my character judged on this decision?

- How would I feel if my decision was reported on the 6 o'clock news?

- If everybody did it, would it be a good thing to do?

- What would my role model do?

"Class is when they run you out of town and it looks like you're leading the parade!"

- Bill Battle, former Head Coach of the Tennessee Volunteers