This webinar discusses effectively managing and overseeing volunteer youth sports coaches. It covers screening coaches, providing training, conducting evaluations, and ensuring accountability. Screening involves background checks and interviews. Training includes sport-specific instruction as well as topics like communication and injury prevention. Evaluations provide feedback to improve coaching. Accountability involves codes of conduct and procedures for reporting issues. The goal is working together to prioritize children's development through safe and fun participation in sports.

1. Welcome to the Webinar!Welcome to the Webinar!
We will begin at 1:32pm (eastern)We will begin at 1:32pm (eastern)
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Effectively Managing &Effectively Managing &
Overseeing VolunteerOverseeing Volunteer
Youth Sports CoachesYouth Sports Coaches
John Engh
Chief Operating Officer
National Alliance for Youth Sports

3. A Brief History ofA Brief History of
Youth Sports inYouth Sports in
America…America…
• Sandlot/Pickup GamesSandlot/Pickup Games
• Professional and college influenceProfessional and college influence
• Local “organizations”Local “organizations”
• National OrganizationsNational Organizations
– Pop Warner – 1929Pop Warner – 1929
– Little League – 1939Little League – 1939
– AYSO – 1964AYSO – 1964
• All StarsAll Stars
• Travel TeamsTravel Teams
• Where are we headed?Where are we headed?

4. The ChangingThe Changing
Culture of YouthCulture of Youth
SportsSports
Age of ParticipantsAge of Participants
For the ParentsFor the Parents
or the Children?or the Children?
Travel/Select/EliteTravel/Select/Elite
SpecializationSpecialization

6. For the Recreation Professional:For the Recreation Professional:
• Vicarious parentsVicarious parents
• Overuse InjuriesOveruse Injuries
• Overzealous coachesOverzealous coaches
• AccountabilityAccountability
• Reactive vs ProactiveReactive vs Proactive
• OversightOversight
• Volunteer LeaguesVolunteer Leagues
• Travel TeamsTravel Teams
• Who is running “OUR” programs??Who is running “OUR” programs??

8. What positive aspects would youWhat positive aspects would you
want children to gain from youthwant children to gain from youth
sports participation?sports participation?

9. • FUN!!!
• self-confidence
• self-esteem
• skill building
• social skills
• sportsmanship
• fitness
• respect
• discipline
• role model
• follow through
• responsibility
• play by the rules
• communication
• teamwork
• winning/losing
• motivation
• commitment
• leadership
• positive outlook
What positive aspects would youWhat positive aspects would you
want children to gain from youthwant children to gain from youth
sports participation?sports participation?

10. The Sport Parent ParadoxThe Sport Parent Paradox
• Parents enroll their children in sport because
they believe that sport participation has
tangible benefits – and they are right!
– For the child: It’s enjoyable, builds character, increases self-esteem,
lowers school drop out rates, etc.
– For society: Persons who were involved in youth sports are more
likely (as adults) to volunteer, donate money, vote, attend to news and
current affairs – thus, they are more active members of society!
• It ISIS a fun, safe and healthy activity
• Shift HappensShift Happens - Parents voluntarily sign their
children up for a fun activity and then do all
they can to eliminate the fun their children
are having
• #1 Issue - Identification

11. Identification in Today’s YouthIdentification in Today’s Youth
Sport Culture is the #1 IssueSport Culture is the #1 Issue
• Identification - living through your child’s experience
but applying your own set of values
• Identification is based on outcomesoutcomes
– winning
– all-star teams
– playing time
– fitting into society
Adults are Product Oriented
Who won?
Did my child play?
How many hits/tackles/points did they get?
Children are Process Oriented
Was it fun?

12. “We also have the huge issue of TRAVEL sports. I am torn between
preserving the values that I truly believe in with youth sports - emphasizing
developing children over winning and the shift towards winning first, sitting
those less talented, etc - which seems to be the travel motivation.... Travel
teams started at 5th grade but now it’s down to 3rd grade - even some 2nd
grade teams have formed.
So what to do ... sell out on my values and support a product that I have
trouble believing in? Know that if you have coaches in place that believe
winning is what is most important, then the less talented will be brushed
aside and forgotten about! Can I do that?
Travel is only good when the entire team is talented. It is appropriate and
challenging at the level. But what we are seeing is 3-4 talented kids and the
parents of those kids creating a team around those kids... thus taking
recreation kids and putting them in a situation that is not benefiting the rec
kids. Strangely, the rec parents are happy to pay the bigger price tag for the
prestige of travel and to be part of the team ... How do we combat this social
pressure? Can we?”
Recent email from a Certified Youth Sports Administrator…Recent email from a Certified Youth Sports Administrator…
concerning TRAVEL Sports…concerning TRAVEL Sports…

13. Overuse Injuries…anOveruse Injuries…an
epidemic??epidemic??
• Overuse injuries are responsible for nearly half of all youthhalf of all youth
sports injuriessports injuries. Immature bones, insufficient rest after an
injury and poor training habits are the main culprits.
• Most organized sports related injuries (62 percent) occuroccur
during practicesduring practices rather than games. Parents often do not
take the same safety precautions during their child's
practices as they would for a game.
• A recent survey found that among athletes ages 5 to 14, 15
percent of basketball players, 28 percent of football players,
22 percent of soccer players, 25 percent of baseball players
and 12 percent of softball players have been injured whileinjured while
playing their sportsplaying their sports.
The remodeling process involves both the breakdown and
buildup of tissue. There is a fine balance between the two, and
if breakdown occurs more rapidly than buildupbreakdown occurs more rapidly than buildup an overuse
injury occurs.
3.5 million3.5 million children under 14 were treated for sportschildren under 14 were treated for sports
injuries last yearinjuries last year

14. We must be
ProactiveProactive
NOTNOT
ReactiveReactive
to change the culture
of youth sports

15. Tools to Utilize
• Recommendations for Communities
• National Standards For Youth Sports
• Codes of Ethics/Conduct
• Professional Development for Youth
Sports Administrators
• Training for Volunteer League Leaders
• Training for Volunteer Coaches
• Orientation for Parents
• Pre-Sports Preparation for Kids and
Parents
• Effective Screening Program
• Ongoing Coach Evaluation System

16. 1.1. ScreeningScreening
2.2. TrainingTraining
3.3. EvaluationEvaluation
4.4. AccountabilityAccountability
What are we doing to manageWhat are we doing to manage
and oversee the volunteersand oversee the volunteers
runningrunning OUROUR programs?programs?

17. Step 1:Step 1: ScreeningScreening
• To make an unwelcome environment for anyone who
doesn’t put children’s needs first.
• To keep people who have a history of inappropriate
behavior or who are unfit to work with children out
of your organization.
• To select the ‘best’ volunteers and staff for
positions.
• To clarify what the standards and expectations of
the organization are in terms of child protection.

18. ScreeningScreening
it’s notit’s not JUSTJUST a background check!a background check!
• Have a written screening policypolicy
• Provide job descriptionsjob descriptions
• Obtain completed applicationsapplications
• Have a consent/release formconsent/release form signed and
dated
• EvaluateEvaluate application
• InterviewInterview the applicant
• Conduct a criminal background checkbackground check
• Review results check against disqualifiersdisqualifiers
• AccessAccess to results

19. Step 2:Step 2: TrainingTraining
• Indoctrinate the volunteers with the
philosophy of your organization – be
PROACTIVE
• Comprehensive sport specific information
• On-going education
• Behavior stressed – Code of Conduct, etc.
• Important needs beyond the training
• Insurance coverage
• Educational Resources
• Coaching Tools
• Value

20. Continuing Education…Continuing Education…
• Training Follow Up
• Reinforce learning points from clinic
• Take Homes
• Commitments (Code of Ethics)
• Resources
• Drills & Skills
• Practice Planners
• Peer to Peer Resources
• Coaching Tools
• Communication Tools
• Self Evaluators

21. Step 3:Step 3: EvaluationEvaluation
• As a training tool to make coaches better
• To better oversee satisfaction
• As a response to coach complaints
• Timing is essential
• What happens with a bad
evaluation?
• Convenience
• Practicality

22. Step 4:Step 4: AccountabilityAccountability
• Coach Accountability Committee/Individual
• Codes of Ethics
• Reporting Procedures
• Established Recommendations
 Specific Penalties for Specific Offenses
• Specific Procedures
 Possible Revocation
• Responding to Complaints
• National Reporting
• Information Sharing

23. Four components of providing quality youth
sports programs:
1. ScreeningScreening – Guidelines & Management
2. TrainingTraining – Live and Online Clinics – continuing
education – membership benefits - value
3. EvaluationEvaluation – Coach Rating System
4. AccountabilityAccountability – Code of Conduct/
Reporting & Revocation Procedures
It’s not just aboutIt’s not just about
TRAINING…TRAINING…

24. • Psychology of coaching
• Tips on communication
• Sportsmanship
• Parents as partners
• Child abuse in sports
• Injury prevention
• Conditioning
• Nutrition Hydration
Introduction to CoachingIntroduction to Coaching
Youth SportsYouth Sports
On-Site and Online PLUS Sport SpecificOn-Site and Online PLUS Sport Specific

25. Now at NAYS.org, every NYSCA member
gets a personalized websitepersonalized website with
tons of tools and resources…

26. Coaching Forum:
Ask questions & share
knowledge with over
150,000
NYSCA members
Coach Ratings:
Provides feedback from
parent evaluations all
season long
SportingKid Magazine:
Youth sport magazine
packed
with news, tips & expert
info
Skills & Drills:
Video and printable
exercises
for practice preparation
Educational Resources:
Additional content
relevant to coaching youth
sports
Member areaMember area
highlights…highlights…

27. Coach RATINGSCoach RATINGS
Parents canParents can
rate yourrate your
coaches in 14coaches in 14
key areas…key areas…

28. Results are
displayed as
an average
between 1-
10
Or view a
grid of all
scores for
each
question
Coach RATINGSCoach RATINGS

30. Sporting kid magazineSporting kid magazine
the official member
publication offers key information on all aspects of
youth sports and coaching.
NYSCA members canNYSCA members can
view all pastview all past
SportingKidSportingKid issuesissues
onlineonline and/or requestand/or request
to have current issuesto have current issues
mailedmailed to theirto their
address.address.

31. Skills and drillsSkills and drills

33. Coaching forumCoaching forum
 Choose a
category
 Add your own comments
 Search entire forum
 Interact with other
coaches
 View topics being
discussed

34. Establishing a chapter gives you access
to a number of tools to ensures your
youth sports volunteer workforce is
made up of quality, reliable individuals.
In addition to the NYSCA coach trainingtraining
program you have access to:
• Background Screening &Background Screening &
ManagementManagement
• Online Evaluation ToolOnline Evaluation Tool
• Accountability Policies andAccountability Policies and
ProceduresProcedures
Chapter ManagementChapter Management
Plus many other youth sportsPlus many other youth sports

36. ViewView
members :members :
All relevant
information is
available in one
database
Manage your CoachesManage your Coaches

37. Select aSelect a
member formember for
more detailedmore detailed
information:information:
Edit information,
check
background
information or
initiate an online
evaluation for a
coach.
Manage your CoachesManage your Coaches

38. Background ScreeningBackground Screening
Using your ownUsing your own
screeningscreening
system:system:
Chapters can
enter their own
screening results
so that they can
be viewed in the
system as well
Use NAYSUse NAYS
program:program:
If you register for
the NAYS system
you can view
results in the
Chapter
Management
system*
*stored securely by
screening company

39. Background ScreeningBackground Screening

40. View AllView All
Results:Results:
Historical results
can be exported to
a spreadsheet for
management.
View IndividualView Individual
Results:Results:
Results can be
used to follow-up
with coach
complaints or to
reward coaches
for great service.
““Rate Your Coach” EvaluationsRate Your Coach” Evaluations

41. ViewView
Categories:Categories:
You and coaches
will be able to see
the areas where
they need to
improve their
coaching.
““Rate Your Coach” EvaluationsRate Your Coach” Evaluations

48. Coach AccountabilityCoach Accountability
NationalNational
Guidelines:Guidelines:
Created with input
from youth sports
professionals
Revocation :Revocation :
Coaches not living
up to the Code of
Ethics can have
their memberships
revoked
-permanently
ReportingReporting
Feature:Feature:
Allows NAYS to
keep track of
incidents and
report back to
chapters

49. Our Vision for EveryOur Vision for Every
CommunityCommunity
Certified Youth Sports Administrator
Trained League
Administrators and/or
Professional Staff
Screened, Trained, Evaluated
Coaches/Volunteers held Accountable for their
actions
Knowledgeable Parents
Working Together for theWorking Together for the KIDSKIDS

50. www.nays.orgwww.nays.org
John EnghJohn Engh
jengh@nays.orgjengh@nays.org