Coaching Lessons from Learning to Ride a Bike and a Story About a Horse

Remember when you first learned to ride a bike? It wasn't all smooth sailing, was it? There were wobbles, falls, and maybe even a few scrapes. But here's the thing - no one yelled at you or got angry when you fell. They just picked you up, dusted you off, and encouraged you to try again. That's exactly what good coaching is all about, especially when it comes to youth sports and development programs.

The Coaching Conundrum

Coaching is a bit of a paradox. It's a professional job, but at the same time, it's not. Some kids come to you through transfers, some are brought by their parents, and some you even discover on the street. You might be working with a professional team or a sports school. In one scenario, you're given technical training beforehand, while in the other, you're learning on the job.

This article is mainly for those coaches working in youth programs and schools. If that's you, listen up!

The Bike-Riding Analogy

When you're teaching someone a new skill, whether it's volleyball, football, or any other sport, think back to how you learned to ride a bike. It wasn't an instant process, was it?

Here's how it usually goes:

1. Someone holds the bike for you

2. They let you pedal while still holding on

3. Eventually, they let go

4. You fall (probably)

5. They encourage you to try again

6. You keep practicing

7. You learn to ride!

Now, imagine if every time you fell, someone yelled at you or hit you. Would you want to keep trying? Probably not. That bike would end up gathering dust in the garage, and you'd miss out on all the fun of cycling.

The Coaching Approach

So, what's the takeaway for coaches? It's simple:

1. Show them what to do

2. Give them time to improve

3. Be patient

4. Encourage, don't discourage

Remember, these kids aren't your age. They're not you, and you're not them. They'll learn at their own pace, in their own way.

The Learning Process

Learning a new skill is a journey. After you mastered the basics of bike riding, maybe you moved on to popping wheelies or tackling mountain trails. Or perhaps you stuck to leisurely rides around the neighborhood. The path you took depended on your love for cycling and your natural abilities.

The same goes for sports. Some kids will take to it like ducks to water, others might struggle a bit more. Your job as a coach is to nurture their interest and abilities, whatever level they're at.

The Coach's Role

As their first instructor or youth development coach, your main job is to:

1. Demonstrate the skills they need to learn

2. Provide a safe environment for practice

3. Give them time to improve

4. Offer encouragement and constructive feedback

Remember, learning happens implicitly. You can't force it, but you can create the right conditions for it to happen naturally.

The Water and the Horse

There's an old saying: "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink." This applies perfectly to coaching. You can provide all the right tools, techniques, and opportunities, but ultimately, the desire to learn and improve has to come from the player themselves.

Your job is to lead them to that water - to show them how exciting and rewarding the sport can be. Whether they choose to "drink" (fully engage and commit to improving) is up to them.

The Long Game

Coaching, especially in youth programs, is about playing the long game. You're not just teaching them how to kick a ball or spike a volleyball. You're teaching them about:

- Perseverance

- Teamwork

- Discipline

- The joy of improvement

These are lessons that will serve them well, not just in sports, but in life.

Wrapping Up

So, next time you're out on the field or court with your young players, remember the bike-riding analogy. Be patient, be encouraging, and most of all, make it fun. Because at the end of the day, that's what sports should be about - the sheer joy of playing and improving.

Who knows? That kid who keeps falling over today might be tomorrow's star player. And even if they're not, they'll have learned valuable life lessons and hopefully developed a lifelong love for staying active and healthy.

And isn't that what coaching is really all about?