As a kid, I was coached by parent coaches. It wasn't a big deal. I coached my children many years ago (they joke about the 'C' team) and I coach other people's children now. I think they're a big deal. Although I don't take a stipend, parents pay significant fees (gym, officiating, and league) so they're making a financial and time commitment.
Parent or non-parent coaching? The question really is, "who leads and how do they lead?" In Extreme Ownership, Navy SEAL Jocko Willink writes, "there are no bad teams, only bad leaders."
In Star Trek, the "Prime Directive" was non-interference in the development of other cultures. In youth sports, every parent deserves a minimum of a Fair Deal and a few have a Prime Directive of the Best Deal for their child. Who wouldn't want that? I want parents to advocate for their child, as long as their youngster is fully engaged.
What is that Best Deal? The Best Deal includes opportunity, playing time, appreciation, achievement, and recognition (All-This and All-That, plus media recognition). Realistically, coaches influence opportunity and minutes, but as Kevin Eastman says, "you own your paycheck." I don't control achievement and renown.
What's the program philosophy? Is the priority winning over all else or success through teaching, personal growth, and teamwork with winning a bonus? Are the stated process and goals aligned with actions?
What's the historical player experience? Did players enjoy being part of the team and part of the program? Did they feel welcomed, encouraged, and relevant? Would they do it again? If there's ever a question in a parent's mind, encourage them to speak with former players and parents.
What's the process? Are practices, meetings, and activities transparent? You cannot fairly judge what you cannot see, hear, and feel. I'm not be as far along as Ray Dalio, but I share his belief in radical transparency. Come to practice and see the organization, energy, tempo and efficiency, teaching style and substance, energy, and teamwork.
I share many basketball messages with families via email. I'm always available for letters of recommendation for former players.
What is the coach's availability? Is the coach available via phone, text, and email? What are the boundaries and expectations? Every coach differs as far as offseason options and responsibilities to their jobs and families.
What are the coach's knowledge and experience? It's reasonable to gather facts before assessing your child's coach. What's the coach's motivation? What type of players have come through the organization? Who stayed, who left, and why?
Players and parents have many choices. Find something that fits for you and seek shared expectations. That's the real deal.
Lagniappe:
There are many ways to play the pick-and-roll...beat the pick, hedge, Ice, under, through, trap...but trapping without containment is disastrous.Man, Luka Doncic's size and vision combined with DeAndre Jordan's athleticism and ability to finish of the pick-and-roll is going to be unbelievably fun to watch this season: pic.twitter.com/Y0IoTa4h3X— Jake Paynting (@jakepaynting) August 12, 2018
