Mother and Son Sports

This week Kaden started his first basketball youth league.

Like any obsessed sports parent I had been researching a few leagues and finally decided on the one that I thought was most organized.

My research consisted of hours of online searches, surveys to other parents, and a comprehensive spreadsheet listing the pros and cons of all of the organizations. If you believed this last line then you can also go ahead and send in $1000 to fund my continued research :).

All kidding aside, I did speak with some parents and looked up the websites, all taking about an hours worth of time.

My point, the league that had the best feedback and the one I choose ended up not being very organized. The schedule came out the day before the first game, and Kaden’s team did not have a Coach. Not what the website promotes at all.

We entered our first practice with a number of upset parents and no Coach. One Dad decided to step up to the plate and take the role as Head Coach. I stood there and debated on fading into the background, but then I remembered the article I just wrote about Leaving a Legacy. It was time to practice what I have been preaching and take one for the team.

Coaching has always been somewhat of a dream of mine, but for some (probably many) reasons once I started my career path in a different direction I have never gone back to it.

I am now officially Assistant Coach for Kaden’s 2nd – 3rd grade basketball team. I know, super impressive.

We had our first game Saturday and I had the very important duties of passing out jersey’s, making sure the kids were getting subbed in fairly, and a minor amount of instruction. But you know what, it was really fun!

There is nothing like seeing your son make his first basket, and it’s also exciting to see the other kids on the team trying their hardest and learning the game.

As the season goes on you will hear more about my Coaching experiences along with my likes and dislikes.

One final thought, as many of the parents were discussing the situation and the fact we had no Coach the majority of parents were hesitant to volunteer for one reason. They had already volunteered for Coaching their son or daughter’s team and had a horrible experience. Not with the kids, but with other parents…………

To put it bluntly parents, if you want to be a jerk and get your opinions heard, or make sure your son or daughter is getting playing time then Coach. Otherwise, sit down, shut up and be glad that someone else has taken on the responsibility.

by Stacey Atkinson