6 Tips for Coaching Kids
November 29, 2021 | Words By Liz Harjo
My biggest passion in this world is coaching young athletes and shaping their future into a healthy and happy one.
I want to share this passion with you! Whether you’re already a youth coach or thinking about becoming one, here are my 6 tips for coaching kids.
Lead With Positivity
Yes, this one applies to all coaches. However, when you realize a bunch of kids look up to you and watch your every move, it hits different. This was a big turning point for me. If I want my athletes to give me their best effort 100% of the time, not get mad when they lose a workout, and understand that sometimes it takes two steps back to go one step forward, I’ve gotta do the same. Be an example, even when you’re not coaching.Know Their Capability
This is my favorite one. Kids are capable of so much more than we give them credit for. There’s no reason a kids’ fitness class needs to be restricted to duck-duck-goose and kickball. Games are great for a fun warm-up or finisher, but why limit them there? I have a 9-year-old who can climb the 12-foot rope. I have a 13-year-old whose muscle-ups are prettier than mine (if I wasn’t so proud, that would be hard to admit). I have a 7-year-old who can goblet squat over half his body weight. What I’m saying is, kids can do things! Of course, safety is most important, but if your kid is moving well and with great technique, let them practice handstand walks! Let them go up in weight! LET THEM TRY! That’s how we learn and that’s how we improve. Don’t be their limiting factor.Celebrate Them
Build. That. Confidence. We all know growing up can be tough. Each age comes with its own challenges. Something I take so seriously is my opportunity to make these kids feel good about themselves (as they should). Take videos, encourage other coaches or adults to come watch, and constantly cheer them on. Treat every PR, every new skill, and every little victory like they won the Olympics.Find the Right Words
As you might have guessed, coaching kids takes patience. One of my funniest memories was trying to do an EMOM of Turkish Get-Ups with our youngest group. “OKAY, RIGHT LEG! NOPE OTHER LEG! BEND IT! ARM STILL OVER YOUR HEAD! HIPS UP!” Aaaaand the minute’s up. Learning experience. Same as adults: If one way of explaining something isn’t working, try the next, and the next, and the next, until they get it right. Don’t give up on them. Yes, it might take a deep breath or two, but they’re there to learn and it’s your job to make sure that happens. None of the “Let’s just get it next time.” You’re the expert. Get it done.Teach Leadership and Teamwork
Leadership and teamwork are such important ideas to instill in kids and teens. Luckily, as a coach, you have the perfect opportunity to implement these into training. Super easy things like letting a child give us a “3, 2, 1, Go!” and programming partner WODs have lasting effects. Especially in the sport of fitness, it’s important to not let them get caught up in the individualized aspect. We’re still a team, we still need help sometimes, and we ALWAYS cheer each other on until everyone’s done.Healthy Competition
That being said, it’s just as important to learn how to be a competitor! This is where we light that fuse under them. I’m not telling you to get in their face and make them row a 1:30 pace — I’m just saying that kids are allowed to breathe heavy too, so push them a little bit! Healthy competition makes them do their best, not just whatever will get them by. Winning teaches self-esteem and a drive to keep getting better; losing lets us know what we need to work on for next time!
The job to teach fitness to young athletes is an important one and I feel so lucky to get the chance to make an influence. If you’re at all interested in coaching kids or teens, I highly encourage you to look into it. Just remember, you may be the only person in their life that is encouraging them, being a friend, and letting them know that fitness is fun. Don’t take that for granted.
Photos courtesy of Koda CrossFit Norman
