Kate DilworthNational Alliance for Youth Sports

Four Steps to Improving Four Steps to Improving Your Program’s CoachesYour Program’s Coaches

Harford County Parks and Harford County Parks and Rec Alum!Rec Alum!

Training & Membership Programs

CoachesParentsOfficialsAdministrators

Youth DevelopmentPrograms

Start SmartHook a Kid on GolfReady, Set, RUN!

Our volunteer: Our volunteer: Coach DanCoach Dan

• First year coach• Father of player• Played soccer in high school

What would you do if Coach Dan were an

employee?

1. 1. ScreeningScreening2. 2. TrainingTraining3. 3. EvaluationEvaluation4. 4. AccountabilityAccountability

Compare volunteer coach Compare volunteer coach management process to management process to

employment processemployment process

Employee Dan

Step 1: Step 1: ScreeningScreening

Why screen coaches?Why screen coaches?• 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.• To clarify what the standards and expectations of the

organization are in terms of child protection.

ScreeningScreeningit’s not it’s not JUST JUST a background check!a background check!

• Have a written screeningscreening policypolicy • Provide job descriptionsjob descriptions• Obtain completed applicationsapplications • Have a consent/release form consent/release form signed and dated • EvaluateEvaluate application• Conduct a criminal background checkbackground check• Review results against disqualifiersdisqualifiers• InterviewInterview the applicant

Step 2: Step 2: TrainingTraining• Orientation which includes the philosophy of your

program• Comprehensive sport specific information• Behavior expectations – Code of Conduct, etc.• Important needs beyond the training

Insurance coverage Educational Resources Coaching Tools

Continuing Education…Continuing Education…• Training Follow Up

• Reinforce learning points from orientation• Take Homes• Commitments (Code of Ethics)

• Resources• Drills & Skills• Practice Planners• Peer to Peer Resources

• Coaching Tools• Communication Tools• Self Evaluators

Step 3: Step 3: EvaluationEvaluation• How are your coaches doing?• Feedback from parents

• Type of feedback• Frequency of feedback

• Evaluations should be convenient and practical

• Define steps for reviewing and responding to evaluations

Step 4: Step 4: AccountabilityAccountability• Codes of Ethics• Established Procedures for Disciplinary Actions

Reporting Responding Follow Through

• Coach Accountability Committee/Individual• Information Sharing

1. ScreeningScreening – Guidelines & Partnership2. TrainingTraining – Live and Online Clinics – continuing education – membership benefits - value3. EvaluationEvaluation – Coach Rating System4. AccountabilityAccountability – Code of Ethics Pledge/ Reporting & Revocation Procedures

View members :View members :All relevant information is available in one database

1. Screening1. Screening

Select a member Select a member for more detailed for more detailed information:information:Edit information, check background information or initiate an online evaluation for a coach.

2. Training2. Training

OR

Psychology of coachingTips on communicationSportsmanshipParents as partnersChild abuse in sportsInjury preventionConditioningNutrition Hydration

Coaching Youth SportsCoaching Youth Sports

PLUS Sport Specific – 13 SportsPLUS Sport Specific – 13 Sports

Every NYSCA member gets a personalized homepage personalized homepage with

additional coaching tools and resources…

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 area Member area highlights…highlights…

Parents can rate Parents can rate your coaches in your coaches in 14 key areas…14 key areas…

3. Evaluation3. Evaluation

Results are displayed as an average between 1-10

Or view a grid of all scores for each question

3. Evaluation3. Evaluation

View All Results:View All Results:Historical results can be exported to a spreadsheet for management.

View Individual View 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

National National 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

Reporting Reporting Feature:Feature:Allows NAYS to keep track of incidents and report back to chapters

4. Accountability4. Accountability

www.nays.orgwww.nays.org

kdilworth@nays.orgkdilworth@nays.org

Questions?