Becoming a Youth Basketball Coach
A few years ago my wife and I decided that we needed something to do during the week to get us away from the dreaded boob tube. After hearing on our local news about the lack of after school activities for local kids we decided we’d try getting involved. We ended up coaching youth basketball.
Now that it’s been a few months and we’ve worked out the kinks, we are loving it. Our ‘kids’ as we call them have become our second family. We both look forward to the weeknights when we coach, and can’t wait for the next game to come. Win or lose, we are all having a great time.
Many of the kids we coach would have nothing to do after school without us. Driven by boredom or peer pressure they could start doing drugs or committing crimes. This may seem a bit of a stretch but it’s a fact that kids who are not involved in organized activities are more likely to start doing illicit activities. Since many communities do not have the funding for such programs it is often up to local volunteers like us to fill in the gaps.
A few of the kids we have coached have told us there stories, and I honestly believe that if they hadn’t got involved with basketball they may likely be in jail or dead. For them, basketball becomes like an obsession that fills in the gaps in their lives. If they were to continue with the drugs or the crime then they know they would miss out on their favorite game, so they quit doing the illegal stuff and concentrate on basketball instead.
Even if you know nothing about basketball there is still no reason for you to not become a youth basketball coach. Simply buy or rent some self-teaching videos and books, and see if your local community centre offers any training programs. In no time you will be out there helping make a positive influence on some kid’s lives. Believe me, it’s well worth giving up a few nights in front of the TV.