When coaching junior bowlers, don't focus only on the physical and skills-oriented aspects of the sport. Children want to bowl because bowling is fun. They'll get interested in a sport and continue to like it because you've influenced them in a positive way.

While you may want them all to be high average bowlers, it is a fact that many of them will not continue in the sport for various reasons.

As their coach, mentor, and surrogate parent, you'll be given a chance to develop their attitude toward life, have an affect on how they look at their future, and how they may positively contribute to society.

To that end, here's some reminders as you teach them:

1) Patience. Children have short attention spans and are easily distracted. Lengthy lectures will not be heard and these lectures will not "sink in." Instructions have to be short and repeated frequently. Don't overload and frustrate them with too many instructions in a short span of time.

2) Be careful what you tell or ask them to do. Children will try to please you because they want your approval. You have to remember, though, that they are still growing and are weaker than adults both physically and emotionally. They are children, not miniature adults. Don't ask them to do something, even jokingly, that is above and beyond their capabilities. Youngsters tend to over-estimate their own skills, talents, and abilities.

3) You don't have to worry about every pout and complaint that they have. Children are resilient and don't hold grudges for long periods of time. They tend to forget a scolding (or other unpleasant things) rather quickly. Be positive and do not repeatedly scold or verbally chastise them.

4) Within reason (see number 2, above), don't hesitate to teach them new things. They can, and will, adapt to any new methods or systems of instruction. Keep in mind the age group differences and that some learn faster than others. They will grasp new concepts when something is given to them at their own level of skill and understanding.

5) Always emphasize teamwork and fairness. In general, children are very self-centered. They believe their own needs and wants have to be taken care of first. Boys versus girls, pre-teens versus teens, stronger and faster versus weaker and slower, and of course, higher average and lower average. There are lessons to be learned and you affect how they are learned.
6) Emphasize the positive. Don't talk to them from a negative point of view. No matter what point you are trying to make, always approach it from a positive angle. Remember the old saying, "you can catch more flies with sugar than you can with vinegar."

7) You can be their friend; but, be the adult and earn their respect first.

What will remain with the youngsters are the lessons in life you'll be teaching. By focusing on the whole child, your impact will reach beyond the bowling center and your weekly league play. Their positive experiences of having you as a coach will most assuredly be the subject of many future conversations.

A Hui Hou! (See You Again)