Volunteer coaches are the backbone of all successful youth bowling programs. It doesn't take a high average to become one. What matters most is a person's desire to support and help our children to develop an interest in the sport of bowling. I'm sure you have all heard a saying that goes something like, "just because he's a super athlete doesn't mean he'll be able to coach someone."

Here's a list of five basic characteristics that can help coaches work more successfully with youth bowlers:

1) A genuine interest in helping youngsters. Perhaps this is an obvious statement but it needs to be mentioned for emphasis.

2) A general, working knowledge of bowling basics and fundamentals. This covers everything from equipment specifications to playing rules to the fundamentals of bowling. All programs have access and availability to classes/seminars that will train, educate, and certify youth bowling coaches.

3) A positive attitude at all times. Children are very sensitive and emotional individuals. They will "feed" off the person who is in charge of them.

4) An ability to communicate. You don't have to be a public speaker or orator, you just need to be able to pass on your knowledge to youngsters.

5) A desire to work with others as a team. A large part of what a junior bowling coach does is teach social, interacting, and teamwork skills.

With these five characteristics in place, a person can begin to develop what I learned as the "coach's eye." This means that with experience, a coach will hone his or her skills to pick up details of the youngster's physical and emotional abilities that need immediate attention. Here's a more advanced checklist for developing the "coach's eye":

1) Always wear a friendly face. "It takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile."

2) Keep your ears alert. Do not merely hear something, actually listen to what they have to say.

3) Talk in simple terms. If you are coaching a third grader, it means nothing to them if you are using 7th grade words.

4) One thing at a time. This goes along with simple terms. When learning new skills, even adults may not be able to process multiple instructions at once.

5) Demonstrate, demonstrate, demonstrate. Whenever possible, always show what you are talking about. Do not depend on verbal instructions alone.

6) Always use good manners and be neat and clean in your appearance. Children will invariably copy the coach.

7) Treat everyone fairly. All children want all your attention at all times.

8) A great coach will strive to set a good example in everything he or she does.

A coach will wear many hats as a friend, role model, social worker, and surrogate parent. It is a big responsibility but one that will pay off many future dividends as each youngster influenced by a good coach develops into a mature individual. Oh yes, they may even become a 200-average bowler when they grow up.

A Hui Hou!