Module 1 - Introduction / Why Coach?

In this module, we will cover:

1. Next Level Sports' Mission

2. Finding your ‘WHY’ as a Coach

3. Impact you can have on your community

• Next Module: Module 2 - Expectations, Responsibilities & Roles

• See All Student Coaching Training Modules

If you have any questions, please email training@nextlevelsports.com.

0:00 Bradley here with Next Level Sports and today we're going to introduce you to Next Level Sports and ask you a simple question. Why are you doing this? Why do you want to coach? First off, we're going to start with our mission statement at Next Level Sports.

0:13 We are the best youth sports experience. From the jerseys the players wear to the field they're playing on to the coaching they get. It's the best and it's your job and your responsibility to bring that part of the experience to your players on your team.

0:26 I'm going to ask you a simple question. Why are you doing this? Until your season starts, think about that. Think about your why. Why are you coaching? Is it to get service hours for your school? Is it to get back to the community?

0:37 Is it to get paid? Probably is. While at Next Level Sports, our why is to create an experience for these kids. We believe at our core that youth sports matter. We, all you included, have the ability to influence someone's life forever.

0:51 We all have a story. We all have a coach growing up that we remember that impacted our lives that we remember to this day. I had a coach back in third grade popcorn or tackle football that taught me be the hammer, not the nail.

1:01 And I've taken that with me my entire life outside of sports to go hard in whatever I do. Hold nothing back. My challenge to each and every one of you this Next Level season, whether you have an eight week, nine week, or ten week season, is to leave your mark.

1:14 Leave your legacy with these kids. Ask yourself a question. Who's the best coach you've ever had? And what kind of traits do they have? Were they reliable? Were they supportive? Were they uplifting? Probably because you could probably think of that one or two coaches you've had over your years.

1:25 Think about the worst coach you've ever had. Did he tear you up or did he build you up? Did he bring positive energy? How'd you feel about him? You probably weren't motivated to go to practice because of that individual.

1:36 Think about this. What kind of coach do you want to be? You could have a group of six year olds. You could have a group of eight year olds. You could have a group of ten year olds that looked up to you.

1:42 They want to be you one day. They see you on the field playing. That's their dream, okay? So bring the experience to them every single Sunday. Have energy. Be uplifting. Be encouraging. A lot of high fives.

1:52 And just have fun with them. Here's some real feedback we've got from some parents over the years. I'm a teacher and I have two sons. They play football. all sports and oftentimes my husband ends up coaching.

2:02 This is our second year playing flag football next level. My fourth grade son and second grade niece both have Drew's their coach. I am blown away week after week with Drew's leadership skills and ability to guide his team both in sportsmanship and in skill.

2:15 Watching him on the field interact with other coaches, referees and the kids makes me feel truly honored for my son to have such a strong role model. I will be very proud of my boys to grow up to demonstrate qualities we see of Drew every Sunday.

2:26 Over the many years of various sports I would dare say Drew is the most impactful coach my son has had when it comes to team building and sportsmanship. Guys if that's not it I don't know what it is.

2:36 Now hey there's not always good there's some back and it's worthy of talking about it. Here's some negative feedback we've got. First of all thank you for what you're doing with these children. As a fellow coach I have nothing but admiration and appreciation for the confidence and skill set next levels working on instill and these boys.

2:23 I'm a teacher. I, and I have two sons. They play all sports, and oftentimes my husband ends up coaching. This is our second year playing flag football at the next level.

2:31 My fourth-grade son and second-grade niece both have Drew as their coach. I am blown away week after week with Drew's leadership skills and ability to guide his team, both in sportsmanship and in skill.

2:44 Watching him on the field interact with other coaches, referees, and the kids makes me feel truly honored for my son to have such a strong role model.

2:51 I will be very proud of my boys to grow up to demonstrate qualities we see of Drew every Sunday. Over the many years of various sports I would dare to say Drew is the most impactful person and impactful coach my son has had when it comes to team building and sportsmanship.

3:04 Guys, if that's not it, I don't know what is. Okay? Now, hey, there's not always good. There's some bad. And it's worthy of talking about.

3:14 Here's some negative feedback that we've got. First of all, thank you for what you're doing with these children. As a fellow coach, I have nothing but admiration and appreciation for the confidence and skill set Next Level is working on to instill in these boys.

3:26 That said, I'd like to inform you that some of us on the second-grade Longhorns team are far from satisfied with the quality of coaching that our student coach is providing our boys.

3:34 Half the time at pre-game practice, he's standing around doing nothing, throwing the ball with his friends. It looks more like a play date than anything else.

3:42 He shows little to no interest in teaching our boys the fundamentals of football and how to properly pull a flag.

3:49 I've coached in other leagues for several years, and this has been the most disappointing season yet. Let me say this.

3:55 We understand that there's challenges dealing with young children. Okay? As long as you come prepared with the plan. And with energy, we will not get emails like this.

4:03 Your site director will never approach you and say, Hey, this is what parents are saying about you. Okay. Don't be this guy.

4:10 Lastly here, we're simply asking you to have some perspective during your seasons. Okay. Couple things to keep in mind. You are not coaching against your high school or college teammates.

4:22 You are guiding and mentoring young people. Keep that in mind. This is not Madden. Call realistic and practical placements. That your team and the age level they are can operate and execute.

4:36 If you're on the clock, if you're at work, focus on your team. Don't talk and hang out and goof around with your buddies.

4:42 Okay. If you're there for two hours, if you're there for three hours, if you're there for four hours, lock in and give your team all of your attention.

4:50 Play for the ring. Okay. We have a championship ring, but have perspective. We love winning, but share the ball. Never turn away a request for somebody who wants to play quarterback.

5:01 For somebody who wants to play running back, give everybody a chance and keep in mind a quote that we get all the time.

5:05 Hey, just relax. This is just second grade flag football. Well, to us, it's not, it's much more than that for these kids.

5:12 It's their super bowl every single Sunday or Saturday when they're out there playing at next level. So have that in mind when you go about your season and how you operate as a coach this year.

5:20 If you have any questions, email training@nextlevelsports.com.