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What is a Responsible Coach?

Author: Nate Boudreaux

Published: October 12, 2007

You may be wondering what makes a Responsible Coach. Learn more about what a coach can do to be a part of the movement.

Responsible Coaching actually is more difficult, challenging and rewarding than coaching with a win-at-all-cost approach. In addition to learning all you can about the sport of football, including honing your "X's and O's," and competing fiercely for wins, Responsible Coaches also are committed to:

  • Ensuring player safety
  • Placing education and character development before wins
  • Coaching beyond the "X's and O's"
  • Coaching athletes to master their sports
  • Filling "Emotional Tanks" to improve performance and instill love of sport
  • Living and coaching by a code of Honoring the Game

The best coaches build opportunities for character education into their program, creating, recognizing and capitalizing on teachable moments. They think about the following questions when it comes to their players:

  •  If they fail, will they try again?
  • Do they have the character necessary to persist?
  • Will they be committed to helping to make their teammates better?
  • How can I encourage them to have the confidence and curiosity to ask for and welcome feedback?
  • When they succeed, do they rest on their laurels?
  • Do they seek help to refine their skills even further?
  • Will they compete in a way that makes their coaches, families and themselves proud?

In sports, especially the great game of football, character is constantly tested. Therefore, Responsible Coaches are character educators, able to take advantage of the endless procession of teachable moments that sports provide. Beyond the x's and o's, Responsible Coaches teach athletes life lessons in persistence, teamwork, sacrifice, effort, empathy, discipline, leadership and overcoming adversity.

Teaching our players to be better at their sport is rewarding, but not nearly as rewarding as feeling that we've actually helped shape the values they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

USA Football has teamed with Liberty Mutual to find “Responsible Coaches” from across the country.  One coach from each state will be recognized and receive a $500 cash grant from Liberty Mutual to help fund his or her team or local sports program.

Parents can nominate youth football coaches at all levels online at ResponsibleSports.com through November 15.  Winners will be announced in December.

 

To nominate a Responsible Coach click here.