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Feb 16, 2020
5:58:34pm
Jesse Pinkman All-American
In defense of the "Dad Coach"
So I get there are a few bad apples out there in youth coaching (the ones who are way too competitive relative to the age/situation, play their kids in positions they don't deserve, treat referees disrespectfully, etc.). But the vast majority of the coaches I've experienced are well-meaning, knoweledgable, and are good with kids.

I think it does happen that coaches' kids do end up with more high-profile roles on their teams more frequently than the kids whose parents do not coach. In most such cases, I have absolutely no problem with this. Generally speaking those kids are getting lots of quality reps outside of practice that the other kids aren't getting. These kids would be playing the prominent roles regardless of whether dad was the coach or not. In my kid's first year of Little League, he was on a team where the coach had twin boys on the team. His two boys easily had the best arms on the team. The team that ended up winning the league that year also had a coach with two kids on the team. His two kids were phenomenal pitchers.

That's not to say it's all roses. There are a few situations where dad's the coach and his son is playing short stop even though the kid can't field a routine ground ball. But that's where you need to get involved. Generally to play with a like-minded group of kids/parents, you have to coach or volunteer in some capacity. I got into coaching reluctantly (never as a head coach because I don't think I'd ever warrant or command enough respect). I was never great myself and I still stink now, but I can hit ground balls to 11 year-olds and put them through drills. It's been one of the most rewarding things I've done in life. It's fulfilling to see not only your own kid develop, but also the other kids he's played with.

There's a shortage of coaches out there. I've been asked by four others I know to help them coach, but I have had to turn them down because we're already part of another team. If I'm able to help out in some useful capacity, I guarantee anybody can. If you have the time to spare (most of the best coaches I've seen have been guys who you'd least suspect had time to spare), get involved. It's fun.
Jesse Pinkman
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Jesse Pinkman
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Feb 6, 2002
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Mar 27, 2024
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Related Threads Topic: I witnessed two separate displays of ego yesterday that reminded me how easy it is for grown men who are coaches (Zach Morris, Feb 16, 2020 at 3:31pm)

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