Institute for Sport Coaching

Currently, the US is faced with an obesity crisis that costs the entire nation an estimated $147 billion annually in related healthcare costs and an estimated $300 billion annually in total costs.  Imagine the good we could do with $147 billion a year–fund schools and teachers to really not leave any child behind.

So how does coaching play in a role in combating obseity?  First a few words on how kids play these days.  Back in the day for many of us old timers (full disclosure–I am 48 yrs old!), much of our free time was taken up with free play–that is play with friends that was not adult-led.  No playdates, just kids organizing on their own to build a tree house, play wiffle ball, football, baseball, etc.  In today’s world, that has been replaced in many cases by adult-led organized sport.  Why?  Lots of reasons that is fodder for future blogs.  So, if we need today’s children to be more physically active, then the role of coaches in organized youth sports needs to be looked at.

Over 70% of kids drop out of organized sports by age 13 according to the National Assn for Youth Sports (NAYS).  Who is responsible for this?  Many causes including bad coaching.  However, coaches can be a big part of the solution.  Research by Professors Smith and Smoll from the Univ of Washington tell us that the retention rate of kids working under trained youth sport coaches goes up at least 20%.  That is a significant jump to consider when contemplating having coaches undergo training.

I recently found a good Sport Coach UK study from 2007 (I am surprised at myself for not finding this sooner…) that looked at the relationship between coaching and sports participation.  The study states the following findings:

• The benefits of coaching match the needs of the participants.  66% of participants report their coaches make it more fun.  (More fun means a more likely chance the athlete will stay in the sport.)
• Coaches provide experiences that can hook participants on to a sport. (Again, another way coaching increases participation.)
• Coaching helps participants achieve their sporting goals.
• Coaching can target harder-to-reach groups.  The Sport Coach UK survey in the study suggests groups with a lower incidence of sports participation (women, older people, minorities, and athletes with disabilities) are much more positive about working with a coach.
• More coaching can improve retention in sport. 

The study also indicated more research is needed in this area.  I would agree.  We need more hard evidence that explicitly shows the value of coaches in our communities and moreover, the extra value of quality-trained coaches.