Basketball Skills

 Coaching can be very stressful especially if you were not planning on being the coach.  It was five days before basketball was starting for my son.  Usually we get that call about what time to be there but not this time.  After a phone call by my wife I hear the words "my husband will coach the team."  Luckily I love to watch and play the game.  It doesn't matter though - I thought how hard could this be?  After the intial chaos of learning the kids names and their skills it got much easier.  The key was to stay focused and organized.  Now with coaching comes the two things I call The Free Throw Parent and The Bench Warmer.  I'm fortunate not to have these but I do know they exist.  The Free Throw Parent is the one parent that likes to throw some free advice about what you should do with the kids.  The Bench Warmer is the one parent that will talk with the other parents about what the kids are doing and how you are as a coach.  The problem is when you ask that parent for help they are too busy.  Parents forget that most coaches, especially organized sports, are volunteers.  My advise is not to lose any sleep and just keep yourself and team organized.  The important thing is the kids go away learning something new and appreciate playing the sport.