We have all seen it happen: coaches try not to get carried away at a game and things just happen.

Maybe there is a place for it in the professional level, although I am not so sure as many coaches at the university, college, high school and minor league teams, do the same thing.

Not sure if it is part attitude, bit of personality, maybe trying to stir up the sagging performance of a team or player, some reaction to an incident by an official or an athlete or just a bit of entertainment and showmanship.

People go to games to watch and far too many times the focus is on the display of the man or woman in charge of a team. Don’t get me wrong, there is a time and place to react. But, there is also an appropriate way, too.

Gone to so many games where there are signs and papers given out about a code of conduct for players, spectators, parents. Rarely do I see anything about the way coaches should do their thing.

We have some fabulous coaches in the amateur world of sport. Well respected, admired by many.

There is also a responsibility on the part of fellow coaches, their leagues, associations and the higher ups to enforce it – and not with a simple tap on the shoulder.

Yes, we rely on volunteers. Hear that all the time – for everything. Doesn’t mean that volunteers have the right to behave like morons, lose their composure – and, especially, in front of the people they are trying to teach and help.

The motivation and excitement can be high, especially in playoff games or against key opponents, but behaviour by coaches should be controllable, positive and helpful.

People make hundreds of decisions every day. No one is perfect. A mistake by a game official, or a player, shouldn’t give a coach the opportunity to be overly animated on the sidelines or in front of a bench. You’ve seen it: hands flapping, face red, papers thrown, inappropriate verbiage and more. Not sure what’s next?

I think the educational system, as it pertains to sport, needs work.

Some people disagree. Some nod their head in support, but ignore doing things – because they lack the leadership to fix things for the better. Society is having problems with respect and though it’s not going to be easy, people – and that
includes coaches – have to work at maintaining respect in sport.

We have all sorts of coaching organizations and administrations. Wouldn’t it be nice if they all spoke the same message – and then worked to ensure people understand it?

Still can’t figure out coaches who have to scream in a minor league hockey game or coaches, especially in high school basketball games, who stand up, shake their heads, parade around and fume like youngsters who didn’t get their way.

Coach, yes, but in an appropriate way.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 5th, 2011 at 12:16 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.