Positive Coaching: Building Character and Self-Esteem Through Sports

Rating:
Summary: Profound
Review: You wouldn't think "profound" is a word to use in connection with a book on coaching youth sports, but Jim Thompson's "Positive Coaching" left me deeply affected. And for the right reasons. There is so much practical information on how to be a great coach that I have just finished it and cannot wait to reread some key chapters. Of course Mr. Thompson will help me win more Little League girls softball games, but, much more important, I will be better able to communicate with my players, and help build their character and self esteem, lofty but eminently appropraite goals for any coach. The capper for me was one of the final chapters where Mr. Thompson examines his personal motivation for coaching in terms of his own unfullfilled dreams. We all have demons. By sharing his, Mr. Thompson made me better able to deal wiht mine. The difficult part of coaching is not the plays and the stratigies, but how to deal effectively with the people - the players, their families and the league - to this area Mr. Thompson brings a wealth of reading, years of experience and deep and sensitive interest.. He is beyond expert.