TM
st re ng t hing f a m ilie s f r o m w i t h i n
POWERED BY FOUR BARREL FITNESS
By Adam &
Kristin Kleinert
Let Them
Be Coached
Basketball season is a
bustling time in the Kleinert
household. It’s been like this
for some years now and,
though it’s a hectic time
for our family, we honestly
wouldn’t have it any other way. In fact, our oldest
child’s first public outing (she’s now a freshman)
was to attend a varsity basketball game at the
ripe old age of five days. A typical week this time
of year most often contains two to three games
for our kids on a weeknight (plus practices),
followed by one or two high school games on the
weekend. This year is especially exciting as, for
the first time, one of our own will be participating
at the high school level.
B
You may have read in previous articles about
falling into the concession stand trap. Yes, this is
the time of year when we really have to keep our
meal plans organized so that we don’t fall into old
42 EXTOL SPORTS / NOVEMBER 2017
habits. However, the importance of healthfully
feeding your family during busy sports seasons
isn’t our FamFitter topic this month. Rather,
we want to focus on something we feel is just
as important to a child’s health and wellbeing.
(Please excuse us as I, Adam, take over the
rest of this column – hence the use of “I” going
forward – while Kristin watches closely and edits
my missteps.)
I love that our kids are involved in sports for
numerous reasons. Probably more than any
basket, home run, win or even loss, however,
the one thing I am most excited for my kids to
encounter is simply the experience of being
coached. To be given a direct instruction and be
accountable for carrying out that task. To be held
accountable even outside of the athletic arena.
To be obligated to follow an order whether they
fully agree or not.
Unfortunately, I believe the above rationale
is no longer shared by too many these days. It
seems athletes and parents from youth on up
have much more control over coaches than at any
time before. Players today conduct themselves as
if they deserve instant gratification. If they don’t
receive what they desire, it is far too common
for the parent to immediately voice an opinion
about the “injustice” that has surely occurred.
(I hope my implied sarcasm is evident here.)
Often, if all else fails and the athlete or family
can’t seem to get exactly what they desire from
a coach, the athlete just quits. I’ve mentioned
before that I have been involved in youth and
high school sports for many years and, sadly,
I can’t count how many times I have seen this
occur. Though the frequency rate in recent years
has become staggering, I admit haven’t gotten
used to it. It never fails to blow me away when
the excuse I hear time and time again is: “I just
don’t get along with the coach.”