stress that the certification should be the minimum, and on top of that they should engage in more training for their teams during the season.”
Odds and Ends
Ideally, all coaches would go above and beyond what is required of them and feel inspired to become even further educated for the sake of their players. MBYLL knows well that their certified coaches already go above
and beyond the majority of youth lacrosse coaches around the United States.
The requirements are extensive, but no other lacrosse program asks its coaches to go into such depth the way MBYLL does. Many programs don’t even require the US Lacrosse Online program, never mind require recertification with US Lacrosse or additional online and in-person workshops and partnerships.
In many ways, this sets the league apart from others in the region as well as nationally. This allows for a positive environment to be created for all who partake in and are connected with MBYLL.
Another aspect that sets MBYLL above other programs is something that can be seen every weekend at games: a lanyard and certification badge hanging around the
neck of every coach. While these are rarely seen in other leagues, they serve to honor the hard work that coaches go through to become certified.
“The badges demonstrate the time the coaches took as volunteers to be a better leader and teacher,” Spangenberg said. “It is also a positive message for the parents on the other sideline. We want to ultimately empower the moms and dads who take the time and reward them for their commitment. That’s what the lanyards and the badges are all about.”
The certification process, the exceptional education program, and the badges all are fantastic elements of MBYLL. However, like many organizations, the coaching certification faction has its fair share of obstacles that must be overcome every season.
The first barrier is that all of the requirements are time consuming. MBYLL is aware that parents and adults have busy lives and that fitting an online module or live clinic into his or her week can be difficult.
“Getting people to do all pieces of the certification is a challenge,” McDonald said. “People are busy. Getting them to do all the online portions is one issue. The other challenge is that people need to give their time to attend the actual clinic.”
The other primary obstacle facing MBYLL is that the vast majority of coaches are volunteers. Each adult is sacrificing his or her own time to help out the youth of their community and it can often be difficult to find the time to complete all the education requirements.
To address this issue, MBYLL is trying to take a flexible approach: more clinics will be offered at different points of the week and at more locations. The hope is that volunteers will be able and willing to become certified with these varying options.
Through this adaptability, the obstacles facing MBYLL can be addressed and lead to overall league improvement. Aside from the athletes, the coaches are the backbone of the league. The countless and tireless hours they pour into developing both lacrosse skills and life skills are invaluable.
MBYLL knows that difficulties are natural and perhaps even positive for the growth of the league. However, providing coaches with the opportunities and pathways to reach an elevated coaching education is essential. Through this diligent work, obstacles can be an afterthought.
Long Term Perspective
There is no denying that coaching plays a vital role in youth sports. The keyword in this process is “development” as techniques, character, and life skills all can be polished during a period of rapid intellectual and athletic growth for young kids.
As Mitch Belisle said, having knowledgeable and well-rounded coaches is crucial to every individual’s
maturation process.
“I can specifically point to multiple coaches all the way growing up that had direct impacts on the person I am and the lacrosse career I have enjoyed,” he said. “When you think back to coaches you do not really think of specific schemes, but instead life lessons and the ways they have helped shape you as a person. You eventually forget things like the X’s and O’s, but those life lessons last a long time.”
The fact of the matter is that coaches will be leaders and role models for the dozens of athletes they advise and guide on a weekly basis. Just as Mitch points out, they might eventually forget the bull dodge or bounce shot their coach showed them. But the values of sportsmanship, integrity, and unity last far beyond their playing days.
To this extent, the continued growth of the coaching education program is essential to the continued growth of the MBYLL. These informed coaches can do more than just put together an effective and efficient practice plan: they can transcend the boundaries of a lacrosse field and help strengthen communities throughout the Mass Bay region.
“We have to do all we can to continue growing the game,” Spangenberg summarized. “One of the biggest things that we can do is train people so that they can continue to grow the game in their local communities. I think we do have to look at it at a local level and support the leaders who have the passion to grow the game in their respective areas.”
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"If a town program has great coaches, they are going to have a great program."