This is my final week as a youth basketball coach. I coached a 7th grade “B” team in Alaska for 3 years and now I have coached a 6th grade “B” team for 1 year in Missouri. With this year, my youngest son will move into Jr. High and then High School and I see no need for coaches in these areas in our school. So most likely this is my final week of coaching ever. I can honestly say that I am not overly sad about the prospect of becoming a parent who only watches without coaching, but it has me reflecting on the experience. Through the years the kids have taught me about life, made me smile, made me angry, made me laugh and overall it has been a good experience.

Here are just a couple of simple lessons the kids have taught me through the years.

1. Sports are fun. I am not sure when sports became about wins and losses, about scholarships and trophies, but I wish it hadn’t happened. When you coach a “B” team most of the kids are just happy to be on a team. Man invented sports to do something enjoyable in their spare time. Dads – loosen up and enjoy yourself and let your kids enjoy it. (I am preaching to myself too.) Sports should be a fun experience for everyone.

2. Celebrate the small things. This year we lost a game 52-6. I was angry at the decisions of the other coach who I think has some issues, but that is his problem. Anyway, when my boys scored each basket they celebrated like they had just won the game. I find myself so happy just to see a good pass or a nice rebound or even a simple act of sportsmanship. I think this should be true in every arena of life.

3. Kids are sponges. Young people learn from how we coach, how we talk, what makes us angry, and how we do everything. I notice teams take on the personality of their coaches. It is scary … at least to me. I would say that young boys are especially impressionable. Many of the boys I coach have no father figure and a coach is an important part of their life. Honestly, all men in their life have influence. We should never take this lightly.

4. Remember the good, forget the bad. After each game the boys come up and talk to me about that one play or that one shot they made. They forget the turnovers, mistakes and misses. They remember the good and easily forget the bad. I wish several adults could learn that lesson.

5. You can learn anything, if you want to. Many of the boys I have coached through the years have never played basketball before that year. If they listen and try they will get better. I am amazed at how much some of the boys pick up throughout the course of a season. The improvement can be dramatic. I think this applies to any of us, even in our faith, that if we make a regular effort to learn we can grow in any area.

Those are just a few life lessons my teams have taught me. If you have ever worked with kids I am sure you have your list. This is mine and this week as I close the book on my coaching I thank God for all the kids have taught me.