What does it take to be a winning youth coach? Listen in as Darin shares coaching stories and discusses his journey to becoming a successful youth coach.

Darin is a graphic designer, he is married and father of four boys ages 5-14, and has coached a mix of basketball and flag football for the past 19 years. He also is the founder of the Father and Son Bowl community event in Franklin, Tennessee – which has grown from a few families in 2006 to over 1,100 players in 2013 - which raised over $38,000 for fatherless children.

Facebook: Father and Son Bowl

Twitter: DarinClark@FatherSonBowl

Websites: fatherandsonbowl.com, dclarkcreative.com
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Listen in ITunes: Itunes link
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Coaching/Leadership Quote

‘Encourage fathers to be the loving and strong leaders that they are created to be’

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What do I do when they need a parent to coach but I don’t know much about that sport?
HUGE IDEA #1 : Be willing to step up and coach – even if you’re on an expert in a sport – you can get the help you need to learn!

Seek advice from others and don’t be afraid to admit that you don’t know that much about coaching this sport!
Evaluate what level the kids are at and adjust accordingly

My ‘Cringe’ Moment

Being too competitive and losing my cool during games

Teaching Children & Keeping it Fun

Involve the Dads! – Darin has seen good success when he brings in some of the Dads to play some games and do drills with the boys.
Be engaged as a coach! – Darin also personally jumps into the games and drills so the players can see his passion and connect with the boys

Best Stolen Idea

Having a very simple playbook – and letting the kids name the plays so they can remember them

Playbook for 7-8 year olds & Calling Plays

Have 3 or 4 base formations – then 3 or 4 simple variations
Don’t overworry about other coaches ‘stealing’ your signals – they usually are focused on their own team and aren’t paying attention to that

Discipline

Throw a penalty flag – Darin actually brings penalty flags with him to practice and throws them as needed
Consequences have to be tied to kids making a bad decision

Reward, Recognition, and Teambuilding

Words of affirmation is the primary method Darin uses – lots of praise, fist-bumps, chest-bumps

 The One that Got Away

Listen to your assistant coaches! – Both Coach Darin and Craig share stories of not listening to their assistant coaches – and how this hurt their teams

 Coaching/Leadership Motivation

Book: The Bible – be a humble, servant-leader

HUGE IDEA #2 - The Father and Son Bowl

Backyard style football – Kids from 5 years old to grandfathers who are 75 play flag football together
Grown from a few families in 2006 to over 1,100 players in 2013 - which raised over $38,000 for fatherless children.

Interview Links

HUDL
Dave Cisar’s WinningYouthFootball

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