Comments on: Youth Football Seeking Coaches

By: Pete Peterson

Pete Peterson — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:33:17 +0000

To Possibly Interested..
My friend, there is no doubt that Mert knows what he is doing. Youth sports is in his blood and he has a lifetime of experience working with kids and the adult coaches who assist him.
In every venue there has to be a leader who takes the responsibility and actively works with those around him.
Everyone can learn from others, whether you are expremely experienced, as Mert is, or may be somewhat of a novice who may have a different take on things.
The important thing is to check your ego at the door and enter with an open mind and willingness to become part of the team to teach the kids. Learn from the masters and share that learning.
You will find, as I know you will with Mert, that although he has vast experience, he will also listen to others and try and work in a team spirit. He has proven his abilities and continues to support the youth of today with his time , efforts, and experience.
Your last sentence in your post tells me that perhaps you are letting a little immaturity and ego get in the way of getting truly involved.
He has been involved in youth sports and working with kids for a lot of years and has been successful, so he must be doing something right..

By: Mert Carlson

Mert Carlson — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:24:36 +0000

Thanks for the reply and the insight. Sorry if you missed the next to last paragraph but it states that our coaches are always encouraged to suggest when and where we need to improve, whether it be a ‘skill’ or the time constraint devoted to such.

“Nobody dictates to anybody!” If any coach can add to a drill that makes it more learning-friendly, then we do that. We have never found it to be very effective for any coach to be a lone-wolf and go about teaching the game ‘their-way’ outside the plans and objectives of the others.

The game is complicated and yet can be simplified by going through the a-b-c’s first. Other than basic fundamentals, they have to learn hole-numbers, gaps, tree-no.s, formations, position responsibilities, strategies and on and on. If you have any experience in football you will understand those challenges and jump in to help us, and we do need the help!

I’m not a spring chicken (remember her?) anymore and would love to work with somebody that would take the program in my absence, which nearly happened last month! Most volunteer coaches rotate through with their own child and few ever stay around to help once their player is out of the program. It would be great to see a parent of a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade-player step up to the plate, or line of scrimmage, and jump aboard the Mighty Vikes’ Ship.

* A quote from one of last year’s coaches: “Boy, I have a whole new appreciation for what coaches have to go through to teach this game!”

By: Possibly Interested

Possibly Interested — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:21:11 +0000

So, what this sounds like to me is that Mert wants help, right? But it also sounds like he knows how to do EVERYTHING right, and we just have to learn from him and teach it to the kids.

Seriously, I want to work for a guy who wants to keep learning from others, not dictate me around.

By: Mert Carlson

Mert Carlson — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:54:12 +0000

Josh, I forgot to note that possibly a 2nd-3rd grade ‘Flag Football’ team could be assembled if a few parents would share the Tues/Thurs practices. Saturday practices would be optional. We did this 6 or 7 years ago and the players/coaches had a fun time.
Please give me a call if interested in helping us as a coach.