Both my husband and I coached for over 25 years. It was a responsibility we took very seriously. We were blessed to have coached many National Champions and All Americans in both wrestling and gymnastics. When I look back on those years I never think of the accomplishments we achieved, but instead I think of the relationships that we built. I think of the athletes now and see all they have become as a person and I am so thankful that I could honestly say we coached from the heart.

The definition of coach is: to encourage and train someone to accomplish a goal or task.

It really is simple. Is your daughters coach encouraging her to be the best person and athlete she can be? Does the coach see your daughter as a person or a product to produce accolades for his or her own self worth?

In our careers as athletes we can look back and say we probably had both types of coaches through the years. We learned from the selfish style of coaching as much as we learned from the coaches in our lives that really cared about us as a person.

Take time to explain this concept to your daughter. Help her to see that her sport is only what she does, it is not who she is. Who she is, is where her value lies. Who she is becoming as she does sports is what you see as most important.

If your daughter is being coached by one who is encouraging and positive as he teaches, you are one of the lucky ones. Evaluate each year your daughters growth as an athlete and as a person and decide together if continuing is the right choice.

Jill Hicks is the founder of JH Consulting, which is an advising business helping club gymnasts and parents through the college recruiting process.  Call for a free consultation. 
www.jhicksconsulting.com