CHARACTER COACHING
One of the most important roles coaches play in preparing players for competition and life is to give them a chance to develop good character.

We expect a game plan for coaching the X’s and O’s of our sport. What isn’t always clear is how to coach character. Over time we have seen an ever-growing gap develop between coaching the fundamental aspects of a specific sport and the development of quality character. Character Coaches exist to fill this crucial gap in developing the complete athlete.
CHARACTER COACH VS. CHAPLAIN
When discussing the role of a Character Coach it is important to know the difference between a Character Coach and a Chaplain. Both roles are critically important but distinctively different. Which role you play with a team is determined by the audience.
Character Coach Chaplain
Values Based Faith Based
The goal is to teach character/leadership qualities The goal is to provide spiritual guidance and protection
Coaches can make it manditory Coaches must make it optional
Model + Inform Model + Inform + Convert
Who are Character Coaches?
A wide variety of people can serve the people of sport as Character Coaches. One need not be a sport ministry professional to faithfully serve and to significantly impact the lives of coaches and athletes. Among those who could serve as in these roles are:
  • Parents of players in youth sports (school based teams or club sports).
  • Coaches of youth sports teams, school based teams or coaches at higher levels of sport.
  • Community leaders with an interest in developing character.
  • Athletic trainers or other support personnel with sports teams.
  • Pastors or other ministry professionals.
  • Church members who desire to make an impact by serving others.
What does it take to be a Character Coach?
FCA wants to provide teams with the best-trained, most effective Character Coaches that they can, so we have created a process:
  • Completion of the on-line application process called the Ministry Leader Application.
  • Initiation of a relationship with an FCA staff member in your area for further training, encouragement, facilitation and accountability.
  • Communication with the FCA staff prior to the season for planning, prayer, resources, etc
  • Communication with the FCA staff during the season for encouragement, problem solving and further direction.
  • Communication at the end of the season for evaluation, reporting of results, etc…
CHARACTER COACH ESSENTIALS  

1) FCA Character Coach Requirements:
a. Volunteer Application- Volunteers interested in working with coaches, athletes, huddles, and at camps will fill out a MLA application/background check authorization.
b. Orientation- Volunteers will be given a comprehensive orientation on the standards, policies, and practices of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
c. Know the FCA Social Media Guidelines
d. Work under the direction of local FCA Staff, and have a plan for communication and accountability.
e. Character coaches could also be life coaches willing to help all of the players (including those of other faiths or no faith at all) with a variety of issues.
f. Character Coaches should only discuss faith in meetings, where students voluntarily attend or when asked a question by a student one-on-one.
g. All one-on-one meetings and counseling appointments must be done in public view.

2) Student Rights:
a. Read and be familiar with the Student Rights Handbook
b. Know the students’ rights to express their faith at school. 
c. Know the rights of Volunteers to participate in religious Clubs, team devotions, team bible studies, pre-game meals, attend practice, etc. 

3) School Process: 
a. You must seek approval of the school administration for any events, club meetings, Bible studies, etc. that happens on campus. 
b. Know the expectations of the school Principal.
c. Always check in through the front office. Let the administration know who you are. 
d. Be familiar with the Equal Access Act. 
e. Know what school employees, teachers, students, and coaches can and cannot do regarding religious clubs. 
f. Know the rights that religious clubs have on school property. 
g. Know the rights of religious clubs to access secondary school facilities. 
h. If a student shares about an abusive or illegal situation, it must be reported to the administration. 
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