Daily Character Lessons - Youth Coaches

This booklet is designed for coaches who want to incorporate lessons of character into their daily practice plans. Coaches can take the character lessons into as much depth as the age of their teams and time allow. Part of every team's practice should include how to become an athlete of character. Character can be taught, learned, and improved at almost any age; coaches need to identify the level of lessons that best fit their age group. The lessons are divided into the five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character Program. Each trait is divided into sections: (1) a definition — teach one sentence or one concept at a time; (2) choices to which the athlete can commit; and (3) questions for the athlete or team to discuss.

Coaches need to make their expectations and values clear — articulate, teach, practice, model, and praise these values daily, to provide an experience where athletes can learn and demonstrate exactly what it means to be a person of character. Young athletes should be able to learn and demonstrate how to: