I’m all smiles when I’m on the sidelines with a clipboard at hand. There are times when I yell, scream and even get down on the floor in anticipation. Let’s face it, I’m one of those coaches. I get into the game to keep my players motivated and on point. I love what I do, and I’ve been told many times that the love I have for the game can be seen as soon as I step on the court.

Coaching is one of my favorite jobs, hobbies and passions. It is one of the few topics I can talk about without ever growing uninterested (sorry to those of you who have drifted off during one of these rants). I often seem to “bounce off the walls” with excitement as I talk about my love of coaching.

Anytime a person asks me about my favorite thing to do, coaching is always the first thing that comes to my mind. To me, it’s not just a job or an experience, but a way of life. Coaching is my life.

Coaching has had nothing but a positive impact on my life. It’s more than just a paycheck or “glorified babysitting.” It’s also more than just being the teacher or leader to the players. Coaching is about being that one person who has the ability to make a positive difference in a person's life. I feel strongly that coaches do not, and should not, coach for themselves, but rather, for others; they should strive to show their players how to love the game.

Like teaching, you have to get to know your players for who they are as people – their likes and dislikes, their goals and passions and their love for the game. Taking the time to get to know the players shows that I care about them and am only here to make them better, both on and off the court.

The best part of coaching is not actually the act of coaching, but witnessing my team’s growth, both in their play and in personality. All of the teams I have coached and watched play their freshmen year through their senior year have grown into remarkable individuals. I have been fortunate enough to be able to see my first group of freshmen play at the varsity level and see how their level of play has increased.

Coaching is so much more than blowing a whistle (there’s no need for one) or telling your players to get on the line because it’s time to run. Coaching is understanding the people you work with and encouraging them to be the best they can be, both on and off the court.

It’s about transferring the love of the game to your players while giving them support and knowledge they can carry them throughout their life beyond the game. Anyone can coach, but it takes a special person to be a coach.

We all have our own passions that drive and motivate our lives. Some enjoy reading, music, napping, helping others, writing or fishing. Whatever the passion, there is nothing quite better than being able to experience and live it. Finding your passion is one thing, but getting to live your passion is another. Quite honestly, that's what makes life worth living.