Finding Confidence: The Unexpected Lessons from Coaching Youth Lacrosse

When my son decided he wanted to play lacrosse, I didn’t know a thing about the game. To be honest, I had never even seen one. But not only did he want to play; he also asked me to coach. Like many youth sports, lacrosse needs volunteers, so there I was, signing up with zero experience. A couple of weeks into the season, another coach approached me and asked if I could cover a game. I told him I didn’t know all the rules, and he just said, “You’ll be fine,” and walked away.

So there I was, standing on the field, trying to keep up with a game I barely understood. I messed up a few calls, and you know what? The kids corrected me! But we got through it, and at the end, they actually came up and thanked me. I wasn’t expecting that at all.

Fast forward a few more weeks, and I was driving with my son to a tournament in Kansas City. I was one of the two coaches leading the team. For the three-hour drive, all I could think was, How am I going to do this? Nervous? Absolutely. But by the time we arrived, I had to trust in myself, step up, and hope I’d figure it out.

The tournament started immediately - no time to check into the hotel, just straight to the field. I began talking to the kids, who were as pumped and ready as ever. The game began, and they played their hearts out. It was incredible to watch. They listened, subbed in and out like pros, and won enough games to secure a spot in the championship bracket. The kids were thrilled, and I was so proud of them; they worked hard and had the best record of all the teams that came down from Omaha that weekend.

The next day, we faced one of our most challenging opponents. Although we encountered a disappointing loss, they the kids played like champions. They worked hard and gave it their all.

That experience, despite the loss, got me thinking about confidence, support, and opportunity. I had zero experience, but I was surrounded by those kids, their parents, and the other coaches who believed in me. Their support gave me confidence I wouldn’t have found otherwise.

So, what’s the point of this story? Every time I see a job posting that requires five years of experience and a laundry list of qualifications, I reflect on that tournament. Experience is valuable, but it’s not everything. Being surrounded by a strong team and having a willingness to step up can be just as crucial.

Here’s a thought for hiring managers: take a chance on someone who may not check every box but has the heart and drive to learn. You might just give them - and your team - exactly what’s needed to succeed.

And for those who don’t have the “perfect” resume? Go ahead and apply for that job anyway. Sometimes, it’s about having the confidence to show up, trust in your abilities, and know that you can learn as you go. You might be exactly what the team needs, even if you don’t have it all on paper.

To everyone who jumps in, learns on the go, and makes things happen - even when they’re a little out of their depth: remember that sometimes, all it takes is the confidence to take that first step.