Coach Brandon Smeltzer of the Faith Christian School Lions is not only his players’ coach, he is their friend, mentor, and teacher. Because of his influence, the middle school boys on his team are committed to volunteering at their homes with chores like cleaning up their rooms without being asked, doing the dishes, and helping the neighbors.
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One way Coach Smeltzer influences the boys is by having them make commitments at the beginning of every season to help at home, in their communities, and at church. Another way is through a regular post-game practice he calls “hug lines.”
“I’ve had hug lines when we’ve gone 2 and 10; I’ve had hug lines when we’ve gone 11 and 0.” says the coach. “It’s important because the boys need to know our relationship is not determined by our performance.”
A hug line is just what it sounds like; the team forms a line, and Coach Smeltzer goes down it, giving them each hugs and encouragement.
“Good job, buddy!” he tells one player in the video below. “I’m so proud of you. Did you have fun tonight?”
He also encourages his players to do this with each other, to “brag on their brother.”
“A lot of sports today is about me” says the coach. “The reality is, they play in teams. And they’ve got to be looking out for their brothers’ success.”
Even the boys notice the important of what their coach is doing. “He’s not just preparing us for the football field,” says one seventh grader, “He’s preparing us for our jobs, our wives, and overall lives one day.”
Check out this awesome coach below and share his incredible philosophies today!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIAUIMFPKSY
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