I've been around sports all my life. I've played for as long as I can remember, still play some today, and I now coach my kids teams. I'm a sports head, a sports junkie, a sports dude, a sports dad or any other term you can think of when it comes to somebody whose involved with and loves sports.

I played four different sports in my lifetime -- football, basketball, baseball and tennis (briefly). That is way more than some people. Because of this, I like to think I know a "little" something when it comes to these games, especially the Big 3.

Youth football coaching experience can vary

Throughout coaching, I've learned that not every volunteer coach has a great deal of experience with the game, and I've been on both sides of this coin: coaching sports in which I've reached levels that most don't while also coaching sports I didn't even know the proper terminology or positions.

I also know what it's like to be the parent of a kid who plays on a team where the coach doesn't know much about the game. That can be challenging for the adult, but it can still be enjoyable for you and your kids, and your kids can still benefit from the experience.

Making the most out of any coaching situation

Reflecting on my experiences of coaching with a high level of knowledge to a low level of knowledge and being a parent on the side while my kids play for coaches with varying levels of experience has been great. From this I've come up with some insights that will help you in either situation. But especially the situation when you know more about the game than your kid's coach.

• Respect the coach's authority. No matter if the coach doesn't know the difference between a touchdown and a first down, he is the coach. His authority must be respected. Doing this and teaching your kids to do the same will pay big dividends in the future, on and off the football field.
• Offer to help. This past season, I declined to help coach my daughter's team, yet I was at most practices. I felt so guilty because I had knowledge and experience to contribute, but I didn't. When you have the knowledge, don't let it sit dormant. Offer to help however you can up to the extent that the coaches will allow. Don't take over, but you can contribute.
• Work with your kids at home. You are your kids' first and primary coach. Always work with them at home. I've had times when my son's coaches have taught him something different than what I teach him at home. In these cases I've taught him the way I believe to be fundamentally correct and expain why. We practice it at home, but if his coach insists he do it another way, then he should respect his coach while under his coach's authority. I plan to get way more reps at home with him than the team does at practice, so I believe the muscle memory development will not be too negatively impacted.
• Talk with the coach. If you just can't bear it, or you think your kid's development is being hampered by what he is learning, then have a private meeting or conversation with the coach. First, remember to respect his authority. Then ask questions, listen and share your concerns. Don't just voice your concerns. Use the meeting to learn more about the coach and why he does what he does. Then work with your kid's coach, not against him, to achieve the best for your kid and his team.
• Encourage the coach. Coaching youth sports is not easy. Most do it on a volunteer basis, so they don't have as much time as they'd like to devote to their role. The last thing they need is a politicking parent or discouraging parent. Encourage the coach in public and in private be as honestly and consistently as possible.

Have you experienced your kids playing for a coach, who doesn't have much football experience? How did you handle it?

Jackie Bledsoe Jr. is a writer, blogger, speaker, husband and sports parent of three. He's played sports for more than 30 years, including the collegiate level, while coaching youth sports for the past nine years. He's the author of The Family Leader Manifesto. You can read more from Jackie by clicking here to subscribe to his blog.