To athletes at Flathead High, the court or field is a world led by a sometimes cruel, sometimes merciful, but most of all inspirational dictator - the coach. Although the students are usually players and not the coaches themselves, that's not always true.
Nine students from Flathead have branched out in their athletic careers to coach kindergarten to sixth grade athletes in the Rotary basketball program.
"They (the kids) have fun with us," said senior Hillary Diede, who coaches Rotary. "We make it more fun than some other coaches because we remember how it was."
"I'm not as strict," said junior Jarod Grubb. "As long as they learn how to play and have fun - that's all that matters."
Beside providing the kids with the athletic leadership that is needed on the court, student coaches can become role models for their players.
"They see these (high school students) as role models as well as coaches," said the head of Rotary basketball, Bruce Nikunen. "They really look up to the Braves and the Bravettes."
This coaching not only helps the children, it also helps the coaches with their careers.
"I think it really helps the coaches as well as the players," said Nikunen. "They teach the fundamentals and they have to practice what they preach."
Some of the coaches hope this is just the beginning of a career in coaching.
"I think it would be fun to go on and coach at a higher level because kids could be more receptive," said Diede. "It's hard to make (the younger kids) listen sometimes."
Thanks to these student coaches, the Rotary program has reached a whole new level.
"They have been a valuable asset to the Rotary basketball program," said Nikunen. "Without them the program could not be where it is today."