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Avoid
– laps, lines and lectures – You would be better
served to play small sided high intensity games that encourage
fast play of short duration than to make your players run
laps for conditioning. As adults we don’t like standing
in lines so why would our children? Players come to practice
to play not sit and listen. Use the “30 second rule”.
-
Positive Attitude – be enthusiastic without being intimidating.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t discipline your
players, but don’t discipline for mistakes when the
player is trying their best.
-
Be prepared – the younger they are, the more organized
you should be.
Activities need to be developmentally appropriate and fun
– small sided games, work on skills and tactics.
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Give clear instructions – short demonstrations with
short, clear instructions.
-
Simple to complex progression – never underestimate
a child’s ability.
-
Provide
opportunities for decision making – attack/defend scheming.
-
Use safe and appropriate spaces.
-
Be patient. – don’t push players beyond limits
in regards to practice.
-
Care
more about the players as individuals than for how athletically
inclined they are.
-
Allow
time for just playing the game.
-
Be
the first to demonstrate good sportsmanship – Honor
the game. Respect the rules, opponents, officials and traditions
of the game. Keep a low profile during the game and allow
the kids to be the center of attention.
-
Understand
the different characteristics of youth of different age groups.
-
Have a team meeting before the season starts and lay down
the team rules and explain your coaching philosophy and goals.
Advise parents at that time that there will be no discussion
of coaching philosophy later in the season so they should
decide now if they want their child to play on your team.
It's OK, for parents to disagree with your philosophy, but
they should do it before the season starts and move their
child somewhere else.
-
Get
parents involved at practice. This will help the player feel
more comfortable when trying something new. Remind the parents
that during games they should try to remain quiet and not
yell out instructions as this will only confuse the players.
-
Be
approachable – Listen to your players and parents. Keep
an open mind and never retaliate against a player because
a parent tells you they don’t agree with your game time
decisions or the their child’s playing time. Think things
over before getting back to the parent. This will give you
time to review and decide on a solution and it will give the
parent time to calm down.
- Provide
opportunities for all your players - It doesn't matter if your
coaching 4 year olds or ten year olds. Find ways to get all
of your players involved. Yes, you will always have some natural
athletes and some kids who don't know a ball from a hole in
the ground, but lets get real, what are we playing youth sports
for. So the coach can win or so the kids have opportunities
to develop. That 8 year old with no skills may just develop
into the next star high school athlete if some coach doesn't
give up on him to early.
-
Keep
notes during games – game time is not the time to teach
something new. It’s a time to evaluate what your players
have learned and what skills need to be improved. Game time
is also a good time to learn from the other coach and team.
-
Lastly,
but most importantly – manage your time effectively
– Keep things in perspective and keep your priorities
straight – God, spouse, and family come first. Having
good, dependable assistant coaches and a good team parent
will take a lot of pressure off of you.
