Your a coach. Now what?
Assume your responsibilities.
Take care of your tasks.
Teach fundamentals in game type situations.
Coach
those who are less talented.
Plan - outline the basics to communicate. Design how you will accomplish
it.
Preparation - by verbal explanation. Continue reinforcing what you've explained by using physical drills
that train a specific reaction per individual or group.
Execution - This is when individuals blend and become
a single unit/team.
All players know what is required
of them.
They clearly understand individual assignments.
Make sure if anyone is confused that you go over it with them.
Review -
critique but don't kill the spirit.
Make necessary
adjustments during practice and games.
Make
sure the focus is on what you can improve.
Teach/Prepare prior to the game.
Adjust during and after the game.
Construct
a plan that each individual and group can mentally and physically improve.
Fundamentals are the basis in which all team skills are built.
The fundamentals are taught through repetitive drills and skills work during practice.
These lessons can be organized into individual and group activities.
Don't lose time by having players chasing balls (unless that's the
lesson) or talking about strategy.
Time should
be devoted to only the execution of a skill.
Approach - There are many different type coaches. A
coach must learn what works for him/her. Coaches will always encounter hostile administrators, parents and sometimes
players.
In most cases an administrator will become hostile when the team is doing poorly or a parent has complained.
Parents become irrate because their child is not playing enough or they think that your not using their child properly.
For a coach
the bottom line is your the one who will get the blame for everything.
You must make it clear to each parent or adminstrator
who shows hostility toward you that you're the one who will have to make the team decisions.
It is clear that at the high school level of athletics
winning becomes the no 1 priority.
Wins and losses are a product of how your team executes the techniques and skills
involved in athletics.
Ratings is a game we all play. It seems cruel for a player to
know that he or she is 3rd string. But it's better to tell them one on one what role they have on the team. Don't
lie to your players and give them a false sense of security. If they need help instruct them what they can do to improve.
Help them become better players. Not only a better player but a well rounded person.
Remember Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team.
He probably wasn't a very good player in high school. But I believe he was driven to improve his game. Obviously he
did a good job of getting better through college and everyone knows what he did as a pro.
Players should rate game time. I know it's difficult for coaches who
need to have the best players in to give them the best chance at winning games. But as much as possible reward those
players who just want to participate with some game time action.
Be clear about what roles each player will have. Give them realistic
goals they can accomplish during the season. Make sure your team and coaching staff clearly identify what your guidelines are
for the season. Encourage your players to participate in creating the structure of practice. It's much easier
to stress it when players have contributed to the plan.
For Fun vs For Advancement
Some kids play for fun. Some play sports because of parent pressure.
Many kids will come face to face with the reality that only the best will continue to play. The strong
inherit the dirt and the leftovers play at the park & recs.
This reality usually starts in high school but can come sooner.
It is a grim reality that only the cream of the crop participate for a scholarship.
The most important part of sports is in the playing of
the game. Winning and losing are a product of how all the players on the team perform together. The teams with
the most talented players usually are going to win. If you don't have the most talent then you must create the best
possible situation for your team to have success.
Course Curriculum
If your an all-star or highly recruited athlete then it's time for you to
make the grades. These marks will follow you your entire academic life. It is far to common to see those who had
an opportunity while in athletics throw it away. I hear the story over and over again, "I should of, could of, would
of...". Don't let this be you!
