Having coached youth sports for more than 15 years, what I have learned is that success for a team and for a player is found in teaching a few key concepts that primarily center on “Effort and Commitment”. Teaching these concepts has resulted in success both in terms of winning games, but also in terms of developing better individuals, better players, creating positive memories and fostering new friendships.
Surprisingly, each year begins with a group of young people who, although living in the same town, often don’t know one another. As the coach calls the first practice, the season begins with “the talk” to the parents and players where each coach introduces themselves to the parents and players. The coaches talk about what the players can expect during the upcoming season in terms of frequency of practices, game schedule, and goals to achieve post-season play. “Fun” and “friendships” are emphasized.
After “the talk”, the coaches gather the players in “the Circle” and the name game begins. Each player says their name. The coach then goes around and tries to recall each player’s name. Then, each player does the same. It continues until each player has tried to repeat everyone’s name. This exercise is a great way to learn your players’ names in the first practice. Also, it is an opportunity for each player to hear their own name several times (provides a sense of belonging) and to learn the names of other players. This follows with passing drills using names as each pass is made.
The “Circle” becomes the cornerstone for the entire year. Each player knows that when they arrive to practice, they will join the “Circle” to stretch and warm up. As the season progresses, the players take over this role and begin doing it on their own – leaders emerge.
The key to any team’s success is teaching players the importance of “playing your position” and giving 100% effort. Each player is expected to commit to making themselves a better player (developing his/her individual skills during practice and at home) as well as committing to the team (attending all practices, showing up on time, protecting one another, picking each other up, backing each other up).
It is the coaches job to make practice fun and to organize events outside of practice that are fun. A pizza party or grilling on the beach, going bowling, going to play laser tag or going to a family friendly movie all create positive and fond memories. As they players get to know one another they care more about one another. Also, often I have had players with low self-esteem, and I’ve noticed that these events seem to bring them out of their shell as well.
When the first game rolls around, it is important to have had at least 4-5 practices so the players have been able to go over the fundamentals and the coach has been able to assess each player’s strengths and areas of improvement. As the games progress, the coach will know early on how the team stacks up to the other teams in the league and if post-season is realistic. If so, discussion of post season play begins with the players and parents. This let’s parents/players update their calendars / expectations about how long the season will continue. You will also learn of vacations, etc. and if/when your players will be unavailable.
Usually toward the end of the season or during post season, when the games become competitive, it is important for the coach to explain his/her role versus the role of the player. The coach decides who plays / when where / how long. The player works hard to get better and when on the field, the player’s job is to play their position giving the team 100% effort.
– The Talk
– Know Your Players
– Teach Players to Know Each Other
– Fundamentals
– Playing Your Position
– Effort
– Individual Commitment
– Commitment to Team
– Having Fun and Making Friends
– Understanding the Coach’s Job
– Understanding the Player’s Job
– Defining Success
Success is achieved when the coach(es) and each player does their job to the best of their ability. Consider these two video clips …
Inky Johnson’s – https://t.co/WyVvvBkVdt?ssr=true – he says, “Impose Your Will on the World”
Nick Bollettieri – Nick’s Inspires a Generation – select “Give All You Have and Be a Winner”
Closing Note: Often coaches don’t consider that the children they are coaching will take from the experience they have during a season (good or bad) and carry it with them going forward. The primary job of the coach is to teach and do whatever he/she can to make the experience positive for the players.