Double-Headers

This is the flip-side of bye weeks.

Sometimes league directors will schedule double headers in lieu of having bye weeks for leagues with an uneven amount of teams. This can be stressful and very tiring at any level, but it can be particularly so for the younger athletes.

There are several strategies available to you as coach. You can "coast", "load", or "spread". First, let's talk about coasting. The coasting strategy basically admits that your kids probably won't be able to handle two games, so you're doing whatever you can to get through it. In my opinion, this is the worst of the three options, but it is viable, and as such it's listed. With this strategy, you probably also have a glum attitude toward the double-header week... Regardless, do the best you can, and move forward to fight another day. I'll save the in-depth explanations in an effort to steer you toward either loading or spreading...

In loading, you basically gear up to play your absolute best during the first game, and then taking whatever's left in the second game (mini-coasting). Honestly, when you're 6 or 7, usually one game is a lot - so there's no shame in doing this. Typically, the second team you play will understand the situation, and you can work together if your kids run out of gas... The loading strategy typically yields good results due to peer pressure - a few of the kids will still have energy for game two, and the rest of the team can sometimes be convinced that they then also have energy. Either way, you get at least one solid game out of your team - and that's enough to build on going into the next round of games.

For the spread strategy, prepare your team to play two full games. You may adjust practice slightly to focus on more endurance-related skills. You might also play a deeper rotation - or be sure to get everyone solid minutes in rotation to keep them fresher... This varies by sport, and can be fairly easy or difficult to pull off depending on your particular team. I like this strategy for the older kids - 8, 9 - but the 5-7's probably work better off the loading strategy.

Since double headers will eventually be part of life - embrace them. Try loading or spreading to ensure your team has solid game experience to build on for next time.

Bye Weeks

Inevitably, there will be a season where you're in a league with an odd number of teams - this can lead to either double-headers, or bye weeks. Bye weeks are those times when you are not scheduled to face an opponent, for those who may not have understood the term.

I have never been a fan of bye weeks. Not in the pros, and certainly not in youth sports. It seems that kids thrive on a regular schedule... you've probably noticed this - they get used to bed time, going to school, etc. Bye weeks break the normal schedule of sport.

During the last soccer season when we had a bye, we went ahead and showed up anyway - and played a scrimmage within our team. I typically will run a regular practice during a bye week, and - as with the soccer league - sometimes try to get in a scrimmage to keep the kids used to the competition. If your team is competitive in the league, the scrimmage can fine-tune the skills in a game-like environment. If your team is not as competitive, the extra work may encourage them, and perhaps give them a better chance the following week.

You'll have to deal with the dreaded bye week at some point. Make the most of them, and use them to keep the pace as normal as possible for the team.

Father's Day...

Good evening - Happy Father's Day.

Like the Mother's Day post, this one is going to be a little bit reflective. One of the reasons I've been writing this blog is to provide a place for potential coaches to look for information - and maybe inspiration. I assume many of those potential coaches would be dads...

If you haven't experienced coaching your kids, it is a great experience. Of course, it can be tough, too, because your child may not always be the best on the team, and might not always be as successful as you'd like. Consider that in the big picture of life... I can't explain how it feels when they look you in the eye with so much excitement and enthusiasm for the game they're playing... sometimes it's literally for no other reason than you're out there on the field with them.

I have talked to many, many other parents who have coached their kids - nearly all have shared in this same experience. If your motivation is to help, support, motivate, and teach - I think you'd be hard-pressed to fail. That said, I would suggest understanding the game, knowing the rules, and knowing how the league is structured before you leap. It's best to have your "what am I doing" moment prior to the first game...

But back to the point... Dads, be there for your kids. They'll love it, and it will mean more to them than you'll know. As a bonus, you'll feel great.

Happy coaching.

Assistants

As a head coach, it's likely you won't be able to do everything by yourself... coach games, coach in practice, handle all the communications... At some point, you'll consider or take on assistants. This is an important decision.

Consider your values, style, and goals for the team, and ensure that an assistant will complement your vision. An assistant should be willing and able to support your efforts, and provide good and honest feedback to help shape the direction of the team. The assistant should be someone you trust - not that you've necessarily known the person a long time, but you should have at least had a good conversation about their motivations, experience, and passion (or not) for coaching the kids in the sport.

Practically, an assistant will help during practice - maybe running some drills, or providing individual help. They may coordinate communication with parents (snacks, announcements, etc). Assistants may also help coach during games - especially if you're unable to make a game or two during the season. An assistant should hopefully be an extension of yourself...

Remember, an assistant is not a substitute or proxy for your coaching and guidance for the team. As a head coach, you're responsible, and you have to be in control. Assistant coach(es) should be one source of support in achieving your goals.

Kicking

Kicking the ball seems pretty simple - a basic part of soccer.

But have you noticed how it seems like some kids can kick the ball straight (or where they want to), and some struggle? I've taken to teaching the younger set (4-6) how to kick with the inside of their foot. Now, we don't spend lots of time working on drills for kicking mechanics, but I work it into the drills, and mention it constantly. Why is it easier to kick with the inside of the foot? It's flatter, and the surface area is greater. Simple physics? ...mostly, and that equals better control of the ball, and more consistent kicking.

Another key is to have the kids stop the ball before kicking it. When kicking a moving ball, it's very difficult to get it to go where you want it. Kicking a stationary ball (when possible) allows for proper kicking form, and a known starting point.

I guess the message here is that it's never a bad time to mention good fundamentals - even if they seem basic and simple...

To scrimmage or not to scrimmage...

I'm not a huge fan of scrimmaging during practice for the under-8 set.

Why? I feel like it takes away time we'd other wise spend on fundamentals. The basic skills are essential for young players. Not only do they learn to do things, and do them well early - it gives them the best chance to work on those skills later through their careers.

There is nothing inherently wrong with scrimmaging, especially for a few minutes at the end of practice. It does actually provide a little glimpse of how the game evolves - hopefully leading to the kids being more comfortable and less scared when it "counts". But at this age, scrimmages can get out of control, and if the kids aren't actually applying the skills they should, it could be worse than not practicing at all.

There are several drills in each sport which you could run to provide "game experience" in lieu of a full-on up-and-down scrimmage. But if you do try an actual scrimmage, consider stopping it at key points (turnovers, great plays, bad plays, etc) for a teaching moment. This is a great time to point out good things, bad things, and what the alternative might have looked like.

It may make sense to run some small scrimmages later in the season - especially if your players have gotten the drills and basics down. Still, don't just switch to scrimmages because you don't have any more drills to run. That would be a WRONG reason.

Good luck!

Bonus: Practice FIRST

We had our first basketball practice tonight for my son's team (3rd and 4th grade basketball).

Games start next Saturday, so we'll get 2 practices in before the first game. This is ideal. It's always a must to get in at least 1 practice before the first game - if nothing else, to discuss the absolute basics (and learn names)... But having 2 will be great.

Tonight, we got to see some of the raw skills - who can dribble, who can pass, who can shoot... We're not in bad shape! But next week, we'll work to refine those skills a bit, make sure we talk about what to do and when to do it, and get the basic schemes down.

I'm curious to see how things will work with the 8 and 9 year-olds. It's been a while since I've worked with this age group. It will be exciting.

Names

Back from the trip to Austin, ready for more blogging...

One of the most important things for me is to learn everyone's name. I'm not good at this, and I frequently use the wrong names at first, but quickly I am able to put faces with names.

There's probably been a billion studies on calling people by their names and the benefits vs. the alternative (hey you?!).

As a coach, you command more authority when you know people's names. You also make your team members feel important, and wanted. It is easier to praise, easier to encourage, and easier to critique and coach when you're on a first-name basis. This also allows other parents to learn kids' names as well, because they hear them more often.

I don't have any memory games, or any tips or tricks for doing it... Sorry - that's probably another blog. But the benefits of knowing names (hopefully by the end of the first practice - which is BEFORE the first game) are many.

Happy coaching.

Scheduling Practices

Why a post on scheduling practice?  I've talked about practice before, but scheduling practice is more involved than you think...

There's lots of things to consider.  First, there's the venue - where will you practice?  What constraints are there on time?  Daylight?  Second, how will the venue support what you'd like to do - are there enough nets?  Hoops?  Is the court, field, or diamond in good repair and maintained?  

Once all that is decided - what day and what time will you practice?  Is it the same each week?  How long will the practice last?  This must all be balanced with your availability, but also that of your assistants, and also all of the players (and parents).  Fun stuff.

Getting the practice thing right is the first step toward a good season.  Practice is important, for sure, and you need as many of the players attending as many of the sessions as possible.  It's also ideal to select a place that will suit your practices.

For the athletes under 8 years old, it's likely sufficient to have 1 practice per week, lasting between 30-60 minutes.  This is where planning, preparation, and execution come in to make your practice all it needs to be.

Good luck.

Interesting Dribble Drill

One of the unique things to try with 7-8 year olds is to have them dribble 2 basketballs at once.  At this age, the kids are used to dribbling, and using both hands.  Now is the time to introduce dribbling with BOTH hands.  

Why?

It will be natural for the kids to favor their strong hand.  This drill not only works both hands, and the muscles that go along with it - but it also makes the kids concentrate.  Try it yourself - it's pretty difficult to keep both balls going under control.  If you've mastered the static dribble (in one place), try moving around...  

You will find that the kids enjoy this drill, because it's fun, and can be very funny to watch.  In a practice where each kid has their own ball, you can have half the team run while the other half dribbles, then switch.  If anyone gets good at the drill, you can have them try to bounce the balls at different heights, or bounce them independently (not in synch).

If this drill doesn't go well at first, try it again later on.  The kids should obviously be pretty comfortable with standard dribbling drills first.

In the Zone

Zone defense is a key tool in sports.  What is it, and is it a good option for the young kids?

While playing zone defense, the defensive player guards a space or area instead of a particular opponent.  This is different than a man-to-man defense, where a defensive player guards a particular opponent.  One of the main advantages of zone defense is that it can be "simpler" to implement, and it is a different look, which may confuse some teams in some sports.

Zone defense is an option in basketball, football, and soccer.  In a previous post, I talked a little bit about implementing a functional soccer defense...  This is not necessarily a "zone" scheme, more of a reacting-to-the-ball scheme...  but it is certainly more zone than man-to-man.  It may be better to avoid man-to-man defense because offense and defense are inter-twined in soccer, and if you're playing man-to-man defense, it's likely that the defenders will be closer when your team has the ball.

For flag football, I completely advocate zone defense for the young (and old!).  Why?  It is difficult for young defenders to keep up with receivers, given the options of running and passing, and the different schemes that can be used by offense to confuse the defense.  I've found that defenders tend to be in better position if they are in an area, and then react as the ball is played.  There's probably a whole post on this...

For basketball, I know there's a whole post on defense.  I suggest man-to-man in this case.  It is easier for the kids to understand finding their "man" and standing between their man and the basket than it is for them to remember which area they have and how to react appropriately.  So - 3 different sports, 3 different strategies?  Yes.  And for good reason.

I encourage you to experiment on your own, and go with what works for your team... 

Be Prepared

Not like in the Boy Scouts or anything like that... well, on second thought - maybe like that. There will be some tangible, Earthly goods that will make your coaching gig significantly easier. Here's the breakdown, by sport...

Soccer: I always buy my own soccer ball to use at practices (and during games when necessary). This way, you can easily demonstrate a drill without constantly borrowing Little Sally's ball. You can also participate in the drills with the kids, which they enjoy. Another essential thing is a set of 4 or 8 small cones. These are the little orange or brightly-colored ones in any store for like $2. They are invaluable for setting up boundaries, obstacles, or marking spots on the field. I'd also suggest buying your own goal (or two). They have collapsible ones now, which are pretty nice. These are a little more money, but the advantage is you'll always have a goal to shoot at or defend wherever you practice.

Football: First thing here is also a ball - for both practice and the games. Get the right size, of course, and make sure it's made of good, durable material - preferably other than rubber. Do they still make those? I remember those from when I was a kid... Next thing you'll need is the cones (see above). If the league doesn't provide them, also buy yourself a set of flags - 1 set per player, probably 1-2 extra sets. Nothing worse than not being able to practice basic offense or flag pulling 'cuz you don't have any...

Basketball: Ball. For this, you can go with the youth size - especially if you're coaching your own kid. Otherwise, you could choose to get the full-sized ball for yourself in demonstrations... Cones are ok here, but not necessary - you can use court markings for drills and boundaries unless you're on a random hunk of asphalt... It doesn't really make sense to buy your own hoops here - use those in a gym, park, or school (or your own home, if you're so inclined) - but hoops are large, bulky, difficult to transport, and I consider the portable ones to be somewhat dangerous.

Baseball: Buy several "tee-ball" or soft-core baseballs. At least 5-6. They'll get lost, too, but you'll always be using all you have. I'd suggest owning your own glove - especially in coached pitched leagues where you have good players. Those liners come back fast - "soft-core" or not... I'd suggest having at least 1 good aluminum bat for you (practice) and the team. It's also not a bad idea to carry around your own rubber or plastic bases. This makes your practice more portable. Baseball hat and sunglasses help in sunny weather, too. You'll be surprised how small that ball is when you're looking for it in the air...

General things you should have include a stopwatch, whistle, and marker-board. The marker-board is usually in the form of a clipboard, but it's great for diagramming plays or for drawing out a drill.

With all of your gear, you may look like a pack mule, but you'll be ready - and eliminate some of your needless hassles.