Variety

Almost everyone has an opinion about what sports to play, when to play them, and for how long. Over the last few years, I've seen many kids, many skillsets, and heard many parents' views.

Even at 7 and 8 years old, it is too early to be thinking about college scholarships and pro careers. Some will disagree (some will disagree vehemently), and that's ok. But if you're still forming your opinion, consider the benefits of enrolling your youngster in multiple sports over the first few years. Keep in mind - this isn't necessarily multiple sports at once... these kids have a hard enough time concentrating on one skillset at a time - they don't particularly benefit from having 2... or 3... to think about.

The most obvious benefit is that they gain some knowledge and experience in multiple sports. Maybe they're really good at baseball, but have a passion for football? I'm no child development expert - but it's logical to think that this could lead to a successful and rewarding pursuit of football as the child matures...

Variety also helps multiple skills develop over time. The most important thing is the general development of coordination between brain and body. Different sports and different movements give different muscles a chance to mature. The mind learns the various rules of the different sports, and finds it easier to learn new sports (and perform fairly well at them) later in life.

You're not a bad parent if you want your kid to stick to one sport. Or, if your son or daughter really really likes soccer or whatever - and doesn't want to play anything else - you don't have to force them, but they may not know what they're missing.

Don't be afraid to change things up. It can be a good thing.

Lessons Learned in 1 month of blogging

I looked back and it appears that May 24th would have been my 1-month blog anniversary, if there is such a thing.  Sounds kinda silly, but I feel like I've already gone through a lot of material.  This is good - because now it's out of my head and out for others.  

I've had a lot of positive feedback from friends, parents of kids I've coached, and even people I haven't known up until now.  I'm happy that so many other people are interested in coaching, and in coaching WELL.  As I've said before (maybe?) - I coach for the kids.  It's nice to have a blog, and it's nice to be recognized by parents, but I'd rather have a bunch of happy kids enjoying the sport they're playing.

Blogging has been a great forum for creativity, and for expression.  I said I wasn't much of a diary person - and I'm probably still not - but getting all of the coaching info down somewhere makes me feel much better.  Now I'll have a place to look for it when I forget.  So far, I wouldn't really change a thing - other than, I think I still need a website.  But with times as they are, a bunch of my life is dedicated to work.  So I'll keep blogging, and planning the site with the hopes of executing on the ultimate vision someday.

Thanks for reading - hope it's been helpful, and maybe a bit entertaining?!  I'm sure there's plenty more to come.

Size Matters

Something that you may not really consider in coaching young kids is the size of the ball used in practice or the game.  Of course, this is a pretty big deal, and should be taken care of before the season so it's a non-issue.

For baseball, it's pretty standard - there's one size for baseballs.  But use the softer "tee balls" for tee ball and coach pitch leagues.  These still have an authentic baseball feel, but hurt way less when they hit legs, arms, and bodies.  The kids should use gloves that are proportional to their body and hand size.  For the 4 through 6-year-old set, a 9" or 9 1/2" glove is probably the best choice.  This will cover tee ball and perhaps the first coach pitched experience.  Ages 6-7 should probably move up to a 10" glove - and from there, the size should move up as the child continues to grow.  Batting helmets should also be sized appropriately - snug, but not too tight.  I would recommend spending the $20-$30 to buy your child their own helmet.  This saves a lot of trouble for kids with larger or smaller heads, and also alleviates the need to use the often-nasty helmets provided by the league.

In soccer, a Size 3 ball is pretty standard for PK through the first or second grade.  This will make a lot of sense the first time you walk on the field and compare the larger, competition balls with the smaller Size 3's.  The Size 5 ball will feel like a boulder compared to the 3.  Unlike baseball, where equipment can be expensive, a soccer ball is usually around $10-$15, and it's best for each kid to have their own.

For football, the under 8 set will be most comfortable with a "peewee" size ball.  This is pretty much the smallest legitimate-looking ball sold at most sporting good stores.  Keep in mind, though, that discount stores like Target and Wal-Mart also carry a decent selection of gear.  If you're child is playing tackle football under age 8 - first of all, be careful, and secondly consult the league and make sure your child has all of the proper equipment in the correct size.  Not much on that here - I'm a fan of flag football for the younger kids.  In either case, make sure you buy a properly-sized mouthguard.  These range in cost from $2-$30 (seriously).  I have always personally worn and used the $2 ones, but do your research and decide for yourself.  Keep in mind that you can usually trim the mouth guards to size, but it's difficult to add material back once you've made it too small...

If your child is playing basketball, be sure to check the rules for ball size, as different leagues will have different guidelines.  Through second grade, you'll probably use a "Youth" sized ball, which is smaller than a women's ball.  It is best to use the recommended size, as it will be easier for the kids to dribble and shoot - they'll also develop better technique that will stay with them as they grow (and move on to use larger balls.  

Understanding the equipment is another subtle key to success in youth sports.  Although there may be added cost, it's offset by performance on the field in practice and for games.

Good luck.

Defensive Strategy: Soccer

One of the key elements in coaching the 4-5 year olds in soccer is establishing which goal is which.  The concept of "our goal" and "their goal" is one of the most important things to discuss early in the season.  Call the goals what you'd like - so long as it is clear which one to kick the ball in, and which one to keep the ball out of...

After the kids understand which goal they're trying to kick the ball into, the next concept is to always try to kick the ball in that direction.  This can be confusing, because if they watch soccer matches in person or on TV - or maybe they see older kids playing - in those games players are kicking the ball every which way.  Clearly, these youngsters do not need to be so fancy as to be arbitrarily kicking the ball backwards at the opponent's goal.  To encourage directionality - I like to use a drill called Turnaround.  This drill literally involves dribbling the ball, and when I yell turnaround, the kids do a 180 and start going in the other direction.  This conditions them to repeat the same activity in the game (and this is a wonderful tool).

When the kids understand which goal is which, and can turn the ball around you're ready for the last step... guarding the goal.  Most leagues under 5 or 6 don't use goalies, so it's up to your team to plug the middle in front of the opponent's goal when the ball gets close.  I try to teach that the closest player to the ball attacks, and the others play between the ball and the goal in a straight line.  The astute among you might say, that's great, but you're leaving the passing lanes open.  This is true - and if a 5-year-old can make the pass to an open teammate on the wing for a goal, so be it.  The "plug the middle" strategy is very effective until the advent of goalies in the 6-7 year old leagues.

Good defense will lead to good offense - like it does in a lot of other situations.  The kids will respond well to the other team not scoring - especially if they are able to get a few goals...  Use defense as your key strategy to a successful season.

Blogger's vocabulary

I'm not sure if the powers that are Blogger read blogs created on their site...

Blogger has a ridiculously small vocabulary.  Words like "strategize"...  it's OBVIOUSLY mis-spelled, but no alternative is given.  Not even "strategery".  I'd suggest that expanding the spell checking capabilities so it includes more of the words people want to use is something the team should consider.

fundaMENTALs?

Happy Memorial Day.

I really enjoy some of the traditions my family has started, but one of my favorites is to head down to the Arizona State Capitol and look at all of the memorials and monuments.  It really puts things like sports in perspective.  Thanks to all of those who served.

Last week I had the chance to talk to a "consultant" - but not the kind named "Bob" who come to your office and look for efficiencies.  Pamela Brooks IS - as it turns out - a management consultant, but she's also interested in helping coaches understand the mental aspects of themselves, and of sports.  

One of the things that came out of the conversation with Pam - an experienced coach herself - was how much of sport is mental.  This point is self-evident, and we see examples all the time... only we may not realize it.  When my man Braylon Edwards drops a sure TD pass, surely that is not from an inability of his eyes to see the ball and for his hands to close around it.  When Eric Byrnes drops a sure out in the outfield - that is not because his glove has a hole in it, nor because he is incapable of squeezing the ball in his glove...

Why do pep talks (see related post) work?  ...or not?  Why does getting frustrated just make the next play that much worse (usually)?  I say this next statement only in relative terms - Humans are an intelligent species.  Our ability to think provides us tremendous advantage - sometimes, this includes an advantage over our opponents in athletic competition where we are not the best athlete.  This can also be a disadvantage - especially if you are frustrated, depressed, or mentally inferior to your opponent.  

What does this have to do with youth sports?  ...plenty.  It is the very reason feedback should be positive and constructive in the key formative years (up to around age 8).  It is then that young people are ready to compete and think more deeply about the game.  At this point, they begin to strategize, and find advantage.  

It is also occasion to discuss one of my collegiate roommate's favorite phrases - Mental Toughness.  This is everything from focusing on the game and nothing else to keeping your cool when a call goes against you.  The earlier kids can learn to concentrate on the game they are in, the better their chances of success.  Of course this can go to extremes, but we'll focus on the positive for now.

Pam probably provided content for 2-3 more posts...  but for now, consider not just the physical part of youth team sports - but also the mental.  How kids think about sports directly impacts their performance on the field and in the game.

Anatomy of a Practice: Basketball

I've used a few different formats for basketball practice, and it certainly varies with age.  For the very young (kindergarten) set, I typically focus on fundamentals for the first half to 2/3 of practice, and then talk a little about offense and defense.  The offense and defense portion literally is stuff like "here's our basket" and "stand between the person you're guarding and the basket" on defense.  There is very little strategy involved.

Practices for the kids as they get older are much the same, although the offensive and defensive portions get more sophisticated.  I always teach defense first - the kids work harder when they have offense to look forward to at the end of practice.  That, and if the other team can't score, they can't win...

So, what does a typical practice look like?

After stretching, the first 10-15 minutes is always ball fundamentals.  Speed dribble drills, crossover dribble drills, Butch Lee, etc.  For the older kids, you can begin to introduce behind-the-back and between-the-legs switches.  To do this before 8 or so though is kinda silly...

Next is either defensive work (agility drills or rebounding drills), and/or passing drills.  Passing drills always involve a partner, and sometimes involve a third person for defense.  Of course, Monkey in the Middle is also a possibility - even for the older kids.  

Now that the kids are getting a little tired, it's time for defense - defensive techniques and strategy.  Always teach man-to-man before zone defense.  More about defensive strategy details in a future post...  Unlike football, I think zone defense in basketball is a more difficult concept to master.  

Finally, it's time for offensive strategy and techniques.  I prefer to implement a "base" offense first, and then introduce set plays later - along with perhaps another base offense if you see a lot of different defenses (older kids).  You'll need at least 1 inbounds play to start the year, so keep that in mind (for older kids).  Offensive strategy - like defensive strategy, involves a lot of walking through first, then live action afterwards.  Obviously as the season goes along, there's less walking and more doing...

Practices shouldn't probably go more than 1/2 hour for the 5-6 set, and 45 minutes to an hour for the 7-8 year olds.  Good luck organizing your practice!