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Winter 2009 PES364 Scientific Basis for Coaching Youth Sport class at Eastern Oregon University.
Charactertics of what I think makes a good coach
Through out this term we have spent a lot of time learning what it takes to be a coach and all the responsibilities that comes along with it. But what makes a good coach?? To me, I think a good coach is someone the students can look up to. I believe a good coach should have the following qualities: respect towards everyone, drive, commitment, passion for teaching, knowledge of the sport, patience. Someone who is open minded, approachable, and who really cares about the well being of their students. Finally, I think a good coach should really want to make their students the best and healthiest they can be.
Goals
Goals are an important part of a teams success. As a coach goals help seek new accomplishments rather than winning as a primary goal setter. Everyone likes to win, but if other goals are set than there is another demand for reaching success. Both team and individual goals are important. Goals should be set by the team at the beginning of the year. Each individual can set 3 goals, and then the team can discuss which top three they should decide on and goal with those. Goals should be hard enough work for, but not easy enough to achieve. People should always try to over achieve, but you never want to make your goals to easy.
End of Season Team Dinner
I just think that it would be a good idea for everyone to get together at the end of the sports season and have a team dinner (maybe BBQ if it's that time of the year). It would be a team/parent dinner, where we can kind of reward everyone for making the season. It should a fun time, where everyone can let go of the stress of the season and just relax. I know that sometimes during the sports season, times can get stressful. So, I would first of all see if the team is interested in doing something like this. If everyone agrees to it, then we could have each person bring a dish. This also doesn't have to be just after the season is over but anytime during the season just to bring the team and the parents closer together, and really just to have FUN!!
Softball Drills I like
Drill #1: Star Drill (Infield Drill)
Purpose/Benefit: Repetition of ground balls and technique, enables 5 players to get a lot of ground balls in a short period of time, can help build team unity with smaller groups
Set up/Execution: Five infielders spread out and position themselves in a circle. One infielder has a ball and he will throw a ground ball two players to his right, then that player will field the ball and throw the ground ball two players to his right, and so on…(forming a star). After a certain time, the infielders change positions and throw two players to their left
Drill #2: Gap Communication Drill (Outfield Drill)
Purpose/Benefit: Works on communication and back up Read more »
History of Softball
I think it's interesting to know the history of the sport. It helps you appreciate it more. Here is brief look at the history of softball: Read more »
Interview with a Softball Coach
Interview with Softball Coach Lynn Kishado
•What do you think is important to a great program?
oThe most important thing is that coaches know how to break down technique and know great drills for specific skill development. It’s best to keep everyone busy. Everyone is as important as everyone else. The more repetitions the better. Have fun and keep the drills competitive and at high intensity. Practices should be fast, fun, and intense. Coaches need to be very knowledgeable—that keeps the kids motivated. Winning is fun.
•How do you deal with parents? Read more »
Softball Defensive Game Strategy
Our general defensive strategy is to always have our head in the game, know the count, where the base runners are, recognize the batter, expect to receive the ball, and know where to throw it. Before the pitcher starts to pitch each fielder should be aware of the answers to these questions. Our goal is to not give up runs due to our own errors, but only when the offense has earned it. The focus must be on making the routine play and keeping lead runners from advancing around the bases. No one should ever be caught standing still, but should always be moving in order to cover the appropriate base or to back up. Through habitual practice of fundamentals and by running through game-like scenarios in practice, we hope to be sharp. Communication between fielders and forward thinking are key.
Softball Offensive Game Strategy
Our offensive game strategy is to score one run per inning. This can happen by getting the lead hitter on base and then sacrificing outs if necessary to move him around. We can do this a number of ways: use shade for steals, sacrifice or base hit bunts, and/or hitting the ball to the right side of the field. It’s important that each player knows the goal of the offense and their personal role.
We need to make sure we are using the full inning, and not checking out mentally with 2 outs and weak batter up. As long as we’re out there, there is always a chance to score. You never know when there will be an error or a walk. Each out is only 33% of the inning. Read more »
Risk management
Creating a safe environment is very important for me as a coach. For these reasons I will take the steps necessary to ensure that my students are provided this kind of environment. At the beginning of each year, I will have a meeting with all the parents and tell them everything that me and the coaching staff has planned for the year so they will know what to expect. Then I will make all of my students take a physical to ensure that they are able to complete all the tasks that I have planned out for them. Me, along with all the rest of the coaches will have to know CPR. Also, on trips I will make sure that every student is accounted for at all times. I will not allow the students to do their own thing. They will always have to be with one of the coaches. Read more »
Fund Raising
Fundraisers are a great way to raise money and breed comradery among the athletes. Pulling the athletes away from the practice/game environment and allowing them to work together in something other than their sport really brings the team together. I've been in many fundraisers but the most common is the car wash. The car wash is a great and inexpensive way to raise money. Fundraisers also get the community involved and aware of the school sports athletes. Fundraising is definitely one thing that I will do as a coach.
Goals
Taking the time to really evaluate and come up with a list of goals is beneficial in itself, because it forces you to look at yourself and really decide just what it is that you want to achieve--both as a team and as an individual. However, I believe that spending large amounts of time on creating weekly lists on things that everyone wants to achieve is almost a waste. I think having an initial, a middle, and an ending meeting on our goals would be sufficient, but that these can be enforced with verbal indications progressively throughout the year and season with each player and as a group on how things are going and areas that need improvement. Read more »
Fundraising
I never participated on a team where fundraising wasn't applied. Especially for my summer league ASA team, fundraising was the only means of money besides the few sponser we were able to get and the money our parents had to fork over. In high school, every year for volleyball we had to sell Warrior cards (discount cards for businesses around town) and do car washes during the end of summer. These funds were used to get us better and newer gear, nice uniforms that we could keep at the end of the season, and usually matching team shoes. Because everyone worked hard to achieve these extra items, they were used with more care and we took more pride as a team each time we put on those uniforms. As for softball, we raked leaves around town and did events like the 100-inning game. Read more »
Risk Management
The number one way to ensure a cohesive risk management plan is to take preventative measures in the beginning. Every member of the team, or potential player, should always be required to take a physical before they even start pre-season workouts and events. I also really believe in making sure the parent has to sign a waiver initially, stating that the student either doesn't have any known physical ailments, or that they do and must list them to be evaluated. This isn't meant to be stringent on the players and say that if there is a situation with their health, they won't be able to participate, but it there to create that initial prognosis so as to prevent anything major from ever effecting any of the students. Their health and safety take precedence over anything else. Read more »
Practice Schedule
3:00- Warm up lines
3:10- Individual drills OL/DL/RB/QB/DB/LB/WR
3:20-Team, go through the script for the team session at end of practice. Make sure everyone knows what they are supposed to do.
3:35- 7on7 and OL/DL drills
3:45-Special teams, Kickoff and Kickoff return
4:05- Team session live run the script, 1o v. 2d, then 1d v. 2o
4:35- Conditioning, 10-100’s
4:45- Stretch lines, stretch for ten minutes
Goals
Goals are a big deal in any program and for any kid. I believe that all kids should set goals for their self and a team should think together to make up some team goals. Goals should not be goals that are uncontrolable, all my athletes are advised to make goals that they can control and that are not unreachable or that are to big to reach in one season. I encourage them to make immidiate goals, mid season goals and goals that they can reach by the end of the season. Goals are a great tool for motivating your team to practice hard and to take care of business, but as a coach make sure that you monitor these goals and make sure that they are making an honest evaluation.
Promotion And Fundraising
Fundraising & Promoting
As a former assistant coach I understand the importance of promoting your team to the community and raising money to take care of team business. Fundraising and promoting your program can be two of the most valuable things to your program. Read more »
Liability
Liability
Liability is a big issue in high school athletics. Taking the proper steps will keep you out of trouble and keep your school and program safe. Read more »
Off Season Conditioning
I think that players should go the extra mile to stay in shape and improve on their skills in the off season. I would start advertising to the midschools a few weeks in advance to the end of the regular season about off season workouts to give any up-coming eighth grade and freshman players the opportunity to work with the older players. Since season usually ends in the beg. of November I would start with weight training Monday and Wednesday from 4pm to 5:30pm. Tuesday and Thursday would be indoor soccer. In the end of February beginning of March Outdoor runs on a previously marked course will be done. Players will meet at 4 to give time for midschool players to commute. In May "open Field" begins. This is a full field scrimmage boys and girls future, present and past players. Read more »
New Class Next Term: PES199 Advanced Fitness & Performance Training
Some of you would be good candidates for this new class that I am offering next term:
PES199 Advanced Fitness & Performance Training (3 credits)
CRN: 92164
Description: Individualized and focused high intensity training for improving fitness and athletic performance. This class uses an online platform to enhance and improve participants' experience as they train for specific goals and events. Each student will interact with the instructor as a personal coach, helping to improve training techniques based on principles grounded in good scientific evidence. The process will include goal setting, planning training, logging workouts, performance testing, and sharing event results. Designed specifically for athletes training for target events like a marathon, triathlon, or an upcoming sport season. Individuals who want to simply focus on high intensity workouts for improved personal fitness will also find this class beneficial.
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