I have made so many coaching mistakes. However, I hope that I am now avoiding many of the errors that I made when I was younger. Here are some of the things that I have picked up from others and I have tried to incorporate into my coaching. I designed much of what you read below to keep players and parents happy. Does that sound odd? Well having team rules is nice. Having rules alone is shortsighted and self-defeating. As coaches, we can have all the team rules we want, but we must do much more to sustain a successful athletic program. Let us get started!
1. Criticize Your Players in Private, Praise Them in Public
If she has does wrong:
Move away from her teammates & whisper to her
NEVER holler in front of teammates, opponents or during a match
Keep her after practice
Treat your players as you would want your daughter treated
Treat your players the same during a match as practice
Contact parents only after your best one-on-one efforts with her have failed.
If she has done right:
Tell her the moment it occurs
Tell the press
Pat her on the back
Put it in the school announcements
Send an email to the parents
Post it in the locker room or website
Give a rewa...kids like candy, cards, a "You're Awesome" paper, etc.
2. Support Your Players & Be There For Them
Listen to your players comments/concerns/problems; but never spout off in public, in front of the team, and/or get personal
Accept that players make mistakes, and help your players grapple with correcting mistakes
Tell them what you think their future is on the volleyball team, and tell them again every 2 weeks
Monitor their grades and school behavior
Recognize achievements in other areas of their life
Ask about what is going on in school and life in general
Help them contact colleges
Help parents with the necessary information for juniors
A player does not care how much you know until she knows how much you care.
3. Only Implement It If You Understand It
Before making a change, make sure that you understand it and can teach it
Try to anticipate a change's ramifications
If you’re 100% sure a change is best for your team, don’t reevaluate it b/c of player/parent protest
From Kelly Stone, who coached with me for 7 years: "If in doubt, keep it simple."
Thus, you avoid the "I'm lost" face (Your players will be adrift if they see that face on YOU!)
4. Your Team Rules Must Be Pro-Player!
Should NOT be just to teach kids a lesson
Should promote reliability, promptness, respect, and team unity
Are available for all parents, players and administrators to inspect
Can be discussed & altered during the pre-season, but NOT after the season begins
Should be created to protect players from the temptations that they are exposed to
Should teach players to make the team their top priority
Should make self-discipline a habit among your athletes
Will guarantee that all players are treated equally
Should prevent you ever accidentally having a "coach's pet"
Should kick kids off the team as a LAST RESORT!
5. Communicate With Parents
In advance, send out an emails/letters regarding:
Tryouts
Team rules
Practice & match schedule
Your views on playing time, who makes JV & varsity, etc.
If the parents do not know what is going on, and you have not done these things. It is your fault; do not blame anyone else.
During the season, send out emails/letters once a week:
Reminders of upcoming events
Any changes in the team's practice/match schedule
Complements on outstanding performances
Positive/uplifting team comments
Apologies for your errors
Your philosophies
If parents support you, you will be a Super Coach.
6. You Will Never Plan Enough
Try to plan for everything
Prepare thoroughly for each practice and match
Ask/remind the AD about practice schedules, reserving the gym, equipment orders, etc.
Triple check your match schedule: home/away & start time
What to do if your star gets hurt? Your ass. coach is sick? YOU get sick?
What will you do with your team on the day when someone else reserved the gym?
Away games, do you have a bus, meal money, managers, and
Double check any hotel reservations
We are all going to miss a few things. Yet, just like with referees, people will save the best criticism for the obvious, foreseeable, preventable blunders!
7. Plan Special Treats/Events During The Season
Team breakfast/lunch/supper
Secret pals
Team bowling day
Highlight tapes
Locker decorations
Team T’s, bought or homemade (how about tie-dye!)
Banners in the gym
Introduction at the pep rally
8. Stay In Touch With Players During The Off-Season
Email them Christmas cards, birthday cards, etc.
Snail-mail them!
Give them awards for their outstanding grades, or for making another sports team
Support them with your attendance at their non-vball activities
DO NOT criticize them or make them feel guilty if they enjoy another sport more than yours. Just let them know that you admire/love/appreciate them for who they are.
9. Give Your Players Chances To Play During The Off-Season
"Well, I gave my kids the camp brochures; they just chose not to go."
Some high school & some college coaches will do camps at your own school! Moreover, a few do not ask for you mortgage money, either. Find them
Get together with other coaches to start a junior program…it is much easier than you think! After I started mine, I said, "#^%$#(!@ Why didn’t I do this earlier?!?!?!?"
10. Find Ways To Improve Yourself
Go to coaches' clinics.
Talk to other coaches
Offer to be an assistant coach at a camp. Then be quiet and take notes
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