Equipment Must Fit Properly

Have you checked out the gear thats available today for your kids? A far cry from the hand me down equipment that we all wore back in the day when used equipment was the norm. Besides, nobody really cared what kind of gear you wore back then, we were all just happy to be playing! Not that way now! Equipment design today is pretty cool and the prices are can be reasonable. However,the sky can be the limit when it comes to buying equipment.
Theres really no need to be paying through the teeth for gear, but at the same time you want decent quality, so that your athlete is protected. In the end you can never go wrong by buying quality gear. For the most part it protects better and is more durable. If your budgets tight there are some pretty good used equipment stores around, and you can by high end gear that is hardly used and still give quality protection. The main thing whether its new or used gear is that it fits properly. If its too big or too small its no good. It must fit properly otherwise it won't protect! Improperly fitted gear can take away from performance. Too big and it flops around, too small or too tight and you can't move, or its uncomfortable.

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The Game-film tells no Lies!

Have you ever had the problem with players that no matter what you say to them they will argue to the end the fact that they are playing well and playing within the system?

Have you ever exhausted all methods in order to try and get them to play well, and they still just don't get it and they look at you like you have two heads for saying so? Really, they are confused!

Bring in the film!

A lot of programs will get parents to tape their games and use it as a coaching tool in order to improve team play. Coaches then view the tape, make notes, and then bring in the team or individual to view the game-tape pointing out the good, the bad, and the ugly.

A lot of players are surprised when they watch themselves play on video. Some of them can't believe it! They are shocked to see themselves look slow or lacklustre, and making mistakes all the while thinking that they are doing fine and having a good game. It can be a tremendous coaching tool but it's not for everybody as it takes some resources to implement and let's face it, its one less thing to worry about on game day. But if you can swing it, go for it, you won't regret it!

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The Last Picks are the Toughest

Sometimes, the last picks of any team are the hardest to make and it can drive a coach crazy.When it comes down to the last few spots, the players can pretty even.

Here are a few tips to help:

Evaluate position wise what they would bring to the team, evaluate what their work ethic is like, as well as their commitment to team systems. Do they have a good work ethic and are they character players that will give you high energy play. Do they have good size and do they use it? Let's face it, there are small players that do play big and bigger players that play small. In the end it's what you want for you team and what kind of role you want them to play.
What are they like in the dressing room and around the other players? Are they leaders? Schedule an exhibition game and give them lots of playing time even if it means sitting down your top players. Put them in situations where they have to make decisions and see how they handle them. This should give you a pretty good idea on those final picks. Make your cuts, keep your notes, and start planning your next practice. Move on and don't look back wondering if you made the right selections. If you don't, it only will be a distraction even if the player has success elsewhere. Understand that perhaps the player had a bad try-out, which is no ones fault,or a bad work ethic while others flourished around his poor effort. Again, your coaching log will reflect this and in the end you'll support your own decision not to keep this player.

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How to prepare your Football Team

A coach for the most part is like a salesman. They have to sell their systems and motivate their team to perform and make them feel that they are getting the best deal in town. A coach likes to be in control of the game and if you're in control you usually are having a good day.

But, what about the uncontrollable?

For instance, how talented, big, and good is your next opponent?

How do you prepare your team?

Well, you have to emphasize to your players the controllable. Like, be disciplined, play the system, limit your mistakes. Don't take bad penalties to give them any extra advantage and most importantly choose to outwork and out hustle at all times.

Talented teams play the game with ease and if you let them have time and space they'll hurt you. But when you force them to work for that time and space it can close the talent gap and keep things close and give your team a chance.

Finally, emphasize to your team, that you cannot control how good the opponent is, or their size, or their team record. You can only control how hard you work, whether or not you choose to execute your assignment, and the fact that hopefully,their talent will challenge your athletes and will bring the best out of your players.

Cheers