Implement Your System

A big part of your practice plan in the coming weeks will be system implementation and doing it without sacrificing working on fundamentals. The best tool to begin introducing your system is to use your chalkboard or dry-eraser board in the locker-room or classroom. Start off with your defensive system. If you're good in your own end defensively, chances are that everything else will fall in place. Draw it out on the board for them and explain each and every assignment position wise to each player. Reinforce it over and over in practice time. Don't be afraid to blow the whistle, stop the play, and explain the do's and don'ts of your system, and start again. Repetition is the key. Drill it in them and ask them to buy into your system, make a commitment to it, and make good decisions within it. In the coming games, go over and over it again. Challenge the players who veer out of it, and go over the importance of team play. You'll soon see the results and for the most part the majority will get it. Be patient with the slow learners; again, reinforce it until they get it. A good team has good systems and your better players will thrive in a team orientated system as they will get more support compared to a run and gun system. Your average players will gain confidence within the system and become better players that in the end will make your top players perform better. Praise their efforts at all times and when you get your wins, praise the team system!

Cheers

The New Coach, What Next?

Hurray! After wondering what was going to happen with that coaching application you've been notified that you've been selected to be the Head Coach. What next? Well, for starters, get yourself organized as try-outs will be soon and you want to have all in order prior to your training camp. Surround yourself with good people. Select yourself a good team Manager that is organized and reliable and most of all will have your back. Select somebody that is a good communicator as a lot of their work will be communicating practice times, game dates, tournaments, schedule changes, co-ordinating parent volunteers, etc. Understand that your manager will be as busy as you are coaching so it's important that they are as motivated as you are. A good manager will complete the package as far as what it takes to run a good and successful program and take on a lot of duties that are necessary to run a program. This will free you up to do what you love to do and that's coach.
Secondly, surround yourself with a dedicated and knowledgeable coaching staff. Explain to them your philosophy and give them their coaching assignments. Allow them to have input within your philosophy and system. No input and they will lose interest. Yea, you're the Head Coach alright, however, their input is important, and offer another point of view especially when game adjustments are a factor. My experience with assistant coaches was to let them do what they do best and that was to coach. Challenge them to be better but never in front of the team. Face all challenges as a team, trouble-shoot together, debate scenarios, and support each other. Ultimately, there will be times that you will be challenged as the Head Coach to make the final decisions. But if your coaching staff has input it can be a lot easier.

Cheers