Tips for turning your sport into a program Melissa Baker, Newport HS bakerm@bsd405.org
We are FAMILY!
My goal for you today
Just for fun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zryioa5lm8 My favorite all-time memory from my sport!!!
What s the difference between a sport and a program? Growing up, were you involved in sports or programs? If you are a coach, do you currently run/help run a sport or a program?
Sport Program Main focus is on getting the best record possible Focus is on individual athletes Main focus is on helping athletes become better people Focus is on serving your team Expects leaders Builds leaders Recognizes athletes Athletes recognize others Positive change may Positive changes will happen happen
Leaders Just because you have a title doesn t mean you know how to use it.
Training Your Leaders Preseason, regularly #1 goal: Develop a plan for the season together! Meetings always have food & icebreakers Students do most of the talking, coach does most of the listening
Training Your Leaders 5-6 meetings preseason Mix in things THEY really enjoy (i.e. designing gear for the season, team warmup routine, team bonding planning) with the important themes you want them to think about (i.e. attitude, expectations) Weekly meeting during season (with the knowledge that we can meet anytime) Importance of internal tooting of horn Choices, opportunities, ownership
The Magical Part Trust is built Leaders can sometimes put out the fires without you needing to Leaders can even prevent fires Communication happens Clear expectations about the role of leaders are set New ideas may amaze you!
Student-led, Coach-influenced Team Conditioning Warm up Goes to music mix 5 songs Have 2-3 routines to choose from so they don t get stale All are made prior to the season Athletes don t even realize they are: - Warming up - Doing injury prevention strengthening - Conditioning BEFORE practice!
Team Bonding 5-10 events spread throughout season - All are planned prior to the season - Coaches attend Speed dating Food Holiday potluck, gift game Attend a wrestling meet Spaghetti dinner Games Tie Dye Hot yoga Watch a college meet/professionals on TV Secret pal exchanges (coaches don t attend but have a heavy influence)
Athlete-Coach Bonding At the start of your season, give your athletes a letter from each coach to the team. Also have your athletes write a letter to the coaches. Divide & conquer: respond to the letters
Big Sister/Little Sister Returner paired with newbie Series of special deliveries in class Ends with a reveal at the end of the first week of practice! Big sisters sit with little sisters on the bus to the first away meet answer questions, give advice, etc.
Communicating with your Athletes
What you need from your athlete: Their cell phone number (10 digits) Their cell phone provider (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) Parent permission (in case the athlete doesn t have unlimited texting)
Communicating with your Athletes Set up a distribution list so you can send one email and all athletes receive as a text message (they actually read it, unlike their emails ) Athletes can text a response and you receive it in your email This has nothing to do with YOUR cell phone. I ve been using it for 9 years! No problems!
PROS: Remind athletes about a meeting time or to return paperwork. Allows for quick communication when there is a change in a practice time or location. CONS: Initial time investment for setup. (But once you ve done it, you re good for the season!)
Communicating with your Parents Set up a distribution email list to make it easy for yourself Typically email a weekly update
Most Important Meeting of All: The Parent & Athletes Meeting
Gymnastics Meeting Agenda: 2015-16 Season 1. Welcome Please SIGN IN 2. Introductions! 3. Coaching Staff s philosophy (Melissa) 4. Handbook highlights (Kara, Kaitlin, Melissa, Courtney, Elaine, Stephanie) Kara-Academic eligibility, Kaitlin-Assumed risk, Melissa-Attendance, Courtney-Code of Conduct, Elaine- Communication, Stephanie-Lettering, Kara-Substance use, Kaitlin-Transportation 5. How meets work (top 10 vs. JV)-Elaine 6. Handouts & Discussion of each (Melissa) a. Season calendar b. Judging Book (simplified version) c. Nutrition d. Academics e. Injury prevention f. Carpooling 7. Booster Club Board Members Introductions! (AnLee Cox & Ruth Marsh, Co-Presidents, Tina Styer, Treasurer) a. Webmaster: Ben Baker 8. Sign-ups for Meet Help a. Scorekeepers (it s nice to have 2) for home meets! b. Equipment set up (can anyone make the super early setups from 1:45-3:15?) c. Equipment take down @ the end of the meet d. Photographer 9. Ordering & $$ (Melissa) 10. Questions
Other things about the Parent/Athlete Meeting Music! Snacks! Have a student volunteer/photographer take a picture of each athlete with their attending family member (website!) Great place to collect Player Contracts (must be signed by athlete AND parent) #1 Goal: Leave them FEELING confident and excited about the program their athlete is now a part of
Recognition Athletes recognize each other regularly and often Have leaders award an Athlete of the Game/Meet/etc. Make this a tradition for every week. Spotlighting (coaches may or may not participate all the time)
Recognizing Others Implement a Teacher Appreciation Night Athletes make cards inviting a teacher to a specific Teacher Appreciation night card informs teacher with a couple weeks notice of date/time/location. During game/meet, athletes present teachers who were able to make it with an apple/hug/etc. Program for teachers with student quotes
Implement a Parent/Guardian Appreciation Night Recognizing Others Athletes make cards thanking their parents/guardians for their support with rides to practice, etc. Parents/Guardians given nametags with athlete s picture on them. During game/meet, athletes present parents/guardians with card & flowers/treat bag/etc.
Recognizing Others At the banquet or another time when everyone is together near the end of the season, help organized cards for your athletes to sign for: - Custodians/Greenskeepers/Field Managers/etc. - Athletic director - Athletic director secretary - Bus company - Athletic trainer - Booster club parents - Accountant
Recognizing Others Welcome & thank the officials! Athletes sign a thank you card Booster club provides small snack/gift Welcome other teams! Athletes make welcome posters with team names Small gift for other team (ex: Candy canes)
Make senior night special Program can include future plans, favorite memory from sport, advice for future athletes in the sport, etc.
Theme of the Week Helps to keep team focused over lengthy seasons. Great way to correct behavioral problems without singling athletes out. Examples: Attitude is everything, Survival week (during finals ), Why not us?
Inspire Have inspirational quotes/stories delivered to athletes during class - Can make all during pre-season meeting with all coaches. - Most front offices will have T.A.s to make deliveries - Fun to incorporate theme of week. Knowing practice can get stale partway through the season, bring in a guest coach for the day Former athlete from the team Expert Another coach
Programs give back Athletes volunteer as coaches for youth in the community 2 day camps during teacher workshop days 1 parent night out after a practice 4 day summer camp
Programs give back Leadership experience Coaching experience Great fundraiser Builds appreciation in the community for your sport
Pro Tip: At the end of every season, write a note to yourself to read at the start of the next season. Remind yourself of what new ideas worked and should be kept vs. what things need to change.
Please fill out an evaluation! Melissa Baker bakerm@bsd405.org
Random! Coach s Eye $4.99 Worth every penny https://www.youtube.com/v/-jrvzbjc7zg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxq2mdlwhri One of my favorite YouTubes to show my developing leaders!