Getting your season off to a great start is crucial to ensuring a successful season. The following ideas are designed to help make sure that your pre-season actions will help this happen for you.
Meet with your supervisor.
Whether you coach for a club or a school district you most likely will have a supervisor that you report to and use for help. It is important to have an early meeting with this person to discuss the upcoming season. Work with your supervisor to obtain player information, practice times, game schedules, facilities use, fundraising, budget, equipment and anything else you may need. Make sure to discuss and understand all rules and requirements set forth by the club or school and any other governing agency.
Check equipment and uniforms.
Before practice begins, it is a good idea to double check all your equipment. Make sure you have everything you need and that everything is in safe working condition. Inventory your uniforms and make sure you don’t need to replace anything. It is important to do this as early as possible in order to give yourself plenty of time to acquire anything you may need before practice and games begin.
Prepare a master schedule and program rules.
Take some time and prepare a schedule that will include all of your team functions. Be sure to include dates, times and locations of all practices, games and other functions. Having a master schedule, that you can get in front of parents and other members of your team early, can be a very beneficial task, with great rewards. Also, prepare your team rules. Be specific and fair.
Meet with your assistants.
Set up a time or two to meet with your coaches. Discuss schedules, roles, philosophies and any other items that need attention. Be organized and set up a clear and precise chain of command. It is important for all coaching staffs to be on the same page so use this time wisely.
Set up a team / parent meeting.
As soon as possible organize and hold a player / parent meeting. Use this time to get information out. Introduce your coaching staff. Hand deliver your master schedule along with your team rules to the attendees. Use this meeting to get to know the members of your team and seek out help. Throughout the season you may need help with certain task. For example, score takers, photographers, fundraising and team meals often require the help of parents and community members. If possible, try to get a parent to take charge of these tasks. This will free you up to take care of your coaching duties.
Notify the media.
Get the word out. Let the community know what is going on with your program. No matter what level, players love to see their picture in the paper. Invite your local media to attend practices and games. Provide them with their schedule and assure them that you will always make yourself available to answer questions and support them.
Prepare a practice plan.
It is important to run organized and productive practices. Take some time and outline what you want to accomplish in practice on a week to week basis. Then go back and write out your first two to three days of practice in a clear and detailed manner. Get this to coaches with as much time as possible before each practice and discuss with them what areas need more and less work.
Get some rest.
If possible take a day or two off right before your practices begin. Clear your head and get some sleep. No matter how long your season runs, it will take a toll on you physically and mentally. So getting a little rest before it begins will help you be a better and more energized coach.
Hit the ground running and have fun.
When it is time for your first practice to start, start with a bang. Be energetic and organized. It is crucial to get started in a positive direction. Also, be sure to enjoy what you are doing and let your players know you enjoy what you are doing. Good luck and have a great season.
Other articles and sites you may like to help you have a great season.
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Simple Drills To Start Your Basketball Practice.
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