Coaches

Welcome to the SportsLog website.

Please feel free to look around the site. Refer your players if you feel it is helpful. Give suggestions to us at questions@sportslogapp.com.

A few thoughts on coaching - one of the toughest jobs there is:

1) Motivation is #1 as a coach:

• Motivation for 4 year olds is different from middle school athletes which is different from a varsity high school team.

• Finding what motivates your team is the key to helping them reach their goals.

• Kids want to have fun - whether the team is winning or losing, the coach can make it a good season or a bad season. 

• Your attitude determines whether the kids have fun or dread the season.  Try to stay positive. 

2) Understand your players skill level and abilities:

• Not all players have the skills. 

• Even a more advanced team might have some real weaknesses (every team does).

• Recognize the weaknesses, but don't single out individual players.  Teach, but don't alienate. 

• Be happy with performance based on ability, not some unreachable standard for each player.

3) Ask for players input:

• They know more than you give them credit for. If you listen, your players may have some good ideas or insights.

• What are their weaknesses and strengths in their mind?

• What are the team’s weaknesses and strengths?

• How to improve practices? 

• The insights of your players might surprise you.

4) Have a Team Handbook (or “Playbook”):

• On a team, there are frequently large gaps in knowledge.

• Whether freshmen versus seniors, fifth graders with different knowledge, or first time players with veteran teammates.   

• The only sport that seems to issue a playbook is football, but every sport could benefit from a playbook / handbook. 

• A handbook gives everyone on the team:

  • The same knowledge base (catch up young/new players)

  • Same vocabulary

  • Same philosophy

• Critical teaching points can be communicated more clearly in pictures and diagrams than by inconsistent and fragmented teaching of concepts to players that don't know the language and don't understand. 

• At the very least, handouts can give you extra teaching time and get all the kids on the same page - plays, positions, skills