Youth Sports Coaches Are Trying...

Family Update

It has been a fast jump into fall. My daughters went from volleyball right into intramural basketball. It has been good for them because it isn't too much, only 2-3 days per week but it is enough to keep them busy and active. Jae, my oldest, will begin her intramural games in a few weeks. This is fun because kids at her age don't want to just practice, they just want to playand compete with other teams. She has a 14 game schedule that lasts into next February.

Brennen on the other had has been walking up a storm. He is just over 91/2 months and the other night started taking steps. You know how the brain works. Once it figures something out and has a few more reps it becomes pretty good at reproducing the patterns. He actually walked about 15 feet the other day, turned around and walked back as if he forgot something. It is really fun to watch.

Just so you know (because I know you were wondering) Snicker, our dog, is fine but has been staying with the grandparents. With Brennen being so active and all over the place we felt it would be safest to keep the dog out of the way. You probably think we were worried about Brennen being hurt didn't you... actually we were worried for the dog's safety (Hee hee).

Ground Breaking 2

Not too long ago I released the long awaited Ground Breaking 2. The second edition to my Ground Breaking Athletic Movement. Ground Breaking 1 was one of the most popular DVD's of it's kind because it made people re-think how they were coaching sports speed. We as coaches often find ourself in ruts and do what our coaches taught us. Ground Breaking 1 broke through that claim and showed how athletes naturally move and how we as coaches need to be better at observing.

Ground Breaking 2 took it to an entirely new level. There is much more detail and focus on the concepts of why we move the way we do. How to assess and correct mistakes and where the mistakes are coming from. Everything from cutting systems, jumping systems and progression, how to perform Olympic Lifts and teach anyone how to perform them, simple strategies to coach deceleration and acceleration, and some more advanced multi-directional speed techniques were detailed. Ground Breaking 2 was developed to take any coaches or trainer to a new level of awareness when it comes to coaches athletic speed. If you are looking to invest in your success as a coach and the success of you athletes go to http://www.groundbreaking2.com/ and check out all the great reasons you should have this resource in your library.

Youth Sports Coaches Are Trying

I have the great fortune of directing the 5th and 6th grade girls intramural. I am sure many people would say "why is that fortunate". I personally love the grass roots coaching. Building the foundation. It is were I have spent a large portion of my career as a sports performance coach as well. The reason I really enjoy it now is because I am overseeing the volunteer coaches of both teams. The coaches are parents and people from the community. All the coaches have the kids best interest at heart and want to see the kids do their best. But because they lack the pure understanding of coaching at the developmental stage they make many mistakes that wouldn't normally occur with older athletes.

The other day one of the coaches helping out was working with a few of the girls on low post skills. He doesn't have a great basketball background but really cares and likes being around the program. He was teaching the girls how to perform a technique that was not fundamental and frankly poor mechanically. But in his mind, he was trying to teach the girls how to get off a quick shot. Basically, he was teaching the girls a 1/2 hook shot while holding off the defense. After I spoke with him he realized his mistake and we made the correction. I have to tell you. His enthusiasm for wanting to help is the most important attribute he and any youth coach needs to bring to the table.

I personally believe as long as each program has at least one qualified coach that understands coaching at the level they are at and can teach the assistants what is expected and how to coach the kids you have the make up for a good little program.

I have seen youth programs where coaches who have experience coaching but more so at the upper levels comes down and thinks he or she knows it all and brings a poor attitude and lack of enthusiasm, almost as if it is beneath them to coach at this level, and bring the program down.

Coaching at the youth level is about embracing the kids talents and showing them that you care and are willing to help them improve each day. You have to want to have fun with them but keep order so the program has respect.

I am such a fan of youth coaches who volunteer their time but truly understand the fundamental process of youth sports. They understand it is not a do or die situation and that winning, all though fun, is not the highest priority over learning the fundamentals of the game.

If you are a parent that loves to help kids become a youth sports coach and be willing to learn how to coach at the youth level. It is rewarding and important to our youth.

Yours In Speed,

Lee

PS: Speed Insiders is a great program for any youth coach interested in learning more about how to coach sports and athletic development to the youth population. Go to http://www.speedinsiders.com/ and take a 2 month FREE trial- You'll be glad you did.

PSS: If you are a basketball fan, go to http://www.basketballspeedinsiders.com/ and join the fastest growing basketball club of it's kind.