When you are coaching youth sports, it is important to allow time at every practice for the kids to talk to each other. It will build friendships and respect that will last a lifetime. Youth sports offer kids a lot of opportunities. One of the greatest is to make new friends.
Youth coaching
Cure the “Warm Body Syndrome”
I recently had a conversation with a friend and fellow coach. I asked him if he was coaching this season, and he said, “I thought about it, but when I coached last year, I was just a warm body standing in the outfield”. My heart broke.
Many volunteer youth coaches of kids in grades K-6 succumb to the “warm body syndrome.” This occurs when an individual graciously, but often reluctantly, agrees to coach because there are not enough coaches to form teams for all of the kids that signed up (including his or her own kid). [Read more…] about Cure the “Warm Body Syndrome”
APIVEO™ LESSON THREE
What is a leader? Who is a leader?
In this lesson our goal is to teach the kids that they are all leaders. As early as pre-school kids know there’s something special about being “the line leader.” It’s exciting to have the class follow them. However, it’s not the number of people following that makes one a leader; it’s the actions that result from the choices made. If a child makes a decision and acts on it, he/she has led themselves even if no follows. Therefore, every child on your team is a leader that influences his/her own behavior as well as those around them. In subsequent lessons, we will discuss how to lead but at this point we simply want them to believe that they are leaders. [Read more…] about APIVEO™ LESSON THREE
Through the Eye of a Child
One of the greatest lessons I ever learned was taught to me by my son Christian when he was only five years old.
Christian, who is now eight years old, was playing five year old t-ball. It was a beautiful day, and all of the kids where having a great time. In the third inning, it was Christian’s turn to play pitcher. Anyone who has had a child on a t-ball team knows that the position of pitcher in t-ball is synonymous with “target.” [Read more…] about Through the Eye of a Child
APIVEO™ LESSON TWO
How do we use our talents and gifts to Always Play 4 Each Other?
This lesson is at the core of APIVEO. The goal is to demonstrate that “Always Playing 4 Each Other” is an intentional effort in that we use our gifts to help others achieve something. “Always Play 4 Each Other” is not the same as simply letting others go first and putting you second. Instead, your purpose is specifically to benefit someone else and that takes effort regardless of where you may end up. The following dialog will demonstrate this concept in a fun and engaging way. [Read more…] about APIVEO™ LESSON TWO
APIVEO™ LESSON ONE
What does it mean to Always Play 4 Each Other – Introduce Team Cheer
This lesson will introduce the team to the phrase “Always Play 4 Each Other.” It should be a fun and interactive conversation. The goal is to have the players identify “each other” as important to the team. The level of importance will be reinforced throughout the next lessons as well as in the cheer, which is a great way to get the team to repeat the message together.
These lessons are best presented at the end of practice. I always give the lesson in a place where the parents can experience it as well. In baseball I will bring the team to the fence and ask the parents to join us on the other side of the fence if they like. [Read more…] about APIVEO™ LESSON ONE