Youth Sports Coach's Manual

COACHING TIPS

1. Why do I Coach?
2. What are my goals as a coach?
3. Do they support the philosophy of the Recreation Dept.
4. What values do I want the children on my team to transfer beyond the sports experience into their daily lives?
5. In what order of value do I rank winning, personal development, and having fun?
6. What type of people do I want to develop?
7. What is my most important role as a coach?

1. Why do you want to play on a team in this sport?
2. What are the most important things about playing?
3. What does teamwork mean to you?
4. What are your goals as a player on this team?
5. What does it mean to be a good player?

1. First, examine your motivation. You should be willing to do what is best for your child’s development, not to make a star.
2. Some coaches go out of their way to be harder on their children. This does not solve problems-it creates new ones. Treat them the same!
3. Do not compare your child to other players. Let them develop at their own rate.
4. Realize your child’s teammates may become jealous.
5. Talk with your child about how they feel you are doing. You may be surprised at what they tell you.
6. End practice on the field or court. Do not make the ride home an extension of the practice.

1. There are two basic approaches to influencing athletes.
1. Positive Approach- Strengthen desired behaviors by praising or rewarding athletes when they do something well.
2. Negative Approach- Eliminates negative behaviors through punishment, criticism, or fear.
2. Coaches use both, but the positive approach is best because it works better and creates an enjoyable atmosphere.
3. The Importance of Reinforcement and Encouragement
1. Reinforce desirable behaviors. Be liberal with positive reinforcement.
2. Reinforcement can include a pat on the back, a smile, clapping, verbal praise, or a friendly nod.
3. Reinforcement will not spoil a child, but it gives them something to strive for.
4. Encouragement is also an important part of the positive approach.
5. Encouragement helps to increase a child’s natural enthusiasm- Encourage effort, do not demand results.
6. Never encourage in a sarcastic or degrading manner.
7. Be realistic and base your encouragement on reasonable expectations for the age and ability level.

1. Show your players that you can teach them to develop their skills and that you are willing to make the effort to do so.
2. Be a fair and considerate leader. Show them that you care about them as individuals and that you are glad to be coaching them.

1. Start with a compliment- (Way to hustle! You got to the ball!)
2. Follow this up with the future-oriented corrective instruction- (If you follow the ball after kicking it, you will be in the play)
3. The end with another positive statement- (Hang in there- you are going to get better with practice)

1. Do not punish when things go wrong.
2. Punishment is not just yelling- it can be in the form of disapproval, tone of voice, or actions.
3. Avoid giving corrective instructions in a punitive or hostile manner.

1. Modeling- Children learn by watching.
1. How do you respond to losing? What do you say when the referee makes a bad call?
2. Do you say one thing and do another? How do you administer discipline?
3. Do you preach sportsmanship yet swear under your breath?
4. How you act is more important than what you say.
5. Your players are watching every move. If you want to encourage respect, you must model respect.
2. Dialogue- Discuss important issues with people they look up to and trust.
1. How much time do you spend in conversation with your players? Do you do all the talking?
2. Have you created an environment where children are encouraged to share their ideas?
3. Do you empower your players, or do you need to be in control?
4. Mutual dialogue exercises the mind, encouraging intellectual, social, and moral development.
3. Rewards- A third important way of learning is through rewards and consequences.
1. What do you reward? Do you subtly treat the better players differently?
2. What are your policies and rules? Do you enforce your rules?
3. What values do your rules support?
4. When a coach says that swearing is wrong, yet allows the best player to swear, the other players are watching and learning.

1. All players play equal time.
2. Do not keep score.
3. Rotate positions.
4. Require that no player can shoot twice consecutively.
5. Require that all players touch the ball before shooting.
6. Equate winning with the best dribbling or best passing.
7. Talk about fun and development.
8. Create zones on the field or court with cones and require players to play in their zone only.
9. Rotate players through zones.
10. Use small groups in skill practices.

• Safety: What is your practice area like? Is the surface safe? Are there any factors that may cause injuries to the players? What is the fitness and skill level of the players? Work around any safety issues you may have. Correct anything that you can, either short-term or long-term. Have a safety signal that you and your players practice. This will always help when you need to get their attention immediately.

• Routine: What will the beginning, middle, and end of each practice entail? Will there be running warm-up laps, ball skills, or other activities as the children arrive? What will be your warm-up routine? What will happen during your water breaks? How will the children know that practice has ended? Develop a routine that meets the needs of your players and your coaching needs.
• Pacing: Which activities take a lot of effort and running? Which ones rely on observation, listening, and waiting? Which ones are asking the player to focus on something completely new? Alternate these types of drills and activities so that the players are not too tired or asked to be inactive for long periods.

• Use Assistants- If you have volunteers or parents are staying and watching, put them to work. Give them a small group of players to work with. You can set up stations, explain what is to happen at each, and then use assistants or parents to monitor the stations and players rotate through.
• Keep Player Active- Have multiple areas/stations for players to use. The more players perform activities or drills, the less standing around waiting.
• Pre-Plan- have a handful of drills and activities ready for each practice. Better to have more than you are going to use.
• Have fun but take it seriously- Your goal at each practice is to ensure that every player improves in some way. However, a more important goal should be that no matter what, every player wants to come back next season to play again.

• When planning a practice, be determined to find ways to have fun.
• Keep everyone moving and involved. Create more than one line of the same drill.
• A drill to practice the new skill that was learned at the last practice (Review)
• Games such as tag, follow the leader, and others can be used for almost any skill.
• Defining boundaries for games and drills by using cones and natural boundaries.
• Stretching and water breaks can be good times to let your team know what is happening next.
• A 12-15-minute game or short-sided games are great ways to apply skills emphasized earlier in practice.
• Cool down and announcements about the next practices or games. This should always be part of the last 5-10 minutes of practice.

1. Parent Meeting before the season is a good idea.
2. Topics to be covered in a Parent Meeting:
1. Your appreciation of their interest and concern.
2. The goals of the program.
3. The specific approach you plan to use.
4. How can as parents, assist the attainment of the program’s goals?
5. Your willingness to discuss with them any problems that might arise.
3. Parent’s Meeting Agenda
1. Welcome & Introductions

1. Coach’s Background as an athlete, coach, parent, etc.
2. Each parent introduces themselves and explains who their child is.

1. Coaching Philosophy

1. Team Values, Playing time, missing practices, etc.

1. Goals & Hopes for the Season

1. Coaches and then Parents share their Goals and hopes for players.

1. Logistics about the Season

1. Schedules, Phone Lists, Emails, Other

1. Volunteers

1. Snacks, Rides, etc.

1. As a coach, you give a great deal of time and energy to provide a worthwhile life experience.
2. By putting to use, the basic principles in this manual, you can increase the positive impact.
3. Do not underestimate your importance in the personal and athletic growth of children.
4. Strive to make the experience as much fun and personally meaningful for all.
5. You will have lots of fun!

• A coach may not be alone with a child in an area or location where other people, parents, or coaches cannot observe them.
• Coaches will not initiate contact with or accept supervisory responsibility for children outside of the practices or games.
• Coaches’ behavior or disciplinary actions with children will avoid all abusive actions. Constructive methods must be used for maintaining group control and managing individual behavior. Corporal punishment and other humiliating or frightening techniques are prohibited. Punishment must not be associated with food, rest, isolation, or bathroom privileges.
• Coaches may not initiate physical contact such as hugs.
• Coaches may not touch a child in any location that is uncomfortable for a child or, as a rule of thumb, any part of their body that would be covered by a swimsuit.
• Coaches are strongly advised to discourage “lap sitting” and “piggyback rides.”  What you do for one, you have to do for all.

• Children are never to be left alone under any circumstances. Children will not be left unsupervised apart from using an on-site bathroom, which should ALWAYS be done with “Buddy,” another child.
• When using public restroom facilities, a coach must always check the facility for safety first. Children will NEVER be left unsupervised in a public restroom, shower, or locker room facility.
• Under no circumstances will coaches release a child to anyone other than the authorized parent, guardian, or an individual authorized by the parents in writing or verbally.
• Coaches will not allow strangers to have contact with children. Suspicious individuals will be reported to the authorities as soon as possible.
• Children are not to be left unsupervised with outside personnel. A coach must always be present when outside personnel are present.

• Any coach who observes or has reasonable reason to believe that child sexual abuse has occurred must report the incident directly and immediately to the Recreation and Parks Director or the Department of Children and Families.
• Whether the alleged incident occurred on or off property, it will be considered job-related due to the youth-serving characteristic of the program.
• If the alleged incident involves another coach, that person(s) shall be immediately removed from further contact with children.
• Anyone accused of abuse is always considered “Innocent until proven guilty.”
• Reinstatement of the alleged perpetrator shall occur only after allegations have been thoroughly investigated and cleared to the satisfaction of the Recreation & Parks Department.
• The Recreation & Parks Dept will report all incidents of alleged child abuse to the Williston Police and the Department of Children and Families.

• Youth sports volunteer coaches are recognized as Mandatory Reporters of child abuse under state and federal guidelines.
• The Williston Recreation Department requires all volunteer coaches to report known or suspected child abuse.
• Reasonable suspicion means that it is objectively reasonable for a person to entertain such a suspicion, drawing, when appropriate, on his or her training and experience, to suspect child abuse.
• Youth sports volunteer coaches have an absolute duty to report any suspicion of child abuse, molestation, or sexual misconduct to the proper authorities.
• The Department of Children and Families will determine the accuracy of the report.
• Failure to report is grounds for removal from the program and may be grounds for criminal action.

1. When a coach, official, staff member, or parent suspects a student of having a concussion/brain injury, the student will be removed from participating in the event (removed from the field or court in an athletic situation or removed from the activity in a non-athletic situation).
2. Once removed from an event, the student with a suspected concussion/brain injury may only re-enter the event after examination and with approval by one of the qualified medical professionals listed below.
3. For a student to “return to play” (RTP) on the same day, a Concussion/Brain Injury Return to Play Permission Form must be signed by the medical professional who has ruled out that a concussion occurred. A student who has been removed for suspected concussion/brain injury may not RTP on the same day without being evaluated and cleared by an appropriate medical professional. If no medical professional is present, then the student may not be RTP.
4. If the medical professional determines that the student may not RTP that day, the student will need to have the Concussion/Brain Injury Return to Play Permission Form signed by an evaluating medical professional, and a parent signature will also be required before the student can rejoin the team.

1. Give your name.
2. Give the location of the injured player.
3. Describe the injury.
4. Stay on the line.
5. Send someone out to meet the ambulance.

• Make inspections of your facilities, equipment, and the arrangement of your activity areas to prevent accidents.
• Inspect all areas before and after activities.
• Fix all faulty and hazardous conditions immediately. If this is not possible, close the area until it is repaired.
• Teach the children to be aware and to report all broken or hazardous equipment to you.
• Guidelines should be established for each sport and clearly explained to the participants before the start of practices or games.
• Guidelines for the proper use of equipment should be explained to all participants.
• Be sure to enforce all rules when necessary, and do not neglect any potential accidents.

• The role of the coach is essential to maintain a sense of calm while determining the best course of action.
• Patients should not be moved in many instances, and 9-1-1 must be called immediately.
• Do not exaggerate symptoms or make diagnoses. Report the nature of the emergency and consider the effects upon both the patient and the other participants on the scene.
• Report all emergencies immediately. Do not wait until an activity is concluded.
• Report all bee stings and puncture wounds immediately. These must be examined and observed.
• In the event of an accident, an accident report must be filled out, specifying significant information related to the accident.

• A coach certified in CPR and First Aid will check the victim and administer the appropriate care.
• A coach will always stay with the child.
• Other parents will remove all uninjured children from the area and supervise them.
• Emergency medical care is to be provided by the following: Williston Fire & Rescue and an emergency room physician.
• The coach must complete the Accident Report immediately and forward it to the Recreation Department.

• Give appropriate treatment.
• Notify EMS or parents depending on the severity of the allergic reaction.

• Spray with antiseptic.
• Observe the child for unusual swelling or other allergic reactions.
• Notify parents of the bee sting and what was done for the child.
• Be prepared to call 911 in case the child has a severe allergic reaction.

• Wear gloves.
• Apply pressure with clean gauze.
• Elevate the wound unless a broken bone is suspected.
• Maintain pressure until the bleeding stops.
• Wash wounds well with soap and water.
• Spray the area with antiseptic and use a band-aid if needed.
• Dispose of waste in appropriate containers. Wash your hands with soap and warm water.
• Advise parents of the cut/abrasion and what was done for the child.

• Wear gloves.
• Apply direct pressure with clean gauze.
• If bleeding continues, apply more gauze without removing the original gauze.
• Elevate the wound when no broken bones are suspected.
• Maintain pressure until the bleeding stops.
• If the bleeding is not severe, check to see if the bleeding has stopped.
• If the bleeding stops wash the wound well with soap and water, and rinse.
• Put a clean, dry bandage on an open wound.
• If the bleeding starts again, repeat the direct pressure and elevate.
• Dispose of waste in appropriate containers.
• Wash your hands.
• Notify parents.
• Call 911 if the bleeding does not stop.
• Treat for shock.

• Apply a cold compress to reduce pain and swelling.
• Elevate the injured area unless a broken bone is suspected.

• Cool the burned area by flushing it with cool running water or covering the burned area with a towel soaked with cold water.
• Cover burns with a loose wet sterile dressing.
• Call 911 for severe burns on the face, hands, feet, or genitals, or burns with blisters more than one inch wide.
• Notify parents.

• For a conscious child – Ask: Are you choking?
• Shout for help if a child cannot speak, cough, or breathe.
• Call 911.
• Do abdominal thrusts until the object comes out or if the child becomes unconscious.
• If unconscious, lower the child to the floor and look for the object in the throat.
• Grasp the tongue and lower jaw to lift and open the mouth.
• If you see the object, do a finger sweep.
• If not, a certified person should perform thrusts and rescue breathing.
• EMS is to be notified.
• Notify parents.

• Avoid hot foods and heavy meals- they add heat to the body.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Dress in cool, loose clothing.
• Limit sun exposure during midday hours and in places of potential severe exposure, such as beaches. 

• Heat Rash- Heat Rash is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather. The heat rash looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters. It is more likely to occur on the neck and upper chest, in the groin, under the breasts, and in elbow creases.

• Heat Cramps- Heat cramps usually affect those who sweat a lot during strenuous activity. This sweating depletes the body's salt and moisture levels. Low salt levels in muscles cause painful cramps. Heat cramps may also be a symptom of heat exhaustion. Muscle pain or spasms are usually in the abdomen, arms, or legs.

• All thunderstorms produce lightning and are dangerous. Lightning kills more people each year than tornadoes.
• Lightning often strikes as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall. Many deaths from lightning occur ahead of the storm because people try to wait until the last minute before seeking shelter.
• You are in danger of lightning if you can hear thunder. If you can hear thunder, lightning is close enough that it could strike your location at any moment.
• Lightning injuries can lead to permanent disabilities or death. On average, 20% of strike victims die; 70% of survivors suffer serious long-term effects.
• Look for dark cloud bases and increasing wind. Every flash of lightning is dangerous, even the first. Head to safety before that first flash. If you hear thunder, head to safety!
• Blue Skies and Lightning. Lightning can travel sideways for up to 10 miles. Even when the sky looks blue and clear, be cautious. If you hear thunder, take cover. At least 10% of lightning occurs without visible clouds in the sky.

• When should activities be stopped? Where should people go for safety? When should activities be resumed? Who should monitor the weather, and who is responsible for deciding to stop activities? What should be done if someone is struck by lightning?

1. If lightning is observed. The ability to see lightning varies depending on the time of day, weather conditions, and obstructions such as trees, mountains, etc. In clear air, and especially at night, lightning can be seen from storms more than 10 miles away if obstructions do not limit the view of the thunderstorm.
2. If thunder is heard. Thunder can usually be heard for about 10 miles if there is no background noise. Traffic, wind, and precipitation may limit the ability to hear thunder to less than 10 miles. If you hear thunder, though, it is a safe bet that the storm is within ten miles.
3. Activities should be halted if the sky looks threatening. Thunderstorms can develop directly overhead, and some storms may develop lightning just as they move into an area.

1. Postpone activities promptly. Do not wait for it to rain. Many people take shelter from the rain, but most people struck by lightning are not in the rain! Go quickly inside a completely enclosed building, not a carport, open garage, or covered patio. If no enclosed building is convenient, get inside a hard-topped all-metal vehicle.
2. Be the lowest point. Lightning hits the tallest object. In the mountains, if you are above the tree line, you ARE the highest object around. Quickly get below the tree line and get into a grove of small trees. Do not be the second-tallest object during a lightning storm! Crouch down if you are in an exposed area.
3. Keep an eye on the sky. Look for darkening skies, flashes of lightning, or increasing wind, which may be signs of an approaching thunderstorm.
4. Listen for the sound of thunder. If you can hear thunder, go to a safe shelter immediately.
5. If you see or hear a thunderstorm coming or your hair stands on end, immediately suspend your game, or practice, and instruct everyone to go inside a sturdy building or car. Sturdy buildings are the safest place to be. Avoid sheds, picnic shelters, baseball dugouts, and bleachers. If no sturdy building is nearby, a hard-top vehicle with windows closed will offer some protection. The steel frame of the vehicle provides some protection if you are not touching metal.
6. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio. Coaches and other leaders should listen for a tone-alert feature during practice sessions and games.
7. If you cannot get to a shelter, stay away from trees. If there is no shelter, crouch in the open, keeping twice as far away from a tree as it is tall.
8. Avoid leaning against vehicles. Get off bicycles and motorcycles.
9. Get out of the water. It is a great conductor of electricity. Stay off the beach and out of small boats or canoes. If caught in a boat, crouch down in the center of the boat away from metal hardware. Swimming, wading, snorkeling, and scuba diving are NOT safe. Lightning can strike the water and travel some distance beneath and away from its point of contact. Do not stand in puddles of water, even if wearing rubber boots.
10. Avoid metal! Drop metal backpacks, stay away from clotheslines, fences, exposed sheds, and electrically conductive elevated objects. Do not hold on to metal items such as golf clubs, fishing rods, tennis rackets, or tools. Large metal objects can conduct lightning. Small metal objects can cause burns.
11. Move away from a group of people. Stay several yards away from other people. Do not share a bleacher bench or huddle in a group.

• Call for help. Call 9-1-1 or your local ambulance service. Get medical attention as quickly as possible.
• Give first aid. If the victim has stopped breathing, begin rescue breathing. If the heart has stopped beating, a trained person should give CPR. If the person has a pulse and is breathing, address any other injuries.
• Check for burns in two places. The injured person has received an electric shock and may be burned. Being struck by lightning can also cause nervous system damage, broken bones, and loss of hearing or eyesight. People struck by lightning carry no electrical charge that can shock other people. You can examine them without risk.