Coaching Young Athletes

The 10 Best Tips From ‘Coaching Young Athletes’ During 2018

Below are ten of the best tips, tricks, thoughts and ideas that appeared in articles posted on the Coaching Young Athletes blog during 2018.

1. ‘Big Picture Coaching’ is vital for coaches of young athletes.

‘Big Picture Coaches’ understand that they are a link in the chain of a young athlete’s lifetime of sporting experiences.

To read click more HERE.

2. Kids under the age of 11 shouldn’t do speed endurance training.

And for kids over 11 years, the focus should be on helping the athletes learn to maintain speed with a smooth, efficient technique rather than on “running the legs off” the kids. Distances, speeds and repetitions should be very gradually increased in very small increments and only once the kids can hold their speed and technique comfortably with the current load.

To read more click  HERE.

3. Focusing solely on either the long term or the short term as a coach invites problems.

The key is to plan and work towards the long term without disregarding the importance of the short term. While working towards a long term vision, a coach needs to closely consider how they keep everyone happy from session to session,  week to week, and month to month.

Read more HERE.

4. Kids’ sport should be child-centred, not adult-centred.

Too many coaches and parents think that they need to be a central part of the “show” on game day. They have to be seen and heard; they need to be a part of the action.

To read more click HERE.

5. Coaches of young athletes should prioritise strength training over other forms of development.

The development of strength is crucial from the outset.

To read more click HERE.

6. External coaching cues are best for learning and performance.

External cues focus attention away from the body or are targeted beyond the body on an external object.

To read more click HERE.

7. Young athletes should generally not specialise in a particular sport until at least 15-16 years of age.

Earlier specialisation in a sport, or within a sport, can result in a number of problems.

To read more click HERE.

8. Great coaching involves great timing.

A good coach of young athletes will consider the appropriateness of an activity for the developmental stage and ability of the athlete. They will continually make conscious decisions about what – and just as importantly – about what NOT to include in a session or program.

To read more click HERE.

9. The fundamentals are never too basic to teach.

There is not enough respect given to developing the basics in youth sport. People get impatient with the fundamentals.

To read more click HERE.

10. Replicating kids play will make you a better coach.

Don’t default to drills; let’s learn from the kids.

To read more click HERE.

Which tip is you favourite?

I would love to hear which of the ten tips is your favourite. What resonates with you? Let me know by leaving a comment/reply or by using the contact details below.