Coaches' Hot Tips
Dear Fellow Coaches,
Here is a checklist for coaches to use before the season begins. It may help address the problems that have been raised. It is taken from the IRB Level 1 coaching course handbook.
Coach checklists:
Preparation
Develop a well organised and compatible management team. Make sure they know and can perform their jobs.
Seek information and relevant resources.
Develop a programme relative to the maturity of the participants.
Concentrate on technique and move slowly and thoroughly to the development of skill. A skill is a technique which is performed successfully in a game.
Include all players in everything, not just the most skilful.
Set a small number of guidelines so that organisation goes smoothly.
Maintain regular communication with the participants, parents, the management team and the club’s administration.
Liaison with parents
Once the team has assembled, have a parents’ meeting to explain administrative matters, your approach to coaching, any policies you intend to implement and maintain and to answer any questions the parents may have. At the meeting, introduce the management team and have them explain their jobs as well as give a brief description of their background. It may be appropriate to ask each parent or family to introduce themselves to the other parents.
Areas of policy must include:
fair play
safety and first aid
aims for the season
punctuality and attendance
naming of the squad and the appointment of a captain and vice-captain
selection of the starting team and the use of replacement players
selection of the team and attendance at practice
positive support on the touch-line
confidentiality regarding personal matters on players explained to the coach in confidence.
Areas of administration must include:
dates, times, duration and venues of practices and games
travel to away games
gear tidiness and laundering / cleaning of the gear
the roles of the management team
team functions, fund raising, trips, and sponsorship
weekly team lists and regular newsletters
planning a practice.