Pre-season Training
The club season has started. This means commuting to practice, meals on the run, and sore muscles. As we head towards club tournaments, there are a lot of specifics that need to be covered for both experienced and beginning…
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Continue ReadingThe club season has started. This means commuting to practice, meals on the run, and sore muscles. As we head towards club tournaments, there are a lot of specifics that need to be covered for both experienced and beginning players. No matter who your team is affiliated or registered with (JVA, USAV, etc.), everyone will be required to complete training sessions to prepare for the season and ensure the safety of all athletes. These may include (and not limited to):
- officiating clinics
- online video courses
- background checks
- reviewing requirements and rules
They are an essential to ensure a successful and smooth season for all involved. It requires time and commitment from the directors, coaches, families and even players. Here are a couple tips to help your team get through their requirements and ensure understanding.
Partner work – One of the best resources in a club setting is it’s members. Use your older players, those on the 18’s, 17’s, and 16’s to help the newbies. The younger girls will love it because they get to be with a big buddy. Likewise, the older athletes will show a better understanding of the given topic – by teaching it. For example, if your program requires the completion of online modules, have the players work together in pairs of two. They can go through and discuss along the way, making it more meaningful. And don’t worry about devices, if you ask players to bring in laptop or tablet you will probably find most can supply their own. If it doesn’t work, due to scheduling or other reasons, just pair your players with one another. Having someone to go through videos and quizzes is a lot less intimidating when you have a buddy to bounce ideas off of.
Prizes – As all parents know, sometimes kids need a little extra motivation. Don’t be afraid to provide players with small incentives. You may be surprised what teenage girls will do for a Gatorade or new water bottle. Set easy and attainable guidelines for prizes: whoever completes their training first or with the least errors. If you have extra club merchandise, give it away for rewards. If you are having an officiating clinic and want to motivate players to answer questions or volunteer for demonstrations, giving candy to those who step up is a great way to force participation.
It isn’t always always fun or easy to complete the training requirements, but stress the importance and try one of our tips to increase engagement and enjoyment.