WYC 126 – Choosing to Grow – Meagan Frank talks #CloseTheGap

Meagan Frank is the author of the Choosing to Grow series, a national speaker, writer, teacher, coach, and mother of three. She is a regular contributor to the online magazine Books Make a Difference and she is working on four separate books, including Choosing to Grow for the Sport of It: Because All Kids Matter –Five years of research to justify the choices her family has made with regard to youth sports. Website: meaganfrank.com Twitter: @choosingtogrow Thank you to our sponsors! - Lead 'Em Up - Save 10% using discount code 'wyccoaches' at leademup.com - Listen Now: Listen on iTunes: iTunes link Listen on Stitcher: Stitcher link Listen on Google Play Music: Google Play link - Quote 'Individual commitment to a group effort, that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.' - Vince Lombardi Coaching your own kids Each kid and age level has different needs, you have to adapt to the situation Meagan wore a hat when coaching, so it was clear when she had her hat on, she was coach; when she took the hat off, she was mom Cringe moments Don't necessarily emulate who coached you - 'Yelling never works' Coaching girls Different drills are needed for each type of girl. Some will respond to game-like competition, others will respond to more cooperative drills. Teaching skills Start and end each practice with something fun/positive Good energy-builders Blob tag - If you touch them they become part of the blob. You can bring in the parents too Player Choice practices Occasionally let the players choose their favorite games, then pick them out of the hat, and that's all you do for practice Peak performance Teach kids to flush mistakes 'Tell me one good thing you achieved today' Have players share shout-outs for each other at the end of practice The coaches' body language, especially after a mistake, is critical - kids will watch you and emulate your body language Building Culture They create a hashtag to reinforce their core value. i.e. #CloseTheGap Best team building activity Scavenger hunts - can include conditioning (2 mile run with stops with clues) Travel sports choices You have to prioritize your time - don't just blindly sign up for sport after sport. The one that got away Meagan's team was struggling, and they were on the verge of winning a game, and she subbed all her players in, and they lost the game. Best stolen/borrowed idea Communication - everyone is in the loop. Players, Coaches, parents. They all know philosophy and goals of the program Favorite Book/Quote Book - John Wooden's They Call me Coach Quote - Vince Lombardi: 'Individual commitment to a group effort, that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.' Parting Advice Smile. Have fun. It is contagious. -- Reviews are the lifeblood of the podcast!- If you like the podcast- please take 2 minutes to write a review! Click here - Ready to be an Awesome Youth Coach? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter: SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave