athletes
Machinery and mechanisms of speed improvement
Speed training protocols are widely varied and sometimes conflicting. One thing you can be assured of, however, is that they are high on every coach’s priority list. In my early coaching years, I read every piece of speed training literature...
Getting athletes the calcium they need
Teenagers are in a critical period of bone development, so be diligent with nutrition Of the 40-plus nutrients required by the human body, calcium takes center stage. While it’s well known that adequate dietary calcium is vital for building st...
South Dakota blocks proposal to let more home-schoolers play sports
South Dakota lawmakers on Monday rejected a proposal that would have given more freedom to home-schooled students who want to play public school sports. As it stands, the state's home-schooled students can request permission from their districts t...
Bill would allow home-schooled students in Ky. to form teams
A proposal by a Kentucky lawmaker would allow the state's home-schooled students to organize their own athletic teams to compete against public schools. The bill passed through committee on Tuesday and will be sent to the full House. It has the su...
Critiquing athletes without crushing their spirit
It happens to all of us. We say one thing, and our team hears another thing altogether. Here’s an example: Me: Susie, if you take one more step and face your target, your pass will be right on the money. Susie hears: You’re a horrible volle...
3 strategies to build confidence in your athletes
It would be nice if we could hack into the brains of our athletes and instill confidence when it's needed. But since we can't, it's our duty as coaches to do everything we can to encourage them and build that confidence over time. Here are three ...
Creating a social media policy for athletes
When I began my career as an athletic administrator almost 25 years ago, armed with my IBM Selectric II typewriter and a telephone in my office, the only reference to social media might have involved articles in the hometown newspaper or coverage...
Four tips for bonding with players
In attending various clinics and speaking with dozens of coaches over the last few years, it’s become clear that the “secret to success” goes beyond game film and intense practices. It takes a true family atmosphere. This is imperative at al...
