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 COACHES/CAPTAINS
LETS GET ORGANIZED
(This is an article from the coaching tips book -“Reach
For The Stars”. For more information contact Angela Lund of
S.T.A.R.S. Leadership Training www.starsleadershiptraining.com)
COACHES: Coaches should work to improve themselves
every year. Look at your previous year and analyze what worked and
what did not. Then make a plan to keep what worked and change what
didn’t. Now you have a workable plan set in motion…here’s
how to get started!
START WITH GREAT TRYOUTS:
If you want a successful team you must put careful thought into
your tryouts. If you see a lot of talent coming up make sure you
challenge the girls and let them get in tune to your work ethic
and style immediately.
Have a good judging staff in place and keep all forms in case you
are challenged with questions from parents.
Pick strong leaders/captains.
HOLD SEVERAL MEETINGS OFF HAND TO GET THE BALL ROLLING:
In the first part of you season when your team is anxious to get
started but you are not read to have them learn routines yet, start
by having a few organizational meetings to break the ice.
I suggest:
Voting on uniforms
Sizing the girls
Working on fundraisers
Making posters for next year
Making shirts to wear to camp etc.
NOW SET GOALS FOR YOUR SEASON:
Make a list of important elements for your team.
Then make a list of goals that corresponds with teaching these
elements to the dancers.
Make a time line for the goals.
Get a calendar and mark the calendar with dates of wished completion
of those goals.
Plan how you will work to achieve the goals. What intermediate
steps you must take to reach them.
Now…Go back to the calendar and mark the dates for little
milestones.
DURING SEASON:
Prepare monthly calendars for the team with information on practices
and performances as well as fundraisers and team goals.
Have a detailed lesson plan for each practice.
Keep motivation high and reward often.
STAY ON TOP OF THINGS:
Check regularly to make sure you are on track and have not forgotten
anything you planned on doing. Also add anything you left off or
forgot about.
Revise plan as needed.
DOCUMENT EVERYTHING:
Keep a file for each team member or one big one for the year. Add
information about infractions, injuries, confrontations etc.
CAPTAINS: It is an honor to be chosen to be a
leader of your team. You must take it seriously! Look and see how
you can be the best captain possible!
LOOK BACK ON LAST YEAR:
What worked for your team?
What didn’t?
How could have the captains been better last year?
What improvements can YOU make?
SET GOALS:
Make a list of important elements for your team.
Then make a list of goals that corresponds with getting these elements
to the dancers.
Make a time line for the goals.
Get a calendar and mark the calendar with dates
of wished completion of those goals.
Plan how you will work to achieve the goals. What intermediate
steps you must take to reach them.
Now…Go back to the calendar and mark the dates for little
milestones.
COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR COACH REGULARLY:
Call your coach about any problems that are happening amongst team
members.
Help with suggestions on how to improve motivation.
Ask for ideas on warm ups and technique that the coach wants you
to incorporate into skill time.
Be the coaches sidekick…support her all the time, even behind
the scenes. If you do not agree with her, talk to her about it privately.
Never undermine her authority or the rest of the team will loose
respect for both her and you.
MOST IMPORTANTLY…Keep things confidential!
LOOK FOR IDEAS ON MOTIVATION:
You, as the captain, need to be the most positive, uplifting person
on the team. Your attitude should reflect a love for dance and a
strong desire for excellence. You need to be a positive role model.
Try to be the captain that no one can fill the shoes of.
Bring a quote everyday to practice and LIVE IT!
Find a cheer to pep everyone up.
Look for games that will create team bonding.
Leave any negativity away from practice.
KEEP A BOOK ON TEAM “STUFF”
Minutes from the meetings
Attendance
Split Check
Demerits
Money Collection
KEEP THINGS POSITVE BEHIND THE SCENES:
Keep the locker rooms positive.
Say hello to everyone.
Include those rookies!
Find positive things to tell your friends and family about dance
class.
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