Junior Sizzlers Coaching Information
If you are a coach, and or a current or former teacher, who has interest in being involved with our Junior Sizzler program(s),  please contact us:
Responsibilities 
  • Head coaches, for each sport, will be responsible for the recruitment of their assistant coaches and their team’s players. Although Coach Thompson will oversee all programs, each coach will manage their own team, create practice plans and handle game scheduling.

  • The fundamentals and rules for each sport will be stressed and taught on the playing fields and courts at all times.

  • Tutoring, provided by current and or former teachers, will be available for multiple school subjects including math, reading, writing, etc., when a team's players are not practicing.

  • Testimonies from former collegiate and professional athletes discussing their own individual experiences and life skills will also take place throughout the summer.
Safety
  • Safety, by far, is the most important concern in all youth sports.

  • All coaches need to educate themselves on player safety.  Coaches always need to be aware of player injuries ranging from minor bumps and bruises to concussions. To coach youth sports, most leagues require that their coaches attend rigorous coaching certifications classes.  Our organization recommends that Junior Sizzler coaches take certification classes and take them seriously.

  • Most injuries occur at practice. It is critical that coaches implement safe drills and provide the safety elements during practices and games.  

  • Always have a plan of action for injuries.
Organization
  • Practices must be organized and upbeat. All coaches, including assistants, must understand their job / plans and must be able to execute.  In youth sports, practice time is limited, being organized is crucial for getting the most out of each practice.
     
  • Have a plan for every practice and game. Never just "wing it." When a practice is disorganized it makes the coach and staff look incompetent in front of the players, parents and other coaches.
Fundamentals
  • Coaches should emphasize and strive to teach the fundamentals if any sport. Players / teams should strive to become fundamentally sound in all aspects of the game they are playing. This is vital.  Fundamentals are not just needed to achieve successful play, they also play a role in player safety.  

  • It is extremely important to repeat “basic” fundamental drills at every practice. Successful youth teams demonstrate great fundamentals on a consistent basis.

  • Coaches should spend less time scheming and more time teaching.
Enthusiasm
  • Keeping practices and participation upbeat and fun is recipe for success in youth sports. If any player’s attention is lost, it is difficult to get it back. To avoid having participants lose focus, coach with a positive, upbeat tempo, be fair and have some fun.  Kids react to positive emotion and energy more than anything else. Having a well-planned practice provides the incentive for the participants to keep busy and focused.

  • Script practices so that they are organized and move fluently. Have fun, be upbeat and coach with positive emotion.
Communication
  • Coaching requires excellent communication skills, especially when dealing with kids participating in youth sports. When communicating with kids, it is important to have a positive yet firm tone of voice, and that activities, drills and play move sensibly and fluidly. When a coach is prepared or does not fully understand what they are teaching, communication breaks down which leads to confusion and problems.    

  • Communication with parents is vital! A coach must be able to interact with all parents clearly and fluently. To achieve this, a coach must be organized and communicate openly in making everyone, especially parents, are all on the same page.  It makes things a lot easier when a coach is friendly and gets along well with parents.  
 
  • Suggestion… write a letter to the parents that outlines your team’s goals and your coaching philosophies.  Also include an explanation of what the parents can expect from you, the coach.  Finally, always provide coach ​contact information. – This simple step of letter writing demonstrates professionalism and provides a strong first impression to the parents.

  •  When a coach fully understands what they are teaching it is a lot easier to both communicate and teach. 
Integrity
  • Be honest with all parents, coaches, and players. When coaching youth sports, coaches always need to handle themselves with professionalism, win, lose, or draw.  Coaches and players must always compete within the rules of the game; cheating is never acceptable. Coach Thompson has a saying, "real recognizes real."  When one is not honest, people will recognize it. Coaches must ALWAYS lead by positive example.

  • Another important rule of integrity for all players, coaches, and parents is: If you don’t have anything positive to say, then keep your mouth closed. It is important to stress that everyone has only one "role." A person is either a player, a coach, a parent or, a ref.  A person can only be one of the above – one must choose.