I had the opportunity to give a talk to our youth recreation coaches in town. They have to go through a safety training, and as a physical therapist, I'm qualified to offer that to them. It helps that I coach high school soccer, and can offer them safety tips on things to look out for as far as injuries and field conditions.
I managed to show them a handful of drills, reminding them that they can be adjusted to the level that they're coaching, these coaches were first through eighth grade coaches. One of them at the end asked me about the play practice play model, which I'm a little embarrassed to admit, I have no idea what that is. I asked him to explain it, and he said it's the European model that's changing now, into eliminating the word "drill "and letting the kids just go play.
As soon as he said ‘let the kids just go play’, i smiled. I let the room breath for a second, and then said ‘huh. Imagine that? The kids just get to play without grown ups interfering ? stopping drills every 15 seconds? Instructing at every single mistake?
YES. LET THEM GO PLAY!
IT REMINDED ME OF TWO TWEETS THAT I SAW WHILE BACK. ONE SAID, WHEN PLANNING YOUR PRACTICE, ASK WHAT HAPPENS IN A GAME? THEN DO THAT. THE OTHER SAID, TAKE YOUR PRACTICE PLAN, AND CUT IT IN HALF. SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU WORK ON THE THINGS THAT YOU REALLY HAVE TO WORK ON. OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS AS A HEAD COACH, MY PRACTICE PLANS HAVE GOTTEN SMALLER, AND MORE FOCUSED. MAYBE THAT'S BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I HAVE LESS TO PROVE NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH WANTING MY PLAYERS TO HAVE THE MOST FUN AND GET THE MOST OUT OF THEMSELVES DURING OUR PRACTICES.
