CHARACTERISTICS OF		'A GOOD PRACTICE'
...any practice		...any sport

1. MAXIMIZE PLAYERS TOUCHES WITH THE BALL.

2. ELIMINATE PLAYERS STANDING AND WAITING

3. PLAN TOO MANY DRILLS & GAMES... AVOID THE 'WHEN IN DOUBT... SCRIMMAGE' COP-OUT

4. USE SMALL SIDED GAMES INSTEAD OF TOTAL TEAM

5. CONVINCE PLAYERS IT IS THEIR TEAM.... THEIR PRACTICE.... & THEIR EFFORT WHICH WILL IMPACT SUCCESS

6. ESTABLISH SET PROCEDURES FOR BEGINNING OF PRACTICE

7. ESTABLISH ONE SIGNAL FOR PLAYERS TO COME & LISTEN TO COACHES

8. IDENTIFY & DEVELOP TEAM LEADERS EARLY

9. EMPHASIZE DEFENSE DAILY

10. WORK WITH SPECIALTY* PLAYERS DAILY

11. USE POSITIVE FEEDBACK 10 TIMES MORE THAN NEGATIVE

12. FOR YOUR OWN SANITY & SURVIVAL...

a) know why you are coaching

b) know why your players are playing

c) establish realistic goals early

d) communicate goals to players & parents early & often

FINALLY............................REMEBER

Winning & losing are often dependent upon things you cannot control. However, developing players' skills and having fun are totally under your control. If you pay enough attention to those two things, winning will take care of itself.