I could just add these observations to the old thread, but Mix would disapprove.
Over the past 2 days, I've coached almost 30 different kids in basketball, ages 8 to 14. I use a lot of repetitive coaching cues like "hands up," but the most common cue this week was "shut up." I don't really feel like explaining a drill 3 times because some kid thought this was a book club meeting and wanted to share his deepest feelings with the team instead of listening. Talk all you want when practice is over.
I say "his" deliberately. I coach both boys and girls, but (contrary to stereotype) it's almost always a boy chatting away because his mommy and daddy always stifle themselves so they can listen to every dumb thing that pops into his very precious brain. The girls pay attention because they want to do it right the first time.
Second most common thing I said: "tie your shoes." Most of the time, I end up having to tie them myself. Kids today grow up with this Velcro shit and don't learn to tie them well until something like 5th grade. (Except for the wrestler kids; they can all tie them just fine.) When I was a kid, that shit was as basic as ABCs. You'd flunk out of kindergarten and be teased relentlessly if you couldn't tie your fucking shoes.
Third most common thing: "No, you can't have a water break during the 5 minute warm up." From now on, I'm going to start every practice with, "Tie your shoes, use the bathroom, and drink water now, because we're not taking a break for 30 to 45 mins."
Over the past 2 days, I've coached almost 30 different kids in basketball, ages 8 to 14. I use a lot of repetitive coaching cues like "hands up," but the most common cue this week was "shut up." I don't really feel like explaining a drill 3 times because some kid thought this was a book club meeting and wanted to share his deepest feelings with the team instead of listening. Talk all you want when practice is over.
I say "his" deliberately. I coach both boys and girls, but (contrary to stereotype) it's almost always a boy chatting away because his mommy and daddy always stifle themselves so they can listen to every dumb thing that pops into his very precious brain. The girls pay attention because they want to do it right the first time.
Second most common thing I said: "tie your shoes." Most of the time, I end up having to tie them myself. Kids today grow up with this Velcro shit and don't learn to tie them well until something like 5th grade. (Except for the wrestler kids; they can all tie them just fine.) When I was a kid, that shit was as basic as ABCs. You'd flunk out of kindergarten and be teased relentlessly if you couldn't tie your fucking shoes.
Third most common thing: "No, you can't have a water break during the 5 minute warm up." From now on, I'm going to start every practice with, "Tie your shoes, use the bathroom, and drink water now, because we're not taking a break for 30 to 45 mins."