http://ResponsibleSports.comAvoid the obvious criticism. Players usually know when they’ve made a mistake.http://www.responsiblesports.com/common/rss/coach_tips.rss.aspxSun, 07 Mar 2010 00:00:00 ESTFollow the three C’s: have set consequences that are applied calmly and consistently. A coach becoming negative or getting visibly angry with players should be viewed as a sign of weakness and a lack of self-discipline.http://www.responsiblesports.com/common/rss/coach_tips.rss.aspxSun, 28 Feb 2010 00:00:00 ESTThe shorter the meeting and the fewer things you say, the more your players will hear and remember. Several 3-minute conversations are more effective than one 15-minute conversation.http://www.responsiblesports.com/common/rss/coach_tips.rss.aspxSun, 21 Feb 2010 00:00:00 ESTDevelop a team physical greeting that strengthens the culture of the team. This can be a fist tap, a fist bump, high-five, or other simple greeting the team creates. Having a specific way of physically greeting each other helps players feel more connected to their teammates.http://www.responsiblesports.com/common/rss/coach_tips.rss.aspxSun, 07 Feb 2010 00:00:00 ESTCreate trigger words that become part of the team’s vocabulary. In the heat of competition when there isn’t time to go into detail, trigger words can communicate broader ideas. For instance, “elbow” can mean keep your elbow up when you swing; “gooseneck” conveys correct free throw shooting form; “four” says we’ll win the 4th quarter because of our physical conditioning and mental toughness.http://www.responsiblesports.com/common/rss/coach_tips.rss.aspxSun, 31 Jan 2010 00:00:00 ESTTurn drills into challenges. Have players compete against each other (e.g. making the most free throws), against the clock (most baskets in a certain amount of time), or against a preset standard (certain number in a row without missing).http://www.responsiblesports.com/common/rss/coach_tips.rss.aspxSun, 17 Jan 2010 00:00:00 ESTStart practices in a way that signals to players they are part of a team that has its own way of doing things – its own culture. Develop an opening ritual that gets players moving. A distinct opening ritual helps players make the transition from whatever has been going on in their day to practice.http://www.responsiblesports.com/common/rss/coach_tips.rss.aspxSun, 10 Jan 2010 00:00:00 ESTHelp your players develop a Plan A, B, C. Have each player identify the strongest contribution he or she makes to the team’s game (Plan A). Then have them identify other things they can do to help the team (Plan B, C, even D) when the A part of their game is not working.http://www.responsiblesports.com/common/rss/coach_tips.rss.aspxSun, 20 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST