Honoring the Game Tools
Here are some ideas to help you implement the ROOTS philosophy:
Parent Meeting Agenda
A pre-season parent meeting is a wise investment. People tend to live up to expectations if they know them. A meeting can help mold the behavior of your players' parents. Follow this general outline:
- Welcome and Introductions
- Your Coaching Philosophy
- Goals for the Season (present yours and ask for theirs)
- Logistics (practice/games schedules, phone/email lists, etc.)
- Asking for Parent Volunteers
- Time for Parent Questions.
 |
|
| Watch this youth soccer coach deal with his players after they leave the field frustrated after a bad call on the field. |
Seize Teachable Moments
Capitalize on the many instances during your practices and games -- or in media coverage of college and professional sports -- when lessons about Honoring the Game can be highlighted. These can be either positive or negative moments, such as someone losing graciously (positive), or an athlete taunting an opponent (negative). Engage your players in a discussion about whether the behavior in question Honors the Game.
Drill During Practice
Just as we develop drills for improving physical skills, we must create situations in practice where players learn how to Honor the Game. For example, during a practice scrimmage, make a bad call on purpose and see how your players react
If they react in a way that is consistent with Honoring the Game, praise them. If they don't, use that moment to discuss how you want them to respond in a game situation (e. g., not letting the questionable call throw them out of their rhythm). You might also consider having your players to officiate during scrimmages to appreciate the difficulty of officiating.
For a summary of these Honor The Game Tools, Download: Honoring the Game Tools
Next Section » Test Your Knowledge In the Responsible Coaching Quiz