| What Makes Up |
| a Good Practice? |
|
| A good instructional plan makes practice preparation much easier. In general, we recommend that in each of your practices |
| you do the following: |
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| WARM UP - As you're checking the roster and announcing the performance goals for the practice, your players should be WARM UP - As you're checking the roster and announcing the performance goals for the practice, your players should be |
| preparing their bodies for vigorous activity. A 5- to 10- minute period of easy-paced activities, stretching and calisthenics |
| should be sufficient for youngsters to limber their muscles and reduce the risk of injury. |
| PRACTICE PREVIOUSLY TAUGHT SKILLS - Devote part of each practice to having players work on the fundamental skills PRACTICE PREVIOUSLY TAUGHT SKILLS - Devote part of each practice to having players work on the fundamental skills |
| they already know. But remember, kids like variety. Thus you should organize and modify drills so that everyone is involved and |
| stays interested. Praise and encourage players when you notice improvement and offer individual assistance to those |
| who need help. |
| TEACH AND PRACTICE NEW SKILLS - Gradually build on your players' existing skills by giving them something new to TEACH AND PRACTICE NEW SKILLS - Gradually build on your players' existing skills by giving them something new to |
| practice each session. |
| PRACTICE UNDER MATCH-LIKE CONDITIONS - Competition among teammates during practices prepares players PRACTICE UNDER MATCH-LIKE CONDITIONS - Competition among teammates during practices prepares players |
| for actual matches and informs young athletes about their abilities relative to their peers. Youngsters also seem to |
| have more fun in competitive activities. |
| COOL DOWN - Each practice should wind down with a 5- to 10-minute period of light exercise, including jogging, COOL DOWN - Each practice should wind down with a 5- to 10-minute period of light exercise, including jogging, |
| performance of simple skills and some stretching. The cool-down allows athletes' bodies to return to the resting state |
| and avoid stiffness and it affords you an opportunity to review the practice. |
| EVALUATE - At the end of practice spend a few minutes with your players reviewing how well the session accomplished EVALUATE - At the end of practice spend a few minutes with your players reviewing how well the session accomplished |
| the goals you had set. Even if your evaluation is negative, show optimism for future practices and send players off on an |
| upbeat note. |
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