Tips, Tools and Real World Advice for Youth Athletic Coaches

Are We Trading in Class for Keepin’ It Real?

donlafferty — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 03:00:18 +0000

Are you conducting yourself with class in the dugout and on the sidelines?

My kids were watching some old home videos of little league games they recently found in storage, and aside from commenting on how much more black hair I had ten years ago, they couldn’t get over the soundtrack of trash talking and negative comments they heard coming from the fans.

Comments about the opposing players, the umps, the other coaches, even about the mistakes made by our own players. It was hard to listen to, especially when we were able to connect a voice with a friend.

What struck me was how embarrassed I felt for the person doing the trash talking. I also felt kinda bad that the video-taped record of my kid’s game was smudged by the no-class soundtrack of the parents on my own sideline, and I wished I’d been tuned in enough to have done something about it back then.

Unfortunately, it’s easy to find class-less behavior at most youth league sporting events. Considering the sheer number of people associated with the average game, the odds are pretty high that somebody is going to make a bonehead remark, yell something inappropriate at an official, or worse, say something disparaging to an opposing player.

Why do people feel justified in hurling inflammatory and mean-spirited jabs at people just playing a kid’s game? Do spectators possess some birthright to add their personal commentary to any and all sporting events?

You could argue that we’ve been raised this way, watching the pros kick dirt on umpires, charge the mound, and talking trash in the media. As kids grow up working hard to emulate the athletic achievements of their favorite players, attitude, good or bad, becomes just one of the ingredients of their recipe for success.

Talk to Your Players

As part of your regular coaching plan, make it a weekly practice to sit with your team to discuss an example of an athlete in the news demonstrating how not to act, on the field or off. Keeping it short and to the point, explain why the behavior is unacceptable and what the player might have done differently to display class instead of a lack of class.

Kids implicitly know right from wrong, and we parents know they don’t mind telling us when they’re right and we’re wrong. Empowering your players with the underpinnings of class behavior will give them the tools they need to recognize poor behavior in their own parents, and fight the natural tendency to imitate them.

Talk to Your Parents

In your parent letter you should have already made it crystal clear that trash talking and derisive comments, to game officials, to other parents, to opposing players and to opposing coaches, is absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. If your youth organization has a provision for disciplinary measures in its charter for this, you will have included that in your parent letter package.

It’s important that the precedent you set early on is one of zero tolerance for this type of behavior. Letting it slide when your best buddy or his wife comments loudly about a bad call will give other parents implicit permission to do the same, lowering your standard for team class and setting the stage for poor behavior in the future.

When you have an incident during a game, it’s usually enough to walk over to the offending parent and respectfully ask them to stop. Sometimes people don’t even know they’re doing it and all they need is a reminder. If you have multiple parents misbehaving, call a brief, mandatory meeting at your earliest convenience to review your policy and the organization’s policy on the matter and then be ready to stick to your guns.

Every now and then you’re going to run into a parent who either doesn’t get it or doesn’t want to get it. On these rare occasions you may have to let a player go for the good of the team. While this may seem harsh to the kid, it’s the best thing for the greater good of all and it’ll send a resounding message to your players, their parents and your youth organization, that you hold these values high and expect them to do the same.

So next time you’re coaching or sitting on the sidelines, ask yourself if you’d be comfortable knowing every word you said was going to wind up on somebody’s home movie.

Are you setting an example of class for your players and the parents and coaches around you, or are you trading in class and dignity for a cheap laugh at the expense of someone else or to get into the head of an opponent?

How do you promote class behavior on your team?

Stay Organized – Stay Sane

donlafferty — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:00:54 +0000

Ask a coach about any aspect of their game and they’ll tell you – they’ve got it covered.

They have a system.

Offense and defense, batting and pitching, blocking and tackling, even substitutions; coaches have a system for everything.

Denny Davidson has coached girls and boy’s basketball, baseball, and girl’s fastpitch softball for more than eighteen years.

“Here’s my most important system.” he said, holding out a beat up, vinyl zippered folio. “I keep every shred of team-related paper right here in this folder and it goes everywhere I go. To every game, to every practice and to every meeting I attend. If somebody asks me for a birth certificate, a medical release, a schedule or a phone list, I know I have a copy right here.” he continued, patting the worn black pouch with the kind of affection most of us reserve for an old friend.

As usual with rookie coaches, Denny learned the hard way.

“I had to forfeit a baseball game my first season coaching because the other team thought one of my players was too old for the age bracket.” he explains. “I couldn’t produce his birth certificate or my league roster because I’d left them on my desk at work. I couldn’t even sit the kid and play the game because it was a league rule that the certified roster had to be present for review at the umpire’s discretion at every game. It was a bona fide coaching loss and I swore I would never do anything like that to the kids again.”

Denny’s story is pretty common.

First-time coaches are usually handed a list of names with phone numbers, a bag of equipment and a pat on the back. Organization and preparation are individual matters and your league administrator will rarely give you advice on managing these things.

Every league and every organization is a little different.

At the youngest ages kids won’t usually be required to provide birth certificates or social security numbers, but as soon as teams start to travel, verification of age and identity are mandatory.

As soon as you accept your coaching position, be sure to ask your league administrator what’s required for your team and specific age bracket or league. If the commissioner of your league operates out of a different organization or some other governing body, have this conversation with that person as soon as possible to give yourself time to pull together the information you need.

I can’t tell you how many coaches spend hours the evening before the registration deadline driving from house to house picking up photographs, social security numbers and signatures.

Here’s a list of the items Coach Davidson keeps in his pouch:

Registration forms
Roster
Photo ID cards
Phone list
Medical release forms
Birth certificates
Scorebook
Game schedule
Practice schedule
Game assignment/playing time matrix

“Once I came up with my system it was easy to maintain.” explains Denny. “Most of my players return from year to year so I already have their birth certificates and social security numbers on file. I created my own roster and schedule forms on the computer and they’re simple to update. It leaves me with a shorter list of stuff to chase down and takes a ton of stress out of my pre-season preparation.”

…and one more thing.

“I keep a complete set of duplicates in a file at home just in case I misplace my stuff or somebody accidentally leaves with it in the confusion that can sometimes follow a game.” warns Denny.

Both have happened.

Taking the time to come up with your own personalized system of organization will help to minimize your stress level, eliminate surprises and give you the freedom to focus on your other systems, and on the kids.

Communication is Key - The Parent Letter

donlafferty — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:00:02 +0000

Soccer season – the real one – is right around the corner. Signups are closing and coaches are already planning their initial August workouts. Most seasons will kick off with a Labor Day tournament and end with a tournament over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Four months of soccer. Sixteen weeks to accomplish your objectives. One hundred and twenty days to turn 15 kids into a cohesive unit, advance their individual skills and provide them with an experience that’ll instill in them a love of the game and bring them, and their parents, back for next season.

So what’s your plan and how will you measure your success?
Have you clearly outlined and articulated your objectives?
Do your players understand their role and responsibility in achieving those objectives?
Do your players’ parents understand what you expect of their kids and of them?

Long time youth football coach Robin Bivona is a big believer in crystal clear communication. Over the years, he’s created handouts designed to set clear expectations for his players, his coaches and his players’ parents.

Coach Bivona’s Player/Parent handout is ten pages long and packed with incredibly insightful information intended to answer questions, set expectations and nip potential problems in the bud.

The handout contains all the basics:

Coaches’ names and contact information
Instructions for preferred methods of communication with the coach
Practice schedule and locations
Week by week summaries of practice plans and objectives
Policy on playing time
Mandatory Parent/Family/Fan Rules & Etiquette for a GOOD Football Experience

Bivona touches on proper nutrition, hydration, sleep habits, even age appropriate movies to rent, like “Rudy”, that support his positive approach to team sport.

His packet of handouts is among the most comprehensive I’ve seen. Did I mention he has a different one for his assistant coaches and a brief survey each player must complete at the first practice? He covers all the bases—twice.

But remember, Coach Bivona developed these manuals through years of learning the hard way. By dealing with misunderstandings, miscommunication and poor parent/fan behavior.

You can nip a lot of these issues in the bud too by creating a simple one page handout, and giving it to every parent as soon as you possibly can.

Include the following:

Your COMPLETE contact information. Email address, cell phone, home phone and work phone. Be sure to let them know your preferred method of communication, set an expectation for the timeliness of your response and be sure you follow through. Give parents explicit instructions for asking questions or lodging complaints.

Key dates. If you have a set practice time and place, this is where you tell them. Same thing for games. If you don’t have this information yet, let your parents know this and assure them you’ll provide it as soon as you’ve got the information.

Does your organization have a picture day? A skills competition? An awards banquet? Include these dates and times too. If you don’t know, you should ask your league administrator. They usually plan these dates out well before the beginning of the season and should be able to tell you.

Policy on playing time. Check with your youth organization in case the league in which you’re participating has pre-set minimum playing times for each kid, then build your policy around that.

Expectations. This can be as simple as “have fun and learn” to something more demanding, depending on the ages of your players and your youth organization’s charter. Be sure you understand this charter when crafting your own expectations and explain to your parents that your goals are in line with the organization’s goals.

Provide a short list of unacceptable parent/fan conduct. Your youth organization may already have guidelines you can use. If not, take a look at Coach Bivona’s here.

Other team needs.

Do you need a team mom?
Will you be expecting parents to provide a halftime or postgame snack and drink?
Do you need help setting up fields or transporting equipment?
Do you need everybody’s email address or alternate phone numbers?

Make a list of the things and help you need. You’ll usually have plenty of of volunteers, especially on younger teams.

Well thought out, written communication provided early and often will help you to keep the focus on fun and improving player skills.

Do you have a parent letter or a team manual you’ve developed over time? If you’d like to share it or add some insight from your own experience, feel free to chime in.

Unwrapping Energy Bars

donlafferty — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:00:07 +0000

Ever wondered if your choice of energy bars is part of the problem or the solution?

In her article Eneregy Bar– Part 1 and Part 2, Nutritionist, Cynthia Sass helps you tackle that wall of energy bars in your local market.

Youth Sports Costing More Time and Money

donlafferty — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:00:30 +0000

Desert News sportswriter, Michael Black looks at the ever increasing demands of youth sports on family finances and time.

If you have some time, look at the crazy comments.

For every dollar we spend on our kids’ youth sports experience we should be tucking a buck into their therapy accounts too.

Use Good Judgment When Employing Background Checks

donlafferty — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 17:00:23 +0000

I recently read about a Florida youth organization that requires a photo ID to be worn by any adult walking onto one of their fields.

To get one of these ID badges, a potential coach, or even a parent helper, must pass through a background check performed by the local municipality. There was no mention in the article regarding the acceptable standards to which potential coaches are being held, but they mentioned a guy with a 10 year old conviction for marijuana possession not making the cut.

While background checks on youth league coaches may prevent some child abuse, in the long run, the use of these background checks without exercising sound judgment will likely cause more damage to the youth leagues than good.

Volunteering time to coach requires a level of dedication and a personality that frequently falls within behavioral guidelines that some of us would consider a little “out there”. The sheer amount of personal time a coach spends on the many unseen tasks that fall within the scope of his responsibilities belies a bit of an obsessive compulsive streak.

One might even say the most dedicated coaches – some of the best coaches many of us have ever had – might display qualities associated with addictive personalities.

While running background checks will certainly discourage and eliminate convicted pedophiles from the world of youth coaching, it will also disqualify some excellent coaching candidates who’ve made youthful mistakes with substance abuse or some other anti social behavior, even though they may have learned their lesson and paid their debt to society.

These may be good people, whose past indiscretions provide them with insight into the paths that lead to these unacceptable behaviors, enabling them to provide unique counsel to their players.

So before we start requiring more badges and layers of unrealistic security for youth athletic settings, remember, these coaches aren’t paid babysitters, they’re unpaid volunteers. It’s still the parent’s job to parent and protect their child.

As we inch closer toward the election of a new leader for our country, ask yourself if the best candidates are still interested in applying for the job, or is the unrealistic scrutiny and draconian treatment they receive for past indiscretions keeping the best of the best on the sidelines?

2006 Cowboys Junior Pee Wee Blue Coaches Manual

donlafferty — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:03:18 +0000

2006 COWBOYS JUNIOR PEE WEE BLUE
COACHES MANUAL

HEAD COACH: ROBIN BIVONA

HEAD COACH: ROBIN BIVONAOFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE LINE COACHES:
(D= NOSE, RAM, LION, ROCKET, LASER)

HEAD COACH: ROBIN BIVONAOFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE LINE COACHES:(D= NOSE, RAM, LION, ROCKET, LASER)ROBIN BIVONA

HEAD COACH: ROBIN BIVONAOFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE LINE COACHES:(D= NOSE, RAM, LION, ROCKET, LASER)ROBIN BIVONARUNNING BACKS & LINEBACKERS COACHES:
(D= MISSLE, RAIDER, STRONG)

RECIEVERS/DEFENSIVE BACKS COACHES:
(D= CRAZY, COOKOO, FREE)

QUARTERBACKS:

ROBIN BIVONA

SPECIAL TEAMS:

ROBIN BIVONA & ALL COACHES
UTILITY COACHES/ EQUIPMENT MANAGERS:
EQUIPMENT PICK UP DAY
SHIFT SCHEDULE/DUTIES
JULY 30, 2006

PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR TEAM IS SCHEDULED FOR EQUIPMENT PICK UP FROM 12:30 PM UNTIL 2:00 PM.

WE ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE OUR COACHES ASSIST WITH THE NEXT SHIFT TO HELP FIT JUNIOR PEE WEE WHITE. WE WILL BE WORKING THIS SHIFT FROM 1:30 UNTIL 3:00.

ASSIGNMENTS:

HELMETS:

SHOULDER PADS:

PADS/BELTS:

PANTS/SOCKS:

CHECK OUT:

WHERE’S COACH BIVONA? HE ARRIVES AT 9:30 AND HELPS OUT UNTIL 3:00…

I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO MEET AFTERWARDS FOR A SHORT OVERVIEW OF WEEK #2 PRACTICE.

2006 JUNIOR PEE WEE BLUE
COACH GOAL, DO’S & DON’TS

OUR MISSION IS TO TEACH OUR PLAYERS HOW TO HAVE FUN, BE SAFE, LEARN WHAT IS NEEDED TO SUCCEED AT THE NEXT LEVEL, AND WIN THE SUPER BOWL!!!

PLEASE READ THE OCJAFF RULE BOOK WHICH IS ONLINE AT WWW.COACHROBIN.NET ON THE “COACHES” PAGE. ALSO READ THE CIF (HIGH SCHOOL) RULE BOOK.

NEVER PASS UP AN OPPORTUNITY TO COACH UP YOUR PLAYERS.

COACH ONLY YOUR POSITION PLAYERS. ONLY THE HEAD COACH HAS OVERLAPPING COACHING REQUIREMENTS/PRIVILIDGES.

STRIVE FOR CONSTANT AFFIRMATION. A RATIO OF 5 POSITIVE AFFIRMATIOINS FOR EACH CRITIQUE BUILDS KIDS INTO CONFIDENT WINNERS!

ABSOLUTELY NO PROFANITY.

ABSOLUTELY NO PUT-DOWNS OF PLAYERS OR COACHES.

ABSOLUTLEY NO BACK-BITING OR GOSSIP.

DISAGREEMENTS AMONGST COACHES ARE TO BE EXPRESSED AND HANDLED BEFORE OR AFTER PRACTICE/GAMES AND AWAY FROM THE CHILDREN AND PARENTS.

YOUR IDEAS ARE WELCOME, BUT YOUR HEAD COACH HAS FINAL SAY ON ALL DECISIONS AND ISSUES.

IF YOU DO NOT FEEL THAT YOU CAN OR WANT TO COMPLY WITH ANYTHING IN THIS MANUAL, PLEASE SPEAK PRIVATELY WITH ME ABOUT IT AND/OR EXCUSE YOURSELF FROM OUR COACHING STAFF.
UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE SUSPENDED COACHES IN THE PAST. I TRUST THAT WILL NOT BE THE CASE WITH YOU MEN.

WE DO NOT SEND OUR PLAYERS RUNNING OR ON A LAP FOR PUNISHMENT. UP/DOWNS OR PUSHUPS ARE FINE. PLAYERS ARE NOT TO BE SINGLED OUT; THE ENTIRE GROUP MUST ALSO DO THE PUNISHMENT. YOU MUST ALSO EXPLAIN WHY AND HOW THE CRIME CAN HURT THE TEAM OR OUR PLAYERS.

WE WILL HAVE WEEKLY COACHES MEETINGS TO REVIEW, DISCUSS, AND PREPARE. ALL COACHES NEED TO ATTEND.

I WOULD TRUST THAT YOU ARE MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO BECOME A PRO AT THE POSITIONS YOU ARE COACHING. KIDS CAN SNIFF OUT A FAKE! IF YOU CANNOT COMMIT TO KNOWING YOUR CRAFT TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITIES, YOU SHOULDN’T COACH.

OUR TEAM WILL BE AS GOOD AS OUR COACHING IS!

LET’S BE SUPER BOWL COACHES!!!
WE ARE HOSTING THE OCJAFF SUPER BOWL ON DECEMBER 2, 2006. I EXPECT THAT OUR TEAM WILL BE REPRESENTING THE AFL OF THE JUNIOR PEE WEE DIVISION. OUR COLLECTIVE VISION AND WORK TOWARDS THIS GOAL WILL MAKE IT REALITY!

GO COWBOYS!!!

NOTES

.

Cowboys Junior Pee Wee Blue Football Day One Player Survey

donlafferty — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:01:49 +0000

COWBOYS JUNIOR PEE WEE BLUE FOOTBALL

DAY ONE PLAYER SURVEY (MUST BE TURNED IN TUESDAY!)



1)    PLEASE PRINT YOU NAME:___________________

2)    WHY DO YOU PLAY FOOTBALL?

3)    ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 10 (10 BEING MOST), HOW IMPORTANT IS WINNING TO YOU?
4)    WHAT POSITIONS TO YOU WANT TO PLAY?
5)    WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NFL OR COLLEGE TEAM?
6)    ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 10 (10 BEING MOST), HOW IMPORTANT IS DOING WELL IN SCHOOL TO YOU?
7)    WHAT POSITION DO YOU FEEL IS MOST IMPORTANT?
8)    HOW LONG HAVE YOU PLAYED TACKLE FOOTBALL?
9)    WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE NFL OR COLLEGE PLAYER?
10)    WHO IS YOUR GREATEST HERO?

.

2006 Mission Viejo Cowboys “Star Power” Junior Pee Wee BLUE Football Parent/Player Manual

donlafferty — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:00:50 +0000

2006 Mission Viejo Cowboys “Star Power!” Junior Pee Wee BLUE Football
Parent/Player Manual

Head Coach: Robin Bivona
Phone: (949) 939-XXXX    E Mail: CoachRobin@cox.net
TEAM WEBSITE: www.CoachRobin.net

Offensive/Defensive Line Coach:    Robin Bivona
Receivers/Defensive Backs Coach:
Running Backs/Linebackers Coach:
Quarterbacks Coach:     Robin Bivona
Coach:
Coach:
Team Mom:
Must-Play Spotter Coordinator:
Game Day Video:
Game Day Action Photos:

Make www.CoachRobin.net one of your frequent destinations. The Cowboys League Calendar is there, and virtually anything else you need to know about our team and about football. We will also have practice/game photos and recaps on the website throughout the season!

E Mail/Communication: Please respect my preference to communicate via
E mail. It is very efficient and time friendly as I run a business and spend many hours per week with football preparation. So, please check your e mail every day and expect important info there first. Of course, anyone is welcome to phone me anytime or speak with me after practice or a game when I can give you my full attention.
Expectations of Your Player: You should expect that your football player will be taught well in the fundamentals, techniques, safe play, and good sportsmanship of football. We will challenge your child mentally and physically with up-tempo, efficient practices in which there will be little wasted or idle time. We will practice hard so that the games should be easy and fun. We will mix in non-contact, fun events for the kids and our coaches will be good natured and fun along the way too. Most of all, we will work to help assure that your player will be nurtured in a practice and game environment that will lead to a consistently growing understanding, appreciation, respect, and love for the game of football. Your children will learn to work as a team, compete, finish, and have fun!

Your child will also learn amazing life skills through this great game! Is winning important? Absolutely! But, not at the expense of fairness or integrity.

MANDATORY Player Requirements for Practice & Games:
1) Soft Athletic Cup or Athletic Supporter
2) Mouthpiece (I recommend “Brain Pad” for maximum protection).
The mouthpiece MUST attach to the facemask with a SOLID strap (no break-away straps allowed). The mouthpiece MUST be colored! No clear ones allowed.
ALWAYS have an extra mouthpiece! Your child CANNOT participate without one. They DO lose them. Chewed up mouthpieces must be replaced.
3) Elbow Pads (Youth Knit Elbow Pads. DO NOT get neoprene)
4) Football Shoes (wear double socks to prevent blisters)
5) All Football Gear (have a checklist before getting in the car!)
6) Water and/or Gatorade

PRACTICES: We will practice from July 24 through September 1, Monday through Saturday (with the exception of Labor Day weekend). Our practice location is likely to be La Paz Middle School LOWER practice field (from the 5 Freeway: on the right, up the hill just pass Chrisanta Drive). Parking can be a challenge and it’s a long walk to the practice field so please allow extra time for that. Monday through Friday practice times are 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Saturday practices will be a scrimmage vs. another team whenever possible and most likely in the morning. We are allowed 5 scrimmages. Our September through December practice schedule will be Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm.

1st week of practice: All players will wear Supporter, “Star Power” or Cowboys T-shirts, football shoes, and Navy Blue shorts. NO Helmets or Pads in week one.
We will test all players on Day 1 for speed, strength, and mental preparation. There WILL be an Exam for all players to test their knowledge of our basic terminology/philosophy (attached). We will also teach every football position to every player on Day 1.

We will request that all players decide on what positions they want to try out for on Day 2. Each player will play an Offensive AND Defensive position.
All players will have fair opportunity to earn a position they desire during August training camp. Criteria for being awarded any position are: the player’s off-season/pre-season football development program (tutoring, camps, or training), desire, focus, effort, teamwork, and effect on team chemistry. No positions are a “lock” during the season. Each player must show consistent effort, attitude, and focus to hold a position. Any player who has not gained the position of their desire may end up playing there at some point by working hard on our “scout” teams. All decisions on player positions will be made collectively by our coaching staff with the Head Coach having the final decision. Head Coach will have final decision-making authority on all issues including players, parents, volunteers, events, and Cheer.

Second week of practice: We will be in full gear, but will only hit bags & dummies.

Third week of practice: We will be going full contact in week 3 through the end of the season.

GAMES: All regular season games will be on Saturdays and will begin on September 9. Mission Viejo High School is our Home football field and we hope to have about half of our Home Games on their new professional football surface. Please have your son at the game location with all equipment on and ready to go one and one-half hours prior to game time. Failing to do so could jeopardize our team’s preparedness and/or your son’s playing time.

Minimum Play Rules: All players will play a minimum of one continuous quarter on Offense or Defense.
Players can be suspended for behavior detrimental to the team at the discretion of the Head Coach.
AWARDS! We have a very positive reward program in which ALL players will share in throughout the season. Our team will only be as good as our Offensive and Defensive lines are! Thus, the REAL STARS of our team are our linemen! We present weekly awards as follows based on PRACTICES:

Offensive Lineman of the Week
Defensive Lineman of the Week
Special Teams Player of the Week
Practice Player of the Week (can be any position)

We will have a mid-season football dance contest and maybe some surprises too!

Mandatory Parent/Family/Fan Rules & Etiquette for a GOOD
Football Experience:

Mission Viejo Cowboys Youth Football and your Junior Pee Wee Blue Cowboys Football Team enforce a no-tolerance parental/family/fan behavior policy. Anyone that refuses to adhere to MVYF, OCJAAF, and our Junior Pee Wee Blue Team Rules as stated here and in respective rule books are subject to suspension or ban.

1) COACHES COACH! PARENTS WATCH and SUPPORT! Thank You!

2) All inquiries, complaints, or suggestions are to be presented directly to your Head Coach only. DO NOT go to assistant coaches or our Team Mom. This way there is never any misunderstanding, back-biting, politicking, or screening of your legitimate feedback. Failure to adhere to this requirement is not in the best interest of anyone and negatively affects our children and our parents. If you don’t wish to deal with your Head Coach, the Cowboys Board of Directors will be happy to hear you.
You are welcome to approach your Head Coach after practice or game, by phone, or by e mail only. We have an open door policy and welcome your input. Remember, there is a proper time and place.

3) Practices will start immediately at 6:00 pm. Please be fair to your child, coaches, and the team and do your best to have your player on the practice field, fully dressed for action, and ready to roll 15 minutes early. Skill players including Quarterbacks, Centers, Running Backs, and Receivers are encouraged to voluntarily arrive at least 15 minutes early to warm up the arm, take snaps, and catch balls on their own. This extra effort and time each day makes a HUGE difference! I will normally get to the practice field ½ hour to 1 hour before practice begins to set up and prepare. Your children will not be coached until 6:00 pm.

4) The only adults or children allowed on the practice or game field are players, coaches, and other official volunteers.

5) Please do not “coach” or scold your child from the sidelines during practices or games. If you see something from your player that you feel requires attention during practice or a game please address your Head Coach directly after practice or the game. Of course, any positive feedback is welcome and encouraged!
6) Absolutely NO negative or critical remarks are to be directed at game officials, players, coaches, or fans during a game. No matter how bad a call or how much you may disagree with a coach or player decision, these remarks only make things worse for the kids and the attitudes of the officials. Failure to adhere to this directive will be grounds for removal at the least, and may lead to suspension or ban.

7) We encourage you to observe as many practices as you can and attend all games. The kids love and need your support and this also assures that you may make informed opinions in regards to your child’s progress and other team issues.

8) Please assist your child with his weekly football homework package.
15 minutes a day/night of mental preparation makes a HUGE difference on the football field. 80% of Football is MENTAL!

9) School is very important to us! Let us know during our season if we can assist in any way. Sometimes a little talk from coach can do wonders for a Scholar-Athlete…

10) We strongly encourage your child to complete school homework as soon as he gets home from school. A nap is a huge bonus too.

11) If your player will miss practice or a game you must call the Head Coach directly! Do not pass a message to another Coach or parent. We must be informed in consideration for our Coaches & Players, so that we may adjust practice/game plan/roster accordingly.

12) Please gladly accept an assignment as a game spotter or other volunteer duty if requested to do so. We want to spread it around so all can maximally enjoy watching their kids play. All parents will be required to assist with spirit/apparel sales during the season. Please accept your assignment and support our efforts to fund/operate and foster the best youth sports experience in SoCal!

13) Our Team Mom is to be treated with ultimate respect and consideration. She has a busy and difficult job and football is an intense sport. Please support her requests and efforts. DO NOT complain to her. Complain to your Head Coach.

Pre-season/Summer Preparation:
In order for your child to be well-prepared and ready for the intense, unique skill-sets and conditioning that tackle football requires, we strongly encourage your player to attend as many football camps/trainings as possible! We understand that they all cost money and everyone has a different budget, but if your child loves this game, invest in his skills and give him his best chance for success.
Football excellence requires extensive muscle memory and central nervous system training which can only come from specific, focused training. Remember also that your child is only 3 to 4 years away from High School ball. It will be here before you know it! Our mission is to give you and your player all the info, knowledge, and experience required to succeed and flourish in the ultra-competitive SoCal High School football world! This knowledge and advice includes the advantage of specialized training in the off-season and in the summer.
***We expect ALL of our players to attend the COWBOYS FOOTBALL CAMP, PRESENTED BY WEST FOOTBALL CAMPS! BE READY FOR COWBOYS TRAINING CAMP BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS SPEED, AGILITY, TECHNIQUE, POSITION CAMP TAUGHT BY FORMER NFL FOOTBALL PLAYERS. BEGINS JULY 11. OPEN TO ALL KIDS AGES 7 THROUGH 14. A Flyer/sign up is attached and is also on our team website. See you there!***

There are many awesome football camps this summer! You can find virtually all of them on our team website: http://www.coachrobin.net/kids.htm

Important Food/Hydration/Nutrition Suggestions:

Proper nutrition/hydration will make a phenomenal difference in your son’s ability to stay safe, compete at a high level, feel good, and have fun!

Where does efficient, competitive energy come from? CARBOHYDRATES. Carbs that are low in fat!

It begins with the meal the night before practice or a game. This dinner should consist of something similar to this: Pasta, Rice, Fresh Fruit, Gatorade, and Ice Cream for desert. Other awesome carb-loading foods are low-fat Yogurt, Milk, Breakfast Cereal, Fruit Smoothie, Dried Fruit, Fresh Fruit, Breads, Bagels, Tuna Salad, and Potatos.

The Pre-practice or Pre-game meal (2 to 3 hours before) should look something like this: Pancakes/French toast or a bowl of Cereal with Milk, a Banana, and a Gatorade.

60 minutes before practice or a game a bag of Fruit Chews, Energy Bar, Raisins, Banana, or Gatorade is ideal.

Half-time will consist of quick-digesting carbs: a Rice Crispy Bar or bag of Fruit Chews and/or a Gatorade only. NO Oranges! Be aware also that at Home Games at MVHS (on the new professional surface) the ONLY substance that our players/coaches can bring on the field is WATER.
Post-game/practice meal is crucial. An athlete must restore used energy stores within 2 hours of competition. Now the cycle is complete by serving up a night before practice/ game type of meal after practice or a game. It is advisable to drink a Gatorade and/or fruit chews,Rice Crispy Treats, or energy bar immediately after practice or a game to restore used carbs and to begin the process of storing energy for the next day.

Foods to Absolutely Avoid: Fast Food and fried food.

WEIGHT LIMITS: THE FOLLOWING ARE THE AGE/WEIGHTS OUR JUNIOR PEE WEE PLAYERS MUST BE BY AUGUST 26 (CERTIFCATION DAY)(LEAGUE AGE IS THE AGE OF THE PLAYER ON JULY 31, 2006):

9 YEAR OLDS = 100-115 POUNDS
10 YEAR OLDS = 85-110 POUNDS
11 YEAR OLDS = 65-95 POUNDS

DON’T WAIT TO BURN OFF THE WEIGHT IN JULY/AUGUST CAMP - START NOW!

HYDRATION: Drink a large bottle of water every night! Drink another bottle of water during the day. Proper hydration can only occur cumulatively. You can not “catch up” on the day of a game or practice. Proper hydration will make a phenomenal difference in your son’s ability to stay safe, compete at a high level, feel good, and have fun!

Drink a Gatorade before practice or game and at Halftime. Drink Water during practice or a game.
Drink another Gatorade after practice or game.

The Gatorade supplies/replaces important nutrients and electrolytes that your child will use during practice or a game and is loaded with easily absorbable carbs. FYI: Gatorade All Stars or PowerAde have about twice the Carbs that regular Gatorade has.

Water is typically more easily absorbed and utilized by the body during competition which is the reason water is recommended during competition.

The most important thing is that your child drink as much fluid as possible whenever possible.

Sleep: Please try to make sure your player gets at least 9 hours of sleep.

Injuries: Put ICE on whatever hurts! 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off.

***Lots of awesome nutrition/health info/research can be found here: http://www.coachrobin.net/safety.htm

No elbow pads = no sympathy! The most vulnerable area of your player’s body are the elbows. Properly pad them!

We will not ask your player or our parents/supporters to do anything that will not make your player better or provide a more positive experience for all! Please support us!

Team Sponsor(s): We will have a nice end of the season banquet, full color Team yearbook, and Team highlight DVD. These are things the kids absolutely love and deserve and parents will treasure as the years fly by! We would like to have team sponsorship in the amount of $5,000 to fund these things. We have an MVYF League sponsorship requirement of $850. Everything we raise after that we split 50/50 with the league. This will net our team around $1,650 to spend on the kids at season’s end (the team yearbook, in particular, is very expensive). We can do it with one sponsor or multiple sponsors. It’s up to you. We can provide excellent packages for our sponsor(s)!
More info for Sponsors attached and on our Team Website.

Suggested Motivational/Inspirational Movies:
“Remember the Titans”, “Radio”, “Rudy”

Junior Pee Wee Blue “STAR POWER!” Spirit Wear:
Each Junior Pee Wee BLUE player will receive a complimentary 2006 “STAR POWER!” Cowboys T Shirt on Equipment Pick Up Day.
Additional “STAR POWER!” Cowboys T Shirt may be ordered at that time
(cash or check only): $15 for Youth, $20 for Adult

GO COWBOYS!


2006 Mission Viejo Cowboys
Junior Pee Wee BLUE Football
Parent/Player Manual

PARENT ACKNOWLEGEMENT

I ____________________________________________________________,
(Please Print parents/guardians names)

Parents/guardians of ___________________________________________,
  (Please Print participant name)

Acknowledge receipt, full understanding of, and agreement to adhere to all Orange County Junior All American Youth Football, Mission Viejo Cowboys Youth Football, and Mission Viejo Cowboys Junior Pee Wee Blue team rules and guidelines as set forth in this manual and in the respective rule books/bylaws of the afore-mentioned organizations.

I understand that rule books of any of the afore mentioned organizations will be made available to me upon my request and/or are available online.
***Each Parent/guardian must sign and turn in an acknowledgement***

Signed______________________________________________
  (Parent/guardian Signature)

Signed______________________________________________
  (Parent/guardian Signature)

Dated_________________________________________________________

Please return to Head Coach Robin Bivona asap (MUST be received prior to July 23, 2006).
E mail: CoachRobin@cox.net
Mail: Robin Bivona
30251 Golden Lantern, E304, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

THANK YOU FOR YOUR POSITIVE SUPPORT!

GO COWBOYS!