WIAA Coaches School
2009
How to Write an Effective Middle School
Practice Plan
Presenter:
Dave Tikker
WSSAAA Executive Director
Athletic Director/Counselor
Mt. Side Middle School
INTRODUCTIONS
What Sports
Teachers/Coaches
What Kind Of Coach Are You?
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Would the kid that you were be proud of
the coach you are?
Why This Subject
– Many coaches begin their careers at
this level, therefore, they start with
drills, game preparation/plans, and
motivational techniques similar to their
most recent experiences. (high school
or collegiate)
Where Do You Find Age Appropriate
Information?
Ultimate Goal
The ultimate goal is to bring
middle level athletic program
expectations into a position
that is consistent with the
educational philosophy and
the needs of middle level
children.
Why Do We Have Sports in our
School?
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Educational Value
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Guarantee if you don’t demonstrate that
your patrons will notice and when
budget cuts come you will have a tough
time defending your programs
Challenge as Educators
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To Provide:
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Safe enjoyable educational experience for young
adolescents based on their developmental characteristics
and needs.
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Developmentally appropriate experience for young
adolescent’s which focus on self-esteem, citizenship,
responsibility, cooperation, skill/knowledge development,
and leadership behaviors.
What Does This Have to Do With
Creating a Good Practice Plan
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Keep kids interested or lose them
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80 % of coaches surveyed will report the reason
they coach is to promote “fun” for athletes and
because they had “fun” as an athlete..
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One outgrowth of sports participation is that up to
50% of children who begin sport participation in
grade 9 no longer participate in school athletic
programs after grade 10. The percentage is
higher for girls than boys. The common reason
given is “It wasn’t fun anymore!!!”
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Is it possible that coaches and students have
different definitions of “fun”?
“To Have Fun.”.”
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Contributors to “FUN”
– Consistent application of rules
–Well organized practices
– Information-rich teaching and skill coaching
• Individualized instruction
– Constant encouragement to improve
– Recognition of individual improvements and
work-ethic
Core Considerations in Planning Practice
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1. Facility
2. Teams
3. Coaches
4. Time
5. District Philosophy
6. Numbers
7. Blended Teams
8. Weather
9. Age Appropriate
The Attention Span of the Young Adolescent
Implication for Coaches
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Drills should:
– Condition
– Teach skills
– Replicate competitive reality
– Integrate constant movement
– Authorize, encourage and involve peer teachers and
peer coaches.
• 2nd in line is a peer teacher-coach
• Player holding dummy is a peer teacher- coach
• Defender is a peer teacher- coach
“NO LONG LINES”
The Attention Span of the Young Adolescent
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The typical attention span is approximately 5
minutes.
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The typical retention span is approximately 8
minutes.
What are some examples of lack of attention by
athletes?
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–
–
–
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Wandering around
Day Dreaming
Fooling around
Looking around
Skill Level Implication for Coaches
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Varsity Team- More Skills Taught
JV Team- More engaged Activity
– Incorporate More Fun
– Teach basic survival skills first two
weeks- keep kids out
Time Commitment for Young Adolescents
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Length of season, length of practice,
number and types of contests should be
limited. (Example 6-9 week seasons, 7590 minute practices, 6 football, 10
volleyball, basketball games)
Specialization in a specific sport is not
philosophically consistent with middle
level educational concepts.
Burn out factor
– Body
– Mental
– Daughters
Organization of Practices
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Remember the attention span of this age athlete.
– Short teaching period
– Move to activity
– Reinforce teach during activity
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Each drill should have a purpose, to teach a skill or for
conditioning. (They have different expectations)
Watch for boredom or fatigue.
– Change format of practice if you are losing them.
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What constitutes a good practice?
– Activity
– Feedback on performance
– Drills that teach, condition and replicate competition reality
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Look at the entire practice as a part of teaching.
– Consider the practice in the continuum of instruction and
season plan
Lets Plan Practice
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1. Master Practice plan
– Time to First Contest
• What do I need to have in
– Break down by week
– Incorporate Daily
Master Practice Plan
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Master Practice Plan
Basketball-
7th Grade
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27 Total Days- 5 ½ week season
7 Games- 19 practice days- 1
community service day
11 days before first game
Master Practice plan
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6- 2 hour practices 5 – 1 hour 15
minutes practices
18 hours practice before first game
Before First Game
– 4 hours offense breakdown
• drills
– 4 hours defense Breakdown
• Drills
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Master Practice Plan
– 2 hours transition
– 4 hours Freethrows/shooting/ ball
handling/passing/fundamentals
– 2 hours specialty
– 1 hour conditioning
– 1 hour fun/bonding
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Before end of the season
Master Practice Plan
– Three offenses– 4 out of bounds plays
– 4 presses– Fast break offense
– Free Throw Break
– Community service
– 3 - ½ ct defenses
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Daily Practice Plan
90 Minutes+Study Hall
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1. Warmup
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2.
Supervision
Fun
No Lines
Huddle- Explain Day
offensive time
Defensive time
Specialty time
Practice Plan
3. Skill Development
1.
2.
3.
4.
No lines
10-15 minute max-drill
Incorporate competition in drill
Teaching points- positive
1. Find a positive in a negative
2. Connect with every kid
know their names!!!!!!!
Play
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Some form of scrimmage incorporating
as many players as possible
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Incorporate Conditioning in keeping kids
involved
– Be creative
Back Together
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Review Skills Accomplished
Ask For Feedback
– Ex. What did we do well today?
– What do we still need to work on?
– End Practice With Fun Competition
incorporating Conditioning
Kid Development
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Appoint Different Kids Every WeekLiaison
– Input from Kids
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Review Master Plan Constantly
Be Organized with a purpose
– Kids will know if not
When Season is Over
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Did They Get my Organized Best Every
Day
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Did I Run Kids Off or Help Them Adjust
What Will Kids say about Season
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– Let Them Evaluate You
– Make You Better
Educator/Coach
Produce Good Human Beings
Through Discipline of Sport
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Affirm Their Participation
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Teach Them Skills to Succeed