As we welcome the New Year, coaches are setting their sights on improvement and success. Whether you’re part of the hockey, soccer, or lacrosse community, we’ve got you covered with a comprehensive checklist of resolutions designed to elevate your coaching game in 2024.

Effective practice planning is the backbone of successful coaching. To enhance your practice organization:
- Prioritize Objectives: Clearly define the key skills and strategies you want your team to focus on during the season. Having a clear focus ensures your practices are goal-oriented.
- Digital Practice Planners: Make use of our platform’s digital practice planning tools. These tools come equipped with customizable templates, allowing you to organize drills, allocate time, and set objectives efficiently.
- Structured Progression: Develop a structured progression of drills and exercises that build upon each other.
- Time Management: Allocate specific time slots for each segment of your practice. This not only keeps things moving but also allows you to cover all necessary aspects without feeling rushed.
- Instant Updates: Use real-time editing features to make on-the-fly adjustments to your practice plans.

Communication is key in any successful team dynamic. To keep your coaching staff in the loop:
- Utilize CoachThem: Leverage our platform to share practice plans well in advance. This gives your assistant coaches time to prepare and align their coaching strategies with yours.
- Personal Folder: Invest time in building a comprehensive folder within our platform. This resource can be easily accessed and shared, allowing you to incorporate new drills in your sessions.
- Notifications: Leverage notification features within our platform to alert your coaching team when new practice plans are made or updated, ensuring that everyone is on the same page well in advance.
- Feedback: Encourage your coaching staff to provide feedback on practice plans. This two-way communication fosters collaboration and ensures everyone is on the same page.

Empowering your assistant coaches not only lightens your workload but also fosters a sense of ownership and growth among your coaching team.
- Delegate Responsibilities: Assign specific aspects of practice or game preparation to your assistant coaches. This allows them to showcase their strengths and expertise.
- Provide Guidance: Offer guidance and support when necessary but trust your assistant coaches to make decisions. This not only builds their confidence but also diversifies coaching styles within the team.
- Regular Feedback Sessions: Schedule regular feedback sessions to discuss coaching strategies, teaching methods, and individual player progress. A collaborative environment fosters continuous improvement.

It’s essential to create an environment where players feel comfortable taking risks and learning from mistakes.
- Encourage Risk-Taking: Emphasize the importance of trying new things. This could be a new skill, tactic, or position. Mistakes are a natural part of growth.
- Post-Game Reflections: After games or challenging practices, facilitate discussion about what went well and what could be improved; encouraging self-reflection and accountability.

A well-organized team is a successful team. Leverage technology to streamline your team systems.
- Regular Updates: Easily share updates and revisions through our platform, ensuring that everyone is on the same page, engaged with strategies, understand their roles, and can visualize plays.
- Visual Tools: Use visual aids like diagrams, videos, or presentations to illustrate team systems, making it easier for players to grasp complex concepts.
By committing to these coaching resolutions and leveraging the capabilities of CoachThem, you’re not only enhancing your coaching skills but also contributing to the overall development and success of your team. Here’s to a year of growth, learning, and victories!

Written by Kelsey Dold and the CoachThem Team
January 4, 2024
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