NYSCA COACHES CLINIC
Coaches may choose to participate in the NYSCA(National Youth Sports Coaches Association) training course (or "clinic") using the NYSCA Online Clinics. This program allows coaches to access the same training as on-site participants from their home or office PC. Please click here for details.
COACHING TIP: UNDERSTANDING HOW YOUR LEAGUE OPERATES
Youth sports programs vary from community to community all around the country – from the operations rules to the type of league itself. The basics of most games are the same for the most part but each league tweaks or modifies the rules to fit the needs of the community. Some programs stick to official rules of sports as closely as gum sticks to a shoe, but the majority of youth programs make alterations to tailor to the age and experience level of the kids. A big part of your job as coach is to understand the league you work in and to be able to communicate the rules of the league to players and parents. Some factors to consider are league rules, rainout policies, rescheduling issues, practice time, and the competitiveness of the league (National Alliance for Youth Sports).
Learn to protect your players against the dangers of dehydration and heat illness. Click on the links below for details.
Warning Signs of Dehydration (symptoms & danger)
How to keep your team Hydrated
Preventing Heat Illness
Summer Sports Safety
Concussion in Youth Sports
A concussion is a brain injury caused by a bump or blow to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Even what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious. As many as 3.8 million sports- and recreation-related concussions are estimated to occur in the United States each year. More story...
PARENTS: Why do kids play sports?
COACHES: Your responsibility
Keep Germs away-Prevent Flu
With flu season here and all the attention being given to the H1N1 virus, or Swine Flu, leagues need to address how to prevent illnesses – and the spread of germs – in their youth sports programs.
The key is taking a proactive approach to help minimize illnesses spreading. Many resources have recently been released that provide information about influenza, as well as the H1N1 strain. The Center for Disease Control (CDC)has a wealth of information on its Web site and most school districts have released information as well.
Here are some general prevention tips for team:
- Encourage coaches and parents to remind young athletes about healthy habits like frequently washing their hands and covering sneezes and coughs by using their arms rather than their hands
- Do not share drinks, including water bottles, etc.
- Keep hand sanitizer and wipes readily available at practices and games for team use.
- At the end of a game, encourage every player to use hand sanitizer/wipes before they engage in the post-game handshakes.
- Wash uniforms, equipment and any other gear that is shared after practices and games
- Encourage parents to keep players home when they are not feeling well or have flu-like symptoms.
DRILLS: Soccer:(video), Football:(video), Basketball:(video),
Baseball:(video), Volleyball:(video), Cheerleading:(Video)
PLAYS: Soccer:(video), Football:(video), Basketball:(video)
Volleyball:(video)
