Category: Coaching

Ice hockey practice just got a whole lot better.  Now, for the hundreds of thousands of ice hockey families who use TeamSnap, there’s a new, cutting-edge curriculum available right in…

Great coaching doesn’t happen by accident. Some people know the game really well. Other people know kids really well. Some people are born leaders. Fewer people live in the center…

This season is different. Last year, TeamSnap and Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) partnered to develop the PLL PLAYbook – animated drills and age-appropriate practice plans for lacrosse players ages 5…

Watch how one coach makes sure that girls feel welcome. Learn more at howtocoachkids.org. How to Coach Kids and Coaching Girls are free, 20-30 minute online courses on the fundamentals…

Understanding how girls develop physically, mentally and emotionally is key to creating a great experience. Ages 5-7 When girls love to move Their bodies: Early in their school years, girls…

Three easy ways to harness girls’ power Build team relationships Being part of the team is one of the top reasons girls below the age of 12 play at all. …

It’s no surprise that volleyball is the number one team sport in high school and college for girls. And professional volleyball has blossomed in recent years. Volleyball is, indeed, having…

Originally from Ireland, Lisa Finegan grew up playing Gaelic football, soccer, and basketball. She started playing rugby “late” – at 16, continued through college and competed at the international level….

Josh Cilman moved to Vienna, Virginia, when he was 9 years old and played Little League there, eventually playing baseball through college. When he moved back to Vienna with his…

Dash Johnson isn’t afraid of working hard. He played baseball at Northwestern Oklahoma State University for six years, getting an extra year because of the Covid pandemic. During those years,…

While in grad school at the University of Pittsburgh, Michael Jones coached a middle school soccer team at the Lab School, a K-8 school affiliated with the university. He had…

Like most coaches, Cobie Lee grew up playing a lot of sports. After getting her degree in physical education, she taught PE at the elementary school level for 15 years….

Soccer is in Mike Pereira’s blood. His family played for generations in Portugal. As part of the first generation to be born in the US, Mike grew up around soccer,…

Lindsey Wright grew up around coaches. Her dad coached soccer at the rec level and her mom volunteered as a cheerleading coach. When Lindsey started playing soccer in third grade,…

By 15, Ashley Anton had reached the highest level in the US Gymnastics Junior Olympic program, but she struggled with injuries and lackluster coaches. When her coach didn’t show up…

If you coach, or have a kid who plays youth sports, you obviously need to know where to be and when, and who’s going to show up at practices and…

First-time coaches often are parent volunteers. A typical scenario has mom or dad registering a young child in a youth sports organization, which then asks parents to volunteer. The parent…

Spring has sprung—and you know what that means: baseball and softball season. TeamSnap teamed up with Major League Baseball (MLB) to bring more than 100 fun, high-energy “bat, ball and…

Now, available for the first time in the TeamSnap app, coaches, players and parents alike have access to world-class tips, tools and training – developed with the biggest names in…

Coaching is all about understanding people, their different behaviors and dynamics, and finding a way to lead and find common ground despite all of the differences.    Positive Coaching Alliance…

While young athletes gain a variety of positive mental health benefits from playing sports, pressures from highly competitive play can also pose mental health challenges. Listen in as ‘Winning Is…

Coaches’ Safety Checklist, provided by Guardian Emergency Training who provides safety training for our partner, Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative. Steven Devenney of Guardian Emergency Training is nationally recognized in person first…

The Positive Coaching Alliance’s (PCA) has recognized the 2023 National Winners of PCA’s Double-Goal Coach® Award presented by TeamSnap. This award is one of the highest honors a U.S. youth…

It may seem like it’s been forever since you last seen your sports team. The holiday season has a way of putting a pause on just about everything. If you’re a…

Coaching on ice, but also in general is no easy task. That’s why TeamSnap has researched and developed some top tips for hockey coaches. For all of the hockey coaches…

There is no one shoe that fits all when it comes to coaching. There isn’t a single recipe for coaching an athlete, and truly what works for one player may…

In partnership with the Positive Coaching Alliance Jason Richardson, Official Team Physician of the Golden State Warriors shares with the Positive Coaching Alliance how youth athletes are easing back into…

Coaches, they need love too! We all know how important a coach’s role is in a kid’s life, so this month we’re putting the ball in your court and letting…

As a club and or league organizer it’s important to keep your coaches engaged and feeling appreciated. Coaches are integral to the success of a program, so in order to…

In four simple steps your hockey team will be organized, laced up, on the ice, and ready to go. TeamSnap helps hockey teams all across North America get on the…

In order for a team to be successful, coaches must create a positive environment that motivates as well as supports the players. Creating a positive environment doesn’t always come natural…

When you hear the name Pat Summitt you probably think of  University of Tennessee Women’s Basketball and her legendary coaching career. You may also think about her coaching style and…

What if I told you that the hardest defender of all and the very best defender in the world is the mind itself. Athletes of all levels and ages at…

Soccer season is here and one of the best ways to ensure a successful soccer practice is a detailed plan. As a coach it’s not only helpful on you to…

As a coach, you are responsible for creating a safe learning environment for your sports team. A safe environment is one where learners feel physically, emotionally, and socially comfortable. Your…

One of the most common causes of injuries amongst youth athletes is overuse. Many children and parents see through social media and the news, that the only way to get…

On the final day of Women’s History Month, the TeamSnap community gathered together over Zoom to listen to women coaches share their stories and talk about the work they are…

Many youth athletic coaches dread the “playing time” conversation at any level of play. In fact, some coaches create a hard fast rule that they don’t have conversations about playing…

Whether you are a coach or a parent on a youth athletic team, you can help to prevent bullying. At the start of the season, begin a discussion about bullying….

Fear of failure looks and feels differently for every athlete. For some athletes, worrying about messing up can translate into playing timid and holding back from their ultimate potential. For…

One of the toughest parts of being a coach for a youth sports team isn’t always wrangling kids, sometimes it’s actually wrangling the parents. Between game time, practice schedules, carpools,…

Drill are essential for coaching young athletes. They’re perfect for improving fundamental skills by breaking down different aspects of the game. For many young athletes, the standard method of dividing…

Gratitude means feeling, expressing, or noticing thanks and appreciation. Gratitude often brings feelings of kindness, warmth, and other forms of generosity. Practicing gratitude means taking the time to notice and…

By www.soccerhelp.com   1. Teach Your Players the Skills They Need. Strong Basic Skills win games. SoccerHelp has free No Lines Soccer Drills for ages 4 to 18 that teach Skills…

In a post-pandemic world, it is more important than ever to get kids off their screens and back outside being active. A research study from TeamSnap in partnership with Aspen…

As a former youth sports player, amateur coach and now parent of children who participate in team sports, I’ve sat through and led many parent meetings — some were good,…

What is visualization and why is it good for athletes?  Visualization is the practice of imagining the sports performance you desire in real-life. Visualization can be fun and beneficial for…

A lot goes into building a team. And youth sports coaches should focus on more than just game strategy; they should be intentional about the values their players learn. Here…

So much goes into creating an elite athlete: devoted coaches, parents, sports psychologists, physical therapists, trial and error, and of course, intrinsic motivation. Many athletes (including myself) also coach young…

Whether coaching youth teams, rec leagues or even pro levels, many coaches aim to build a strong team by adding the strongest individual players they can find. Sure, it makes…

Just as a player’s athleticism is the foundation of their game, the pre-season lays the foundation for the up-coming season. What players do from the start of the school year until the day of the first practice will determine the type of season they have.

Tryouts, evaluations, auditions, selections, whatever you call it, the evaluation and assessment process for making a competitive youth sports team can be daunting, and let’s face it, a little nerve-wracking…

At TeamSnap, we understand the importance of coaches and the hard work they put into shaping athletes’ futures. Beyond taking the work out of play with our app, we aim…

We’ve all seen what can happen when an athlete or a coach experiences a lapse in sportsmanship. Foul language flies out their mouth; they withhold a handshake; they disrespect the…

A coach’s job is never done–from skill development to administrative tasks like scheduling, and off-season training, there’s a lot that goes into being a good coach. And while player development…

Proper hydration is important for day-to-day life but also plays a critical role in the physical performance of athletes of all ages. During their sports season, kids are often playing…

At TeamSnap, we love using new features almost as much as we love releasing new features. One of our favorite new features we rolled out this year is the Postgame…

Skilled coaches are the backbone of many youth sports clubs. Without coaches, who would help players hone their skills, win games while also organize team rosters, schedules and communicate with…

Lacrosse, the fastest sport on two feet, is growing even faster across the USA than the pace of play. As a former player and current coach, it’s easy for me…

  As adults, we often assume that getting the kids onto the fields and into youth sports is all that needs to happen to build a cohesive, tight-knit team. But…

Coaches are the backbone of most sports organizations, working hard every day to improve the lives and skills of young athletes. But between coaching their players, scheduling games and practices,…

Schools out for the summer and beaches, BBQs, sports, and pools are in. But don’t count out the easy energy and recharging respite a little summer reading can add to…

  “When you do everything in the normal state of mind, as it is when totally unoccupied, then everything goes smoothly and easily” – Yagyu Munenori.  “He makes hitting a ball…

As sports begin to return in places across the United States, many are starting to feel a sense of normalcy begin to creep back into daily life. But like most…

What motivates kids to keep playing sports? Success–though it may not always resemble a big trophy. Here are four wins every child can score.

It’s no surprise sports teach life skills. Here’s how to create female leaders while supporting your kids on the field.

Confidence is the single most important asset young athletes bring to sports. However, too often, kids expect confidence to simply come to them from positive results–rather than proactively working to…

Young athletes carry on an inner dialogue with themselves in sports. It reflects how they think about themselves. For example, they might tell themselves they’re too small, too slow, or…

Youth athletes’ emotions can often be compared to a roller coaster ride: The highs are high and the lows…the lowest. Denying this is futile–and teaching a child how to handle…

In the increasingly competitive landscape of youth sports, practices are longer, more intense, and more frequent than ever. While practice and repetition may inch the athlete closer to perfection, athletes…

Does the thought of planning and holding tryouts for your youth sports club make you cringe?  We don’t blame you. It can mean stacks of registration forms to sort through,…

As part of our ongoing partnership with the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), we are proud to announce the national recipients and winners of PCA’s 2021 National Double-goal Coach® Award. In…

TeamSnap and the Positive Coaching Alliance partnered up to give out the Double-Goal Coach® Award, which celebrates the coaches, administrators, and team parents that have contributed to the success of…

During a trying year, one moment seemingly everyone was excited for was flipping the calendar to 2021. Where 2020 had denied us so many of our simple pleasures, 2021 promised…

February 3, 2021, is the 35th Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day. This moment inspires girls and women to own their inner and outer strength while understanding the…

We did it! We made it to 2021! And while we think it’s safe to say most won’t look fondly back at 2020, watching the sports community come together in…

As we head into the New Year, we’re also heading into another season of uncertainty. Many coaches and sports organizers may face the challenges of the pandemic for the first…

There’s nothing normal about life right now. And for children who, for the most part, do better with structure, routine and predictability, the changes they face in school, in sports,…

The Right Tools and Planning Youth sports continue to reopen, but attending as a spectator may come down to following smart etiquette. Coaches need to not only have a strong…

COVID-19 has given “normal” a different look for youth sports this fall. However, one thing that must not change is the diligent attention to concussions in athletics. First and foremost,…

Summer may be ending but youth sports continue to reopen. The cooler weather will bring more sports and see many moving indoors. Now that there’s been some time to feel…

According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, 51 NFHS member state associations and 19,500 high schools nationwide are making difficult decisions about how to restart high school…

Although team names are often assigned by the league or influenced by sponsorships, in some cases, the coaches and players are able to select their team name in a fun–but…

Award-winning parenting writer Lisa Cohn and Youth Sports Psychology expert Dr. Patrick Cohn are co-founders of The Ultimate Sports Parent. In our last article, we discussed the top five confidence…

An 11-year-old basketball player says that he loses confidence when his parents bring all 10 members of his extended family to watch his games. He feels pressure to perform well,…

With social distancing practices, staying motivated is not the easiest thing to do. For athletes in particular, it can be challenging to adjust to at-home practices and other new restrictions…

Visualization can up your game: Elite athletes know it and science proves it. Here’s how to imagine your way better, whether you’re in season or off.

There will be seasons when kids are forced to take time off. Setting goals can help young athletes return to play stronger than ever.

Playing different sports can help youth athletes boost strength, agility–and enjoyment. Here are five combinations to try.

Here are some reasons why track and field coaches can benefit from joining a team. 

What really matters when it comes to youth sports? It’s important for adults to teach skills that can help foster success in all aspects of life.

It’s been said that ‘winning isn’t everything,’ especially when it comes to youth sports. Here’s how to maintain perspective.

Parenting is hard enough and your child may find more success when you take a step back. Here’s why it’s best to leave coaching to the coach.

It’s going to happen. Sooner or later, your child is going to disagree with teammates or coaches, whether about game strategy, playing time, or simply the color of the uniforms….

Setting goals can not only help kids succeed on the playing field, but it can also help them grow into happy, balanced adults. Here’s how to start.

Youth sports teach tremendous life skills. Here’s how to keep young athletes playing.

You always want to see your young athlete succeed, but what happens when he or she falls short of what you know is possible? Here are three ways to help.

Every parent wants to help their child, but sometimes hanging back can help them achieve even better results. Here are four ways to fight the ‘rescue’ urge.

Training is what leads to results–so why not train right? Here, we explain why it’s so important.

Tennis great Billie Jean King likes to say “pressure is a privilege,” because you often feel it when an opportunity you’ve dreamed of comes along. Knowing how to rise to…