Moms Madness: Will You Join My Team?

Submitted by Barbara Bleiweis on Tue, 08/23/2011 - 13:52. | comments

I recently received an email asking for prayers for Coach Brad, a coach I know through the local basketball league. Coach Brad underwent his second surgery to remove a tumor that emerged only weeks after a clean PET scan. The news of the tumor was disheartening to his family and the many of us who have fought the battle against cancer. I lost my husband to cancer seven years ago and in the wake of that devastating event there emerged to me a clear call to action: Barbara, DO SOMETHING! And I did.

I recently received an email asking for prayers for Coach Brad, a coach I know through the local basketball league, who recently underwent his second surgery to remove a tumor that emerged only weeks after a clean PET scan. Having lost my hustband, Mark, to cancer seven years ago, I know what he and his family are going through. I wanted to do something, so I am putting out a casting call for all moms out there willing to join me in the creation of a Moms Madness 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament to honor coaches in your community like Coach Brad and Coach Mark.

Brooke de Lench

Webinar on August 17: Effective Management Practices for a Winning Organization

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 19:11. | comments

youth sports administration

The best-run youth sports organizations understand that a successful season is not measured by how many games are won, but by bringing out the best in athletes and their families, bringing players back season after season, and attracting new players.

If you find yourself in a leadership role as a board member, administrator, coach or team-mom, you may be wondering how you can help make this happen. Soccer ball with parents in background

The best-run youth sports organizations understand that a successful season is not measured by how many games are won, but by bringing out the best in athletes and their families, bringing players back season after season, and attracting new players. Join MomsTeam Founder and Publisher, Brooke de Lench, on August 17th for a free webinar from the Active Network.

Hal Tearse

What Life Lessons To Teach Is Coach's Choice

Submitted by Hal Tearse on Fri, 08/05/2011 - 01:00. | comments

There are tens of thousands of well-meaning coaches in youth and high school athletics/activites across this nation. Being placed in a position of influence and power over young people, however, requires - to borrow from the Hippocratic oath - that coaches first do no harm, and hopefully do some good. Unfortunately, the sad fact is that many will be remembered by their players for all the wrong reasons.

Being placed in a position of influence and power over young people
requires - to borrow from the Hippocratic oath - that coaches first do
no harm, and hopefully do some good. Whether to teach positive or negative life lessons is the coach's choice.

Hal Tearse

Goal of Coaching: Develop Winners in Sports and Life

Submitted by Hal Tearse on Fri, 08/05/2011 - 00:35. | comments

During the off season local associations are faced with assigning coaches to the teams for the up coming year. Coaching committees and ultimately youth hockey boards will approve the coaches for the coming year. In many programs getting enough qualified coaches is a problem. Some programs start fresh each year and some leave coaches in place for many years. In short there is lots of attention and even drama about who is going to coach the teams, especially A teams. What is missing is actually determining how qualified the coaches are and an on going coach development program. It seems as the season begins teams and coaches are on their own.

Coaches are the most important and powerful individuals in any youth sports
organization. Coaches determine the quality of experience that players
have and can have a significant impact on the lives of their players.

Lorrie Miller, Ph.D.

Release of Wolf Shark Racing Speedboard, Cracked Helmets and Skinned Ribs, And Lots of Racing

Submitted by Lorrie Miller, Ph.D. on Thu, 08/04/2011 - 23:33. | comments

This past year has been crazy, and left me in much the same condition. Since this past downhill racing season began, I have not seen my son for more than a few days at a time. Every weekend is another race. Last weekend was Kewlona, next weekend is Salt Spring, the weekend before last was Mt. Washington, and the weekend after next is Calgary. I think.

Wolf at Britannia Challenge

It's been a crazy year for Lorrie Miller, as her son, Wolfgang broke a world's record, designed a new longboard, and has been on the downhill longboard racing circuit all summer, which means she sees him for only a few days at a time between races all over the world.

Brooke de Lench

Our New Site Is Live!

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Thu, 08/04/2011 - 14:48. | comments

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the newly designed MomsTeam website. As we get ready to celebrate our eleventh anniversary later this month we wanted to let you know about some important features of our new design.

I am thrilled to announce the launch of our redesigned MomsTeam website . As we get ready to celebrate our eleventh birthday later this month we wanted to let you know about some important features of our new design.

Barbara Bleiweis

Official to Coach Communication Lesson #2: Explain the Call, Not the Rule

Submitted by Barbara Bleiweis on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 21:09. | comments

Officials sometime make the mistake of explaining a rule to a coach in response to a coach's comment or question on a call. There is inherent risk in using rules interpretation as a communication tool. Firstly, it takes the official's attention away from the players on the court. Secondly, it gives the coach too much information and opens the door for trouble. A coach friend of mine recently challenged an official asking why he did not call a lane violation on a 6'3 player who was gaining advantage by dwelling in the key. The official responded by explaining the rule at length. The problem was, the coach knew the rule better than the official. The verbose and incorrect explanation by the official hurt the crew's credibility on virtually every call in the game.

Officials sometime make the mistake of explaining a rule to a coach in response to a coach's comment or question on a call. Officials need to respond to coaches' questions, but do so briefly. Warning to officials: Know the rules!
Warning to coaches: Officials are trained to respond to questions, not comments.

Barbara Bleiweis

Official to Coach Communication Lesson #1: Speak to Me, I'll Speak To You

Submitted by Barbara Bleiweis on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 20:44. | comments

I love Frank Sinatra! His music relaxes me. I listen to him as I take my daily power walks and contemplate an upcoming game or review games from the past. On yesterday's walk, I was replaying in my head, a caustic exchange with a coach, when at that very moment, my iPod shuffled to " I've Got You Under My Skin". I laughed at the uncanny timing of this and also at how the song's title appropriately describes officials; feelings about some coaches, and vice versa.

This blog begins a series of lessons learned from my mistakes in dealing with coaches. I hope that officials and coaches who read this may see some of themselves in these and take heart that we can listen to each other and learn together.

The first in a series of blog posts on the lessons learned from my mistakes in dealing with coaches.

Brooke de Lench

My Son’s Coach Is Making Him Wear Pads In 100 Degree Heat — What Can I Do?

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 14:36. | comments

I have really been feeling the heat lately, both literally and figuratively.

It began when I travelled to the steambath that was Williamsburg, Virginia last weekend to give two talks to over 1,000 parents of some of the most elite high school football players in the nation attending a four-day training camp, and the heat didn't let up when I returned to my office this week.

I have really been feeling the heat lately, both literally and figuratively. t began when I travelled to the steambath that was Williamsburg,
Virginia to give two talks to over 1,000 parents of some of
the most elite high school football players in the nation attending a
four-day training camp, and the heat didn't let up when I returned to my
office.

Barbara Bleiweis

Thank You, Coach E!

Submitted by Barbara Bleiweis on Wed, 07/20/2011 - 15:03. | comments

The 2011 Summer Evaluation Program will come to an end this week and I feel great about my chances for promotion. When I reflect on all that has transpired to get me to this moment, I think of Coach E, a mentor and friend who began preparing me for SEP from the time I became an official seven years ago. This week marks his birthday, and this blog is my birthday card to him.