The Huddle - Edition 48

Intro
This Week’s Focus: Summertime Skill Building

Summer is here! For most kids, that means school is out, shoes are off, and bedtime routines are more of a suggestion than a rule. But for coaches? This is prime time. During the school year, young athletes show up to practice with a full day already behind them—classroom learning, social navigation, recess sprints, and maybe a test or two. That mental and physical fatigue is real, and as coaches, we often feel the effects of it in our sessions.

Now? There’s breathing room. No homework crunch. No rushed dinners before practice. No tired eyes staring through your pep talk. Summer gives us a window to help kids work on their game with a little more focus and energy—and maybe even a smile. Whether it’s through structured team practices, fun skill challenges, or mini "assignments" they can do at home, this is a chance to reinforce good habits without the weight of school-day burnout.

So this week, we’re diving into how you can make the most of the summer slowdown to keep the momentum going—and help your players level up.

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Insight of the week
Make Room for Sport “Homework”

Stat to Know: According to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, kids should engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. When you assign light, skill-based work at home, you’re contributing to their health and development. It’s a win-win.

Just because school’s out doesn’t mean learning has to stop—especially in youth sports. In fact, summer might be one of the best times to reinforce key skills and habits you've been teaching all season. When the mental fog of school clears, young athletes often have more energy and attention to devote to getting better. This is where sport homework (aka fun, low-pressure skill assignments) can make a big difference.

Think of it as bite-sized progress. Give your players one or two things to focus on each week. That might be 50 backyard passes a day, five minutes of footwork drills, or even watching a pro athlete play their position and jotting down what they notice. The key? Make it manageable, fun, and age-appropriate.

Here are a few ideas to get started:

• Skill Challenge Tracker – Create a weekly challenge chart they can check off at home (bonus if it includes things like “teach a skill to your sibling” or “do 10 reps with your eyes closed”).

• Technique Tuesday – Send a quick video clip or gif of a skill you’re working on and have players replicate it on their own.

• Fun Follow-Ups – At your next practice, ask kids to show what they’ve worked on—or have a “highlight moment” circle where they share something they practiced on their own.

Drill of the week
Double Play Decision Drill

Sport: Baseball/Softball
Few things are as satisfying in baseball or softball as a crisp, well-executed double play. This drill focuses on the mechanics, timing, and decision-making needed to get two outs at second and first base. It can be adjusted for experience level, and it reinforces communication, footwork, and awareness.

Basic Version – Turn Two!
Set up with a coach at home plate and a fielder at shortstop and second base, plus a first baseman. The coach hits grounders toward the shortstop or second base. The receiving player fields the ball, makes the throw to the bag at second, and the second baseman (or shortstop) relays it to first. Focus on proper footwork, quick hands, and calling the play out loud.

Key points to emphasize:

• Get the lead out (force at second is priority).

• Make sure feet are set before the throw.

• Communicate loud and early (“Two! One!”).

Advanced Version – Decision Maker Drill
Add a runner at first and/or second base and turn it into a decision-making scenario. The coach hits a ground ball, and the middle infielders must read the speed and trajectory of the ball to decide whether to attempt a double play or get the lead runner only. This version sharpens situational awareness and reinforces realistic in-game reactions.

Progress comes from reps. Run it multiple times with different angles and speeds off the bat to build comfort and consistency.

Coaching tip of the week
Map the Mission with Summer Goals

Summer is a great time for progress, but kids won’t just magically improve because the sun’s out. They need direction—and that’s where you come in. Setting clear, simple goals helps players stay motivated and gives your coaching a sense of structure, even in the off-season.

Start with a quick check-in:
“What’s one skill you’d love to improve this summer?”
Then follow up with your own thoughts:
“I think if we work on your left-hand dribble and decision-making under pressure, you’ll take a big step forward.”

From there, write out a short, personalized progress plan. It doesn’t have to be fancy—just something they can refer back to. It might include:

• 2–3 technical skills to improve

• 1 physical goal (like increasing endurance or speed)

• 1 mental/attitude goal (such as being more vocal or bouncing back quickly from mistakes)

When players know you’re thinking about their development, not just the team’s, it builds trust. It also teaches them that growth isn’t about luck—it’s about showing up with a plan and chipping away at it consistently.

And hey—check in halfway through summer. Ask how they’re doing with their goals. That extra nudge might be all they need to keep working.

Blog highlight
Fun and Engaging Ways to Keep Sport Alive When School’s Out

Summer can be a game-changer—literally—for young athletes. With school on pause, schedules loosen up, and families breathe a little easier (most days). But for coaches, especially parent-coaches who volunteer their time, summer can be a golden opportunity to keep kids learning, developing, and most importantly—loving their sport. Without the structure of a full season or back-to-back games, this is your chance to lean into creativity and spark genuine growth in a fun, relaxed way.

Equipment highlight
Throwing and Hitting Trainer

ThrowMo is an outstanding training aid that teaches proper footing technique with both throwing and hitting. Kids are visual learners and this is something they can use during practice or at home to work on fundamental elements.

Friends of The Coaching Dad
A Refreshing Look at Fundraising

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Content
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You might be new to coaching a team or sport. You may be a grizzled coaching veteran. Either way, check out the content section of thecoachingdad.com. You’ll find resources that cover a large number of sports, including game refreshers, position breakdowns, injury management, practice ideas and more.

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