The Huddle - Edition 49

Intro
This Week’s Focus: Jumping to Excuses

We've all done it. A ball takes a bad bounce, and without missing a beat, we say, “Don’t worry, that was just a bad hop.” Or after a tough loss, we mutter something about a questionable ref call or unlucky break. And while these comments are often well-meaning—meant to protect a child’s feelings or explain away disappointment—they may actually be doing more harm than good.

When we rush to explain away every mistake or failure, we’re unintentionally creating a culture where players stop owning their effort and start waiting for someone—or something—else to take responsibility. The ball didn’t bounce funny. The pass wasn’t just “unlucky.” Sometimes, the truth is simple: we missed it, and there’s something we can learn from that.

This week, we're diving into why these common coaching habits can stunt growth and how we can flip the script to help athletes grow tougher, smarter, and more self-aware—without crushing their confidence.

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Lets go!

Insight of the week
Stop the Excuse - Start the Growth

“It was just a bad bounce.” “The ref missed that call.” “That wasn’t your fault.”
They sound harmless. But each of these statements sends a subtle message: You don’t need to take ownership here. And when kids hear that over and over, they start believing that improvement is out of their control—which is the opposite of what youth sports should teach.

Here are some better approaches to help kids grow without leaning on excuses:

1. Acknowledge, Then Redirect.
   You can still be empathetic without avoiding truth. Say, “That was a tough hop—but let’s work on staying low next time to give yourself a better shot.” You're validating the challenge and pointing toward growth.

2. Create a Growth-Minded Culture.
   Instead of asking “What happened?” after a mistake, try “What can we do differently next time?” Reframing language this way builds accountability without shame. It shifts the focus from what went wrong to how to improve.

3. Model Ownership Yourself.
   If you mismanage a drill or make a bad call during a scrimmage, say so. Kids respect when adults take responsibility. It creates an environment where owning mistakes is normal—and not something to be embarrassed by.

4. Praise Response Over Result.
   “Loved how you hustled after that ball even though the play didn’t go your way.” When effort becomes the benchmark, kids are more likely to keep showing up—even when things don’t go perfectly.

Excuses feel like a cushion. But in the long run, they prevent athletes from becoming resilient, accountable, and adaptable. The real win is when a kid can say, “That was on me—but I know how to fix it.”

Drill of the week
Executing a Successful Corner Kick

Sport: Soccer
Corner kicks are one of the most exciting—and teachable—moments in soccer. They require coordination, timing, communication, and decision-making under pressure. This week’s drill builds those skills while keeping players active and engaged.

Basic Version: Corner Kick Set-Up Drill (Ages 6–10)

1. Set up 4–5 players in the box (defenders and attackers).

2. One player takes the corner kick while others focus on timing their runs toward goal.

3. Emphasize where to place the ball and how to call for it.

4. Rotate players through each position to help them understand multiple roles.

Focus points: body positioning, foot placement, communication (“Near post!”, “Back post!”), and reading the ball in the air.

Advanced Version: Game-Like Corner Scenarios (Ages 10+)

1. Set up full defensive and offensive teams.

2. Add a goalie.

3. Coach calls out specific scenarios: “Down by 1 with 2 minutes left,” or “Play it short!”

4. Players must quickly adjust and execute under simulated pressure.

This drill not only improves the technical side of a corner kick but gives you the chance to teach anticipation, adaptability, and teamwork in game-like conditions.

Coaching tip of the week
Simulate the Unexpected in Practice

Sports are messy. Bounces don’t always go your way. Weather changes. The ref makes a call you disagree with. So why are our practices so clean?

One of the best ways to reduce excuse-making is to prepare players for the unpredictable nature of games. Here’s how to build “chaos” into your sessions—on purpose:

• Change the Rules Mid-Drill. Suddenly limit touches or change direction. Force players to adapt on the fly.

• Add Distractions. Use a whistle to signal sudden changes (e.g., switch roles, new defender enters). Keeps players mentally engaged and ready for the unexpected.

• Use Odd-Man Situations. Go 4v3 or 5v4 to simulate fatigue, mismatches, or surprise breakdowns that happen in games.

• Create Ref-Like Calls. Once in a while, make a “bad” call and see how players react. Talk about it after—what do we control when things don’t go our way?

The more you expose athletes to these curveballs in practice, the more composed and resilient they’ll be when it counts. They’ll learn to play through, not pout through, the imperfect moments.

Blog highlight
No Excuses: Empowering Young Athletes Through Accountability

It’s one of the most common reflexes in youth sports—and it often comes from a place of love. A young player misjudges a ground ball, and without thinking, a coach or parent chimes in, “Don’t worry about it, that was a bad hop.” Or a team loses a close game, and the explanation becomes, “Well, we got some bad calls out there.” These responses feel supportive in the moment. They soften the sting. But over time, they can chip away at something much more important: the player’s ability to take ownership, to grow, and to become more resilient.

Book highlight
The Constant Coach

This isn’t just a book—it’s your daily reset.
The Constant Coach delivers 366 motivational messages for coaches who lead with more than a whistle and a clipboard. Whether you’re on the field, in the gym, or at the kitchen table planning practice, this book will guide you to show up with purpose, patience, and presence.

Each daily entry is built around real coaching values—like character, communication, confidence, and composure—and comes with practical insights, tough love, and thoughtful reflection. It’s written for:

• Volunteer parents stepping up to lead

• Career coaches seeking steady perspective

• Anyone trying to grow the next generation through sports

You won’t find fluff here. Just honest encouragement, leadership clarity, and reminders of why the work matters—even on the hard days.

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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