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- The Huddle - Edition 72
The Huddle - Edition 72
A weekly newsletter from The Coaching Dad.
The Coaching Dad
November 13, 2025
Introduction
Supporting Training Away from the Team
One of the most overlooked, yet powerful, elements of player development happens outside of practice. While structured team sessions are critical, they’re also limited—by time, team size, and the specific goals of a season. That’s why smart coaches and proactive parents know that if you want to raise well-rounded athletes, you need to support (and even encourage) skill-building beyond the team environment.
This week's newsletter focuses on why independent training matters, how to approach it with intention, and how you can set young athletes up for success even when they’re not under your direct supervision.
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Lets go!
Insight of the week
Why Coaches Should Embrace and Support Off-Team Development
Team practices are often laser-focused: preparing for a game, installing plays, or managing rotations. That’s necessary, but it also leaves less time for individual skill refinement. That’s where encouraging outside development becomes essential. Whether it’s backyard shooting, skill clinics, or one-on-one training sessions, growth can accelerate when athletes take ownership.
Great coaches don’t see this as a threat to team unity—they see it as an opportunity. You can foster that mindset by giving players permission to improve outside of your practices. Talk to them about setting specific goals they can work on alone or with a parent. Give them feedback that can guide their solo efforts. And, most importantly, praise their initiative when they come back having put in extra work.
By reinforcing that self-guided growth is part of the process, not a replacement for it, you’re teaching kids to love learning the game—and that has lasting power.
Drill of the week
Bump, Set, Hit Progression Drill
Sport: Volleyball
Goal:
To reinforce fundamental passing, setting, and hitting technique in sequence to develop rhythm, control, and communication.
Set Up:
Divide players into groups of 3 (or 4 with a rotation).
Each trio should have a ball and space on the court or in a side gym area.
One player starts at the baseline with the ball, one in the middle as the setter, and one at the net ready to hit/spike.
Steps:
Bump (Pass): The first player tosses the ball and performs a bump to the setter.
Set: The setter transitions to the ball and makes an overhead set toward the hitter.
Hit: The hitter uses a controlled spike or tap over an imaginary or real net.
Rotate: After a set number of reps (or a successful combo), players rotate positions clockwise.
Coaching Points:
Emphasize proper platform on the bump, footwork on the set, and timing on the hit.
Focus on communication: players should call for the ball.
Encourage consistency over power early on.
This drill reinforces teamwork and the flow of a typical offensive sequence, making it a perfect staple for younger or intermediate-level players.
Coaching tip of the week
Giving Players a Plan to Grow Outside the Lines
Supporting player development off the court doesn’t mean sending them off with no direction. Here are a few simple ways coaches and parents can provide a framework that keeps progress moving forward:
Assign Take-Home Challenges: At the end of practice, give players a weekly focus (e.g., “practice 30 passes a day” or “work on your weak foot for 10 minutes every evening”). Keep it light, but consistent.
Share Simple Drill Cards or Videos: Use team chats or emails to send short tutorials or printable drill sheets. You can even record yourself demonstrating a drill to give it a personal touch.
Celebrate Initiative: When players come back and mention they worked on something outside of practice, highlight it. Not every kid will feel confident announcing it—so find moments to praise effort and build that culture of extra effort.
Involve Parents Without Overloading Them: Let parents know how they can support training without needing to become coaches. Simple reminders, playing catch, or just creating time in the schedule can go a long way.
Emphasize Progress Over Perfection: The goal isn’t to produce a pro—it’s to help the athlete develop joy and confidence through repetition and improvement.
Blog highlight
Home Field Advantage
When the cleats come off and the practice field is put away for the day, many youth athletes let their training tank go into neutral. But those at‑home moments? They’re golden. Whether it’s a rainy afternoon, off‑season stretch, or just extra spare time, home is where real skill development meets creativity, consistency, and independence. For coaches and parents, guiding athletes to use this time intentionally can be the difference between “just okay” and “wow — they’ve improved.”
The Volunteer Coach Academy
This Course Is Built For You!
You’ve seen the tips and tools I share each week—now imagine everything you need to coach with confidence, all in one place. I’ve built a complete course designed specifically for volunteer and parent-coaches to help you feel prepared, supported, and ready to lead. Whether you’re stepping on the field for the first time or just want to get better for your kid’s sake, this course was made for you.
Oh and if you aren’t ready for the course yet, still check out the link to learn more because there’s a free Coach’s Guide that you can start using instantly.
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 and parents 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, insights, tips, and reminders of why the work matters—even on the hard days.
Friends of The Coaching Dad
A Refreshing Look at Fundraising
How many of you have teams that use fundraisers to help support the teams activities for the year. I don’t know about you, but I get tired of selling pizzas and other things that seem to be played out. These are customizable and so big! You’ll love them, I have no doubt.
Give our friends over at Fundraiser Blankets a look. Here’s a little bit about them: Fundraiser Blankets offer a unique and profitable fundraising opportunity for K-12 schools, sports teams and community groups. These $12.50, custom logo, full-color blankets are provided by a veteran teacher’s, women-owned small business and are printed in the USA.
Content
Free Content
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.
Engage
Email Us
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