The Huddle - Edition 77

Intro
Learning to Spot “Red Flag” Signals

In youth sports, not every issue shows up all at once. Most challenges start as small signals—subtle behaviors, repeated habits, or quiet frustrations—that, if ignored, can grow into bigger problems over the course of a season. That’s where the idea of “red flags” comes in. Red flags aren’t about blaming or labeling; they’re about awareness. They’re early indicators that something might be off and worth addressing before it impacts a player’s development, the team culture, or the overall experience for families involved.

This week’s focus is on helping parents and coaches sharpen their awareness in three key areas: red flags parents may notice in coaches, red flags coaches may see in players, and red flags coaches may observe in parents. When everyone understands what to watch for—and why it matters—it becomes much easier to course-correct in healthy, productive ways. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s creating an environment where issues are addressed early, communication stays open, and kids remain the priority.

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Insight of the week
Red Flags Worth Paying Attention To

For coaches, red flags in players often show up before they’re verbalized. A consistently negative attitude, visible disengagement during drills, lack of effort that goes beyond a bad day, or repeated disrespect toward teammates are all signs worth addressing. These behaviors don’t mean a player is “a problem,” but they do suggest something deeper may be going on—confidence issues, frustration, lack of clarity around expectations, or even things happening outside of sports. Great coaches don’t ignore these signals. They address them early through conversation, clear standards, and support.

Coaches should also stay aware of red flags coming from parents. Constant sideline coaching, frequent questioning of playing time in front of the athlete, or emotional reactions after every game can quietly undermine a player’s confidence and the coach’s message. When parents consistently speak over coaches—or over their own kids—it can blur roles and create tension that athletes feel immediately. Addressing this doesn’t require confrontation; it often starts with setting clear expectations around communication, sidelines, and feedback early in the season.

Parents, on the other hand, should feel empowered to notice red flags in coaching as well. Constant yelling, public criticism of players, unclear communication, favoritism without explanation, or an overemphasis on winning at the expense of development are all worth paying attention to. A good coach can be demanding without being demeaning. Parents don’t need to jump to conclusions, but they should trust their instincts and ask thoughtful questions when something feels off. Healthy programs welcome respectful dialogue and shared accountability.

Drill of the week
Setting Technique

Skill Focus: Hand positioning, footwork, timing, and touch during the setting motion.

Setup:

• Use a standard volleyball court or a small training area.

• Have a net (or rope stretched across two poles) set at appropriate age-level height.

• One ball per pair or small group.

• Players should be paired up or rotate in small groups (3–4) to keep reps frequent.

• A coach or helper can act as the tosser to control consistency.

How to Run It:

1. Warm-up Phase: Begin with wall setting — players stand about 3–4 feet from a wall and set the ball repeatedly against it, focusing on form. This builds muscle memory and confidence.

2. Partner Toss & Set: One player tosses a high, arcing ball to their partner, who positions themselves under it and executes a clean set. Encourage players to call "mine" and move to the ball rather than waiting for it.

3. Target Setting: Introduce a target area (like a hoop on a stand or a spot marked by a cone) where players should aim to set the ball. This helps refine control and accuracy.

4. Progress to Game-Like Flow: For more advanced groups, run a “set and switch” drill where players rotate quickly after each set — promoting quick reactions and fluid movement in a game-like rhythm.

Coaching Tips:

• Reinforce hands above forehead, elbows out, and quick, soft contact with the fingertips.

• Players should move their feet to get under the ball — don't let them reach or twist their upper body alone.

• Encourage silent sets (no palm-slapping sound), which usually indicates correct finger use.

• Add layers of difficulty by varying the height and location of the toss or setting to different target areas (left, right, back sets).

Coaching tip of the week
Ask for Feedback Before Problems Grow

One of the most effective ways to prevent red flags from turning into real issues is simply asking for feedback—early and often. Coaches don’t need formal surveys or long meetings to do this. A quick mid-season check-in with parents, an anonymous form, or even casual conversations after practice can provide valuable insight into how your message is landing.

Asking players how they’re feeling about practice, their role, or what they’re learning can be just as powerful. Kids often won’t volunteer concerns unless they feel invited to share. When coaches create space for feedback, they model accountability and humility—two traits we often ask of players but forget to show ourselves. Feedback doesn’t mean you change everything. It means you listen, reflect, and adjust when needed to keep the team moving in the right direction.

Blog Highlight
This One’s Just For the Parents

We spend a lot of time talking about how to support our kids as they grow in sports—encouraging effort, managing setbacks, and building confidence. But what about the adults leading the charge from the sidelines? Coaches matter. A lot. And as a parent, you’re not just trusting a coach to teach your kid how to shoot, pass, or run plays. You’re trusting them to influence how your child sees teamwork, competition, failure, and even themselves.

So, how do you know if you’ve landed with a coach who’s a positive role model—or someone raising a few red flags?

Let’s dive into the signs that something might be off, what you can do about it, and how to advocate for your child while still keeping things constructive.

Equipment Guide
Equipment Shopping Checklist + Tips for Breaking Equipment In

Not sure what gear your kid really needs—or how to break it in so it actually feels good?

This guide from The Coaching Dad gives you a simple, no-stress roadmap for youth sports equipment. It combines:

• Sport-by-sport checklists for football, hockey, baseball, and softball (what’s required vs. nice-to-have)

• Fit reminders for helmets, pads, skates, gloves, and cleats

• Break-in tips for the most common problem items:

  • Baseball/softball gloves and catcher’s mitts

  • Composite bats

  • Hockey skates and goalie gear

  • Cleats

Perfect for:
Parents new to youth sports, busy families juggling multiple teams, and volunteer coaches who want a simple resource to share with their teams.

Make equipment one less thing to stress about—so your kid can focus on playing, learning, and having fun.

Holiday Shopping
The Coaching Dad Gift Recommendations

Holiday shopping for your youth athlete just got easier. This Holiday Shopping Guide rounds up my favorite equipment, training tools, and coach-focused resources so you can find gifts that actually build skills, confidence, and fun on (and off) the field.

The Volunteer Coach Academy
My Complete Coaching Approach

Thank you for following and engaging with me here.

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
For Coaches, Parents and Youth Athletes

The Constant Coach

Get this for the coach in your life as it provides coaching guidance and insights one day at a time throughout the entire year.

Stories For Young Athletes

Do you have an Young athlete who’s afraid of getting hit by a pitch or who maybe isn’t quite as aggressive on the soccer field as they could be? This book helps kids with a variety of circumstances, in a lot of different sports, through various stories that your child can relate to. It’s perfect for kids 7-11!

Featured Coaching Resources
Aggression and Anxiety Guides

I just released two new guides designed to make your coaching easier and your players more confident:

1. The Aggression Guide
Perfect for the child who plays great at home but hesitates in games. This guide gives you simple, practical strategies to help players be more assertive, engaged, and confident—without pressure or yelling.

2. Calm Under Pressure
A quick, powerful guide for helping young athletes manage anxiety, nerves, and fear of mistakes. You’ll learn what to look for, what to say, and how to support kids during tough moments.

Content
Other 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
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