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- The Huddle - Edition 79
The Huddle - Edition 79
A weekly newsletter from The Coaching Dad.
The Coaching Dad
January 01, 2026
Intro
Resetting After a Break
Happy New Year to all of you!
Whether your holidays were restful or chaotic, it’s officially time to tighten those laces, dust off the gear, and start looking ahead. The new year gives every coach, parent, and player something we rarely get during a busy season — perspective. It’s a chance to pause, reflect, and step into the second half of the season with renewed energy and clarity. Whether your team has been thriving or still finding its rhythm, the clean slate of January is an ideal time to reset intentionally.
This week, we're diving into what it means to regroup after a break. From planning your next few practices to understanding where your team stands developmentally, this edition is built to help you hit the ground running — but with purpose.
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Lets go!
Insight of the week
Planning the Return with Purpose
Breaks are healthy. But they can also disrupt rhythm, focus, and team momentum — especially for young athletes. That’s why how you restart matters just as much as when you restart. As a coach, your first job after a break isn’t to run your hardest conditioning drills or jump straight into scrimmages. It’s to reestablish the foundation.
Here’s how to approach it:
Reflect on the First Half or the Near Past
Pull out your notes, review your game logs, and think critically about what your team did well — and what consistently held them back. Did your team communicate well on defense? Did players struggle to transition in key moments? Did younger athletes lose confidence under pressure?Define Focus Areas
Choose two or three core areas to prioritize over the next month. These could be skill-based (improving weak-side passing), mindset-based (boosting team resilience), or process-based (more efficient warm-ups). Be clear about what you’re aiming to improve — and why it matters.Communicate the Reset
Tell your team: “We’re not just jumping back in — we’re building forward.” Let them know what to expect, what they’re working toward, and how they’ll get there. Players — even young ones — respond well to clarity and vision.Ease into Competition
The first practice back should be a blend of basics, effort drills, and re-engagement activities. Think of it like a tune-up before a long road trip. Don’t assume your athletes are physically or mentally ready to go full speed. Instead, let the first week be about alignment, energy, and confidence.
Coaches who approach the return with intention set the tone not just for the next few practices — but for the rest of the season.
Drill of the week
Faceoff Variety
Skill Focus: Teaching players multiple techniques to win faceoffs and build reaction time, strategy, and adaptability.
Setup
Create 2-3 faceoff stations on the ice or dryland surface.
Players pair up in faceoff battles. One coach or player acts as the "puck dropper" using either a real puck or simulated drop.
How to Run It
Forehand Sweep Drill
Player uses dominant-hand forehand to push the puck back to the winger or defenseman.
Practice in 5-rep sets, focusing on quick stick movement and leverage.
Backhand Pull Drill
Players shift grip slightly to pull puck back using the backhand.
Great for clean wins in tight matchups.
Spin and Win
After the puck drop, player spins body to gain leverage and either sweep or kick the puck back.
Teaches balance and spatial awareness.
Tie-Up and Skate
Player ties up the opposing stick then uses their foot to kick puck back or redirect possession.
Focus is on timing, lower-body control, and quick decision-making.
Each drill should last 4-5 minutes before rotating stations or partners. Finish with 3v3 mini-games where possession off the faceoff creates immediate offensive pressure.
Coaching Tips
Encourage creativity. Don’t let players stick to one method — help them build a repertoire based on the situation.
Challenge them with live reps: vary your puck drops, add pressure, or simulate real game scenarios.
Remind players that faceoff win
Coaching tip of the week
Understand Where Your Players Are at…Actually
After a break, it’s easy to pick up where you left off and assume your athletes are right there with you. But development — especially in kids — isn’t always linear. Some may have grown physically, mentally, or emotionally over the break. Others may be rusty, unmotivated, or even anxious about coming back.
To coach effectively, you need to meet them where they are now — not where they were two weeks ago.
Here’s how to do that:
Use a Mix of Observation and Conversation
The first few practices are your recon missions. Observe how kids move, engage, and compete. Are they sharp or sloppy? Focused or distracted? Then pull them aside one-on-one and ask things like:
“How are you feeling about being back?”
“What are you most excited to work on?”
“Anything you’re nervous about this season?”
These short moments go a long way in helping you coach the person, not just the player.
Watch for Nonverbal Cues
Slumped shoulders, hesitation, or frustration during basic drills can all point to a need for extra support — or just a slower ramp-up.
Adjust as Needed
If 80% of your team is locked in and 20% is struggling, find creative ways to bring that 20% along. This might mean revisiting foundational drills, pairing stronger players with newer ones, or simply offering more encouragement in huddles.
The best coaches aren’t the ones who drive the fastest — they’re the ones who know when to speed up, when to slow down, and when to simply check the mirrors.
Blog Highlight
Resetting the Team in the New Year
Ah, January. The glitter of the holidays has faded, the calendar’s fresh, and your youth sports team is probably somewhere between “half-asleep” and “hyped-up on leftover candy canes.” This post-holiday season is the perfect time to hit the reset button—not because everything went wrong in the fall, but because every team (and coach) can benefit from a good ol’ mid-season check-in.
Whether your squad’s in the middle of a winter league or prepping for spring, it’s important to recognize that kids just had a long break. Some haven’t picked up a ball in weeks. Others may have played nonstop in the driveway, but they’re still out of rhythm with teammates and practice routines. That’s where a “New Year reset” comes in.
This blog is all about how coaches (and even parents) can guide youth athletes through the transition and get everyone re-focused, motivated, and aligned for the second half of the season.
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.
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Email Us
Did you miss a previous newsletter? Do you have a topic you’d like us to cover? Looking for broader insights on a particular topic? Send us an email at [email protected]
