Hard Work

Some practices the kids are so into it.  Other times, not so much.  I will tell you though, when they are ready to go, they are ready to go.  We only practiced once this week, but they worked hard.  Running hard, passing,  but most of all listening and following directions.  We did some new drills, with lots of cones for them to move through, and they came through like champs.  Hopefully they can keep this up, as we move towards doping some more team oriented practices.

Decisions, Decisions

   I find that one of the hardest things to do when coaching is trying to decide when to cancel practices because of weather.  I look at the hourly weather reports all day to see if the rain will hold out or stop long enough to squeeze in a practice.  I know with older kids, you can practice in the rain, but with Pre-K - 1st graders, I feel like they are just too young to be out there in the rain.  Especially when it has been so cold.
    This past week has been rough. It has been cold, and raining almost every day.  I waver on if I should cancel, and when.  I don't want to cancel too early, but I want to give the parents enough notice before hand.  I canceled 2 out of our last 3 practices.  The first was the right decision, as it started to down pour the entire we would have been on the field. The second was questionable, as it stopped raining.   But the field was really wet, and as I said it was cold!  With our first game coming up I was torn between getting in the extra practice time, and making sure these kids don't get sick.  Oh well, better to be safe then sorry.  Let's hope the watrm dry weather finally arrives and stays starting today.

Sometimes I'm Amazed

You go through weeks of practice, and sometimes you're unsure if these kids, being so young and little, are really picking anything up.  Then they just amaze you.  With our first game only a week away, we scrimmage with the other team form our organization.  22 kids, aged 4 to 6, with only about 5 having any experience playing lacrosse.  We had to set up on an unlined field, using cones and imaginary lines.  These kids were amazing.  Following directions, and playing hard for the whole scrimmage.  If they put in this kind of effort every week, it is going to be one great, fun season.  I can't wait.  It just goes to show, that if you, as a coach, keep them interested and working on the basics at practice, they will pick this stuff up, and amaze you.