Part IV — Interesting and Challenging is a Key Feature In our previous post, we discussed two features (Goals and Feedback) that video games have which create engagement and excite players. The third feature that is different between video games and youth practice environments is that video games are interesting and challenging. Regardless of what game you play,... Continue Reading →
Video Games have three key features that engage participants and youth sports tend to miss out on these features. . . 1. OBVIOUS GOALS Regardless of what video game you are playing, there is always a clear objective. Take Super Mario for example — the objective is to rescue Princess Toadstool from Bowser. In order... Continue Reading →
LEARNING FROM THE BIG BOYS Part II — What Everyone else has figured out that we haven’t! In understanding the emotional aspect, I shared some of my thoughts about why practices need to be engaging and fun. In order to be fun and engaging, we need to understand the motives behind those players showing up. After... Continue Reading →
PART I — UNDERSTANDING THE EMOTIONAL ASPECT “How do you handle a situation where you have two players who are focused on the drill/activity and everyone else is messing around?” This was a question that was posed to me a couple of days ago after one of our youth team practices (U12). Our coaches wanted... Continue Reading →
“You can’t fill a cup that is already full; likewise, you can’t pour from an empty cup either” The two main problems that I often encounter in relation to youth practices, especially, at the under 12 level are: Kids don’t seem to be engaged and attentive to the coaches; andThe skills being practiced seldom transfer... Continue Reading →
Over the last number of weeks, as part of a coach development series within our organisation, I have had an opportunity to connect with coaches from around the world. The topic of choice was Skill Development and Youth Basketball. There were so many interesting ideas and topics that emerged, so I thought I would put some... Continue Reading →
Rend Sports 