game end planning
Youth players get excited when the game is on the line. Coaches get excited. The timekeeper, the referees and the spectators all can be sucked in to the firestorm at the end of a close one.
I was on the side line of a recent game in which some last minute plays ended up giving a game back to a team which was outplayed for 90% of the game.
Although it ended in a tie, the players and coaches learned a valuable lesson.
This was not a case of players giving up, or running out of steam.
It was a case not preparing young players to finish poised and with a plan.
Because I am the coach, I have to reevaluate my actions and put the blame on myself.
In earlier posts, I write that coaching is 90% preparation. I did not practice what I preach and it cost me.
On the positive side, what I did get is and excellent opportunity to teach my players in the next couple of practices the right way to finish in the future.
Here are a few key pointers to help you close the door on a comeback when ahead at the end of a game.
1/OFFENSE - Have a two minute plan and practice it. Know what personnel should be on the field. Have your best ball handler take the ball on an in bounds play. Be specific what should be done with a last possession. Practice "keeping it in". Players have to work hard to make passes shorter and more precise. Runs some drills that double team players and lock off adjacent players. Teach kids that end of game shots taken to finish an opponent, if saved are an opportunity for the opposing team to tie or get win. The best way to stop a comeback is to maintain possession of the ball. Young players do not know this is some cases.
If they perfect 2 minute drills in practice it becomes easier in a live game.
2/ DEFENSE - If you do cough it up ( it will happen, trust me) and an opponent is threatening, have a two minute plan to protect a lead. It is very important to have the proper match ups on defense. Make sure you are communicating when marking up. Match size with size, speed with speed etc. Have your best LSM or Defenseman on their biggest threat. Lock off if necessary, the best way to stop a great shooter is to deny them the ball. Have a "special team" of defense middies and long sticks ready to clamp down on a late surge. In the confusion and excitement of a thriller, the ball and crease may be left wide open. Younger players may tend to "let some else" take ball or the crease man.
3/ Stay calm - Players feed off confident and calm coaches. Panic, screaming, and losing your mind on a side line only "freaks out" youth players. If you are melting down, what do you expect from them? Stress the importance of being intense, but cool under fire. It is a life lesson that can be taught during a game to young men. Win , lose, or draw if we stay composed we all win.
I try not to make a huge deal out of a last minute win or loss. What comes around goes around.
Over celebrating or falling in to a deep depression after any game is not good. Of course we need to be excited at a last minute win, but we also need to congratulate an opponent that gave you a great experience.
I will post on how to make a comeback in the future.
I was on the side line of a recent game in which some last minute plays ended up giving a game back to a team which was outplayed for 90% of the game.
Although it ended in a tie, the players and coaches learned a valuable lesson.
This was not a case of players giving up, or running out of steam.
It was a case not preparing young players to finish poised and with a plan.
Because I am the coach, I have to reevaluate my actions and put the blame on myself.
In earlier posts, I write that coaching is 90% preparation. I did not practice what I preach and it cost me.
On the positive side, what I did get is and excellent opportunity to teach my players in the next couple of practices the right way to finish in the future.
Here are a few key pointers to help you close the door on a comeback when ahead at the end of a game.
1/OFFENSE - Have a two minute plan and practice it. Know what personnel should be on the field. Have your best ball handler take the ball on an in bounds play. Be specific what should be done with a last possession. Practice "keeping it in". Players have to work hard to make passes shorter and more precise. Runs some drills that double team players and lock off adjacent players. Teach kids that end of game shots taken to finish an opponent, if saved are an opportunity for the opposing team to tie or get win. The best way to stop a comeback is to maintain possession of the ball. Young players do not know this is some cases.
If they perfect 2 minute drills in practice it becomes easier in a live game.
2/ DEFENSE - If you do cough it up ( it will happen, trust me) and an opponent is threatening, have a two minute plan to protect a lead. It is very important to have the proper match ups on defense. Make sure you are communicating when marking up. Match size with size, speed with speed etc. Have your best LSM or Defenseman on their biggest threat. Lock off if necessary, the best way to stop a great shooter is to deny them the ball. Have a "special team" of defense middies and long sticks ready to clamp down on a late surge. In the confusion and excitement of a thriller, the ball and crease may be left wide open. Younger players may tend to "let some else" take ball or the crease man.
3/ Stay calm - Players feed off confident and calm coaches. Panic, screaming, and losing your mind on a side line only "freaks out" youth players. If you are melting down, what do you expect from them? Stress the importance of being intense, but cool under fire. It is a life lesson that can be taught during a game to young men. Win , lose, or draw if we stay composed we all win.
I try not to make a huge deal out of a last minute win or loss. What comes around goes around.
Over celebrating or falling in to a deep depression after any game is not good. Of course we need to be excited at a last minute win, but we also need to congratulate an opponent that gave you a great experience.
I will post on how to make a comeback in the future.
posted by 313 LACROSSE at
10:19 AM
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