So you’ve decided to be a volunteer coach. Congratulations.

Many volunteer coaches do so because of their own children, or got elected by their significant other, or you were in the Army and never learned the saying, "Never Volunteer". Some of you just want to give back to your community and the game. And some of you, and you know who you are, just have too much testosterone.

But, regardless of your reason, we congratulate you on your effort. We hope to make it a bit easier to be a volunteer coach, and answer some common questions, give you some tools and information, and just make it a bit more fun.

What to Teach The Practice Communication Beyond 3 Hours Preparation Protect Yourself Keep Your Kids Hydrated Parent or Coach?

	When trying to get 5-10 year olds to understand "Team" verses me, I use the Pieces of the Big Puzzle concept. You first find out how many players are on your roster then buy, make, or find a puzzle with that many pieces in it, don't forget to include one for coaches, parents. Next on the back side of your puzzle write each players name, keep the coach piece, and give your assistant coach the parent piece. At the end of your player/parent meeting have each player bring up their piece and fit it together with the name side up. Once all pieces are in place, put a piece of card board over the top of the puzzle and flip it reveiling the picture perfectly put together and explain to the players without each of them, the coaches, the parents the puzzle is incomplete. All must work together and all are important to be successful. If you have difficulty finding a puzzle the size you need Puzzles.com can help you, print it and glue it to some card board. Good luck !!  Coach Michael A. Rudisill.