I have to confirm what Brent says is true - I did this for my U10 boys team and other than an occasional use of my extra ball during practice we were issue free during the season. I recall one week when the other other team couldn't start their warmups because the coach with every ball wasn't at the field yet, we loaned them a couple of ours. <br>
<br>It teaches responsiblity and frees you to focus on coaching. A very good thing to do for U8 and above.<br><br>coach dion<br>U10 Cobras<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 5:23 PM, Welch, Brent <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:welch@panasas.com">welch@panasas.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">Now that we're at the end of the season and the flurry of lost ball<br>
emails is starting to grow, I want to make another plug for<br>
"player ball ownership". This is something I learned a couple<br>
years ago when I was a U8B coach. The idea is simple.<br>
<br>
Before the first day of practice when you blow up all your balls,<br>
you label each ball with "Team 8" or whatever.<br>
<br>
On the first day of practice you bring a bunch of permanent markers<br>
with different colors. As you give each player their ball, you<br>
instruct them to put their name on it, and decorate it however<br>
they want.<br>
<br>
Then, at the parent meeting that is probably also at that first<br>
practice, you explain that each player is responsible for their<br>
own ball. They take it home that very first day.<br>
They need to bring it back to every practice and to every game.<br>
<br>
They can do it. They really can. Of course, sometimes they forget,<br>
and I do always bring a couple of extra balls. But, letting the<br>
player control their own ball means (a) they have some chance<br>
they might actually kick it around between practice, and (b) they<br>
are given some responsibility. Even a 7 year old can handle it,<br>
and it is good for them to learn how.<br>
<br>
Finally, it unburdens you, the coach, from freaking out at the<br>
end of games and practices when you can't find every ball. The<br>
dread of having to steal a ball from your own son or daughter<br>
at the end of the season so you can give the rest of the team<br>
their balls is gone. It isn't your problem.<br>
<br>
I mentioned this early in the season, but I think it is<br>
easier to appreciate now. For next season!<br>
<br>
--<br>
Brent Welch<br>
Coach "Ice Torpedoes" U10B-8<br>
<br>
<br>
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</blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Dion F Lisle<br>Mobile 650-814-8081<br>Email <a href="mailto:dion.lisle@gmail.com">dion.lisle@gmail.com</a><br>