Walter Matthau's character in the 1976 comedy The Bad News Bears won't be mistaken for the ideal youth coach.

Shockingly, most parents and youth organizations would frown upon a coach drinking in the dugout (or on the sideline).

In the sequel, the Bears are set to square off against the Houston Toros, the Texas champions. The winners get to play the Japanese champions.

Adding more significance, they get to play at the Astrodome, home of the Astros.

Halfway through the game, the teams are told the game will be called due to time restrictions.

Famously, Tanner, one of the Bears, refuses to leave the field. It's what happens next that applies to youth coaching!

Keeping the Game Fun: Why 'Let Them Play' Should Be Your Mantra

As Tanner is being chased around the field by game officials, the crowd starts to chant "Let them play!". The chant catches on, and the kids are eventually allowed to resume playing.

While the Bears pull off the upset win, that's not the main idea of this article.

Instead, let's focus on the chant, and how you should incorporate that idea into your practices.

Let's start with this - why do kids sign up for basketball? To do drills? No. To stand in lines? No. TO PLAY!

Kids sign up for youth sports because playing sports is fun. Unfortunately, too many adults take the fun out of it. Don't let that be you!

5 Reasons Why Starting with Play (Instead of Drills) Transforms Practice

Most coaches take a more traditional approach to planning practice. Drills and teaching come first. This builds up to live play. While that seems to make sense, it is a flawed strategy.

• Playing first gets kids excited to come to practice - Every player and coach enjoys practice more when the energy level is high. Playing first creates energy.

Players will be more engaged and enthusiastic when they get the opportunity to play right off the bat.

• Playing first allows your players to blow off some steam - Most of them have been sitting in a classroom all day. Getting to play is a great way to work off some excess energy and allow them to focus better for the duration of the practice.
• You don't have to wait for everyone - Some drills take 6-10 players to set up. You can have players play 1v1 as soon as 2 players arrive. Once players know the routine, they can get started.

You can still determine how they play (there are endless 1v1 games). But playing first allows your players to get started quicker.

• Playing first allows you to more accurately see where your team is at - When you build from drills to play, your team often looks better than it is. You have just drilled them on a concept. When you then play, it's fresh in their mind.

When you start by playing, you see what they remember from previous sessions. That gives you a better idea of what they truly know.

This gives you valuable information to plan your session. Yes, you might have to adjust some things on the fly, but that's okay. In doing so, you'll be addressing the issues your team needs to focus on.

• Playing first helps keep kids playing - We already mentioned how playing first is fun and exciting. The byproduct of that is kids who want to keep playing basketball.

Many people have lamented the number of young people dropping out of youth sports. A primary reason is that they aren't fun. Well, playing is fun. By making that the starting point of your practice, you create an enjoyable environment.

Players who are enjoying themselves are more likely to learn more. That makes them more likely to improve. That makes them more likely to keep playing. It's an upward spiral!

Coaching Matters: Why Play First Doesn't Just Mean 'Roll the Balls Out'

This is not an argument for "rolling the balls out". Your coaching is still needed. You can still do drills. However, they will be informed by the information provided by play.

In many ways, your coaching will be more important than ever. It's harder to coach your players effectively in game play than it is to set up a drill.

So don't think this approach minimizes your impact. It actually amplifies it!

The Best Way to Be a Kid's Favorite Coach

A common and powerful refrain is this: don't be a kid's last coach - in other words, don't be the coach that makes a kid want to stop playing. At some levels (high school and up) that might be unavoidable.

But for youth coaches, it's a great goal. If those kids come back and play next year, you did something right. And I'd bet that something was related to making their experience fun.

And what's the most fun? Playing! Start your practices that way - you'll be glad you did (and so will your players)!

What do you think? Let us know by leaving your comments, suggestions, and questions...

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