Hi Coaches:

As you can tell by my subject line, I'm caught in a dilemma with our basketball team. We had a falling out with our head coach last week, which involved an argument he had with one of the assistant coaches. After not being able to settle their differences, the head coach thought it would be best to step down and allow someone else to run the team. In my opinion, I thought he should've at least coached through end of the season before stepping down.

When the announcement was made at the team meeting about the head coach's resignation, the other assistant coaches did not want to assume the responsibility of leading the team. Of course, that had all the parents looking at each other in shock and awe. After an uncomfortable pause in the air, I finally had to step up and say something. After all that, I'm now the new head coach of a young 6-7 year old team.

I have many years of experience of playing team and club ball when I was younger, so I'm not so concerned with how to take over the coaching duties. My dilemma lies with the players and this whole transition. After running our first practice this week, I've already noticed that I'm not getting the attention or effort that I'm use to seeing at each practice. I've heard a few mumbles from some of the kids about wanting to have the old coach back. I've had a hard time convincing the kids that the practice style would not change and that we would still continue to learn and have fun like we used to. I know it's been only a week or so, but I'm already feeling overwhelmed from the kids lack of attention and the expectations of the assistant coaches.

Any suggestions, on what I can do to get through the rest of season and how to deal with my player's emotion after the coaching change?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Tim

Coach: You certainly are in difficult position and you are correct, the old head coach should have remained at least until the end of the season. However, with that being said we need to try and fix your situation. My suggestion, would be first to meet with your assistant coaches and get their feel on it. Second, all of you as a team need to take some time to put it all out on the floor. If you are experiencing apathy during practice, you will also endure it during games the apathy needs to be aired. finally coach, you need to be you, you cant be the old coach, you mentioned not changing things and keeping things the way they were before, well, something had to change or there would not have been an argument in the first place. Many coaches just don't feel comfortable running plays and drills other coaches have run. You need to implement your own system one that you are comfortable running and teaching. In conclusion, you need to take charge, you have placed yourself in the position of head coach, and I admire you for undertaking that responsibility but now you need to lead the colts, don't let the colts lead you. Coach Mac

Coach,

As you know, you have found yourself in a tough situation.

You have probably seen the team play and know their strengths and weaknesses.

I have coached this age before and presently teach a class of 6-9 year olds.

Most 6-7 year olds need the footwork to implement many of the basic basketball moves.

Keep the ball in their hands as much as possible.

Teach them passing. A good game of "keep away" helps.

Don't concern yourself with wins and losses.

Create a fun, learning atmosphere.

Good luck.