One of the most overlooked topics in coaching sports is the ability to generate unit plans. Let me start off by saying, every successful coach that I have been around has been organized. But organization runs deeper than developing a practice and game schedule. Organization is paramount in every sense of coaching.
A main focus for any coach is the ability to map out a plan for the season. This takes place at the youth level and is essential to any successful season.
First of all, all players like structure. This may seem like a misguided statement, especially with some younger players in athletics. However, all players crave structure. This is a phenomenon seen all too often in high school. So many struggling students realize soon after graduation that they miss the structure of school. Oftentimes, these students return to visit soon after the leave, reminiscing about their time at the school. I have heard teachers say, “You couldn’t wait to get out of here and now you are back.” Why is that?
For many students, school was the only structure they had. There may be chaos in the rest of their lives. Maybe their family situation was not great or their families were struggling financially. While some of them may have appeared zoned out or not caring about school, deep down they craved the structure. They needed to see the same faces each day. They needed to follow a schedule each day. They needed teachers nagging them each day. They were getting attention in a structured environment.
STRUCTURING THE SEASON
In that same context, players need structure in a season. While we will dive into how to structure practices, this is about structuring a season. What does that mean?
First of all, I would start with a checklist of the basic, age-appropriate skills the players should have by the start of the season and then by the end of the season. This should all be mapped out accordingly.
Let’s use basketball as an example. By the start of the season, a team should understand their basic offense and defense, along with inbounds plays and a press break. Obviously, this is very simplistic, but you get the idea. What do the players need to play a game? As the season progresses, what do the players have to understand? Are there certain aspects of each area that you would like them to know? Should they know how to play both man to man and zone defenses? Should they be able to run a three quarter court trap? This is all age-appropriate and will be driven by the age and skill level of the group.
UNIT PLANNING
Just as teachers map out their units, coaches must map out their units. This is a physical plan that sets a course for what will be accomplished each practice and what goals and objectives need to be met in order to be successful. Starting with the first practice, what will each practice focus on and how will topics be reviewed?
Coaches can not simply show up to the first practice and “wing it.” That is a recipe for disaster. Coaches must be prepared and have the season planned. They must set up a schedule of when certain fundamentals, drills or plays will be introduced. This is the first step in organizing the season.
FLEXIBILITY
Just as teachers have to be flexible in mapping out their units so must coaches.The unit plan is a living document. Some of the skills may take longer. Some may take less time. But all in all, the unit plan serves as a guide for the season.
Coaches should spend a few minutes with their unit plan before and after each practice, adjusting accordingly. They can also get input from assistant coaches or even players themselves to determine how much time should be spent in certain areas.
Unit planning is a crucial skill that is absolutely necessary for coaches and, in turn, players to be successful.
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