TRAIN - Good Practices
- Coaching
- Adopt pedagogical methods in training — Coaches should have pedagogic knowledge and training to make the dissemination of information more effective and engaging.
- Create seasonal milestones for your team: Start of the season, Mid-season review, End-of-season celebration — Successful teams use milestones and team meetings to set and focus on their seasonal goals, track their progress and celebrate their successes at the end of the season.
- Create seasonal training plans and distribute them in advance — A seasonal training plan creates a structure for the season. It allows athletes to plan their season and ensure they maximise their training. All bodies are different and, as a result, react to intensive and rest periods differently. It is good practice to, after an intensive phase, have physical and mental recovery periods. It might also be worth considering the difference between female and male bodies. These differences lead to specific considerations for injury prevention
- Define a coaching plan template and standard play book — Inexperienced coaches might be overwhelmed by the responsibilities of the role. A training plan template helps create a structure, and a drill book with the standard exercises and plays helps to have the whole team on the same page.
- Define how and by whom personal feedback should be given — Feedback allows a player to improve. But there should be clear rules on how to give it and who should do it to avoid confusing players with contradicting suggestions.
- Don't compare the women's and men's divisions of the same sport — Although a sport may be played by the same rules regardless of gender, there are often tactical differences between women’s and men’s sports that make any comparison between the two ineffective and inappropriate.
- Give beginners short-term goals — It is hard for athletes to commit to sport as long as they are not invested. Short-term goals help to keep their focus during practice and encourage athletes to begin investing in their progress.
- Menstruation and its potential effect on training plans
- Player responsibilities should involve development activities — Sports associations are mainly run by volunteers; therefore, as many people as possible must dedicate time to recruiting for and developing the organization.
- Practicing gender equity at training sessions — Gender equity can be encouraged through participation in specific drills. Changing behaviours regarding gender equity on the field can also affect how we perceive others and deconstruct our biases off the pitch.
- Infrastructure
- Consider the needs and safety of women matching players when choosing a location — Things like the commute to and from training can determine your team's ability to recruit and retain women matching players.
- Ensure that the training facilities have the necessary infrastructure — Clean and well-suited toilets and changing rooms should be a minimum standard in your plans to create a safe and inclusive environment for athletes.
- Organisation
- Challenge your athlete's abilities appropriately — Coaches are constantly challenged to develop and create drills that are difficult enough to stimulate concentration and favour skill development.
- Create a buddy system — Having experienced players act as buddies to new players can help with advice/motivation in a more personal way.
- Create a mentorship program for coaches and leaders — As important it is for new players, it is also important for new leaders to be supported and guided in their development by an experienced person
- Create a safe and inclusive environment — A safe and inclusive environment can foster the development of trust between players on and off the field. It will also positively affect the sense of camaraderie and group identity with the team or association.
- Define seasonal budgets and goals as a team and plan how you will achieve them — Seasonal goals can help your team plan the season and give purpose and direction to the team. To archive those proficiently, clear rules about the desired commitment from both the players and the association is a must. Being upfront with the costs allows everyone to plan their season within their means.
- Elect gender-equity captains — Gender Equity captains are trusted persons that are the first point of contact for gender issues and are responsible for implementing gender equity measures within the association or the team. Some players already take this responsibility unofficially. However, it is good to make it an official and clear role within your team or association.
- Junior Mixed Clubs: Have additional open and women's practices and tournaments — Various studies show that young women under 17 prefer to participate in sports in a women-only environment. This changes as athletes get older and more confident in their athletic abilities and social skills.
- Support the development of your women's teams, leaders, and coaches. — The development of women matching players, their teams and coaches can and should be aided in many different ways.
- Take new players to a fun beginners-only tournament — Your first experience of an ultimate tournament is unique. Allowing new players to experience this only bolsters your chance that they will stay playing in the club for longer.
- The benefits of developing leaders in your club — For an organisation to function, it requires the time and effort of volunteers and leaders. It is important not to overwhelm a few with the significant responsibility to keep an organisation running. By creating a new pathway for leaders, you can make a direct pathway into a leadership position within the organisation and work to develop the skills of those involved.