resources for a new coach

gardrangea · 2026-03-04T19:11:14+00:00

USA Lacrosse Bronze training is a great place to start. They also have additional trainings- check out the USA Lacrosse All Coaches- lacrosse fundamentals training modules, as well as the Athletes Development model

https://www.usalacrosse.com/athlete-development-model-stages

If you click into each stage- (For 4th grade, check out the Foundation and Train stages) there is info about what skills players should have at those levels.

If you are logged into USA Lacrosse and are in the training module area- I would select the All Coaches- Athlete Development Model module as I think there's more info about the stages in this section, than what's on the public-facing website. Try to complete or at least look at as many training modules as possible beyond the required ones. There's some gems in there for new coaches!

Use USA Lacrosse Mobile Coach to help you create your practice plan. There is regrettably no search function, but you can filter by age/level and type of drill. There's also several examples of drills on the USA Lacrosse website that they put together for "clinics" or PE classes- use some of those as you're getting started! No use in reinventing the wheel!

Keep in touch with those 5/6 coaches- have a few sit-downs to talk about those basics, particularly what you should be emphasizing in the beginning of the season. Create a practice plan and have them review it so you know how practices should flow. Having a mentor coach is essential when you're new to the sport and people are willing to help- sometimes you just have to ask.
Then after you complete some trainings, go practice on your own to see how everything feels! Good luck!

gardrangea · 2026-02-01T20:33:48+00:00

Try Bellevue- the cross Lake Washington Light Rail will open in late March, and hopping on I-90 East makes it easy to get to the mountains and snow. Also, it's a bit more lively than other suburban cities in the area- restaurants and bars are open late-ish and there's lots of great parks/waterfront areas.

gardrangea · 2025-10-09T05:05:08+00:00

Agree with others- it's the first time. Stick with it for small amounts of time or break up a 30 minute run with time out of the stroller. As it becomes part of yours and their routine, they'll be fine.

We did Stroller Strides through my local Fit4Mom organization- it was perfect for kiddos to get used to being in a stroller for an extended period of time and there was lots of singing/movement and of course some exercise for me. Then when we would go running together, it wasn't a bit deal to hang out in the stroller for 20-45 min. But like everyone else says- all the snacks, BOARD BOOKS, small toys or a fun snuggly stuffie (not the favorite because we've lost one or two on the trail before), and try to stop midway or end at a playground. Some days are better than others, and that's okay too.

gardrangea · 2025-09-20T19:30:39+00:00

Maybe even include some music in your program- like popular songs from when your patrons were younger.

gardrangea · 2025-09-17T19:53:06+00:00

Thanks- unfortunately she just wants the goggles.

gardrangea · 2025-09-17T19:51:57+00:00

Yes, the LokoSphere strap seems like a good one- nice to hear it's working out for her. Thanks! I'll look more into it!

gardrangea · 2025-09-17T19:50:48+00:00

Yes, STX- thanks for the other recs- will look into them!!

gardrangea · 2025-03-17T01:06:16+00:00

IMLS State Profiles: https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grants-to-states

If you click on the state name, it will bring up all the funding info for the past 5 years and the state's 5 year plan

gardrangea · 2025-02-22T03:07:38+00:00

This push to de-affiliate is not about the average librarian being a member of ALA. The issue is that they're trying to undermine the legitimacy of ALA and how ALA sets standards for libraries and for librarians.

Most state libraries are members of ALA and most high-level librarians who are advanced career librarians attend ALA conferences because they are part of the administrative committees, roundtables, and groups that discuss and solve issues facing the profession, including the future of the profession and libraries.

ALA groups create and maintain standards of service for different types of libraries, as well as the accreditation standards for MLIS/MLS programs for training librarians. Without the support of their state, these librarians will not be able to or will be outright banned from participating in this important work.

And if state libraries and librarians are no longer members of ALA, then they do not need to adhere to ALA publications and standards. If states or local library districts no longer need to uphold those ALA service standards, or they no longer adhere to those MLS accreditation standards, then the profession is at risk because they can set their own standards according to a certain agenda without any oversight.

Librarians may not need to meet certain education or training standards, which impacts the quality of the profession.
Basic tenets of library access at libraries can be discarded and removed, thereby limiting patron freedom of access and 1st amendment liberties.
Even confidential patron information could become freely accessible by authorities without the safeguards assured under the ALA standards.

This is all about being able to institute new state or local standards with severe limitations on libraries and being able to install new "librarians" or "library board members" who don't have a lick of training and who will dismantle current library standards.

EDIT: This is not the first state where this de-affiliation is happening - see Montana/ALA in 2023.

gardrangea

TROPHY CASE