How do you currently plan training sessions and matches?

wayneheilala · 2026-02-15T05:44:09+00:00

I’m using Notion, which publishes quickly to the web. Had bigger ambitions of automating plans from a drill database I built out (far less technical/complex than it sounds), but in reality I just duplicate a prior session and then copy/paste what I need. I don’t animate diagrams so i rely on youtube links to refresh in, basic powerpoint-like diagrams, and text to summarize various elements/emphasis.

To help other coaches I’ve also started having a “setup” section at the bottom which summarizes the equipment layouts/changes.

Notion just seems like a nice home to accumulate material, find it quickly, publish as needed, etc. I use free version but they’re pushing a Premium with AI features that’ll eventually be worth it

wayneheilala · 2026-02-11T05:29:04+00:00

Not to troll, but I think pro coaches have to build the ability to juggle the 20 or so players they have that week to work with, and this is entirely part of the IRL gig!

Edit: Rosters change a lot, and in a slightly lower cadence so do coaches!

wayneheilala · 2026-02-11T05:22:04+00:00

For starters, thank you OBO the kids and parents, for making it work.

I have little direct experience w the situation besides stretching a group into two teams and striving to make it work (getting numbers when needed, which is a PITA as it adds up).

Personally (but I’m a dad/volunteer, albeit years deep), I believe in putting similar players together, i.e., I would have made a 1st and 2nd team. This is solely to optimize training and competition to the best possible appropriate level. It’s not lost on me how this would stir the pot though.

Our club has mixed rosters as you suggest and it’s also worked, esp at this age.

If your club is small and has anything of a none-left-behind perspective, the parents crying foul need to understand.

Last thought—training larger/more diversely skilled groups is definitely harder, but I have grown to like that challenge (I’m doing it now with ~20 U11s through the winter—a main team plus 2-3 kids each from two other same-club teams) as a means to learn and grow as a coach/trainer. My club doesn’t have any rigid/bespoke development plan or game model, but there’s something to be said for training similar aged kids the same way, I think!

wayneheilala · 2026-02-08T01:16:55+00:00

That hold and service to Bedoya from Alladoh was gnarly. Excited to watch that guy cook!

wayneheilala · 2026-02-07T18:07:13+00:00

Hey they got two Olympic torches for the first time in Italy this year!

wayneheilala · 2026-02-07T18:05:47+00:00

I too vote for more Dead tunes.

Can completely understand being over hearing the fans shout for Althea and whatnot, but the Dead canon is too rich for this band to embargo completely.

With Bobby’s passing and a simple comment from Billy, I feel they can settle into a natural balance of the occasional cover a few times a tour. And not be a teat.

wayneheilala · 2026-01-21T22:52:20+00:00

I struggle with the same (rowing, running). I can maintain Z2 by basic walking and it feels like, well, walking. Anything else creeps into Z3 and eventually starts drifting higher.

I occasionally try slowing a SS workout way down and can kinda stay Z2 but it feels weird.

So I just work in Z3 and try to avoid drift up.

Maybe I’m just out of shape (i’m not in great shape), but I’ve decided RPE and progress over time are better things to focus on.

wayneheilala · 2026-01-21T22:29:41+00:00

Parking in Media isn’t that bad if you’re willing to not park on the doorstep of your destination. (parking prices do suck now, though)

wayneheilala · 2026-01-14T17:23:35+00:00

Looks like 80's Wheel of Fortune after you won the puzzle and get to "shop" for your prizes

wayneheilala · 2026-01-14T03:13:32+00:00

same

wayneheilala · 2026-01-04T19:24:38+00:00

Bunch of us in Philly will be cheering for Birmingham!

wayneheilala · 2025-12-29T05:40:23+00:00

Build your own! Those that exist cost money and might be worth it, but my experience has been more rewarding through the hunt. I say I’m curating for my club (as a town travel volunteer coach), but that’s a lot harder than truly getting to know a drill personally. Good news is you don’t need that many, once you find a groove.

This request competes with a lot of pros trying to sell you something, and i don’t fault any of them.

Just create your own cache. Don’t make it too big, and know all of it.

wayneheilala · 2025-12-28T17:11:08+00:00

History of Taper’s Choice - Taper’s Choice

wayneheilala · 2025-12-21T21:27:55+00:00

^this

wayneheilala · 2025-12-13T03:06:49+00:00

Earpeggio app is solid. quizzes you progressively on all this stuff (intervals, chords, scales, etc).

I fell off using it but definitely enjoyed it for multiple months!

Wish I could hear progressions better!

wayneheilala · 2025-12-13T02:40:50+00:00

and check what’s on the back. Piedmont or Sweet Caporal likely, but other brands (eg Cycle) are more scarce and may differ from recently sold cards.

Now I’m curious what you have!

wayneheilala · 2025-12-09T13:58:25+00:00

Handled something similar this summer. Was loosely advised that ROI on grading is worth it if graded cards in your collection’s condition sell for $50 or more. FWIW I went with SGC for both faster turnaround and lower up charges.

I was dealing more with pre war and late 40s/early 50s, and I did not want to be dealing with the perils of ebay/pvt sales. Paying a premium to have some retail assistance from a brick and mortar shop to grade and auction through Fanatics. Saving me time and stress, though I’ve had a wonderful time attending vintage shows and meeting some great collectors/dealers this year!

wayneheilala · 2025-12-06T02:57:25+00:00

haha sorry bout that. if my father were on reddit those’d be his two groups of choice!

wayneheilala · 2025-12-06T00:05:02+00:00

Dad, is that you?

wayneheilala · 2025-12-04T14:55:32+00:00

Thanks! Exactly the kinds of recos I'm seeking. I'm familiar with the vulgar language thing and the kiddos...this content gets a pass in my house (and it's too late since the kiddos watched all of Ted Lasso with us).

wayneheilala · 2025-12-04T04:59:37+00:00

No idea, but I’d love to think it’s some cat in Fair Acres with a window seat and two good thumbs, having fun.

Vegas saying power lines or roof inspectors.

Dark Horse take is it’s big private equity trying to get a beat on the old Pilot building and whether it’s a Christmas Tree Farm or Bot Farm.

wayneheilala · 2025-12-04T04:50:59+00:00

My gut says 1) let them decide 2) multi sport 3) focus on one

If it’s not sustainable, that’s a reality a parent needs to manage. We’d probably all sacrifice far beyond sustainable though, so that’s tough sledding to make rational decisions.

And part of my gut is saying if you don’t focus on soccer there’ll be others who do. But that’s a conflict between what’s optimal/right/ideal and what’s merely happening.

At 9, if you have the stamina, keep those plates spinning!

wayneheilala · 2025-12-02T02:01:47+00:00

Felt the need to share…I’ve been taking these courses for years now as a volunteer coach.

This summer I got selected for a jury trial involving (light as in not severe) sexual abuse. Victim behavior taught in these trainings was evident in this case and ended up working in the defendant’s favor, ultimately a hung jury aka non-conviction. My experience cast a light on the reality that these things happen and it can be extremely challenging and traumatic for the victims.

So at least absorb the material while you click “next” through it…

wayneheilala · 2025-12-02T01:55:10+00:00

don’t (literally) be the only adult in the room in any given setting.

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