TEAM: LTS Bunnyrabbit Coaches DATE: 12 December 2015 TIME: 1:30 to 3:30Pm LOCATION: Equipment

TEAM: LTS Bunnyrabbit Coaches DATE: 12 December 2015 TIME: 1:30 to 3:30pm LOCATION: Equipment Shed

LTAD STAGE: Active Start develops fundamental movement skills (with a focus on balance and agility), coordination, self confidence, imagination and social skills; classic skiing only; developed in parallel with Introduction to Community Coaching (ICC)

SAFETY NOTES: No poles (kids or coaches) whatsoever throughout the season; games and activities are the primary tools to develop skills; slowly add distance with each lesson

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY: Fun, fundamental movement PRACTICE GOAL(S): Individual development through safe play

INTRODUCTORY MESSAGES: Play helps to increase children’s awareness and to steer them away from aggressive, risky performances. While children may still be drawn to high-speed action and high-flying jumps, they won’t necessarily rely on those activities if there are other activities from which to choose. This is an important issue in young skiers’ continued learning and safety.

WARM-UP: All coaches, main entrance to stadium

ACTIVITIES / TIME / PURPOSE / COACHING POINTS / EQUIPMENT NEEDED
Director Intro / 1:30pm / Organization / ·  Lesson plans provided online as template, old, need more games, and to be updated to new format
·  Work with the team you have, lots of games/activities early in season, building distance over time
·  Setting up Slack team for open communication? / ·  Lesson plans
·  Team lists (thanks coordinators!)
Ski Patrol / 1:45pm / Safety / ·  Emergency Action Plans in coach bags (flow chart), chalet (mind map)
·  Snap photo of cell# on whiteboard
·  More that can be done, suggestions? / ·  Maps for all coaches

MAIN PART: Coaches will move to Equipment Shed

ACTIVITIES / TIME / PURPOSE / COACHING POINTS / EQUIPMENT NEEDED
Stations of 20 mins each / 2:00pm
Jack and Jill / 20 mins
Falling / Protect head/neck, controlling speed on descent / ·  Scrunch into a ball, tuck chin to chest (hold stuffy under chin)
·  Roll to the side, hips first (falling back risks concussion), hugging chest or stuffy, skis stay together
·  Intentionally falling, sit to one side of skis, slightly back and ready to roll slightly onto shoulder (chin tuck) / Stuffies for all kids! Grab an equipment bag, you’re gonna need it.
Rising / Rising without help / ·  Cat position: crawl to the front of skis, knees on skis, hands on the outside of skis, scootch up to stand
·  Coaches can try bringing one knee forward, to chest, stand (bunnies won’t follow all these details and lose interest) / Classic wax! You may find the kids are slipping around too much and need more wax on their skis.
Talk: Expectations / ·  Be prepared to spend a lot of time working on this!
·  Make it fun with falling/rising tag, setting a rule that you fall/rise when you forget their names (slap stick)
Smarties Hill / 20 mins
Ascending / Herringbone / ·  Duck walk around the stadium, then head towards a slight grade, push from the hips or kids will lean into you
Descending / Snowplow, controlling speed / ·  Pizza! Pizza! Get the kids comfortable with the position on flats, pizza tag, simon says, pizza conga or limbo
·  Moving to a light grade, kids should use a big slice of pizza, coach can ski backwards and hold ski tips in correct position
·  Use hula hoops for a slalom course, otherwise the kids go too fast and forget their pizza, try stopping at cones / Hula hoops, cones
Talk: Avoid frustration / Stay calm, carry on / ·  Kids get pretty tired (physically and emotionally) going up and down hills. They don’t get far, and needs lots of smiles! / Coaches need to wear a warm outer layer
Play Time! / 20 mins
Stuffies / Agility, balance, coordination / ·  Drop stuffies along a path or up/down hill for pickup, hold with both hands while skiing, place on heads, juggle and toss
·  Games of garbage pickup, step-overs, gauntlet with kids throwing stuffies between legs, stuffies on parachute / Stuffies, cones, balls, parachute
Gliding, striding / ·  Shark tank, red light green light, what time is it mr wolf, elbow/toilet/snake tag, stomp, all manner of variations
·  Bubble run, square dance, jump the snake (tracking), push tennis ball in tracks, treasure hunt, obstacle courses / Cones to square off play area, ropes for stomp/jump the snake
Talk: Keep it simple / ·  Keep it short (5-10 mins) and leave them wanting more, with minimal rules so that it’s easy to play!

COOL-DOWN: All coaches, main entrance to stadium

ACTIVITIES / TIME / PURPOSE / COACHING POINTS / EQUIPMENT NEEDED
Talking Trails (Trails & Facilities) / 3:00pm / Learn the trails / ·  Carry a map: new trails and renamed trails
·  Look for remote play parks: Dave’s Den, Alcove, shout hill!
Talking Training (T2T) / 3:15pm / Coach development / ·  Lead or Assist, we are all coaches!
·  Community Coaching is the best way to learn, Technique Clinics will help you develop skills

CONCLUDING MESSAGES:

·  On average, 50% of the season should be focused on developing and refining skills (mostly games/activities early in the season), rather than long skis

·  Eliminate poles to develop better balance and keep play safe, even for a long ski (same applies to coaches)

·  Always have backup games/activities on hand, for when things aren’t going to plan

·  Play encourages a child to feel comfortable, to participate, to have fun, and they might just learn something!

·  Copies of the book Ski Games are available in the main chalet with many ideas for coaching young kids, and there is a list of games at http://nakkertok.ca/learn-to-ski/coaches/leaders-bunnyrabbit-and-jackrabbit-games/