Mark your calendars for April 11, 2010 2pm-4pm for a coaching workshop.  A Sunday in April was chosen because we want to see as many managers and coaches as possible attend.  This is early in the season so attendees will get a lot out of the workshop and you won’t have games scheduled then.

This workshop has received high praise by those attending.  A testament to the value of the workshop is found in District 8 where it is required to attend at least every 3 years by anyone who wants to manage or coach an all-star team.  This workshop is not about how best to field a ground ball but rather how best to teach players.

How Can Coaches Increase Their Effectiveness?

In answering this question, over 25 years of research has been conducted on coaching behaviors and their effects on young athletes. A sport psychology training program for coaches was developed and tested in this research. The program, which is known as the Mastery Approach to Coaching, is the only scientifically validated coaching-education workshop that has been shown to have the following outcomes:

• Fosters positive coach-athlete relations and greater mutual respect
• Increases the amount of fun that athletes experience
• Creates greater team cohesion and a more supportive athletic setting
• Promotes higher mastery-oriented achievement goals in sports and in school
• Increases athletes' self-esteem
• Reduces performance-destroying anxiety and fear of failure
• Decreases athlete dropout rates from approximately 30 percent to 5 percent
• Produces equally positive effects on boys and girls teams

The leagues within the district are sponsoring this event.  There is no charge for individuals to attend.  However, pre-registration is required so that we have an accurate head count for the seminar materials.

The workshop will be held at the North Kitsap Community Auditorium, which is right across the street from North Kitsap High School at 1780 NE Hostmark Street, Poulsbo, WA 98370.

To register hit the "Register" button below.  That will take you to the list of clinics.  Select the "Mastery Approach to Coaching" clinic by either clicking on the highlighted name or the little cube on the left.

Fill in the information at the bottom and then scroll back up to the top of the page and hit the big green check mark to complete your registration.

On July 26, 2009, House Bill 1824 – also known as the Zackery Lystedt Law – became effective.  The law will directly affect youth sports, head injury policies and future Washington Little League player registration processes.

Since the law has passed, all Washington District 2 Little Leagues must follow all steps outlined below to ensure they are compliant with the law.  The two requirements that directly affect registration processes include:

• Annually require all players and the parent(s)/guardian(s) of those players to sign and return an informed consent form relating to the nature and risk of concussion or head injury. This information sheet shall include the signs and symptoms of concussion/brain injury and can be found below.

• Ensuring that all coaches are educated in the nature and risk of concussion or head injury prior to the first practice/competition. This education shall include signs and symptoms of concussion/brain injury.  Resources for this education are available in both English and Spanish.

Read more: Concussion Guidelines and Procedures