Becoming a Middle School Cross Country Coach
September 5th, 2007 , 8:16 am by Michelle Halsne
I have been a runner myself since middle school. It was those first years from 7th to 8th grade that I went from worst girl on the team to best (I was the only one that did not develope a womanly figure that year, still waiting!).
My daughters school is in desperate need of a coach and at the back to school registration I was approached, “hey you run…wanna coach?”
I do know a lot about running and I do enjoy teenagers, but I don’t know if this is the whole recipe for success.
Here are my fears:
The school serves mostly children from very modest means, there is no money for decent shoes.
Will they laugh when I say time for a fartlek?
Wish me luck and if you have any advice for me please feel free to share, practice starts today
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September 5th, 2007 , 9:16 am
This spring I coached Natasha’s rec volleyball team. 12 thirteen year olds. The trick is to keep them too busy to talk. Once that starts, it’s over.
Suck it up Michelle!!!
Phil
September 5th, 2007 , 4:52 pm
I helped out a couple of times with a cross country team last year. Here is what I did:
A few pre run stretches as the kids gather, to talk to them and tell them what they are doing.
Ran out to a park about 1.25 miles away.
Split into 2 groups, did running and conditioning drills
i.e. Group #1 high knee runs out 25-50 yds and back
Group #2 hold plank position until Group #1 finishes, alternate (continue drills and conditioning)
Jog back to school, cool down and stretch.
If I had them for the season I would put them through time trials, invent games etc. Have one day be long run day, have the other days incorporate speed and drills etc.
Have fun coach!
September 5th, 2007 , 8:06 pm
What a nifty thing to do! Congrats on stepping up.
I had similar fears when I stepped into being a Boy Scout leader. I went and talked to a number of Middle-school teachers for suggestions, and one of the best things I learned was to keep the kids off-balance.
You should always have your daily plan, and you should also have a bag of tricks so you can create random events that keep the kids guessing, but which are positively focused.
Also, be crystal clear about behavioral boundaries and do expect that they’ll be tested every day.
And my last piece of advice, it’s best if it’s a game.
September 6th, 2007 , 5:39 pm
I coached high school for 7 years and I am now an assistant at a college. The coaching was always the highlight of my day and was very enjoyable. XC you are usually working with some of the most dedicated athletes in the school. MS is a little different probably, but I’m sure you’ll have lots of fun. My suggestion would be to make sure you work with the varsity coach and run a similar program so you are preparing those kids to go varsity in two years. Good luck.