Stop Winging It: Systems Set You Free
Coaching with Purpose – Get Organized
The phrase “I’ll figure it out when I get there” has probably ruined more practices than bad weather.
Yeah, you can sketch a plan in the parking lot five minutes before warmups.
You just shouldn’t pretend that’s sustainable.
Disorganization doesn’t just stress you out—it confuses your players.
They feel the scrambling. They sense when you’re guessing. That’s when practices drag, reps are wasted, and everybody leaves feeling like they worked hard but didn’t get better.
Organization is not about being a color-coded binder person.
It’s about taking pressure off your future self.
Start with the big three systems:
Practice structure
Communication rhythm
Reflection loop
Practice structure
Make yourself a default practice template so every day isn’t “blank sheet of panic.”
Example:
0–10 min: Arrival & activation
10–20: Fundamental work (with a daily theme)
20–40: Unit/scheme work
40–55: Competitive segment
55–60: Cool-down + message
Now when you plan, you’re just plugging drills into slots, not inventing practice from scratch like a mad scientist.
Communication rhythm
Decide how and when people hear from you:
Players: maybe a daily whiteboard or group message with the practice focus.
Parents: one short weekly email: “Focus of the week, schedule, any notes.”
Predictable communication reduces questions, surprises, and drama.
Reflection loop
At the end of each practice, take 3 minutes while the field/gym is clearing:
Write down:
What worked today?
What didn’t?
What do I want to change for tomorrow?
That’s it.
Next day, look at yesterday’s notes before finalizing your plan.
This turns “random days” into a sequence: each practice is a response to the last, not a standalone event you just survived.
Bonus system: standardize the boring stuff.
Warm-up sequence
Drill setup language
Rotations
When those are automatic, you get more actual coaching minutes and fewer “Wait, what are we doing?” minutes.
The goal isn’t to become a robot.
The goal is to have enough structure that your creativity has a place to live.
Winging it can feel exciting, but it’s really just gambling with your players’ development and your own sanity.
Set a few simple systems.
Watch how much more present, patient, and effective you become when your brain isn’t doing logistics gymnastics every five minutes.
