WYC 146 – Youth Sports – Ben Kissam talks having a Four Quarter Mentality

Coaching role models

• Ben had 2 examples from his athletic career – 1 very positive and 1 very negative. He learned from both

Cringe moment

• His attitude towards the kids – he thought they should just always do what he says. The lesson learned was to focus on getting buy-in instead of just mandating what should be done.

Practice format

• Routines help. Teach them to run their own warm-ups.
• Lots of reps, but get creative in making it competitive. It’s also very important to start with the basics when explaining a skill and continue to reinforce what good looks like.

Good practice games

• The gauntlet – Set up a 10 yard tunnel, and kids go 1 on 1 in it
• Odd man situations – 3 on 2

Self-confidence

• Teaching a growth mindset is key. Every failure is a step on the journey to success and it is a necessary part of learning.
• Be a relationships-based coach. Focus on having as many 1 on 1 conversations with your kids as possible.

Captains

• It’s important to have a right-hand man. They can also help with communication – group texts, etc.

Four Quarter mentality culture

• Setting up a practice plan that builds up the intensity throughout and emphasize finishing strong

Best team builder

• Eating together. Pasta nights.

Connecting with kids

• A goalie who Ben coached lacked confidence, and after working with him for 3 years he sees a totally different kid who now is confident

Favorite quote

• ‘Athletes don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care’

The one that got away

• Ben coached a team of super talented, super knowledgeable kids.
• They rolled through the regular season, and played a way lower ranked team in the first round of the playoffs, and lost.

Best Stolen Idea

• Have a sense of urgency in practice. Create a long-term vision but create a sense of immediate urgency of the importance of every drill and everything you do in practice.