1. ANALYZE YOUR PERSONNEL
One of the first things you need to consider when your off-season begins is personnel. Figure out what the strengths and weaknesses are of each one of your potential returning players.
2. ANALYZE YOUR X'S AND O'S
Once you have a good grasp of they type of players you have returning, now you have to see how your next team will fit into the X's and O's you are currently using. You may have a 'system' or a way you always do things, but based on personnel some changes may be needed. These changes might be large or possibly a small adjustment is needed. The fact is that you need to have X's and O's that will help put your players in the best position to be successful. When personnel changes, so might your X's and O's.
3. MEET WITH YOUR PLAYERS
Schedule time to have exit interviews with your players after the completion of your season. This is a time for player can coach to share thoughts on the previous season and where to go from this point on. Coaches can also use this time to give players guidance on what they need to work during the off-season. Also, check in with your players from time to time when you see them in the gym or at school.
4. SCHEDULE YOUR OFF-SEASON ACTIVITIES
This should be done sooner than later. Give your players a calendar with all of the off-season opportunities your program offers. Getting this calendar of events earlier gives your players a chance to start planning their own summers.
5. MEET, SHARE, LEARN, GROW
One of the great things about the coaching profession is that coaches are willing to share ideas. If you are interested about a certain concept or topic, contact a coach who might. Or plan a get-together with a group of coaches and share thoughts and ideas. This can be as easy as sitting down at a restaurant to diagram X's and O's or share philosophies of coaching. Coaches will share.
