It's important that we keep a proper perspective of what our priorities and mission should be at all levels of competition. Our mission IS NOT winning at all costs.

Our primary goal is to teach and develop in a fun atmosphere and to continue with our commitment to provide our players with the very best educational, sports experience possible.


Five Tools of an Effective Coach:

Have you purchased the traditional coaching tools – whistles, coaching clothes, sport shoes and a clipboard? They’ll help you coach, but to be a successful coach, you’ll need five other tools that money can’t buy and they’re easy to remember with the acronym COACH:

C    Comprehension
O    Outlook
A    Affection
C    Character
H    Humor

Comprehension of the rules, strategies and skills of the game is required. In addition to acquiring knowledge of the game, you must implement proper training and safety methods so that your players can participate with little risk of injury.

Outlook refers to your perspective and goals. The most common coaching objectives are to provide an enjoyable experience, to develop the players’ fundamental skills, and to get players to perform to the best of their abilities on a consistent basis. Remember the motto “Athletes First, Winning Second”.

Affection is a genuine concern for the young people you coach. It involves having a love for working with kids, a desire to share with them your love and knowledge of basketball, and the patience and understanding that allow each player to grow through his or her involvement in sport.

Character means modeling appropriate behavior for sports and life. This means more than just saying the right thing. What you say and what you do must match. Challenge, support, encourage, and reward every youngster, and your players will be more likely to accept, even celebrate, their differences.

Humor is an often-overlooked coaching tool. For our use, it means having the ability to laugh at yourself and with your players during practices and games. Nothing helps balance the tone of a serious skill-development session like a chuckle or two. And a sense of humor puts in perspective the many mistakes your players will make. Allow your players and yourself to enjoy the ups, and don’t dwell on the downs.


Michael Fauci

President, Little Warriors Sports Program