Summer Break: Tips for Parents and Coaches

The summer break takes place during the “big holiday.” The KNBSB doesn’t schedule any games during this period. Sometimes, there might still be a game on a weekend right before or after the break. Good luck rounding up enough players for those!

As we write this, we're halfway through the summer break. A perfect time to round up all the tips and tricks.

Give parents, kids, and yourself some breathing room

No matter how enthusiastic and passionate you are, it’s good to take a break now and then. This year, we wanted to keep training, for example, since we had the coaching staff available. All players who wanted to come were welcome—because summer is just perfect for being out on the field, right? And the kids don’t go on vacation every single week, do they? In practice, though, it quickly became clear that we could expect very few kids at training sessions. Lack of motivation? Not at all! Many were on vacation, at youth camps, staying over at friends’ houses, or out for the day. Nowadays, kids have something planned almost every day during those six weeks off. Plus, some kids have divorced parents—sometimes spending one half of their holiday with dad and the other half with mom. And what else did we find out? The home front thought it was a bit strange if we kept training through the break:

Yeah, you’ve got work that Wednesday, but when I’m chilling with the kids on the beach, on my day off, there’s no way I’m gonna keep an eye on the clock just because you want to squeeze in extra training…

So goes the honest reply from Reinier’s wife

And she was right. Give everyone the time to do their thing. It’s not on you, coach

Summer Youth Camp

Spending a whole week playing your favorite sport and making new friends. Sign me up! We’ve noticed that over the past few years, youth baseball and softball camps are popping up more often during summer vacation. Just Google it, ask around, or check out some Facebook groups—you’re bound to find some. As a coach, it’s also great to share this with your kids and their parents. Encourage it, maybe even plan to go together. It’s definitely less intimidating when you know someone from your own team will be there too. There are costs involved, but compared to a horse camp or sailing camp (as far as we can tell), they’re pretty reasonable. It’ll be an amazing experience for the players, and they’ll definitely level up their game.

Dear KNBSB, if you’re reading this: a page on your website around April/May showcasing all the youth initiatives happening across the Netherlands this summer would be a home run! Something easy for parents to check out and coaches to share.

As a coach, it’s smart to give the kids a clear idea of when you’ll see each other again. On top of that, you can send them off with a little homework for the holidays. For example, give each player an (old) ball. Write something fun on it and challenge them to make sure they bring their ball and glove on vacation. “Try practicing so much that by the time you pack your ball back in the bag after the break, you can’t even read what’s written on it anymore.”

Sometimes parents just need a little extra nudge to realize that besides badminton at the campsite, playing catch—or even a quick little game—can be on the table too.

Extra free tip: Got some old gloves lying around? Bring them along! It’s way more fun and easier to get the kids at the campsite (or even nearby) involved in the game. If you still need that glove after a great week, consider giving it away as a gift — you might just inspire someone new to fall in love with the sport. And hey, a glove like that makes for a pretty cool keepsake. Don’t forget to write your name on it!

In the hustle and bustle of regular weeks, sometimes you just can’t fit everything in. Got a little extra time?

For Coaches

• Check your gear. Time to double-check those straps on the catcher's gear. Still got tape on your bats?
• How are we doing with our roster? Any new recruits joining mid-season? Are the gear counts still accurate? And that power hitter—should we order an extra bat for them?
• Have you informed the parent about the upcoming games?
• Scoreboard and paperwork all set?
• “When does the first practice start again?” Stay ahead of the parents with this legit question, and you’re a pro in our book.
• The second half of this season is the perfect time to get a few things in order. Schedule that parents' meeting, create a team manifesto, or go over the uniform rules one more time. Repetition is the name of the game.
• Share this page in the group chat

For Parents

• Great time to clear up the family calendar with new practices and games.
• Gear all set? Need a quick warm-up?
• Stickers on the helmet? Gear labeled?
• Glove and ball coming along on vacation?
• Maybe it’s fun to get together with the other parents and kids at the park sometime—think picnic, BBQ? Don’t forget the glove and ball!
• It’s glove maintenance time!

Listen to our podcast during the summer break!

Enjoyed the article? Did you find it helpful? Then be sure to listen to the podcast—perfect for some great stories and tips while you’re on vacation.

The post Summer Break 2023: Tips for Parents and Coaches first appeared on Coach Ball.