By Lynn Milligan | September 23, 2026

The FALL is finally here after a busy summer. With the Fall brings CHANGE. Changing of the leaves, changes in our time and changes with our teams. It is time to put all the pieces together.

As we piece it together the more we are prepared and A STEP AHEAD the better. We know as coaches that things will come up that we were not expecting. How will we handle it as the head coach and keep things moving forward?

A mistake we can make as a coach is not preparing for this or assuming everything is OK. Everyone had “great summer workouts” Just look online and see. LOL

10 THINGS to THINK About and Stay A STEP AHEAD

1. Do not assume things are fine - dig in and keep eyes and ears open.

2.There is a new day to day for your team. Map it out and help them design their weeks.

3. Time Management is real. It is the #1 quality we can teach our players. Players need routines. I always have believed it is not that there isn't enough time to do things but that there is too much time to do nothing.

4. Plan individual meetings with your players as much as you can. CHECK IN!

5. Balance is key - recognize signs of players being overwhelmed and physically and mentally exhausted.

6. Practice will be great the first few weeks. Mid October is where things can get challenging. Plan ahead.

7. Use your rest days wisely

8. Be diligent in continuing to develop your team chemistry, being accountable to your program’s culture, and growth off the court. Summer tends to be easier to schedule team activities. Do not let this important piece slip.

9. As practice starts, begin to define roles and be intentional with role definition for your team. This will help as you get closer to games and playing time becomes more defined.

10. Practice advise - QUALITY over QUANTITY

Many more things will come into play in the fall that our players will not understand or be ready for the reality of things. How will they react to their actual role on the team, an injury, playing time, and added responsibilities

If you need help with any of these things - reach out and let's talk about it. I can give you ideas and a plan that you can actually put into action.

One piece of advice if it works - give SUNDAY OFF. It is a great day for the team, your staff and YOUR to take a breath. It is a great day to process the week you had and adjust the upcoming week. And watch some FOOTBALL!

GO BIRDS!!!