Calm and Focus

I was at a youth lacrosse game recently listening to two coaches yelling a steady stream of commands for four quarters. Shoot Shoot Shoot - Run Run Run - Go Go Go - Give the ball to this guy - Give the ball to that guy - Take the ball here - Take the ball there - Run This play - Run That Play C'mon C'mon!
Then the crowd chimes in with the same stream of frantic yelling. Now remember I'm watching a group of 11 and 12 year olds who still need work on basic passing and catching trying to run plays that they do not seem to remember or understand. I'm starting to think that only clapping and line changes should be allowed at this level. Coaches need to coach, but a lot of that can be limited to fewer and more discrete communications between the coaches and the players. If you want to work on plays, make sure you have worked on your team's basic skills. Plays are made and lost by the skills needed to carry them out. Players need to understand positioning, balance, how to cover the player with the ball, how to get to the ball, get open, make good shots, back shots up, break out, and defend. They should be introduced to ride and slide and cycling. Where to set up, how to settle the ball, how to move with the ball, and how to play as a team. They should have their head on a swivel and learn to make good looks.
Line drills need to have purpose and focus. (do more than just line drills)Are the players passing and catching correctly? Where do they place the ball, in the box or at the heels. Are you explaining the skill your working on properly? Can you demonstrate the skill? If you can't can you get someone who can do this for you? Are you watching the players while they are moving through the drill? Do your players just rush through the drill to get it over or are they really trying to work at what they are doing? The majority of your coaching at the youth level needs to be done at practice. If you think you can coach by shouting out direction to every player out there in every situation your missing the point. Make what you say, when you say it mean something. Players will tune you out after a while if they become annoyed or feel they are being badgered. I've heard many coaches explain that when they yell at players it isn't because they're angry. It's a good kind of yelling. I think this is goofy. If your angry or upset, a player can see it in your actions, and here it in your voice a mile away. Be positive and measured, and limit what you say to young players. How you present yourself to referees, other coaches, and players will be witnessed by young minds and once in a while someone in a worn out old orange cap.