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Please call or visit our website to receive a copy of the class schedule. www.winkids.net3000 WAKETON ROAD FLOWER MOUND, TEXAS 75028

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Upward Cheerleader, Ryland Burns flashes a smile before the game.

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Frisco RoughRider fans enjoy some quality time with Daisy.

Lamar Middle School student Lokesh Nagineni wins Denton County Spelling Bee Championship.

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Liberty Belles Dance Team excels at the Dallas Fort Worth Championships of American Dance Drill Team.

Durham Middle School PE students gain a new perspective as they learn to play wheelchair basketball.

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Youth Sports Today proudly presents a new series of tips for youth sports coaches and parents from Positive Coaching Alliance and its local Chapter, PCA-North Texas. This month, as

spring sports get underway we suggest a pre-season approach for coaches, drawing from PCA’s live workshops, online courses, books and free resources available at www.PCANorthTexas.org.

Approaching a new season, perhaps months since your last game, you may need a few refreshers to ensure a positive start. Whether you have an entirely new team or many returning players, your first team meeting and practice of the season sets a tone for all that will follow.

As a Double-Goal Coach® -- PCA’s model of a coach who strives to win while also pursuing the more important goal of teaching life lessons through sports -- it is important to immediately establish a positive

team culture. In our workshops, books and online courses, PCA defines “culture” simply as “the way WE do things HERE.”

That’s not always easy after a long layoff. You may be tempted on day one to teach your players “who’s boss” or to “lay down the law.” You may remember little incidents from last season where you felt you gave players more leeway than was good for them or the team or yourself.

Those incidents are bygones. And though you may learn from your mistakes, you should not let memories of them diminish your overall positive demeanor. Nor should you be overcome with the excitement and adrenalin that accompany a new season, the one where you “finally get it all right.”

So, how to ensure you start off positively? Here are a few tips:

- Take time to remember positives from your past. Certainly, you’ve had great moments as a coach. Many of these successes only could have occurred in the positive, supportive environment that you helped cultivate. Reflecting on those times will encourage you to try to recreate them.- Revisit lessons from your coaches. To stick with a sport long enough to become a coach, you must have had great experiences with coaches who cultivated

your love for the game. Think back to some of the lessons you learned, and you will be inspired to provide a positive, character-building experience for your players.- Try playing. Whatever your sport, get a game together to remind yourself how difficult some of the skills are, including execution of plays or patterns with your teammates. That will keep you mindful of the challenges your players face and help you remain patient and understanding as you teach them.- Use PCA’s resources. Get to a pre-season Double-Goal Coach workshop, take PCA’s online Double-Goal Coach courses, or simply use some of the free tools at our website, including our Talking Points e-mail series, the “Ask PCA Blog” and other resources at www.PCANorthTexas/our-tools. All these options are quick, inexpensive routes to becoming and remaining the Positive Coach you know you should be.

To bring PCA to your school or youth sports organization, phone PCA-North Texas Executive Director Scott Secules at 972-789-4100 or e-mail Scott_Secules@PositiveCoach.org.

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Positive CoachingPre-Season Refreshers

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March Issue, Our 16th Year!

Ever experience a long winning streak that was broken; a difficult defeat in the championship

game or an unexpected loss to an up-and-coming competitor? The other side of the Cinderella stories is the teams who suffer heartbreaking defeats. Muhammad Ali once said, “I never thought of losing, but now that it’s happened, the only thing is to do it right. That’s my obligation to all the people who believe in me. We all have to take defeats in life. ” As parents and coaches, we know that losing is part of the game and certainly one of the greatest life lesson tools of the youth sports experience. Our role is to help our kids see those life lessons in the face of the defeat.

Handling defeat is never easy. Athletes can feel depressed, angry, frustrated, and sad. Some youth athletes in particular take losses

very personally, feeling like a failure and believing the loss is their sole responsibility. Some athletes become very quiet in a loss, keeping their thoughts and feelings to themselves; others feel the need to talk and share their feelings as a way to process the loss. How athletes handle a loss reflects their own maturity, their own level of self-esteem, and whether or not they have been given a framework for the principles of sportsmanship.

Learning how to cope with defeat is a learned skill like all others. Many valuable lessons result from our losses and how we choose to handle them. Make sure your child is prepared and remember they take their cues from you. If you excuse the loss by placing blame elsewhere, you are teaching them it’s okay not to take responsibility for their performance. The motivation to improve is stolen and there’s no push to do better next time. Pat them on the back, recognize it was a tough loss, and help them prepare for the next challenge!

Frisco Roughriders Preview...........................14-15REGULAR FEATURESPositive Coaching Alliance....................................................5The Game Plan.....................................................................6Chalk Talk..............................................................................7Kids Korner............................................................................8The Walk................................................................................8Sports Directory..............................................................10-11Team to Watch....................................................................12Coach Spotlight...................................................................16Student Athlete of the Month...............................................17Summer Camp Guide.....................................................18-19

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Youth Coaches Make Most of Small Opportunities to Teach Baseball Fundamentals

So much to teach . . . so little time. That’s a common mantra of youth baseball coaches. Practice time is a premium and there are scores of fundamentals we need to teach. How do we get it all done?

Last summer I was forced to break the traditional mindset that we can teach only at practice. At the end of May I got a brand new crop of incoming freshman. After three days of tryouts, it was game time – but I hadn’t even had a practice with my team before opening a four-day tournament.

I asked the kids to show up 15 minutes early to the first game so we could at least go through the signs and set behavior expectations. The other basics, I figured, would have to wait until our first official practice the following week.

However, those extra 15 minutes turned out to be extremely productive as they asked great questions about cutoffs and defensive situations. I decided that I’d have them show up 15 minutes early the next day.

Over the next three days I taught several important fundamentals: getting leads at all three bases, rounding first base aggressively on a hit, reading a pitcher’s pickoff move, and communication on popups and flyballs. They asked lots of questions and used these new skills in the games – it was great!

Refining My Instructional Methods

I realized that with only 15 minutes, I had to be extremely crisp in my delivery of the instruction and move kids through drills quickly. I think they learned better, paid attention the whole time, and we covered more ground. Most importantly, they applied the learning immediately in game situations. It’s made me re-think how I give instruction during practice.

Five things the kids taught me:• All time is valuable. I can always teach them something new in 10-15 minutes and then reinforce it in games and future practices. In addition, the games were more productive learning experiences because they weren’t reinforcing bad habits.• Make time for instruction. Having the kids show up 15 minutes early wasn’t an inconvenience for anyone, but over the course of four days, I got a full hour of instructional time.• Be crisp. I knew I was under the gun to provide the instruction and then give each kid a few reps of doing it right. I saw that when I had more time during practices, I didn’t always make the best use of it.• Small bites. The kids paid attention – maybe even enjoyed – the instruction because it was small chunks done quickly.

I learned there rarely is a “perfect” time for things. There’s only now . . . when it comes to instruction, just do it!

Coach Dan Clemens is the author of A Perfect Season: A Coach’s Journey to Learning, Competing, and Having Fun in Youth Baseball. A leadership and communications consultant, he’s coached youth baseball, football, soccer and basketball for 10 years and is a high school coach. You can email him at Dan@CoachClemens.com.

Excite! held the 2nd Annual Marcus Circle of Friends Pep Rally on February 1st. With great participation from the surrounding areas. The event raised over $2000 for the Marcus High School Circle of Friends Prom! Excite! teams Inspire, Ambition, Joy and Intense performed in honor of the cause. The Inspire team is comprised of very talented cheerleaders with special needs. Thank you to all of those who came to support the Marcus Circle of friends!

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Salt and light. That’s what God’s Word calls us to be. Wait…even when the umpire makes a bad call that costs us the game? Even when the opposing team runs up the score? Even when the coach doesn’t put my son in the position I want him to play? Yes. Why salt and why light? Salt was actually one of the most valuable commodities in the world in Jesus’ day. It was used for flavor and preservation in the pre-fridge days. Light is rather obvious in that it causes people to see in darkness. That is our calling as Christians, even in the hyper competitive youth sports landscape today. We are called to preserve God’s word through our actions by giving others a taste of this life and shedding light on a rather dark world through our actions…not our words.

Okay so I understand the why but what about the how? For Christians, we are called to be counter-cultural in our responses, especially in the culture of athletics. The world would tell us to glorify ourselves, point our finger to the all-star who had the big hit or the 3-pointer at the

buzzer for the win. However, God would tell us to humble ourselves that He may be exalted, to put others before ourselves. In sport, we can do this by mentioning our teammates and plays they made, pointing out how good the assistant coaching was or being gracious in defeat…or, wait for it…give the glory to God who gave us the talents and abilities to be able to play/coach the sport.

Jesus was a man of action, a man’s man who simply said, “follow me”, Our job as Christians is to walk well, even under tough circumstances. We can either say to others what we believe or we can actually allow people to see what we believe through our actions. Matthew 5:13-16”

The WalkBy Brandon Agamennone

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The Lady Farmer Basketball team beat the district champion Colleyville Heritage High School team 37-24 in the first round of the playoffs!

Future football players calling plays and getting ready to hike the ball like the professionals!

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Football

o Cross Timbers YMCA - www.lewisvilleymca.org, 972-539-9622o Denton Boys Baseball - www.dbbi.orgo Flower Mound Youth Sports Associationwww.fmysa.com, 972-955-7328o Highland Village Baseball & Softball Associationwww.hvabsa.com, info@hvabsa.como i9 Sports (Denton County, Coppell, Southlake)www.i9sports.com, 817-400-4525o Lewisville Baseball Association - www.lbasports.net972-420-7841o Premier Prospects Softball and Baseball Academywww.ppsba.com, 214-499-6240

Directory

Baseball

o Flower Mound Youth Sports Associationwww.fmysa.com, 972-955-7328o Highland Village Baseball & Softball Associationwww.hvabsa.com, info@hvabsa.como Lewisville Baseball Association - www.lbasports.net972-420-7841o Premier Prospects Softball and Baseball Academywww.ppsba.com, 214-499-6240

Softball

o Attack Basketball Clubwww.attackball.com, 214-223-7865o Coco Sports Youth Basketballwww.lcs-ballsandbooks.com, 972-464-6580 o Cross Timbers YMCAwww.lewisvilleymca.org, 972-539-9622o Denton Youth Basketballwww.dentonyouthbasketball.com940-320-9392o i9 Sports (Denton County, Coppell, Southlake)www.i9sports.com817-400-4525

Basketballo Cross Timbers YMCAwww.lewisvilleymca.org972-539-9622o Denton All-Star Youth Footballwww.dayfl.org, 940-349-8276o Denton County Raiders Orgwww.dcraiders.org

Footballo Driven Youth Footballwww.drivenfootball.com972-746-5697o Flower Mound Youth FootballAssociation - www.fmyfa.orginfo@fmyfa.como i9 Sports (Denton County,Coppell, Southlake)www.i9sports.com, 817-400-4525o Lewisville Football Associationwww.lewisvillepeeweefootball.com972-219-1269o Upward Sports972-530-8547 ext. 216

o Cross Timbers YMCAwww.lewisvilleymca.org972-539-9622o Greater Lewisville SoccerAssociation - www.glassasoccer.org972-221-4623o i9 Sports (Denton County,Coppell, Southlake)www.i9sports.com, 817-400-4525o Upward Sports972-530-8547 ext. 216

Soccero Starcenterwww.dallasstars.com214-GO-SKATE or 972-831-2425

Hockey

o Flower Mound Lacrosse Associationwww.flowermoundlacrosse.como Hebron Hawks Lacrossewww.hebronlax.como Lantana Wildcats Youth Football Assoc.www.lwyfa.lantanawildcatsfootball.org

Lacrosse

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games, tournaments, events, camps

Your guide to area events, registrations, games and tournaments. If you would like your listing to appear here, email Amy Kenney at amy@youthsportstoday.com

o Denton All-Star Youth Footballwww.dayfl.org, 940-349-8276o Denton County Raiders Org.www.dcraiders.orgo Driven Youth Footballwww.drivenfootball.com, 972-746-5697o Excite! Gym, Cheer and Dancewww.excitegym.com, 972-874-8500o Flower Mound Youth FootballAssociation - www.fmyfa.orginfo@fmyfa.com

Cheerleadingo i9 Sports (Denton County,Coppell, Southlake)www.i9sports.com, 817-400-4525o Lewisville Football Associationwww.lewisvillepeeweefootball.com972-219-1269o Upward Sports972-530-8547 ext. 216o WinKidswww.winkids.net, 972-355-9988

o Excite! Gym, Cheer and Dancewww.excitegym.com972-874-8500o WinKidswww.winkids.net972-355-9988

Dance o Achievers Gymnasticswww.achieversgymnastics.com940-484-4900o Excite! Gym, Cheer and Dancewww.excitegym.com972-874-8500o WinKidswww.winkids.net972-355-9988

Gymnastics

o WinKidswww.winkids.net972-355-9988

Martial Arts

o AquaKidswww.aquakids.com, 972-724-1528o Cross Timbers YMCAwww.lewisvilleymca.org972-539-9622o Lakeside Aquatic Clubwww.www.swimlac.orgo WinKidswww.winkids.net972-355-9988

Swimming

o Play For Sportwww.playforsport.com972-965-0458

Tennis

o Lake Cities Track Club214-244-3271

Track

o Attack Volleyball Clubwww.attackvball.com972-315-9500

Volleyballo Cross Timbers YMCAwww.lewisvilleymca.org972-539-9622

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TEAM TO WATCH is dedicated to Max Schwolert

LIVE to the MAX!! LOVE to the MAX!! PLAY to the MAX!!

Our hearts are broken, our lives enriched We love and miss you Max!!

Max's Legacy lives on in all of us. www.caringbridge.org/visit/maxschwolert

LOVEtotheMAXforMaxSchwolert

n 2008 the Flower Mound Lacrosse Association launched with a boys division; in 2009 the girls division launched by

fielding a combined team of girls 4th-8th grade. The girls division now has nearly 100 players, including 1-3/4 team, 1-5/6 team, 1-7/8 team, 1-JV team and new Varsity team beginning last fall.

Ronda James boasts “The girls 7/8 has been a strong team and the one to watch since most of them began on 5/6.” In the fall of this year, the 7/8 girls played in in the local Halloween Shootout and TurLaxin Shootout Tournaments with a no loss, perfect record, in addition to the Houston CyFair Lacrosse Tournament with a great performance and one loss.

All the girls’ teams have been highly successful, including 2012 JV District Champions and 2013 Varsity Aggieland D2 Tournament Champions in January. Many of the girls are now looking at competitive college teams for play and scholarship.

For this Spring season, 7/8 girls were placed into the new, championship division, which has not been available to the girls until this year, and have started the season off with a big upset by Allen, always a tough competitor.

We practice 2-3 times a week, including basic skills, offensive and defensive plays and strategies, and scrimmaging. We also participate in clinics offered by FMLA and summer "box" lacrosse, a quick-paced style of lacrosse played on a small court.

TEAM TO WATCH Flower Mound Force 7/8 Girls,Flower Mound

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Coach Spotlight

When did you first begin coaching?

My first opportunity was about 20 years ago assisting in youth hockey. An opportu-nity did not come about until last year in assisting with my youngest daughter 3/4 lacrosse team. When she moved up to 5/6 so did I from a coaching aspect.

Do you have a favorite sport to coach?

I enjoy sports in general and would consider any sport my daughters are involved in.

What is your favorite coaching mo-ment or memory thus far?

To bond the new players with the existing players, I had the new girls pick a song to act out in front of current players at first team meeting. You could hear the giggling from the new players and the anticipation from the current players. When the new girls started their skit, many of the existing players jumped in and acted it out with the new players, immediately starting a team bond.

Do you have a favorite age to work with?

Most of my coaching has been in the 9-13 year old range so right now that would be my favorite.

Have you learned any valuable les-sons that have shaped the way you coach?

You can not teach everyone the same way; you need to identify variations of the same lesson plan. Additionally, try to avoid stating struggles as a weakness, instead identify them as opportunities.

What do you feel is the biggest re-ward you receive from coaching?

Seeing the confidence increase in the player’s eyes and attitude.

What advice would you give a parent who is considering a volunteer coach position?

The few hours a week you need to commit to coaching makes a lasting impression on the youth you assist and is a very small commitment against the 168 hours in a week.

What sports did you play as a child and/or adult?

As a child, I played baseball and bas-ketball. As an adult I played hockey and softball.

Who was your sports role model as a child?

Growing up as a child in Boston, you would have thought it would be Larry Bird or Bobby Orr but my role model was Steve Yzerman of the Detroit Red Wings. Recognized as “The Captain”, Steve was the con-summate team player always lead-ing by example.

What change, if any, would you like to see in youth sports?

None come to mind at this timeDo you have a coaching philoso-

phy?To create a positive learning envi-

ronment that strengthens a youth’s con-fidence and allows them to take chances on new opportunities.

What is the biggest benefit you see in your athletes from being a part of a team?

The collaboration in working together as one to achieve a common goal.

What is something most people don’t know about you?

I am a pretty good Candlepin Bowler which is a variation of bowling played in Canada and New England. I once scored a three game score of 412 (144, 139, and 129). The bowling form also assisted me in Horseshoes where in 2006 I was a Texas Class Champion.

If you were granted one “coaching wish”, what would it be?

To be able to coach a team in which both my daughters played on.

The Lady Marauders continue on to Area Playoffs!

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Coach Bill Sullivan 5/6 Girls’ Lacrosse TeamFlower Mound Lacrosse

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How old were you when you started playing sports?

I started playing softball at 5 yrs old. I played soccer and basketball but LOVE softball.

What Sport did you start playing first?

Softball – I started playing T-Ball at 5 yrs. old. My mom coached me until I was 12.

Do you continue to play multiple sports, and if yes, which do you play?

I only play softball right now. I participated in basketball and track in middle school and set a couple of records for Shot Put in middle school.

Which sport is your favorite and why?

Softball….because it’s a team. Softball is fast-paced but I love being with my teammates.

Who is your sports role model and why?

My sister, Taylor Hoagland. She is a champion on the dirt and off. She has taught me that anything is possible with work and desire.

What other activities are you involved in when not playing sports?

Community Service – I do a lot of building for Habitat for Humanity and the Shelter. I love working with kids and want to make a difference.

What is your favorite subject in school?

History – I love learning about the past and how things are different.

What would you like to do as a profession once you graduate?

I would like to be a Special Needs P.E. Teacher and Coach.

What is your favorite thing about playing sports?

Being a part of a team, great friends, and the ability to win and

lose with my teammates. What has been your biggest

challenge while playing sports?To lose with pride. It’s easy to

win with pride but not always the same when you lose. My select coach, Torres says that “How you perform and how you carry yourself on the field defines who you are as a person.”

Who is your favorite sports team?

UT Longhorns Softball – HOOK’EM!

Who has been the biggest influence in your life and what have they taught you?

My Mom – she taught me to be strong, stand tall, and say you can,

but to remember we are here to be a difference-maker to those in need.

What is your favorite moment during a game so far?

Hitting a base and clearing a triple; then while the pitcher was feeling sorry for herself, I stole home.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

We rebuilt a home for a family in Flower Mound in 6 weeks. As a team, we worked every weekend and gave a family in need a new home.

If you were able to give a younger athlete advice, what would it be?

Work on these: Desire, Drive, and Determination! Always change someone else’s life for the better.

What’s one thing about you that most people don’t know?

That I was in a wheelchair for a year and was told that I would not play sports again.

What college will you be attending and what will your major be?

I don’t know right now. I’m still looking for the right fit. I would like to continue to play ball in college.

STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE MONTHChandler Hoagland, 10th Grader at Flower Mound High School

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