RinkmateA first practice checklist for new coaches and managers
The first practice sets the tone for the season. A little preparation the week before keeps it calm, and makes the rest of the season easier to run.
A week before
- Confirm the facility, time and arrival instructions in writing.
- Get the roster in one place with contact details and any medical or allergy notes the team needs.
- Post the first month of the schedule so people can plan.
- Tell families how you will communicate, and where.
The day before
- Send a reminder with the address, parking and what to bring.
- Check the weather and have a backup plan.
- Charge the things you need: phone, speaker, whistle batteries.
What to bring
- A printed roster and a way to take attendance.
- A first-aid kit and ice or heat packs.
- Water, in case someone forgets.
- Cones, balls or sticks, whatever your sport needs.
What to say
Keep the opening brief: who you are, what the season looks like, what you expect and how people can reach you. Save the long talk about fees, uniforms and rules for the written message afterwards.
After practice
- Post the next practice and next game in the team channel.
- Ask for RSVPs for the first game now, while people are thinking about it.
- Send fee and uniform details once, in writing.
Rinkmate keeps the roster, schedule, chat and dues in one place so none of this sits in your head. See how it works.
Keep reading
- How to run a rec league without burning outA practical guide to running a recreational sports league: set the season, collect fees, build the schedule, keep standings and communicate without burning out.
- How to collect team dues without chasing peopleHow to collect team dues for a sports team: set the amount, make it easy to pay, track who has paid and send reminders without awkwardness.
- How to replace the team group chatWhy the team group text breaks down and how to replace it with a purpose-built team app: schedule, RSVPs, pinned messages and one source of truth.
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