Know what you want to do and how you plan to do it before the session.
Assign assistant coaches their roles and responsibilities in accordance to your training plan.
The two most important elements you can bring to practice are a high level of enthusiasm and a willingness to be flexible.
When possible, have all equipment and stations prepared before the athletes arrive.
Arrange the athletes in a semicircle in front of you.
Introduce and acknowledge coaches and athletes.
Review intended program with everyone. Keep athletes informed of changes in schedule or activities.
As you speak, make eye contact with all athletes. Speak simply and clearly. Do not give long demonstrations and explanations.
Ask questions to ensure that everyone knows what to do.
Encourage athletes to imitate your technique.
Keep everyone moving.
Watch for fatigue and listen to athletes who say they are cold.
Emphasize "doing" rather than "watching." Athletes will learn best by participating in a variety of fun exercises and games. Create a playground in the snow, which incorporates snowshoeing skills. For example, you could use obstacles or existing trees or shrubs to create a course to follow. As the athletes become more proficient, advanced terrain will replace the challenge of games.
Keep the activities challenging and fun and always provide positive feedback to the athletes.
Keep the Fun in fundamentals.
Alter the plan according to weather, the facility and the needs of the athletes.
Give the athletes plenty of time to become familiar with a new skill before teaching another one.
Keep drills and activities brief so athletes do not get bored. Keep everyone busy with an exercise even if it is rest.
If an activity is going well, it is often useful to stop the activity while interest is high. Change activities before the athletes lose interest.
Devote the end of the practice to a group activity that incorporates challenge and fun, so athletes have something to look forward to.
Summarize the session and announce arrangements for next session.
