I agree with everyone about the 2 - 3 coach approach - I've always had a separate one in charge of the research. I've had parents as well as h.s. kids help me. If the kids were very wild, I'd get more coaching help. I learned after my first year to have every child and parent sign a code of conduct. Anyone who repeatedly violated it, was asked to leave. If you are not lucky enough to have other adult resources, and if your team is voluntary, I'd consider talking to the parents of the wilder children and asking them to police their own children. If it is simply one person inciting the others, I'd consider kicking the main perpetrator out. I had to do that twice, in about 10 years coaching teams. The parents apparently thought FLL was a daycare situation, the children clearly not wanting to be there. Once they were gone, dynamics changed. Best wishes to you in your inaugural year. Please don't throw in the towel! Kathy Kathy Molina Science 6 HB Woodlawn 703-228-6363 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = This communication was sent via the Arlington Public Schools mail system. Please be advised that email is not a secure form of communication. There should be no expectation of right to privacy in anything sent via electronic mail. >>> Phil Smith III <[log in to unmask]> 10/23/2009 12:14 AM >>> Depends on the number of kids to some extent, but I*d echo the need to have at least one to focus on robot and one to focus on research. Getting a parent or two to help, even if (s)he is only there to help the kids focus, is also a good strategy. The Capital Girls had at least two coaches each year. The first year I co-coached with a semi-experienced coach and another newbie; in subsequent years, I had Martha Cosgrove as my co-coach. Besides being an excellent coach, she*s also an elementary teacher, and so was used to herding cats. Surely at least ONE of the other parents has some technical expertise? I*d recommend reaching out to the parents and asking for help, as others have suggested. -- Phil Smith III Virginia State Judge Advisor, 2007, 2008, 2009 Judge Advisor, Northern Virginia Regional tournaments, 2007, 2008, 2009 Division 1 Judge Advisor, Virginia State tournament, 2006 Coach, The Capital Girls, Oak Hill (retired) Team 1900 (2002) Team 2497 (2003) Team 2355 (2004) Team 1945 (2005) From: First Lego League in Virginia and DC [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tom Chiffrilller Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:02 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [VADCFLL-L] number of coaches for your team Hi everyone, just wondering how many adults and or mentors your team has. I am coaching solo and feel overwhelmed at managing all the kids. Any ideas? As soon as I start helping a few on a task the others start running around. I don't want to be a policeman all the time but am wondering how to keep the others busy. thanks. The kids range from 10 to 13 years old. -- To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list". -- VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via VADCFLL-ADMIN-L. Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-l.html to subscribe. -- To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list". -- VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via VADCFLL-ADMIN-L. Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-admin-l.html to subscribe.