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The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once. - Albert Einstein

School days, homework, bedtimes — it must be fall.

During summer your kids may play a couple of sports and still have plenty of time for friends and fun.  With no other obligations, save the family trip to Wally World, it's a great time for a kid to immerse herself in sports.

However, once school starts, it becomes the kid's biggest commitment.  Between school and homework, there may be little time for anything else.  When that happens, parents start making judgments about the best use of their kid's time.

Now, you're reasonable.  You realize that if a kid has a project due tomorrow, getting it done is more important than your practice.  However, if you see lots of kids missing lots of practice it's time to examine what the team is getting out of your practice.  You need to determine if your practice is passing the time value test.

Everyone has their own test, but here are a few signs your practice is a waste of time:

• You have no practice plan
• Kids are standing around during practice
• Kids don't know the other kid's names
• Parents are disinterested and don't know your name
• Kids aren't learning and improving

No need to panic and try to become Vince Lombardi overnight.  But it is important to make changes.  Start by reviewing your practice plan.  If you don't have a plan, I think we found the problem…

Remember the rules for a good practice:

• Practice is no longer than it has to be
• Break the team into small groups
• Rotate the groups through multiple stations
• Keep 'em busy

Build your practice around these rules and no one will accuse you of wasting time.