Twitter and Facebook are some of the easiest tools to keep lines of com­mu­ni­ca­tion open between coaching staffs, athletes, parents, and fans. Here’s a handful of ways coaches can really up their internet game in gearing up for another season.

In sports, everybody knows that communication is key – whether it’s chatter on the field or a clear-cut practice schedule. But coaches can be quick to go silent in the offseason, or stick to the kinds of communication they’re used to, even if there’s an easier way.

Twitter and Facebook are some of the easiest tools to keep lines of communication open between coaching staffs, athletes, parents, and fans. Here’s a handful of ways coaches can really up their internet game in gearing up for another season.

Pump up your players

Keeping your team engaged and excited about their season is a great first step in using social media. If you’re in the offseason, getting athletes psyched is as easy as sharing a photo of next season’s new jerseys or the freshly mowed field. You can revisit big moments from last season, share workout tips and reminders, or offer to answer questions.

You can even engage your athletes in a little friendly competition; challenge them to share a photo or short video of their offseason workouts and see who’s on a mission to become the new Top Dog!

If the season is already in full swing, social media interaction is as easy as letting your athletes know they have work to do. They can take it from there.

Connect with parents

Sharing your Twitter handle with parents or telling them to find you on Facebook at your first meeting of the year is a great way to make sure everyone feels connected (without giving out that precious home phone number). As phone trees fall by the wayside, having parents in your social network can be a huge help in relaying information, whether you’re looking to keep them in the loop or making sure athletes have up-to-date info.

Keep it simple

Have a 10-second video you’d like to show your team? Want to remind players that they have work to do off the field, too? For short messages or reminders that don’t require an email, a social media post is perfect. Plus, players tend to scroll Twitter far more often than they refresh their inbox.

By connecting with your players and parents on multiple platforms, you’ll be able to streamline communication; when players know that the assistant coach will shoot out a tweet if practice is cancelled, or parents can volunteer to help via Facebook, it’s easy to stay on the same page.

Keeping teams connected and ready to work is the first step toward a winning season. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

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