▶▶ To the extent possible, assign your assistants to positions for which they are qualified and in which they have interest. Specify their responsibilities clearly.▶▶ Help prepare your assistants for their duties. Teach them how to communicate with your athletes, your methods of instruction, and the tasks to be done in practices and contests.▶▶ Be sure to give your assistant coaches time to communicate with you.▶▶ Involve your assistants in as much decision making as possible. Their views may be helpful, and they’ll learn from, and be motivated by, the opportunity to participate in the process.▶▶ Provide your assistants with formal and informal evaluations throughout the season.▶▶ Don’t let situations arise in which athletes attempt to play you and your assistants against each other.▶▶ Recognize your assistants’ contributions to the team publicly and privately during and after the season.▶▶ Just as your athletes should enjoy being members of the team, your assistants should too. Try to make the experience fun for them.