Christopher Sohm Kansas

Chris Sohm

Welcome to the digital home of Chris Sohm, a seasoned high school coach and social studies teacher dedicated to shaping young athletes and fostering strong communities. This platform highlights Chris Sohm’s commitment to excellence in basketball and football, offering guidance and mentorship for students striving to reach their full potential. Beyond his years of coaching experience, Christopher Sohm of Kansas is devoted to building a supportive and tight-knit athletic community, providing personalized coaching to athletes at all skill levels. With over two decades of expertise, Chris Sohm brings valuable insight and leadership, creating a path for students seeking growth, teamwork, and athletic success.

About Chris Sohm

Christopher Sohm, a passionate coach and social studies teacher from Kansas, brings over 20 years of experience to high school athletics. Throughout his career, he’s coached basketball and football in several small-town schools, including La Crosse, Satanta, Canton-Galva, and Spearville. Beginning as an assistant coach, Chris Sohm quickly earned a reputation for his leadership skills and his dedication to building strong team spirit and community involvement. Growing up in Otis-Bison, Christopher Sohm of Kansas excelled as a student-athlete, playing quarterback in football and guard in basketball, experiences that profoundly shaped his approach to coaching. After high school, he attended Fort Hays State University, where he honed the skills that would define his career in education and coaching. Today, Chris Sohm continues to have a lasting impact, motivating his students and athletes to strive for excellence both on and off the field.

Time Management for Student-Athletes: Tips for Coaches to Help Young Athletes Balance School, Sports,
and Personal Time

Balancing the demands of school, sports, and personal life is a challenge that many young athletes face, and as a coach, you have a significant role in helping them navigate this. With thoughtful guidance, you can support your athletes in developing essential time management skills that not only improve their performance on the field but also set them up for success in school and life. Chris Sohm shares some actionable tips for coaches to help student-athletes manage their time effectively.

1. Encourage Prioritization: Helping Students Set Clear Goals

One of the first steps to effective time management is helping students understand their priorities. Christopher Sohm understands that as a coach, you can guide them in setting goals and understanding where to place their focus.

• Talk about academic commitments: Reinforce that school comes first and that good grades and academic skills lay the foundation for future success. Encourage your athletes to communicate with their teachers and take responsibility for keeping up with schoolwork.
• Discuss athletic commitment: Help them understand the importance of showing up for practice, being on time, and fully committing to the team. Talk about how dedication to the team aligns with overall personal growth.
• Emphasize rest and downtime: Remind them that personal well-being, including rest, is essential. Let them know that balance is key to sustaining high performance and preventing burnout.

2. Guide Them in Creating a Weekly Schedule

A weekly schedule can help student-athletes organize their time and ensure they’re meeting their responsibilities without overwhelming themselves. As a coach, Christopher Sohm explains that you can provide templates or examples of schedules and encourage your athletes to create one of their own.

• Provide time management tools: Share resources, like planner templates or calendar apps, that can help them track their activities. Consider introducing an easy-to-use app that lets them map out their practice schedules, homework, and relaxation time.
• Model good scheduling: Show them how to block out practice times and school hours first, then fill in study sessions and personal time around these.
• Set up “check-ins”: Have brief one-on-one or group check-ins to discuss their schedule, see what’s working for them, and offer advice on where they can improve. Even a few minutes of guidance can help them build better habits.

3. Teach Them to Prioritize Tasks Effectively

Helping young athletes learn how to prioritize their tasks can make their schedules more manageable and ensure they stay focused on what’s important.

• Encourage the ABC method: Explain how to label tasks as “A” (urgent), “B” (important but not urgent), and “C” (optional) to help them focus on critical assignments first. Let them know that understanding priorities will make their workload feel less overwhelming.
• Set deadlines for team-related goals: If possible, set small team goals that can be worked on over time. For instance, if there’s an important tournament coming up, outline milestones for practice so they can break down their preparation and manage it over several weeks.
• Help them see the big picture: Emphasize that short-term sacrifices, like studying before practice or working ahead on a big project, can lead to long-term benefits. Understanding this connection can help them avoid last-minute stress.

4. Encourage Discipline and Accountability

As a coach, instilling discipline and accountability in your players will not only help them manage their time but also improve their resilience and reliability.

• Set a good example: Demonstrate punctuality and preparation in your own role as coach. Show them how discipline leads to consistency and success.
• Set clear expectations: Make it clear that you expect athletes to complete their schoolwork and attend practice regularly. Let them know they are accountable for both their athletic and academic responsibilities.
• Encourage self-checks: Suggest that athletes take a few minutes each day to review what they need to accomplish. This habit can help them stay organized and on top of their workload.

5. Support Healthy Work and Rest Balance

Time management isn’t only about fitting everything in; it’s also about helping student-athletes maintain a balanced life where they can rest and recharge.

• Discuss the importance of sleep: Explain how sleep affects athletic and academic performance. Let them know that you support their need for 8-10 hours of sleep each night to be at their best.
• Encourage downtime: Emphasize the value of having time away from sports and studies to relax. Let your athletes know it’s okay—and even beneficial—to take breaks to prevent burnout.
• Schedule light practices after big academic events: When possible, arrange lighter practice sessions following stressful academic times like exams. Acknowledge the effort they’ve put into both and show you value their overall well-being.

6. Show Them How to Avoid Procrastination

Procrastination can hinder even the best-laid plans, Chris Sohm explains that helping student-athletes develop strategies to stay on task is essential.

• Introduce the “5-minute rule”: Encourage athletes to start their study sessions or assignments by promising themselves to work for just five minutes. Often, this small commitment leads to more sustained focus.
• Teach them to break down large projects: Show them how to divide bigger tasks into smaller steps. For instance, breaking down a lengthy research project into parts can make it less intimidating.
• Set realistic goals: Teach them to set achievable goals for each study session or assignment, like finishing a certain number of math problems or reviewing one chapter. These smaller goals can keep them motivated.

7. Be a Resource for Balance and Boundaries

Student-athletes often feel pressured to take on too many activities. Christopher Sohm understands that as a coach, you can be a supportive voice, helping them understand when it’s okay to say “no” to extra commitments.

• Encourage open communication: Let your athletes know they can talk to you if they’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about their schedule. Sometimes, simply discussing it with a trusted adult can help them feel more in control.
• Provide perspective on saying no: Explain that setting boundaries is part of time management. For example, you could share stories of successful athletes who found that balance, emphasizing how they focused on quality over quantity.
• Reinforce that rest is productive: Remind them that taking time off, even saying “no” to certain things, can be a productive choice that improves their performance and well-being in the long run.

8. Cultivate a Supportive Team Environment

Chris Sohm explains that creating a team culture that values time management and balance can help reinforce these skills.

• Promote study groups within the team: Encourage teammates to study together, especially when they have similar academic schedules. This can foster accountability while providing a sense of camaraderie.
• Celebrate academic successes: Acknowledge academic achievements in the same way you celebrate athletic successes. Recognizing hard work in both areas shows that you value their overall development.
• Make mental health a priority: Teach athletes the importance of caring for their mental health. Consider providing resources for managing stress, and talk about the importance of relaxation and mindfulness practices.

Helping student-athletes develop strong time management skills goes beyond ensuring they complete assignments and show up for practice—it’s about equipping them with lifelong tools for balance, resilience, and success. Christopher Sohm emphasizes that by guiding them to set priorities, build a structured schedule, maintain discipline, and know when to take a break, you as a coach can play a pivotal role in shaping well-rounded individuals who excel both on and off the field.

Thank you for visiting the online portfolio of Chris Sohm, an accomplished coach and educator dedicated to inspiring young athletes and strengthening community ties. With extensive experience in coaching high school basketball and football, as well as fostering talent and team growth, Chris has made a lasting impact on student-athletes across multiple schools. Beyond his professional role, Chris Sohm is deeply committed to mentoring emerging talent and creating a welcoming environment within the athletic community. His coaching approach combines expert knowledge with a genuine passion for empowering students, elevating their skills, and contributing to the broader educational and sports communities.