Velocity Kids

We are looking to bring on a lead assistant coach for our Velocity Kids XC season (1st–8th grade), and I’d love to share a little more about what I’m hoping for.

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         Our XC program normally has at least 20 kids in each age group, so I’m looking for someone who can step into a leadership role during practices—helping organize the kids, lead drills and workouts, and keep practices moving and fun.

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XC Season Details

      The season runs August 24 – October 8 with practices every Monday & Wednesday.

We have two separate 45-minute groups:

• 3:15–4:00 PM — 6th–8th graders

• 4:15–5:00 PM — 1st–5th graders

     

       Practices are 45 minutes because that is plenty of time for this age group to get a great workout without turning running into something they dread! Our younger athletes race 1 mile, while our older athletes race 2 miles, so our training is built around preparing them for those distances.

       We will also have four XC races throughout the season.

       Assistant coach—do not have to attend 3 of the races (although they are a really fun part of the season!).  I would need this coach available for the September 28 race that Velocity Kids hosts.

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What XC Practices Look Like

The biggest goal of Velocity Kids XC is simple:

Help kids develop a love for running.

       

         Especially with our younger runners, I don’t want practices to feel like, “Go run laps.”

Instead, we use games, relays, challenges, hills, partner activities, and other creative workouts where the kids are sometimes surprised by how much running they actually did!

Our 1st–5th grade practices include things like:

• Dynamic warmups and running drills

• Running games and relays

• Short intervals disguised as games and challenges

• Hills

• Speed and agility

• Team competitions

• Fun endurance activities

• Basic running form and pacing

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        Our 6th–8th graders have a little more structure. They are ready to learn how to actually train for XC while still keeping practices fun.

Their workouts may include:

• Dynamic warmups and running drills

• Easy running

• Intervals

• Hill repeats

• Tempo/threshold-style efforts

• Race-pace work

• Strides and speed

• Pacing and race strategy

     I’m looking for someone who can step into a leadership role, help lead the group, run workouts or stations, organize kids, and bring great energy to practice.

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The ideal person would be:

• High energy and great with kids

• Comfortable leading a group of 20+ athletes

• Have a background in running, XC, track, strength & conditioning, or athletics

• Comfortable helping teach running drills and basic running mechanics to kids

• Able to help develop and organize workouts

• Able to keep kids engaged and practices flowing

• Someone who understands that fun comes first—especially with our younger athletes

 

They would also need to:

• Complete the required USATF coaching certification

• Pass a background check

• Follow youth sport safety guidelines

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       If it’s a great fit, I’d love to have this person continue helping with future Velocity Kids seasons and programs throughout the year.

     

       Most importantly, I’m looking for someone who enjoys working with kids and wants to help them discover that running can be something they love—not something they have to do.

 

Let me know if you’d like to chat more about it!