This Week’s Playbook. October is when a lot of next year gets decided, usually by whatever number or habit happens to be in front of you. The fee comes out of last year's spreadsheet, the multi-sport family gets an answer that depends on which coach they asked, and the winter gym rental gets picked on the rate line. Each of those defaults has worked well enough to survive, and each one leaves a gap that shows up later, in margin, in a family's trust, or in a February scramble. This week is about trading three of those defaults for decisions made on purpose, each one small enough to settle before November. Here's what's inside:

“What I found when I was coaching is that the more objective you can make your decisions, the easier every conversation becomes.”

— Chad Henry, Signature Locker | Read more →

Next year's fee is about to come out of last year's spreadsheet, plus a few percent.

That process has worked for years, which is exactly why nobody questions it.

Meanwhile, every raise, field contract, and hardship waiver you said yes to has been coming out of margin.

Here are the 3 numbers that turn next year's fee into one your board signs off on and your families can follow line by line.

— Chad Henry

More from The Game Plan:

A parent you like emails to say their son made the school wrestling team and will do both this winter.

They want to know what happens to his spot, and they are bracing for you to be annoyed.

Underneath the scheduling question is a fear that one wrong choice closes a door for their kid.

Here is what to say back, and the short agreement that keeps the whole winter from turning into a loyalty test.

— Maddie Soviero, Executive Director of Signature Sports Camps

More from The Human Factor:

Your teams move inside in November, and the winter gym rental agreement is in your inbox with a rate about the same as last year.

There are three other quotes, one of them cheaper, and gym time goes fast once the outdoor season ends.

The rate describes the hour you rent, while your teams practice in a smaller, less predictable set of hours inside it.

Here is how to read the agreement for what the rate line leaves out, before the cheaper quote turns into the expensive winter.

— Ricky Reyes, CEO of Carolina Lacrosse Association

More from The Toolkit:

Have a great sports week,

Chad Henry and the Signature Locker Team

Follow our sport parents and athletes building the future of youth sports.

Reach 50,000+ program directors who are building thriving programs and engaged communities, one season at a time. Sponsor the Program Director’s Playbook to put your brand in front of decision-makers who care about impact.