A word about some High School coaching.....

[coachtomv]

I am getting alot of feedback from players and families about this years High School experience. Mostly not good, along these lines....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5d5jxJ5vbM

 

[SAmMaydayMalone]

Bingo! Hit that one on the head.

 

[allcorners]

Oh No! There's a red flag!

 

[CoachB25]

Is this a generalization or specific to you and your area? I coach HS. I'd suspect that this is said about all coaches of every sport at any level and regardless of whether HS, TB or College. I had one young lady who hated HS. I talked to her parents and asked them why they would make her play. In the long run, she didn't and we are all happy. If these players don't like HS, then don't play.

 

[coachtomv]

Is this a generalization or specific to you and your area? I coach HS. I'd suspect that this is said about all coaches of every sport at any level and regardless of whether HS, TB or College. I had one young lady who hated HS. I talked to her parents and asked them why they would make her play. In the long run, she didn't and we are all happy. If these players don't like HS, then don't play.

Wish it were that simple. There are many fine coaches, at all levels for sure. There are also many unqualified teacher coaches and non teacher coaches that suck the love of the game out of the kids. Why should a kid not play, who truly loves the sport, because of a bad coach that has no business coaching? Its not that they hate HS and are forced to play, they love it and want to be there, but the coach makes it hard to stay positive. Eventually kids just quit because of a coach and not any other reason.

A teacher, who cannot teach the game and inspire her/his players, is no teacher at all. Consistently out coached, poor use of deep talent, especially bench talent and situational softball to manufacture runs, etc, happens alot in HS and trave lball. The kids bail out the coaches with big bats, until you need to manufacture a run or take advantage of a teams weakness or tendencies. Once they lose, boom comes the negativity and sarcasm, never owning up to any coaching mistakes.

Yes, that's all sports at times, but we are softball focused of course.

 

[CoachB25]

Wish it were that simple. There are many fine coaches, at all levels for sure. There are also many unqualified teacher coaches and non teacher coaches that suck the love of the game out of the kids. Why should a kid not play, who truly loves the sport, because of a bad coach that has no business coaching? Its not that they hate HS and are forced to play, they love it and want to be there, but the coach makes it hard to stay positive. Eventually kids just quit because of a coach and not any other reason.

A teacher, who cannot teach the game and inspire her/his players, is no teacher at all. Consistently out coached, poor use of deep talent, especially bench talent and situational softball to manufacture runs, etc, happens alot in HS and trave lball. The kids bail out the coaches with big bats, until you need to manufacture a run or take advantage of a teams weakness or tendencies. Once they lose, boom comes the negativity and sarcasm, never owning up to any coaching mistakes.

Yes, that's all sports at times, but we are softball focused of course.

Tom,

In a way, you made my point. If that type of coach is at the local HS and does destroy the love of the game in the player then remove the player before she loses the love of the game. I understand your point about her wanting to play but your point turning that player into a quitter seals the deal for me. We have a coach like that in our area. He wins a lot but has driven a once proud program to the verge of extinction. So, I hear things are going to change in that district next year. The conference I coach in is full of the other type coaches. I'd have to say that I doubt that any of these coaches are like the one you describe.

Per getting out coached, that is one of those things that comes with coaching. Players win games and coaches lose them if you ask a majority of people. I've coached HS for 30 years and that seems to be the norm. LOL

Take care,

Darrell

 

[coachtomv]

Problem is, many players only have High School ball and quitting is the end. Its not removing to a better situation, like going to a travel team, high school is their last time playing ball for many of them. Its just sad. But, poor coaching fit happens in travel also, but you can move on much easier.

I understand that getting out coached happens to us all at times. Its just sad to see it so obviously played out game to game in High School, which should be more of a upper echelon of coaching, I believe. Be nice to see an interview process instead of just handing it to a teacher like its just a side job and give it to someone who cares a little more and can spend more time teaching the game and developing a program, and heaven forbid help a kid get to College.

 

[Long Baller]

I have a family member that is the coach of the local high school team. She says that her biggest problem is the dads that think they should be part of the decision making process. Don't know if it is because she is a young female coach or not, but one dad in particular even tried to take over practices....Just strolled right in and tried to run practice

 

[wow]

I have a family member that is the coach of the local high school team. She says that her biggest problem is the dads that think they should be part of the decision making process. Don't know if it is because she is a young female coach or not, but one dad in particular even tried to take over practices....Just strolled right in and tried to run practice

No parent should walk into a practice and assume they are needed. There are good HS coached and not so good, just like everywhere else. What I notice is the coaches who develop relationships, from being involved from the early ages, will "consult" or allow certain parents to voice opinions. The problem is when parents cant keep their nose out of the coaches role. HS ball is time for the girls to figure it out on their own. HS ball is a great experience and the softball part is one small element.

 

[Long Baller]

No parent should walk into a practice and assume they are needed. There are good HS coached and not so good, just like everywhere else. What I notice is the coaches who develop relationships, from being involved from the early ages, will "consult" or allow certain parents to voice opinions. The problem is when parents cant keep their nose out of the coaches role. HS ball is time for the girls to figure it out on their own. HS ball is a great experience and the softball part is one small element.

I totally agree.

 

[justplay00]

I too see these coaching issues as I've been coaching for 30+ years. It breaks my heart when I hear such negativity coming from an adult who is supposed to be a role model and directing it towards kids. Shame on them for giving all the good coaches who do it for the right reasons a bad wrap. The community owns the responsibility to have those coaches removed by speaking up and if the AD isn't stepping in to address it, that's a problem. What kind of example are we setting for these young adults when they see us ignore these problems? They will go to their jobs later in life and add no value because they will have been taught to ignore the problems. It's easier to remove the cancer when it's small then wait till it spreads. I've even witnessed the strongest leaders on team speak up for something they know to be wrong or someone being mistreated by a bad coach. Aren't those the kinds of values we want to teach our kids? I personally would like to see more integrity in these situations so the younger ones learn how to set high standards on and off the ball field.