Assistant coaches Role?

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I'm lucky I have an awesome assistant coach. He's a parent and when I asked him last year to help me I went with my gut. He played Men's fastpitch and coached high school girls basketball. I didn't know that when I asked him, when he'd help at practice he stood out, the way he interacted with the girls and his support of what I was doing. Also, it helped that although his DD was the youngest kid on the team her approach to practice, her teammates and to me was and is awesome. I figured she got that from somebody. I later found out my asst. coaches dad was a 30 year football coach. So my assistant coach understands a teams dynamic.

I've read or heard over the last few months that not all assistant coaches are created equal lol.

What traits do you look for in an assistant coach? For me character is really important, when the inevitable happens and the team has an off tournament are they with you finding a solution or are they separating themselves from the coaching staff and joining the few parents every team seems to have and griping about the line up or why who is playing where?

 

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If there is one thing I have done well, it's surround myself with fabulous assistant coaches. One of the most important traits is the willingness to speak up when I am about to make a mistake. I never wanted a "yes man" or "yes woman" nor pretended to have all the answers my own self. We have some really good discussions that have made the team better.

 

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I think it's most important that they don't contradict the head coach.

When you "interview" the assistant, you need to specify if you want that person to assist you in all aspects, or to teach/manage areas that you don't want to cover yourself.

(And, of course, make sure it's not a back-door-daddy-ball attempt to show favoritism for his/her daughter.)

 

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back-door-daddy-ball

:lmao:....now thats funny...

 

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If there is one thing I have done well, it's surround myself with fabulous assistant coaches. One of the most important traits is the willingness to speak up when I am about to make a mistake. I never wanted a "yes man" or "yes woman" nor pretended to have all the answers my own self. We have some really good discussions that have made the team better.

I agree 100 percent

 

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I think it's most important that they don't contradict the head coach.

When you "interview" the assistant, you need to specify if you want that person to assist you in all aspects, or to teach/manage areas that you don't want to cover yourself.

(And, of course, make sure it's not a back-door-daddy-ball attempt to show favoritism for his/her daughter.)

You mean in front of the team. If they dont contradict you you might as well just have an yes man. You need to have the same plan, but mabey get there a different way.

 

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The past 3 yrs I have been my dd's rec head coach. After she made her first travel team I was asked to assist with the team. My role is to reinforce what he is teaching in practice and I have specific roles during games that the head coach asked me to be responsible for. If there is ever something else or different we can be doing to help a girl or our team be sucsessful I would bring it up. Always supportive and respectful of the head coach as an assistant. There is a reason your org asked him/her to be the head coach.

 

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Someone who can break the game down and teach it.
Someone who is committed and can be there all the time.
Someone who works well with the girls.
Someone with good communication skills.
Someone who you can learn from.

 

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Lots of good stuff.

-Good coach and all that entails - Klump
-Step up and give head coach a different point of view- Mad Hornet
-Follow coaches game plan (I.e. if head coach teaches Kobata don't then follow the coach and teach clap, stab, spin and throw), be in it for the right reason.- Louuuuu
-Somebody who knows their role-Creek01

 

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Good stuff....and I would add the ability to see things during a game that the head coach might miss.

Also, knowing what your role is during the game and figuring out how to be effective. For example, with one head coach I would say "check our third basemen, she might be too tight, three hole hitter isn't likely to bunt in this situation." With another coach I was free to simply move the girl back myself.

 

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I have coached several sports at different age groups/genders. I was flattered to be asked to help with my DD's team. (10U)
Our head coach held a coaches meeting to point out specifically what the organization, the head coach, the parents, and most importantly the players will expect from all of us. He broke each role down so we know going into this what is to be expected.
Assistant coaches are to assist both coaches and players!

 

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Someone that has the ability to get the coach away from the concession stand when he wanders off during the middle of the game.

Someone that helps the coach think things thru and not go off of the deep end.

Someone that can gently remind him that during the middle of the game is not the time for an OFC reunion.

This should actually be pretty good when he reads this lol.


Tim

 

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my explanation to my team is this... (we have 4 coaches).... (plus parents that coach at home so you do the count), but as far as coaches that take "the background check" and wear the cool shirts, we (us 4) are all worth 25 cents a piece which all add up to a dollar. We all spend equally so approach us as equals (and I'm not liberal so don't go there). So, if you ask me a question or coaches 2, 3, or 4... you should get the same answer or close to it and we are also stopping the "I'll ask one then the other then the other till I get the answer I like". That means that the coaching staff has to prepare and plan for games, practices, methodologies, etc. If we can't get to the same page before a practice or game, how can we teach and have clear cohesive messages to them? This approach has been very successful for us and where we want to play. We can argue a point or situation and know that it's not personal. This is huge. So I looked for and even at times developed this "theory" and it's working for us. Now, some may say WTH, but the girls listen and work really hard towards a common communication system and goals and we have 4 independent thinkers and personalities so it's a good mix. Some just get along better with other coaches which is totally natural and fits into this quite well. So, the young ladies know that they can approach us all and it's ok that the "head coach" doesn't handle every single thing. This is all assuming the assistants can motivate, drive, teach, coach, listen, teach again, listen some more, challenge all involved, and be knowledgeable and yearning to gain more knowledge. My 2 cents of my remaining 23...

 

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(And, of course, make sure it's not a back-door-daddy-ball attempt to show favoritism for his/her daughter.)

That is too funny. :lmao: Of course that is the Head Coaches job.

 

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Do whatever the head coach needs, be on the same page as the head coach re: philosophies and approaches, and have the knowledge and the guts to talk intelligently and appropriately (e.g., never in front of players or parents) with the head coach if you have another idea or difference of opinion.

 

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I look for people who can compliment my weak areas. I also like as Mad Hornet mentioned people who are not afraid to let me know if I am making a mistake or speak up if they see something I may not. I think I have 2 of the best assistants in the game and it provides our girls the best possible coaching combination.

 

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As an assistant coach I attempt to compliment the head coach and the other assistant coaches being very careful not to confuse the players with conflicting instructions.

The head coach may ask advice but in the game it is his decision and his call. You have to be aware of that and play by that rule. The coaches are a team each with particular talents, strengths and weaknesses. All of us together, help make the team better.

 

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I myself am an assistant coach. My "job" is to: Back up the manager/head coach, as long as he isnt doing something that is out of this world stupid.
I teach mechanics of throwing,hitting... I stay away from pitching, and leave that to someone that knows there stuff. Thats another thing, assistant coaches need to be that...assistants. Dont over step your boundries, unless the reason stated above. I love every girl on our team and the camaraderie is the best ive ever been part of. If your an assistant by all means speak your mind but dont undermind the head coach. And if you ever side with parents for a mutiny, shame on you.

 

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someone that has the ability to get the coach away from the concession stand when he wanders off during the middle of the game.

Someone that helps the coach think things thru and not go off of the deep end.

Someone that can gently remind him that during the middle of the game is not the time for an ofc reunion.

This should actually be pretty good when he reads this lol.


Tim

LOL !!!

the qualities that are NOT really looked for in a coach but i tolerate are
excessive flatulence
snoring like a freight train
singing to players with a voice that makes dogs wail
wears cut off jean daisy dukes shorts

I could go on....

I like to think i have one of the best coaches working with me, I call him assistant in name only, his opinion is 50 percent of any decision we make on the field.

 

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The Yankees...??? Really?