Coaches - What do your players REALLY think of you?

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OK coaches. How many of you really - HONESTLY - know how your players view you and your coaching skills? We all know about "those coaches" that some kids just HATE to play for (for whatever reason). Granted, this is mostly at the HS level, and tends to become more evident as the girls enter the teen years.

How many of you coaches have ever passed a hat around to each team member and asked them to write a "suggestion" anonymously on a slip of paper? Maybe something that "bugs" them that you do or say, or something they'd like to see you do more of - or differently?

Sort of an exercise in self evaluation and tool for improvement, through the eyes of your players...

 

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OK coaches. How many of you really - HONESTLY - know how your players view you and your coaching skills? We all know about "those coaches" that some kids just HATE to play for (for whatever reason). Granted, this is mostly at the HS level, and tends to become more evident as the girls enter the teen years.

How many of you coaches have ever passed a hat around to each team member and asked them to write a "suggestion" anonymously on a slip of paper? Maybe something that "bugs" them that you do or say, or something they'd like to see you do more of - or differently?

Sort of an exercise in self evaluation and tool for improvement, through the eyes of your players...

TOO FUNNY! I did this for a few end of season party's that I use to have. When the players would arrive I would have them write down on a card 2 or 3 things down.Without names their choices would be (1) what did you learn to make you a betterplayer/person ? (2) most rememberable moment/play at practice or game (3) a funny thing that a coach did or said. (4) what could I do to improve as a coach or person . I would read these at the end of the party in front of the parents coach's and players . We laughed a alot, cried a little, but I did improve as a coach and a father . Coach's try this a great tool and idea for your team get togethers

 

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TOO FUNNY! I did this for a few end of season party's that I use to have. When the players would arrive I would have them write down on a card 2 or 3 things down.Without names their choices would be (1) what did you learn to make you a betterplayer/person ? (2) most rememberable moment/play at practice or game (3) a funny thing that a coach did or said. (4) what could I do to improve as a coach or person . I would read these at the end of the party in front of the parents coach's and players . We laughed a alot, cried a little, but I did improve as a coach and a father . Coach's try this a great tool and idea for your team get togethers

That's a great idea. Problem is, I don't think the 12 yr old girls on my team will be allowed to write down that there coach is an a++hole? I'm kidding! No really, I am!

 

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That's a great idea. Problem is, I don't think the 12 yr old girls on my team will be allowed to write down that there coach is an a++hole? I'm kidding! No really, I am!

Thats funny!!!! but when the girls know that you are reading them out loud the language and name calling toned down. One thing that I use to say was pick one out that you like! ...and this one comment said; that she never knew why I said that, because she was hit by more pitches than anyone else on the team , after I read that comment I went to the next card to read it and she commented that she didnt like any pitch's.. and every one laughed some were crying cause we laughed so hard ...I guess you had to be there she was a 1st time player at 9u and she took a beating all year long with bad hops and two black eyes ...not at the same time though , tough little kid!!!

 

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This is a good topic.

Businesses are constantly asking us to take surveys that give them input on likes/dislikes regarding their company - Why shouldn't softball teams do the same? To make it truly accurate, though, you'd have to make it completely anonomous, because people would fear that it would jeopardize the player's "standing" in the organization.

Also, keep in mind that the disgruntled will be the most critical because "the coach is an idiot" for not playing Suzie at SS and batting her at the bottom of the order...

And, coaches; you gotta have an open mind about this. If enough people list the same "area of improvement", it just might be true.

 

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Seriously I like the idea. We've got a very tight team, these girls are all friends. When there's no softball there either texting, or calling each other. We will implement this at our team gathering at the end of the year. Should be fun, thanks for the idea. Always learn something new here on OFC.

 

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Sammy,
Two coaches ours played for that you know very well, would not only talk about the good, bad and ugly of each game, they would then ask the girls, "ok what did we coaches do wrong that game" and those 14 y/Olds weren't shy. Thought that was pretty cool as well and will always remember that.

 

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I like the idea, there is always room for improvement. But be prepared to hear the criticism if you are going to ask for it, most kids 14u or older will tell you exactly what they think....especially if they aren't happy.

 

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Nothing wrong with getting a chance to explain yourself or the "WHY" of your coaching choices to everyone. Just remember to have thick skin, take the bad with the good in stride, and be prepared to say you were wrong if proven so. Don't do this just to get an ego boost cause there's going to be some kid in the group that'll be brutally honest about something. If they were misinformed or misunderstood something, it might take a while to explain yourself.

 

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they think I'm short... and know it... they think I'm balding... and know it... and probably crazy weird and have no swag.

This is a good topic and one that we encourage the players to speak freely about. Open discussion forums are very normal for us. Every time we meet we do this. Fun for us and in some strategic way it gives me that .0005% increase as to how ladies think. I'll still never figure it all out but it's my shot at getting a glimpse into the female mind.

 

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According to Facebook and Twitter my approval rating is not at an all time high

 

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John, too funny! Social networking strikes again...

 

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Yeah, I got some painful feedback today that I growl too much at my dd. I know I do and as painful as it was (and it did dig), it was cool that the other girls were concerned about her.

 

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Switch to meows

 

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in some strategic way it gives me that .0005% increase as to how ladies think. I'll still never figure it all out but it's my shot at getting a glimpse into the female mind.

One more glimpse: We hate when males type or or or or etc. lol

 

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:lmao::cap:

 

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According to Facebook and Twitter my approval rating is not at an all time high

That's good, you don't want to be in Justin Bieber's neighborhood. Unless Selena is there. Dang I can't figure that one out. ha

 

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I think this is good to a point. I do think coaches need to try to think through anything the kids say and figure out whether there is validity. But just as parents aren't surveying their children on how those kids should be raised, coaches are the adults and need to be given leeway to decide what is best for young athletes, even when those decisions are not popular with the kids. Listen to what the kids have to say, but don't take it as gospel. Otherwise, we might as well let the kids coach the team.

 

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If u take data or surveys, be prepared to act on it.

 

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The best coaches are the ones mainly concerned about helping every player on the team improve from play to play, from at bat to at bat, from inning to inning, from game to game-- and who have the knowledge to make that happen. This, as you might imagine, is a very select group. Most of the coaches with the experience and talent to accomplish this are too obsessed with winning to focus on the bigger picture. The rest are well-meaning people who just don't have the tools. What do the players think? That always depends upon how much the players really know about the game. What do the parents think? Same thing. It's a complicated game. Very few coaches, players or parents really understand the nuances. Some coaches make the same silly mistakes without anyone ever noticing. Those mistakes cost runs, games, championships. Still, no one notices-- or if they do, no one wants to rock the boat by mentioning them. The bottom line is that if your best players think you're a good coach-- and if your most knowledgeable parents think you're a good coach, then you probably are.