Coaches - What do your players REALLY think of you?

[default]

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.

Over the years of watching my DD play, I discovered a trend. A team is a reflection of the coach. If the coach seems to be a hothead, the whole team seems to have short fuses. If the coach is disrespectful, so goes the whole team. If a team seems to be continuously struggling to find enough players, maybe a self assessment is due?

However, coaches who are perceived as successful are obviously doing something right. Maybe it's just that they are surrounding themselves with great players with a common goal and a common attitude? Maybe it's because successful coaches don't tolerate poor attitudes from players or parents?

"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."

I agree, because this is what we were after. But can you say this for every family that jumps into travel ball?

 

[default]

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.

I agree JoeA. Doing this exercise can be cleansing in so many ways but a coach needs to allow time to explain themselves if a point of interest reflects their judgment. I can explain myself to some kids with no problem while others struggle to get my point. As long as I stay sincere in my effort, I believe there is a mutual respect and they'll know I'm trying my best. That's all I ask them to do, why should I be held to anything less.

I'm big on stepping up and taking responsibility if I make a mistake. Some times I take the blame for the players. Some kids simply cannot handle the criticism as well as others, especially if in public. One of my famous tactics while discussing a mistake is to ask the girl in front of the team if she did it on purpose? Of course the response is "no" as none of the girls would blow a play on purpose. With that response I'll point out we will all be okay and get thru this moment as long as we know you were trying your hardest at the time. It seems to calm everyone while still leaving a message of encouragement as she rethinks if she truly was giving her all. I can't take back some of the mistakes I've made in the past but if questioned, I'll own up to it as well as defend myself if I know I'm right.

Kids need to learn when to pick their battles just as we should when dealing with young minds. If you use this exercise with your players, try to remember it could be a defining moment for them and the families as they judge your responses.