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What would you consider your top ten coaching philosophies?
(coaches being on same page with coaching philosophies)
(coaches being on same page with coaching philosophies)
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#1 - learning the game takes priority to winning the game. (applies more to youth coaches)
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1. Know the rules of the sport.
2. If you are relying on the rules to win your games, it is time to leave coaching.
3. Use every moment as a teaching moment.
4. Never be angry when teaching.
5. Point out/talk about successes and failures as soon as possible after they happen while it is still fresh in their mind.
Still thinking about my other five.
6. Remember, you are not getting paid for this and the players aren't getting paid. We aren't professionals. We (players and coaches) will make mistakes. Just try to not make the same mistake over and over again.
2. If you are relying on the rules to win your games, it is time to leave coaching.
3. Use every moment as a teaching moment.
4. Never be angry when teaching.
5. Point out/talk about successes and failures as soon as possible after they happen while it is still fresh in their mind.
Still thinking about my other five.
6. Remember, you are not getting paid for this and the players aren't getting paid. We aren't professionals. We (players and coaches) will make mistakes. Just try to not make the same mistake over and over again.
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End every sentence with something positive.
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Practices-Teach/Balance/Manage
At Practice, know what you want to teach, know how to teach it, try to balance practice for all players/positions, offense/defense, but be ready to sacrifice that balance when necessary to teach a specific skill or position that needs attention. Practice management consists of just being organized and having a plan and communicating that plan to players and coaches.
Scrimmages/Non-Elimination Games-Balance/Teach/Manage
If you do not put balance first when you have the opportunity in scrimmages/pool play (i.e. play players equally, rotate pitchers/catchers, work other positions, get all kids at bats) you are losing the chance to let players show their ability and progression in skills, hurting team chemistry, and compromising your teams ability to adapt to adversity (i.e. finding who can fill in in case of injury). These are also the best games to be teaching, working on new plays (offensively and defensively). You have to manage these games, but you should be willing to take a chance on losing in order to balance playing time and work on game situations (bunting, squeezing, 1st and 3rd plays, pitcher working on new pitches, etc...)
Elimination Games-Manage/Teach/Balance
Coaches primary concern here is to win and get to the next game. There is still time to teach but the priority is on managing the game in the way that gives the team the best opportunity to win that day with minimal regard to balance or teaching. Best 9 bat, best 9 field, best available(not fatigued) pitcher pitches. Pitchers work pitches they have mastery of, you run plays you are confident you can execute.
At Practice, know what you want to teach, know how to teach it, try to balance practice for all players/positions, offense/defense, but be ready to sacrifice that balance when necessary to teach a specific skill or position that needs attention. Practice management consists of just being organized and having a plan and communicating that plan to players and coaches.
Scrimmages/Non-Elimination Games-Balance/Teach/Manage
If you do not put balance first when you have the opportunity in scrimmages/pool play (i.e. play players equally, rotate pitchers/catchers, work other positions, get all kids at bats) you are losing the chance to let players show their ability and progression in skills, hurting team chemistry, and compromising your teams ability to adapt to adversity (i.e. finding who can fill in in case of injury). These are also the best games to be teaching, working on new plays (offensively and defensively). You have to manage these games, but you should be willing to take a chance on losing in order to balance playing time and work on game situations (bunting, squeezing, 1st and 3rd plays, pitcher working on new pitches, etc...)
Elimination Games-Manage/Teach/Balance
Coaches primary concern here is to win and get to the next game. There is still time to teach but the priority is on managing the game in the way that gives the team the best opportunity to win that day with minimal regard to balance or teaching. Best 9 bat, best 9 field, best available(not fatigued) pitcher pitches. Pitchers work pitches they have mastery of, you run plays you are confident you can execute.
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Don't start every sentence or question with a negative (what did you do wrong now) type of tone. It might work with boys but it does not work with girls. They will tune you out in a second and hold it against you.
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And each age group has to be approached differently, starting wit the teaching and ending with implementation and production for results.
Definitely learning from mistakes on both sides of coaching...but I could light up this thread with some of the antics and poor coaching I saw this past summer, but naaah...
Definitely learning from mistakes on both sides of coaching...but I could light up this thread with some of the antics and poor coaching I saw this past summer, but naaah...
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Just like a business conversation. Start with the positive, discuss the negative and end on a positive.
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Keep your word...players need to be able to count on you following through with what you say.
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I know this sounds obvious but it is extremely true. Our HS football coach is running into issues with this because he's constantly talking outside of both sides of his mouth and the kids have picked up on it an no longer respect him.
I used to laugh at all those movies where the coach preaches integrity as if that somehow is more important than being bigger, stronger, faster and more skilled than the other team, but over time I've seen strong teams underperform and weak teams overperform based on how much faith they have in their head coach and you can't have that faith without trust.
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I totally agree!
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Don't try and correct players for an obvious mistake while they are on they field. Wait till they get off the field...put their glove down and then approach them or call them over to you. Then it seems like you are teaching them and not yelling at them out of emotion.
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All good ideas! Some things do change at the older age groups.
* Be prepared for practice - break the plan down in 10 minute increments.
* Coach to the top end of the talent range on the team.
* Be the type of coach that leaves the girls wanting to coach when they graduate.
* Sourround yourself and the players with positive players, asst coaches and families. Drama kills incentive and desire.
* Challenge the team on the field - compete against the best possible.
Make it fun and adjust to the needs of the players as they move through high school. Softball will remain important to them, but the community of HS is also part of their development.
* Be prepared for practice - break the plan down in 10 minute increments.
* Coach to the top end of the talent range on the team.
* Be the type of coach that leaves the girls wanting to coach when they graduate.
* Sourround yourself and the players with positive players, asst coaches and families. Drama kills incentive and desire.
* Challenge the team on the field - compete against the best possible.
Make it fun and adjust to the needs of the players as they move through high school. Softball will remain important to them, but the community of HS is also part of their development.
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This is absolutely the truth!
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This true of any person that manages any group. The people under you have to bye into your leadership. They have to trust the coach has their best interests at heart or else you will just have kids on a field going through the motions.
Coaching by intimidation is stupid. All yelling and screaming does is create a division between the coaching and the players. All the players feel is they are disrespected, demotivated, and poor players. They will never perform under those conditions.
One of the coolest coaches I've seen was an inner-city coach with a bunch of girls who looked liked the Bad News Bears. He was always encouraging regardless of the situation. The girls played hard for him regardless of the outcome. And they had fun (including the coach).
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