The ideal coach?

[clv6963]

Loaded Question!!

If your kid could play for any current select coach/team in Ohio who would it be and why?

 

[Ferrigno20]

Loaded Question!!

If your kid could play for any current select coach/team in Ohio who would it be and why?

You want a coach that also is involved in a HS program and knows the game very well. That gives you a leg up on recruiting when your DD is that age. Non Daddy ball is a huge plus.

 

[wow]

I am not goanna bite on a specific team. But I will tell you my DD plays for a coach who is well rounded, organized, holds the girls accountable, but is not a tyrant. The best coaches have a great support staff with different personalities. Its really not just the head coach but the coaching staff. The one quality, which is most important, is how a coach(s) handle adversity. its easy to be a great coach when the team is winning. Ask the question how does a coach handle losing and what is being done to get better? How does he manage the parents? A coach who talks to parents and lets the parents know why things are being done is helpful. When a parent understands why something is being done it is more likely they will support the coach. Too many coaches feel like they are the last stop and what they say goes. Coaches must be able to manage the game but also parents and kids!

 

[FPDAD03]

Very well said by wow! Find a coach/staff that are great communicators and teachers of the game. I think it is easier for parents and players to "buy in" when they understand the expectations and strategies. Not saying the coaches need to run every decision by the players and parents, but a little communication goes a long way!

 

[softballmom2000]

I am not goanna bite on a specific team. But I will tell you my DD plays for a coach who is well rounded, organized, holds the girls accountable, but is not a tyrant. The best coaches have a great support staff with different personalities. Its really not just the head coach but the coaching staff. The one quality, which is most important, is how a coach(s) handle adversity. its easy to be a great coach when the team is winning. Ask the question how does a coach handle losing and what is being done to get better? How does he manage the parents? A coach who talks to parents and lets the parents know why things are being done is helpful. When a parent understands why something is being done it is more likely they will support the coach. Too many coaches feel like they are the last stop and what they say goes. Coaches must be able to manage the game but also parents and kids!

I wish there was an option to like this! You hit on every important point. Great post.

 

[Pacerdad57]

Wow got all the points right. Communication with the parents rather than an I'm in charge attitude is soooo very important to a smooth running team.

 

[coachtomv]

Definately a loaded question and I doubt anyones gonna answer it as it was asked.

My take as a Head coach, assistant coach and as a parent is that it definately takes a staff. Coaches need to have a role(s) and understand what they do well and bring that to the table.

Head coach needs to be a leader in all aspects. He/she needs to communicate well with the coaches, parents, umps, and most importantly the players. Be consistent in the approach, do what you say your gonna do. HC needs to understand what they themselves do well and delegate responsiblities to hopefully knowledgable assistant coaches, know when to admit they dont have the answer and always continue to be a student of the game and create students of the game! Needs to have consistent accountabilities for players, coaches, even parents. We are in this together and HC needs to try and keep everyone as engaged in the process as possible....roles!
If possible, they should have coaches that know atleast as much or more about the game, atleast in some aspects, and teach that part to the players and be thier "go to" on the subject, fielding, hitting, pitching, whatever. Having a staff of coaches that all have the same medium level of knowledge and/or yes men does not do much in getting a team better. HC has to be able to trust the assistants, but be able to call BS and make the ultimate decisions.

Lets be honest, softball is not rocket science, but there is alot more than the 90-95% you see coached. Most coaches and even parents can take talent and win 90% of the games or manage them. The trick is finding coaches that can get that last 5-10%. Things like motivating players, truly teach the game by being able to break down the fundamentals, handling adversity or success evenly, the various mental aspects of the game, can they coach in a tight game managing the clock, dp/flex, sub rules, lineups set up to score in bunches, yet also able to manufacture that timely run. The softball chess match we see played out every weekend. Etc....

Things I would look for is, can the coach or staff continue to instill that passion for the game my DD loves? Can they make her a better player and more importantly a better person? Do they understand what she does well and recognize where that fits into the current team. Have they taken the time to truly get to know her, what motivates her, what her goals in softball are and can they help get her there. Get down to their level and show that compassion that young ladies need to feel to be successfull. The old adage, "girls need to feel good to play good and boys need to play good to feel good", is very much real. I always like compliment-critizism-compliment ratio.

I know I hope the young ladies that I have had the privilege to coach, feel like I had a positive impact in their development as players and young ladies. I make a point to try and stay in touch and see how they are doing, even when on another team. Coaches need to really care about the players beyond just as little robots to win games with.

There is no silver bullet. No perfect coach. Every player and parent has different things they look to or respond to. Life is full of trade offs.

My 2 cents....

P.S. Before my phone blows up, this posting is just my opinion and certainly not directed at current situation or past. We are very happy with our current HC.

 

[Klump]

I'll answer it, what the hell......I'd love my dd to play for Dan Cole. I know he's not coaching anymore but that would be my #1 choice. He's a great guy who knows how to teach the game and brings the best out of his players. When the players can't wait to go to practices......that says a lot about the coach. If you ever get back into it Dan, give me a call!!!

 

[Butter]

Great points. I mostly agree with student of the game. See to many coaches with talented teams which outpace their coaching. If a coach is unable/willing to be a student of the game I do not believe they will be successful at the higher levels beyond 12u. The Bustos video was clear. She watches other coaches to get better. This includes surrounding yourself (and listening to) talented staffs as well. What I believe some coaches do not realize is that their players are students of the game. They watch games from 8u to the college level and pick up tons of knowledge. If a coach is not doing the same they are going to frustrate and loose players.

 

[clv6963]

OK OK. I didn't think many people would name names Definitely interesting feedback. And all great points. I also think as kids get older what you're looking for changes (as it should). At a lower level you're looking for someone who can teach the fundamentals and inspire the girls. As they get older, that just isn't enough. Too often the girls surpass the coaching ability but the coaches don't step aside.

I've decided that my rule of thumb is you have to be better than me. I coached for several years, first rec and then select, and if I'm spending more time developing my DDs skills than you are, that isn't going to cut it.

 

[initfor51]

I don't mind answering this question. If I had a DD still playing, I would always find where Coach Keith Buckley is. I coached with him awhile ago and he taught me a lot about the game, but most importantly-how to coach teenage girls and parents of those teenagers.

He is an amazing leader to the girls. FYI (disclaimer)-I know he is currently coaching the 14U Sundogs and I do not coach for that organization. I don't know about the org., but I know that coach Buckley is amazing. I am in a different organization.

His knowledge and expertise in coaching surpasses any coach that I have ever met. JMHO

 

[Rebel]

Whatever coach plays your daughter the most.

 

[crystlemc]

OK OK. I didn't think many people would name names Definitely interesting feedback. And all great points. I also think as kids get older what you're looking for changes (as it should). At a lower level you're looking for someone who can teach the fundamentals and inspire the girls. As they get older, that just isn't enough. Too often the girls surpass the coaching ability but the coaches don't step aside.

I've decided that my rule of thumb is you have to be better than me. I coached for several years, first rec and then select, and if I'm spending more time developing my DDs skills than you are, that isn't going to cut it.

You SHOULD be spending more time developing your child. No coach can give your kid the amount of individual instruction that you can. They have 11 other players, you only have the one. A good coach will introduce new skills and ideas, but a good parent will practice those skills and ideas with their player at home.

To me, a good coach cares about each player both as a player and as an individual. They put the good of the team before any individual. They constantly seek out new information and ways to teach and surround themselves with assistants who can help fill in the knowledge gaps. They are also honest to their players about where they need to improve. They don't coddle, nor are they mean. They convey their belief in the team, their pride, and they don't hesitate to express their displeasure in a constructive manner. There is a time for nice and a time to tell the players to remove their cranium from their rectum. Basically, they do what they can to help their players/team reach their goals.

 

[LeftField16]

Our Coach/Manager, treats our team like a democracy. Every parent has the option for involvement in some way ,shape or form.For example ,I handle the website, we have have a parents that organize uniform ordering, and another group of parents that organize fundraisers. One dad does all literature and handles forms for tournaments. All parents respect him and the decision-making. We offer feed back when asked, but ultimately the final say is his and the coaching staffs.

 

[init4all]

You SHOULD be spending more time developing your child. No coach can give your kid the amount of individual instruction that you can. They have 11 other players, you only have the one. A good coach will introduce new skills and ideas, but a good parent will practice those skills and ideas with their player at home.

To me, a good coach cares about each player both as a player and as an individual. They put the good of the team before any individual. They constantly seek out new information and ways to teach and surround themselves with assistants who can help fill in the knowledge gaps. They are also honest to their players about where they need to improve. They don't coddle, nor are they mean. They convey their belief in the team, their pride, and they don't hesitate to express their displeasure in a constructive manner. There is a time for nice and a time to tell the players to remove their cranium from their rectum. Basically, they do what they can to help their players/team reach their goals.

Well said!!!
I will add for the most part as they get older and are playing on serious showcase teams practice become very limited! Some only practice a few times a year.HC becomes more of a manager and motivator.also doing everything he/she can to get their players looked at.so I suggest if your coach is spending countless hours to get your kid seen you better be putting in the extra work to make sure she's ready!

 

[clv6963]

You SHOULD be spending more time developing your child. No coach can give your kid the amount of individual instruction that you can. They have 11 other players, you only have the one. A good coach will introduce new skills and ideas, but a good parent will practice those skills and ideas with their player at home.

To me, a good coach cares about each player both as a player and as an individual. They put the good of the team before any individual. They constantly seek out new information and ways to teach and surround themselves with assistants who can help fill in the knowledge gaps. They are also honest to their players about where they need to improve. They don't coddle, nor are they mean. They convey their belief in the team, their pride, and they don't hesitate to express their displeasure in a constructive manner. There is a time for nice and a time to tell the players to remove their cranium from their rectum. Basically, they do what they can to help their players/team reach their goals.

Let me clarify - yes parents need to work with kids at home, and I do. BUT a parent only has so much knowledge and experience. That's why we pay big bucks for other people to coach our kids - to help them grow. I won't put my daughter on a team with a rookie coaching staff. Thats what I mean by you have to know more than me. I'm personally at the point where I'm ready for a non-parent coach.

And yes - as a parent, the coaches demeanor is important. I'm a pretty straight forward person and I appreciate the same in a coach. I don't like being handled. I might not like what you have to say but I can respect that you had the guts to say it to my face. With the girls.... I think coaches need to be tough but fair. No favorites. Everyone earns their way but I also think its important to give the girls opportunities too. If you're beating a team by 10 runs, put in your bench warmers. They won't ever improve unless they have an opportunity to play.

 

[happytobeme]

Truly great coaches can take whatever talent they are given and bring out the best in each player, both individually and collectively. Inspiring greatness, especially in teenage amateur athletes, is an amazing coaching gift.

 

[Irish196]

If I had to make an ideal coach, the coach would first and foremost care about the girls as young adults and know and respect the fact that they can have a tremendous impact on them (positively and negatively) in how they view the sport, hard work, their teammates and life in general. They would be able to motivate the players both as a team and individually. They would help the girls make individual and team goals and (as much as possible) help them achieve them- or at least acknowledge them when they do achieve them. They would always try to keep learning about the sport and ways to improve.
They would be flexible and open minded to making moves and not be stuck on their first impressions. They would be fair, not play favorites and not reward bad behavior (whining, being lazy, taking positions for granted, missing excessive games or practices, etc.) and be equally generous with praise/compliments. They would not punish or embarrass girls for having slumps or errors but acknowledge them in a lighthearted way ( the girls obviously know they are happening) and help figure out the problem (if there is one). They would also acknowledge that there can be individual successes even if the team lost and acknowledge those successes.
And to the real nit-picky, they would not swear (the real bad words), be ok saying they made a mistake, be communicative with parents and let them know what they can do, have a good sense of humor and just be a good person.

That's not too much to ask, right ; )

 

[fastpitchparent]

I'll answer, too (what the hell?).

Sean Kilbane. Former coach of Central Ohio Ice 97.

He wasn't with a "large organization" that travels the U.S., so many of you may not know his name. He quit coaching after the 13U season. But out of all coaches I have ever met, he was, from day ONE, honest, caring, genuine and truly cared about making the girls play the game they loved better. He had practice sometimes 5 days a week, and even built a barn in his backyard to hold indoor practices. He worked the girls, and they LOVED him for it.

He had a coaching staff of five, and I would let any of them coach my kid any day of the week. They are (were) truly a class act, from top to bottom. Five coaches, five dads, five girls on the team, and not a HINT of "daddy ball". Players earned their spots, nothing was a given. The girls worked hard, played hard and had fun. It was the best season ever and I wish every day that we could get that back. He had become a "parent" now, but every time I see him, I always ask him if he's SURE he doesn't miss coaching.

His assistants were Steve Huck, Kirk Lowery, Wes Swiger and Bill Stover. Awesome group of coaches!

 

[Pacerdad57]

Wow absolutely got that right, only wish my dd played for a coach that had all of those abilities.
ability to communicate is essential, but a lot of times its lacking. Simply talking to the parents and letting know the whys
of your roster moves and stratagies averts a lot of problems.
sadly this seems to never happen.