What makes a good coach?

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too hard to list the specifics of a great coach but I know one thing... if a player sees you years after you have coached them and still calls you COACH--- you did your job as a coach. And it sure does make you feel good too!!! :yahoo:
 
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I don't think there is a definite answer that applies to all age groups. There are some aspects a good coach needs at 10u that are not really necessary at 18u and vice versa. Conversely there are some aspects that are appropriate at all ages.

10u: needs a coach that has tremendous patience, an ability to teach the basics, ability to sell the parents on the time commitment, etc...

12u: patience is still important, basic and intermediate skills knowledge, motivation techniques (age appropriate), physical conditioning knowledge (age appropriate)

etc.

etc.

etc.
 
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I saw this coach yesterday gather his infield on the mound and yell and swear in a very humiliating fashion because they made an error in the bottom of the 7th. They went on to make a couple more errors and lost the game. Good job coach.
 
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Every kid reacts differently. The most important rule in my book is KNOW YOUR PLAYERS! Some kids need you to challenge them more and others need more encouragement. If you can figure that out you will get much more out of each gir. Coaches need to earn their players respect. If they don't repect you then you might as well be talking to a brick wall. I have two DD's in travel ball and they both react differently to criticism, encouragement etc.
 
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Lots of good answers. When I coached my DD travel ball team I always made a deal with the others coaches: you coach my DD and I'll coach yours. The same talk can come from a dad and another coach but when dad's words go in a DD ears she often will interpret them to be nothing but negatives, criticisms and feel like she disappointed dad. They will take the same feedback from the non dad coach and process it constructively. The other side of the "a good coach makes the player love the game" is the coach that drives the player away from the game she loves, I have unfortunately seen this happen. To me that the biggest sin a coach can commit. My rule was always to praise publicly and criticism in private. My experience with girls are they are much more communal than boys(though I have little experience coaching boys). Girls do not like to be either praised extravagantly or excessively criticized in front of their peers. They seem to band together as a unit which makes for some great teams. Always exceptions but unless there is a diva on the team or an angry parent I always had a blast coaching my teams. Quick story of a great coach we had in our organization: when he coached 10U he told them if they won something, I don't remember if it was a tourney or league play off, he said he would wear a dress to their next game. They did and he did, dress, wig and lipstick. They loved him as a coach and played their hearts out for him.
 
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This is a long read, but it is excellent. Should be required reading for coaches.

https://www.competitivedge.com/special-“what-makes-good-coach”

Excellent article. All the points are things I teach adults who volunteer to work with girls in Girl Scouts. It doesn't matter what role you label it as: coach, teacher, parent, mentor, troop leader. The points are valid and should be considered by school AD's when they hire adults to work with kids in our schools.
 
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I think it takes a lot but some of the most important attributes in my mind are:

Teacher
Motivator
Listener
Someone who cares about their player on AND OFF the field
Someone who understands the the jouney is more important than the trophies

I'll agree with what Dan said about ex-players calling you coach, but to me, the most satisfying part will be if my players someday become a coach because of how I may have influenced them. That will be the greatest compliment.
 
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Remember that kids normally come in two types, hands on and analytical. You as a coach have to find the right teaching cue for each. What works well for one will not for the other. The hands on you show them and they can accomplish it. The other has to process the information and wrap their minds around it.

You need 10 positives for every 1 negative you say to a kid.

Remember you are a coach not a bff..... The 2 are not interchangeable

You give the team credit for the wins and take the blame for the losses. Accountability starts with the coach

Set the example of how to act in a game. Dont yell at suzy for throwing her helmet if your cussing and kicking dirt at the blue for a bad call

Consistency in skill training breeds success. Do not take short cuts,


Tim


Remember they look up to you as a leader. If you lead properly they will follow and give their all.
 
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As the high school season is quickly coming to a close and travel ball is just getting started- I thought I would bump this thread up for some food for thought....reflection and positive proactive planning. There are A LOT of great comments and information here. Good coaching as we all know is vital to this game.
 
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You give the team credit for the wins and take the blame for the losses. Accountability starts with the coach
Set the example of how to act in a game. Dont yell at suzy for throwing her helmet if your cussing and kicking dirt at the blue for a bad call
So true. And practice is the time for coaches to be louder and draw attention to themselves at times - not during a game.
 
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[QUOTE

You give the team credit for the wins and take the blame for the losses. Accountability starts with the coach

Set the example of how to act in a game. Dont yell at suzy for throwing her helmet if your cussing and kicking dirt at the blue for a bad call

Consistency in skill training breeds success. Do not short cuts[/QUOTE]

How 1 year makes a difference. Our old coach never practiced on Fridays, why I asked, his reply was girls don't want to practice on Fridays. New coach: everyone comes to Friday and skill sessions on Saturday. Lol.

old coach: while beating a team bad he told the girls if they score one more run, they will mercy them-- we end up losing that game. Next day, I see a quote in paper girls were looking ahead and they let up. New coach: games not over girls, win the inning.

Lot of wasted talent and years went with old coach and new enthusiasm has taken over in our school and future looks bright. I will continue to follow them even though my youngest daughter will graduate.

Thanks Coach Tony.
 
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1. In it for the girls
2. Publicly praise, privately discuss improvement opportunities
3. Teach, practice, discuss results
4. Fair to all the kids
5. Create an atmosphere that is conducive to having fun
6. Puts the kids first - find out their goals and help them to get there
 
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I used to think a coach had to be different for each age group but after being so involved with youth softball I actually think it is the same regardless of age.

1- you have to be able to communicate
2- you must be technically sound and up to speed on the sport
3- Must always be a coach and not a friend (keep yourself on separated from the players)
4- set up measurable and attainable goals ( a goal is NOT winning......that is a by product of good play and often a good bounce)

I want to mine the topic of winning for just a second. It is my true belief that if you focus on playing the proper way and set up measurables that can be discussed then the players will always have a reason to play and have fun. But if you start saying the goal is winning then you have allowed poor play and poor habits to be OK because if you win you have met the goal. And eventually the players will either get bored (winning all the time) or get burned out (pressure to win). Additionally you can not truly control winning. You can prepare but there are things out of your control that may cause you to lose. So you need to be very careful with that goal.
 

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