coachtrev writes "A youth baseball coach spends many hours as a volunteer. A few hours a week practicing, games, before game preparation, after game reviews, administrative meetings - arghh. The youth baseball coach usually has an assistant, and hopefully a couple of volunteers to help. As a coach or asst., and or a helpful parent, as a youth baseball coach you still must have ideals and knowledge of the game. You can reinforce and develop your own values(which might need to be adjusted), based on other coaches and parents conversation.
How much a player learns depends a lot on how well you as a coach(or Coach Dad) communicates with young baseball players. The start of the season brings fun,excitement, promise, and uncertainty. The coach feels this way as well as the parents and the players.
Build Credibility and Rapport
Your first team meeting is about credibility and the players impression of you. You may or may not have a past known about regarding youth baseball, but you are starting all over. The impression your players receive is built over time and it starts day one. As a coach don't try to impress with your knowledge or talent. Credibility will come with your communication to the kids not how and what you can do. While doing your practice drills try and make connections with each child. Pull a player off to the side and have 30 seconds of one on one time. Obviously you cannot do this every practice with every child. But, make a point to do it with some kids every practice, to emphasize a point. This is the time they really appreciate.
Boundaries
Just a quick note..While getting to know your players is important, they do need to realize you are the coach not just a friend from school.
Communication
Practice is where your communication skills are very important. You have to have some understanding of tactical aspects of baseball. Some kids have had other training and other coaches. Thus, some knowledge must be communicated to the kids for them to respond to your coaching. But , a good youth baseball coach will have to effectively convey this knowledge. It may seem simple to an adult, but how does a child learn it. First it should be simple, and kids usually want to know why. Justing saying because I said to will not work very often. They have to want to. I f you can show a child something simple and tell him why..more times than not they will do well because now they realize why it is important. It's human nature they want to do well.
Game Day
Pre game speeches are not necessary. Most coaches feel like they have to give some inspirational message but it rarely helps and usually makes the situation worse especially in big games. As your kids are warming up or setting down , taking a drink, whatever..try to speak a moment one on one with the child. One on ones are much more effective than big game day speeches.
Game day is not the place for instruction. A lot of details about how to play never helps. If you do not believe what some youth baseball games. Some reminders or adjustments do not hurt but do not make the game practice. The game is a game. It should be fun. Make notes either mental or write them down and go over in next practice. As a coach do not take the fun out of the game by trying to teach during the game.
Parents
Parents need to know your plan and expectations. Not only of you but of them. Preseason meeting.. a newsletter occasionally will establish your credibility and rapport with them and get them more involved to make sure their child participates effectively. Not all, but most.
Encourage parents to stay positive. Reinforce learning not criticizing when something goes wrong.
Coaches - A personal Note
To be effective in your workplace you have to communicate. You communicate differently with those people and it makes you effective. It is the same with coaching youth baseball. You have to be able to connect with your players, assistant coaches and parents to have an effective team. The difference is your are leading a group hinging on your every word. Be sure your communication is on a level they can understand and develop from.
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