Over the years, I have learned some very valuable information about coaching young players on the baseball field.
I learned that coaching really isn?t about teaching baseball, and that players take more away from the game then coaches ever will.
As a young player, I learned a lot about how to hit, how to field, run the bases, etc.
But the things I learned the most were traits like determination, perseverance, and what it means to be a part of a team.
Fortunately for myself, I had extremely caring and knowledgeable coaches along the way that showed me how to approach the game, not just play the game.
Over this past weekend I received a heart felt text from a parent of a player who I have coached over the last few years.
She explained that her son would be giving a speech in one his classes this week about what he had learned on the baseball field.
It wasn?t about a special hitting drill or technique that had given him more power, it was what he learned about how to approach something with the right mindset and goals in mind.
It was about how to hold yourself to a higher standard, perseverance, and determination.
You see, as coaches we have the distinct opportunity to help young players understand success and how to achieve it.
Of course we can give them the drills and instruction, but the real connection lies within our ability to develop and impact the intangibles like confidence, and motivation.
Take a good look around you next time you are at baseball practice, players come from all different backgrounds and skill levels.
On top of that, they all play for different reasons.
But they all come to have fun, get better, and be a part of something special.
This is precisely why you have to give them something special and unique to be part of.
Unfortunately, on a large scale this doesn?t happen which is why the average retirement age of baseball players is 12 years old.
Between coaches yelling at players, and the politics behind playing time, the game becomes more about the people who run the respective organizations rather than the players.
It seems like every time you turn on the television these days there is another story about two parents getting into a verbal altercation, or parent yelling at a coach because their child isn?t getting enough playing time.
It is time to take a step back, reset, and refocus on what really matters and that is the kids.
I heard an alarming statistic early on in my playing career.
The average retirement age of baseball players is 12 years old.
I want you to think about that for a second, 12 years old.
My guess is that young players stop playing the game because they have had a bad experience, not because they don?t like to play.
I am not placing blame on any one person, but what I am saying is that we need to do a better job of communicating with our players and be aware that we are in a position to make a huge impact on young minds.
So if you are fortunate enough to be involved in with today?s players, I want you to always keep few things in the forefront of you mind to make your life easier.
First, your number one baseball coaching goal is to make sure that all of the kids have fun regardless of the skill level.
It is great to win, it really is.
But just because you are on a winning team doesn?t mean you had a good experience.
I have seen countless kids get shoved to the way side while others get all of the attention.
Each player deserves just as much attention as the next.
Make sure that happens and give just as much instruction based feedback to every player.
Two, help players to understand that learning to be successful on the baseball field can give you a strong foundation to be successful in life.
It is sad to say, but we forget that many players learn many virtues while a part of a sports team.
Take myself for instance, baseball instilled integrity, determination, perseverance, and the understanding of what it means to be a part of a team.
If you keep these life skills in the forefront of you mind, you will be amazed at how your coaching approach changes from winning a baseball game, to helping the kids understand what it takes to be successful and learning to persevere.
Three, hold every player accountable for their actions.
Every player is an important and integral part of the team.
I don?t care if you are the star player, or the last guy off the bench.
If the players do not support each other, your team will be dysfunctional and probably on the losing end of many ball games.
You have to discipline your most skilled player they same way you discipline the least skilled player.
This will naturally help bring the true leaders of your team to the forefront of the class to make sure everyone is on the same page and working together towards a common goal.
Four, players play the game, not the coach.
Your role as a coach is to be a guide and a resource.
Explain the reasons behind why situational baseball is important and what will put them in the best position to succeed on the diamond.
Do not bunt a player out of situation because you don?t feel he is skilled enough to get a hit.
Open the lines of communication and make sure that if something is misunderstood, you take the time to explain it further before moving on.
If you put these four ideas/principles into practice, I guarantee you will see a change in yourself and in your players.
Your will see new life in the approach of your players and they will begin working harder and be more disciplined.
You do not need a team full of all-stars to win baseball games, you simply need a team full of players who love to come to ballpark everyday to get better.
It is your job as baseball coach to inspire them to do so.
I learned that coaching really isn?t about teaching baseball, and that players take more away from the game then coaches ever will.
As a young player, I learned a lot about how to hit, how to field, run the bases, etc.
But the things I learned the most were traits like determination, perseverance, and what it means to be a part of a team.
Fortunately for myself, I had extremely caring and knowledgeable coaches along the way that showed me how to approach the game, not just play the game.
Over this past weekend I received a heart felt text from a parent of a player who I have coached over the last few years.
She explained that her son would be giving a speech in one his classes this week about what he had learned on the baseball field.
It wasn?t about a special hitting drill or technique that had given him more power, it was what he learned about how to approach something with the right mindset and goals in mind.
It was about how to hold yourself to a higher standard, perseverance, and determination.
You see, as coaches we have the distinct opportunity to help young players understand success and how to achieve it.
Of course we can give them the drills and instruction, but the real connection lies within our ability to develop and impact the intangibles like confidence, and motivation.
Take a good look around you next time you are at baseball practice, players come from all different backgrounds and skill levels.
On top of that, they all play for different reasons.
But they all come to have fun, get better, and be a part of something special.
This is precisely why you have to give them something special and unique to be part of.
Unfortunately, on a large scale this doesn?t happen which is why the average retirement age of baseball players is 12 years old.
Between coaches yelling at players, and the politics behind playing time, the game becomes more about the people who run the respective organizations rather than the players.
It seems like every time you turn on the television these days there is another story about two parents getting into a verbal altercation, or parent yelling at a coach because their child isn?t getting enough playing time.
It is time to take a step back, reset, and refocus on what really matters and that is the kids.
I heard an alarming statistic early on in my playing career.
The average retirement age of baseball players is 12 years old.
I want you to think about that for a second, 12 years old.
My guess is that young players stop playing the game because they have had a bad experience, not because they don?t like to play.
I am not placing blame on any one person, but what I am saying is that we need to do a better job of communicating with our players and be aware that we are in a position to make a huge impact on young minds.
So if you are fortunate enough to be involved in with today?s players, I want you to always keep few things in the forefront of you mind to make your life easier.
First, your number one baseball coaching goal is to make sure that all of the kids have fun regardless of the skill level.
It is great to win, it really is.
But just because you are on a winning team doesn?t mean you had a good experience.
I have seen countless kids get shoved to the way side while others get all of the attention.
Each player deserves just as much attention as the next.
Make sure that happens and give just as much instruction based feedback to every player.
Two, help players to understand that learning to be successful on the baseball field can give you a strong foundation to be successful in life.
It is sad to say, but we forget that many players learn many virtues while a part of a sports team.
Take myself for instance, baseball instilled integrity, determination, perseverance, and the understanding of what it means to be a part of a team.
If you keep these life skills in the forefront of you mind, you will be amazed at how your coaching approach changes from winning a baseball game, to helping the kids understand what it takes to be successful and learning to persevere.
Three, hold every player accountable for their actions.
Every player is an important and integral part of the team.
I don?t care if you are the star player, or the last guy off the bench.
If the players do not support each other, your team will be dysfunctional and probably on the losing end of many ball games.
You have to discipline your most skilled player they same way you discipline the least skilled player.
This will naturally help bring the true leaders of your team to the forefront of the class to make sure everyone is on the same page and working together towards a common goal.
Four, players play the game, not the coach.
Your role as a coach is to be a guide and a resource.
Explain the reasons behind why situational baseball is important and what will put them in the best position to succeed on the diamond.
Do not bunt a player out of situation because you don?t feel he is skilled enough to get a hit.
Open the lines of communication and make sure that if something is misunderstood, you take the time to explain it further before moving on.
If you put these four ideas/principles into practice, I guarantee you will see a change in yourself and in your players.
Your will see new life in the approach of your players and they will begin working harder and be more disciplined.
You do not need a team full of all-stars to win baseball games, you simply need a team full of players who love to come to ballpark everyday to get better.
It is your job as baseball coach to inspire them to do so.
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