Formulating
Your Coaching
Philosophy
The statement
“Success is getting a group of kids to play together as a team,
play hard, and reach their ultimate potential while having fun”
is a great foundation for your coaching philosophy. While all your
players should enjoy their experience as part of the team, everyone on the
team is expected to put the best interest of the team first, before any thought
is given to individual accomplishments. No individual, coach or player, is
more important than the team.
Enthusiasm, encouragement
and personal attention from you, the coach, is a key to every player having
a positive experience. Much of this comes from players developing a sense
of contribution to the team. Find a role for all your players and let them
know they are doing a good job. You may have to be creative, but it's important
to find that spot for each player. Finally, stress improvement and development.
Cheer the areas where you see improvement in individuals and the team as
a group. Point out with a positive approach where additional improvement
is possible. Effort, enthusiasm, improvement and fun lead to a successful
team. Never miss a chance to encourage, challenge and have
fun.
Team pride should be another cornerstone of your baseball program.
Success builds pride, but so does hard work and commitment to individual
and team goals. You should instill in every player the belief that hard work
pays off, and the harder players work, the more they will achieve. While
being successful is a goal for everyone, at the same time each player should
focus on effort - not outcome. A team can always control their effort but
seldom the outcome of a game.
Teaching and repetition are two tools you can use to prepare players
to be the best they can be. Start with fundamentals, work on techniques and
individual skills and teach team defense in depth. Take every opportunity
to teach and demonstrate teamwork, sportsmanship and respect for everyone,
starting with the coaches. Believing that
"Perfect practice makes perfect",
players should properly practice the skills being taught on a repetitive
basis, so that these skills become as natural as walking and
talking.
Ask your players to set goals for themselves and the team. Their goals
should be challenging enough to require them to extend beyond their present
skill level. Every player should have the opportunity to achieve success
and/or failure in game situations. When they succeed, give them positive
feedback in terms of recognition and approval. When they do not succeed,
give them feedback in terms of advice or instruction.
Success and individual growth
have much in common. Successful coaches are often remembered by former players
more for their lessons of life than for winning or losing. Good coaches know
that the key to success is motivating their players to do their best and
improve beyond apparent limitations, motivated by team goals. The best coaches
know that spirit, the will to win and to excel are important things that
are more important than the game itself.
A good saying to remember.....
You never exceed your own
expectations.
Each player’s primary competition should be on their team, not
the opposing team. Strive for constant competition among pitchers, catchers,
infielders and outfielders. By practicing often with excellent players, players
will have the opportunity to become the best they can be. The underlying
philosophy is … players compete
with other players or teams rather
than against other players or
teams.
Mental preparation is as much a part of a coaching philosophy as physical
preparation. Try to accomplish the following through mental
preparation:
Intensity
Exhibit an exceptional focus and concentration.
Composure
Keep cool under
pressure.
Enthusiasm
Have fun, enjoy the game of baseball.
Finally, your coaching philosophy should include the fact that playing
baseball is intended to be
FUN.
Make your practices and games enjoyable experiences that will both
develop skills and provide positive life long memories for every
player.
Reprinted with permission
from:
A
Youth Baseball Coaches Tool
Kit
