| 1. BE ORGANIZED...A good coach must have | | | | work on different drills for different players or |
| practice plans, and be thinking in advance as to | | | | stay later after a practice is finished. Be prepared |
| what is to be accomplished and learned for that | | | | to give of yourself and your time for overall |
| days practice. Kids will pick up on an unorganized | | | | team and individual success. |
| coach and he will lose respect and focus from his | | | | 7. BE CARING...Nobody likes the mean and |
| players. Plan a week in advance of each practice | | | | grumpy coach that sits in the corner of the |
| and modify each plan according to what you need | | | | dugout barking out orders. Show the players that |
| to get done. | | | | you care about them as individuals and that you |
| 2. DISCIPLINE...No matter who breaks your rules, | | | | believe each one is important to the team. Let |
| even your best player, you as the coach must | | | | them know what their roles and responsibilities |
| act upon your preset punishment, and reprimand | | | | are to the team. Take time as the coach to talk |
| that player accordingly. Play no favorites, as hard | | | | to players individually, ask them what is going on. |
| as that may seem and you will win the respect | | | | Remember coaches, be human. You're not a good |
| and admiration of your team. | | | | coach unless you can relate and understand your |
| 3. P.M.A.(POSITIVE MENTAL | | | | players, both on and off the field. |
| ATTITUDE)...Situations in baseball can get pretty | | | | 8. BE A GOOD SPORT...Yes winning brings high |
| bad, your not hitting, your pitcher can't throw a | | | | fives and smiles, but instill in your players how to |
| strike etc. but you as the coach must remember | | | | accept winning as well as losing. Your coaching of |
| to find a positive and rally around that point. | | | | baseball will reflect on your players and if they |
| Maybe your defense is outstanding or you're | | | | show poor sportsmanship, what does that say |
| running the bases well, players need | | | | about you, their coach! |
| encouragement. Mistakes will undoubtedly happen; | | | | 9. DEALING WITH PARENTS...I included parents in |
| it's what you do as a coach during this time that | | | | my top ten best baseball coaching tips because |
| will define your coaching ability. Take a negative, | | | | they are un-avoidable and setting a precedent |
| work on it, and put it to your team's advantage. | | | | early with them will help you as a coach. First, |
| 4. WINNING, IT'S NOT EVERYTHING...Be a | | | | send home a congratulatory letter letting them |
| teacher of baseball first, then winning will take | | | | know their son or daughter made the team. |
| care of itself if you have prepared the team to | | | | Explain your rules, philosophies, what is expected |
| play hard and always give their best efforts. | | | | of them and their kids, put in practice and game |
| 5. TEACH, LEARN & COMMUNICATE...Players | | | | schedules and put in a contact number so they |
| at all levels learn by listening and doing. | | | | can contact you if needed. Unfortunately, nothing |
| Remember, telling a player to do something, he | | | | will prevent a disgruntled parent from wanting to |
| will forget, but TEACH a player by showing and | | | | talk or yell at you for not playing their kid, but at |
| they remember. When a player does something | | | | least the letter will let them know first off, where |
| on their own with your instruction they have a | | | | you stand. |
| tendency to do it better and remember much | | | | 10. HAVE FUN...Sometimes as coaches and |
| more. Here is a simple four word phrase that I | | | | parents we forget the whole reason we play this |
| and several other coaches use: TEACH, SHOW | | | | great game of baseball. To have Fun. Coaches, |
| and DO. Teach them in theory, Show them on | | | | you don't have to be a Drill Sergeant to teach |
| the field, have them Do it themselves. | | | | baseball. Create a practice environment that is |
| Communicating to a player and parent is also key. | | | | structured, varied and enjoyable. If you're having |
| I have developed and used The Coaches | | | | fun and so are the players, chances are they will |
| Communication Plan. It is a step by step approach | | | | learn more, quicker and with less complaints to |
| to assist the coach, the parent and the player in | | | | you or their parents. I am not saying to create a |
| better communication and understanding. | | | | circus atmosphere, but add variety to your |
| 6. IMPROVEMENT...Emphasize your teaching and | | | | regular drills ad stations to keep the level of |
| instruction by challenging all your players at any | | | | excitement and fun. |
| level to improve on their skills. Players want to | | | | These baseball coaching tips should be in every |
| improve, so as a coach, plan appropriately to | | | | coach's tool box to be utilized all the time. |
| accommodate them. This may require you to | | | | |