So You Want To Coach Little Leauge Baseball?
Coaching little leauge baseball can be very rewarding. Or it can be a nightmare. Some things you should know.
The Coach
Understand why your doing it, if your trying to get your son or daughter into the hall of fame consider a different option. As a coach you must treat every player the same if a player see's you favor one over the other your creditability is shot, all rules apply to all players, no exception. A coach should know at least some basic fundementals about baseball ie proper throwing mechanics, proper technics for the ground ball pop fly base running if you dont have the basic knowledge seek it out, if you do have some knowledge of the game dont be affraid to learn more. you can do this online look for drills that help with fundementals also ask other more established coachs, find out what has worked for them a good coach should alway's be on the look out for something new to improve his or her ability to instruct their players. As a coach you must establish who is in charge, your the coach make sure your players understand that, be organized plan your practice an hour and a half is about all youll get with full participation if a player wants extra help and you have gas left in the tank give it to them youll both be rewarded for it later. Another important factor is to be yourself kids see through the B.S. if your the sort that wants to coach little leauge then communicating with your players is most important, trust them and help them trust you, be genuine.
The Player
You will find that most little leauge players will tire of the same routine so keep it fresh some things must be done every practice, hitting for example, find ways to get what your after ie bat speed, tracking the ball, release point, finishing high what ever it may be, by useing different drills that accomplish the same things and always if your team has practiced hard make time for fun time, wiffle ball always brings out the smiles. With little leaugers you will always have some that are just more advanced then others, you'll discover this very quikly, never ask an advanced player to play down, inspire your weaker players to keep improveing they will thats what your there for. Most importantly you must help the little leauger learn good sportsmanship ie good teammate, respect for other players on their team and others in the leauge. Set the example once they trust you they will follow your lead.
The Parent
The biggest challenge. Introduce yourself to each one let them in on your goals for the team, and ask them to help you achieve them, its their team to. Explain the team rules and make it clear that you expect them to follow those rules as well, you as head coach are responsible for the conduct of all members of your team, coach's, players, parents. Ask them to cheer for all players on the team, to show respect for fellow parents remind them that we can not expect our children to behave better then we do. Most importantly, help them understand nothing on the field will hurt a player its the ride home that can destroy them, be positve with young players dont let them get caught up in playing time or what position they played today, there is no bad position on a ball field. Every oppurtunity is just that help them to be ready for success and help them handle failure.
Last Word
Remember when you coach a little leauge ball player you have an oppurtunity to set the tone for the rest of his or her career, teach fundementals, teach them to respect the game Teach them how to handle success and how to deal with failure in a healthy way. Good luck and Good game.
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