Hi folks -- In conducting your recruiting campaign, I'm just wondering if anyone could offer any advice on how to avoid coaches who are continually abusive verbally (or even physically)? I'm guessing the only way really is to ask around, including former and current players, etc. My impression is that too many coaches are still allowed somehow to get away with this crap. Thanks very much, and happy U.S. Independence Day and Canada Day to everyone? -- John in Toronto.
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Are you asking about College coaches?
Whats your definition of abusive? I am learning that some people view yelling as abusive. I'm not saying thats wrong - just a different definition than mine.
Physical? No reason to ever take that.
Verbal? Not sure you'll find many who don't yell. (BTW, they don't really yell in pro ball).
Hey John,
I was about to type something similar to Justbaseball. You have to determine your and your son's level of tolerance. The "old school" yeller is still quite prevalent in the world of college baseball. And most college coaches have at least some degree of that style in their arsenal. It is also not uncommon for players to dislike their college coaches while playing for them only to gain respect for them later.
I'm not sure what level your son is targeting but I would think you would certainly have better odds looking at smaller Christian schools if this is a high priority line item for you and/or him. Although, I am aware of many exceptions to that general notion on both sides of the coin.
All this said, you are on the right track with asking former players as the best method. Current players are often reluctant to voice anything but support. If your son knows players personally at any program he is looking at or can use friend of a friend contacts, this can be very effective as well.
cabbagedad posted:Hey John,
... It is also not uncommon for players to dislike their college coaches while playing for them only to gain respect for them later....
Ding! Ding! I would only add that the 'dislike' only lasted a year or so, not four. And once the respect kicked in, it seems to be lasting.
Coaches are going to get in the face of college athletes and yell at them. If you have no tolerance for that, perhaps college sports is not for you.
justbaseball posted:cabbagedad posted:Hey John,
... It is also not uncommon for players to dislike their college coaches while playing for them only to gain respect for them later....
Ding! Ding! I would only add that the 'dislike' only lasted a year or so, not four. And once the respect kicked in, it seems to be lasting.
This is soooooo true.
Do you remember back in grade school or college the teacher who you couldnt stand, turned out later that you remember them fondly how he or she got on your case but you learned the most from them? Same thing.
However, there is a difference between getting on a players case vs verbal and physical abuse which should never be tolerated.
Coach is difficult but the kid gets on the field .... kid gains respect for coach
Coach is difficult and kid doesn’t get on the field .... coach sucks
High school coaches coach for the love of the game. College coaches feed their family and pay the mortgage by getting the right players on the field. When a college player doesn’t get it done he’s threatening the coach’s six figure income.
Moral of the story: College sports are a business.
If you are truly going to ask former players make sure you get a good mix or starters, bench players, stars, role players. A player who gets much PT may not say anything negative.
When my 2015 was in full recruiting mode, he was interested more in coaching style in terms of which would fit best with his tools and where could he contribute most.He looked at college stats of people at his position and coach's bios. He also gained much insight with GOING TO games of the schools he was vetting. This helped him two-fold. He could observe the style of play (managerial style) and also determine if he could see himself at the level of play (HSBBWEB talks much about "fit"). He went to one game which matched two of his "final five" against each other. After he went to a fall game at the school he would land, where the team bunted four batters in a row (reached each time) to a win, the RC caught eye of him after the game and said "I bet you liked that."
Son had a vocal coach in HS who told son upon receiving a special award at the banquet, that he was harder on 2015 than any player he coached in all the years he coached in the two sports he coached. I still find the comment hard to understand for a bright, motivated player. Son probably thought that he was either used to that persona or anything else at the college level would be "milder."
There should be zero tolerance for physical abuse, contact the AD and if he does nothing the authorities.
With verbal abuse it depends on the level. Really bad verbal abuse can be almost as bad as physical abuse. However many people will interpret yelling and any form of personal criticism as abuse. College and pro ball is no feel good place. Those coaches have their job on the line, if they lose some games they might not be able to pay their mortgage anymore, those coaches have tremendous pressure to win.
However the coach still needs to have some kind of self control, there are lines that can't be crossed.
As you talk with current and recent players about coaching styles, be on the lookout for those coaches who seem to be able to adjust their approach based upon their assessment of what motivates each individual player on their roster. It's been my observation over the years that it's not unusual for successful coaches, regardless of the sport they coach, to be astute and adept enough to figure out what influences each player best.
Some of us respond well to the carrot and others to the stick; and some to either, given the situation. Good coaches often have the ability to recognize and respond appropriately to that.
Prepster posted:As you talk with current and recent players about coaching styles, be on the lookout for those coaches who seem to be able to adjust their approach based upon their assessment of what motivates each individual player on their roster. It's been my observation over the years that it's not unusual for successful coaches, regardless of the sport they coach, to be astute and adept enough to figure out what influences each player best.
Some of us respond well to the carrot and others to the stick; and some to either, given the situation. Good coaches often have the ability to recognize and respond appropriately to that.
Ding, ding, and ding. The good coaches always adapt and adjust.
