I would like to start holding exit meeting with my returning players. What are some questions of interest that could be asked?
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We just do the obvious, really - We always lead off with asking what the player feels his strengths and weaknesses are and then compare with the list we have.. this leads to discussion of specifics of what needs to be worked on between now and start of next year. We also discuss players' plans for summer and figure out whether they will be with us for summer ball or playing for another team or another sport or work or? We check in on their career goals and try to make sure we are addressing any areas we may be able to help with. Knowing about career goals outside of baseball can sometimes help with finding relevant motivational talking points.
We probably should do more exploring into what they think the strengths and weaknesses are in regards to how the program is run and how it could be improved.
It can be a good time, too, to gather a little personal interest info. Seems like during the season we are too busy and too focused on just baseball.
You think it is better to be really honest with the player or hold some things back and wait to see what happens in the fall?
Me personally, would rather have it told to me straight, but I could handle that. Now a days parents seem to get mad when a coach is honest with the players, lol.
I'm far more concerned with the players knowing exactly where they stand than how mad the parents may get. There should be plenty of feedback during the course of the year where the exit meeting assessment is just re-enforcement of what they've heard several times. We'll certainly call out and praise strengths but the main objective at this point is to recognize weaknesses that should be addressed in the "off" season and make sure they have the info, resources, tools to work on them if they are committed enough to do so. And, BTW, the parents are not part of our end-of-year discussions. They are big boys now. If they want to share the discussion points with parents later, they certainly can do that.
Definitely ask what team they are playing on in the summer. Outline what you see as their strengths and weaknesses (or say it as "things they should focus on"). Then the player can give you feedback on what he can do to improve (if it's arm strenth, long toss, bands, etc). Depending on their graduation year, it is good to find out if they would like to platy baseball beyond HS.Sophs should definitely have some colleges in mind. How will they be seen? You as a coach also know what "positions" are graduating from your current team. Is it a position that is new to your interviewee, and you would like to see him take reps on his AAU/Fall team?
Originally Posted by Passion4baseball:
You think it is better to be really honest with the player or hold some things back and wait to see what happens in the fall?
Me personally, would rather have it told to me straight, but I could handle that. Now a days parents seem to get mad when a coach is honest with the players, lol.
Their kids will be in for a shock in college ball. 
Better to prepare now.
I'm sure parents would be none to happy to share what improvements they see team needing to make. Don't see returning players giving u an honest answer, esp if they did not agree w lineup, or other coaches decisions.
We never had an "exit mtg" for us it's see u at Banquet then again in Fall for outdoor practice.
Many of our disgruntled parents(about 2 or 3)would like one w coach�� but honestly they are negative complainers who were never happy.
You may want to use something like this to assess where they currently are and what all you would like to see them working on in summer/fall to get better at. http://www.porterbaseball.org/...yer%20evaluation.pdf
* I am not associated with school, however, my post season eval is not online for me to link you up with. This is the closest I found like it...
Originally Posted by lionbaseball:
Originally Posted by Passion4baseball:
You think it is better to be really honest with the player or hold some things back and wait to see what happens in the fall?
Me personally, would rather have it told to me straight, but I could handle that. Now a days parents seem to get mad when a coach is honest with the players, lol.
Their kids will be in for a shock in college ball.
Better to prepare now.
If they do not take honest, constructive criticism in HS ball, they more than likely will not make it to college ball (being coachable). They will stick to Sunday league semi-pro Domingo, you know that! Yunior playing daddy ball at shor stah...
Originally Posted by IEBSBL:
I would like to start holding exit meeting with my returning players. What are some questions of interest that could be asked?
IEBSBL - I applaud your approach.
The first thing I would ask is "Do you know why we are doing this?" Then I would explain the whole reason is for them to develop their games and see if they need help with anything to meet their baseball goals. This approach sets the table honestly and it would keep the parents (hopefully) out of the discussion. I would ask the player what three things (keep it simple) they want to improve in the next year, document it and define how the two of you are going to measure that progress. I would let the player do the majority of talking and do alot of listening. As always, JMO.
Thank you guys for your responses.