Since I started this topic, I thought I'd give an update on what I'm going to present:
THE AGENDA:
Please keep this agenda as a record of your attendance at the Triad Fall Teacher’s Institute.
A) My Profile/Introduction
a) Personal info
i) Teacher
ii) Coach
b) Handout: “Dream Big”
c) Handout: “Class”
d) Handout: “When Victory is Achieved”
e) Handout: “Triad Baseball Blueprint for State”
f) Handout: “Remember Coaching will always include”
g) Discussion
B) Ineffective Coaching Techniques
a) Handout: Types of Ineffective Coaches
b) Handout: “Reasons People are Unsuccessful”
c) Discussion
C) Coaching 101 – What Effective Coaches Do
a) Handout: Coaching 101
b) Handout: “Coaching Tips #2
c) Handout: “What Coaches Notice”
d) Handout: “Example Practice Plan”
e) Discussion
D) Communication (Parents, Players, Counselors, and College Coaches)
a) Handout: Tryout Tips for Players and Parents”
b) Handout: “Now that you have made the team” (Player Communication)
c) Handout: “Parent’s Meeting Communication”
d) Handout: “Some Thoughts for Parents of the Baseball Knights”
e) Handout: “Experts”
f) Handout: “Player Profile/Release Form” (Players, Colleges and Counselors)
g) Discussion
E) Wrap-up and Discussion
a) Handout: “Successful Coaches”
b) Handout: Things I’m Expected to do as a High School Coach:
c) Discussion
TYPES OF INEFFECTIVE COACHES:
Please note that this handout is not intended to offend anyone. Rather, this is one person’s observations.
1. The Ignorant Coach – I was once this. I had great intent. I wanted to do my best for the kids. I didn’t have a clue.
2. The "We're no good coach so why bother." So, why are you a coach? If coaching were a profession where everyone was already good, they wouldn’t need you.
3. The "Clock Coach." Again, why bother. Success isn’t measured on some clock face. You just might have to be late for supper once in a while if you intend to advance your player’s skills.
4. The "100% Enabler Coach" A coach I can’t stand. You’re the coach. No, they don’t vote. You decide who plays! You be the adult and discipline the kids. If there is a decision to be made, MAKE IT!
5. The "That's all that has worked in the past, that's all that will work Coach" Believe it or not, I understand this coach but don’t agree with it. You have a system that works? Fine, but still be a student of the game and learn the latest improvements on equipment, strategies, and drills.
6. The "Supervisor Coach" Another type of coach I can’t stand. These coaches warm chairs as everyone else works. They have nothing invested and so, losing doesn’t matter at all.
7. The “Rah Rah Coach” This is the well intended coach who doesn’t know technique and so can’t suggest improvement. They are still there for the kids and do try to make the experience fun. I give them some credit since they can make the experience enjoyable. However, they won’t make their players better!
8. The “Abusive Coach” These coaches aren’t coaches at all. Everything that happens in the playing arena is some statement about their self serving image and so, when a player doesn’t measure up, they abuse that player. Abusive coaches always comment on how soft kids are today while back in their days, they’d eat nails to win.
WHAT I KNOW ABOUT SUCCESSFUL COACHES:
• Admit that they don’t know everything and are always asking other successful coaches how they do things.
• Have the courage to say, “I was wrong.”
• Are not afraid of winning! Yes, some coaches are secretly afraid of winning because winning changes people’s perceptions and raises the bar of expectations.
• Are never “too busy” to … (You fill in the blank. Successful coaches know that they are a community commodity and own up to that responsibility.)
• Attack problems and never pretends they don’t see problems. (This means you might have to kick the “star of the team” off of the team!)
• Know that the commitment for success involves their whole being as well as requiring a substantial commitment from their family.
• Know that once they have achieved a level of success, they have to change their expectations and shoot for higher goals.
• Listen to their staff but also know that they have to read body language and behaviors in order to assess staff recommendations.
• Respect their competition and makes sure that, “every stone has been turned over” prior to any competition.
• Know that the belief in the phrase, “That’s all that has worked in the past and that’s all that will ever work” is a recipe for disaster. In other words, successful coaches keep updated on their sport with regards to changes in rules, drills, philosophies…
