As you go thru HS baseball what sort of coach do you want to play for?
One who is soft?
One who is tough and spits tobacco juice?
One who wins no matter what?
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Well, I know many people will think this isn't a very thought provoking response, but here goes.
It's pretty simple in my eyes. I would want my son to have a coach who cares.
Cares about winning.
Cares about his players.
Cares about his other coaches.
Cares about getting the players into college.
A "soft" coach can do those things as well as a tobacco chewing hard-nosed guy. Caring takes work - not a personality type IMO.
It's pretty simple in my eyes. I would want my son to have a coach who cares.
Cares about winning.
Cares about his players.
Cares about his other coaches.
Cares about getting the players into college.
A "soft" coach can do those things as well as a tobacco chewing hard-nosed guy. Caring takes work - not a personality type IMO.
Wants to win and cares about winning --cool
Most coaches care about their players
Many HS coaches do not have assistants up this way
Helping them get into college is not in the vocabulary of many HS coaches which is why I did not include it in the criteria
Most coaches care about their players
Many HS coaches do not have assistants up this way
Helping them get into college is not in the vocabulary of many HS coaches which is why I did not include it in the criteria
I want one who knows and loves baseball, not football.
This is an interesting question TR. I probably will have more thoughts on this as this thread evolves. I consider my son to be a no-nonsense, business-like, hard-nosed type of player. Thus, I think he likes to play for the "harder" or hard-nosed type of coaches rather than softer approaches. He has always thrived under the strict disciplinarian types and has little patience for players who do not take the game as seriously as he does. Off the field, he is like everyone else and knows how to have fun with the best of them. All that said, I don't disagree with what lafmom has said.
TR - You point out something that is always a good thing for us to remember. I have been fascinated by the differences in various parts of the country - in programs, coaches, schedules, etc. Our Varsity team had three coaches and our JV team had three coaches. So maybe the answer to the question should be "more" coaches for some. 
Great topic--and fortunately, the type coach my son likes is the type I want him to play for.
1. Tough, but fair. Will crawl up your backside when you need it, but will praise you when you deserve it.
2. Detail oriented. Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves.
3. Demanding--demanding in effort and demanding in execution.
4. Honest. Will tell you exactly where you stand, and what you need to improve on. No mind games.
5. Passionate. About the game, and about winning. Second place is the first loser.
ClevelandDad sums it up, well, too.
1. Tough, but fair. Will crawl up your backside when you need it, but will praise you when you deserve it.
2. Detail oriented. Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves.
3. Demanding--demanding in effort and demanding in execution.
4. Honest. Will tell you exactly where you stand, and what you need to improve on. No mind games.
5. Passionate. About the game, and about winning. Second place is the first loser.
ClevelandDad sums it up, well, too.
CD - Ask T. this question and I'll ask Michael. I have a feeling that both of them will have answers very similar to what you've stated. I'm just curious. 
I'll mainly agree with lafmom.
I am a corporate trainer and teach a module on coaching (mainly from a business perspective).
From our module:
Coaching is the process of letting others know what they do matters to you.
It's as simple or complex as that.
Great coaches exhibit 4 key characteristics:
1) They listen well.
2) Give EFFECTIVE feedback.
3) Help others learn.
4) Challenge when necessary (see a player/team member going down a dead end road).
Many of the great coaches exhibit this. Their "styles" may be different. Hard nosed vs. laid back. But if they can effectively execute these 4 characteristics, style doesn't matter. They are a great coach!
I am a corporate trainer and teach a module on coaching (mainly from a business perspective).
From our module:
Coaching is the process of letting others know what they do matters to you.
It's as simple or complex as that.
Great coaches exhibit 4 key characteristics:
1) They listen well.
2) Give EFFECTIVE feedback.
3) Help others learn.
4) Challenge when necessary (see a player/team member going down a dead end road).
Many of the great coaches exhibit this. Their "styles" may be different. Hard nosed vs. laid back. But if they can effectively execute these 4 characteristics, style doesn't matter. They are a great coach!
TR
Depends on which son I was answering this question for.
My two kids have completely different personalities. One responds better to tougher teachers who make him toe the line. The other simply needs someone to point in the direction he wants him to go, then step back and let him go on his own.
I would say it has more to do with the temperment of the kid that the temperament of the coach.
Depends on which son I was answering this question for.
My two kids have completely different personalities. One responds better to tougher teachers who make him toe the line. The other simply needs someone to point in the direction he wants him to go, then step back and let him go on his own.
I would say it has more to do with the temperment of the kid that the temperament of the coach.
My sons HS coach took over a reeling program when my son was a Freshman(03-04). The year prior to that, he assisted the Varsity coach for a season.
The program, I was told, got to be so bad due to the old head coach and his lack of passion. Nice excuse, but I believe a true baseballer(KID) with his own passion for the game can overcome any shortcomings a coach may have. Anyway, kids dropped from the program back then using the "bad coach" as a poor excuse when in fact they just didn't enjoy baseball anymore.
Our current coach is very disciplined, but fair. He played D1 ball and a few seasons in the minors, including Cape Cod summer ball. As a youngster, he played for a similar type coach, and has adopted some of his style. Oddly enough, this grand mentor who coached our HS coach still works with 18u kids and happens to be my sons summer coach. My son loves these guys, and their similar styles.
Our HS coach commands respect from the kids for several reasons, but it is hard not to buy into a program by someone who has achieved what most of these kids dream of!
Post game discussions are standard, and are used to reinforce what just transpired in the game. Players are asked about game situations. They better have remembered, and have an answer for the coaches question.
Our current HS roster is returning 100% of the team for Spring 2006. What does that tell you?
1. All the 2005 seniors were weeded out.
2. Most of the 2006 kids were weeded out.
3. The 3 seniors and several juniors on the team for next season mostly grew up together, and as of last season started turning around the program, and good things may be in store for this group.
4. The current players are unified.
A firm, fair, disciplined coach is preferred for baseball. We have that, and as a bonus, he has a good sense of humor. He will also make the effort to help any of the kids get better individually. Johnny picking dandelions in right field doesn't cut it anymore!
*******by the way, the coach didn't cut the players mentioned, they weeded themselves out because they lacked passion, and PT.
I negelected to mention temperment. As tough and physically strong our coach is, he is more so, mentally tough. Very emotionally controlled, but picks his spots to make a point, be it with a player or an umpire.
Thats a good quality also.
The program, I was told, got to be so bad due to the old head coach and his lack of passion. Nice excuse, but I believe a true baseballer(KID) with his own passion for the game can overcome any shortcomings a coach may have. Anyway, kids dropped from the program back then using the "bad coach" as a poor excuse when in fact they just didn't enjoy baseball anymore.
Our current coach is very disciplined, but fair. He played D1 ball and a few seasons in the minors, including Cape Cod summer ball. As a youngster, he played for a similar type coach, and has adopted some of his style. Oddly enough, this grand mentor who coached our HS coach still works with 18u kids and happens to be my sons summer coach. My son loves these guys, and their similar styles.
Our HS coach commands respect from the kids for several reasons, but it is hard not to buy into a program by someone who has achieved what most of these kids dream of!
Post game discussions are standard, and are used to reinforce what just transpired in the game. Players are asked about game situations. They better have remembered, and have an answer for the coaches question.
Our current HS roster is returning 100% of the team for Spring 2006. What does that tell you?
1. All the 2005 seniors were weeded out.
2. Most of the 2006 kids were weeded out.
3. The 3 seniors and several juniors on the team for next season mostly grew up together, and as of last season started turning around the program, and good things may be in store for this group.
4. The current players are unified.
A firm, fair, disciplined coach is preferred for baseball. We have that, and as a bonus, he has a good sense of humor. He will also make the effort to help any of the kids get better individually. Johnny picking dandelions in right field doesn't cut it anymore!
*******by the way, the coach didn't cut the players mentioned, they weeded themselves out because they lacked passion, and PT.
I negelected to mention temperment. As tough and physically strong our coach is, he is more so, mentally tough. Very emotionally controlled, but picks his spots to make a point, be it with a player or an umpire.
Thats a good quality also.
I sent my son this question and here is his exact email back to me -
A coach that will make me work harder, a coach who isnt afraid to call out the superstar on the team and yell at him in front of everybody. A coach who knows how to play the game like I do, 110%.. Mitch Hannahs
Mitch Hannahs is his current JUCO coach. I'm glad I asked him that question as I hear contentment in his voice and momma likes that!
A coach that will make me work harder, a coach who isnt afraid to call out the superstar on the team and yell at him in front of everybody. A coach who knows how to play the game like I do, 110%.. Mitch Hannahs
Mitch Hannahs is his current JUCO coach. I'm glad I asked him that question as I hear contentment in his voice and momma likes that!
My two sons (04 and 06) have very different personalities, but as I look back at the coaches who have meant the most to both of them, they both have preferred those who were strict, demanding, somewhat tough, but fair. Their favorite coaches' personal styles might all be different, but the common thread is a strong knowledge of the game they were coaching, ability to run a tight, effective practice, and willingness to demand the best from players, and help them get better. Those were the types of coaches I also wanted my sons to have.
My 06 is now focused more on music than sports, but my 04 is happily playing for a new coach at college who sets very high goals and expectations for the team, is friends with the players, but is not afraid to get tough and definitely steers the ship.
My 06 is now focused more on music than sports, but my 04 is happily playing for a new coach at college who sets very high goals and expectations for the team, is friends with the players, but is not afraid to get tough and definitely steers the ship.
First let me temper my remarks by saying you treat (and coach) a 10 year old ball player much differently than you treat (and coach) a 16 year old ball player so the answers will change. If I had the ability to choose a coach at the high school level I would choose a coach that knows how to win. Why? (1) Because the object of the game is to win! and (2) in order to win a coach has to do a lot of things right. (3) If a player doesn’t want to win he isn’t a ballplayer and needs to look for another hobby.
If your son has the ability to go into a program that is coached by a proven winner, and your son can contribute to that program, then he will emerge a better player and a better person. A great coach has the ability to make changes to his roster, explain his adjustments to his team, and have every player accept those changes because every member of the team has the same goal.
I would much rather my son adjust to a coach’s needs than expect a coach to adjust to my son’s needs…but…at the same time a coach can get the most from a player if he understands a players wants and needs. No coach can ever expect to have the blessings of all the people, all the time.
Fungo
If your son has the ability to go into a program that is coached by a proven winner, and your son can contribute to that program, then he will emerge a better player and a better person. A great coach has the ability to make changes to his roster, explain his adjustments to his team, and have every player accept those changes because every member of the team has the same goal.
I would much rather my son adjust to a coach’s needs than expect a coach to adjust to my son’s needs…but…at the same time a coach can get the most from a player if he understands a players wants and needs. No coach can ever expect to have the blessings of all the people, all the time.
Fungo
Fungo--I agree that the age of the player is key thus the reason I said as you go thru HS
I took things off course with my son's post. I didn't specify to him "HS coach". Sorry.
quote:Originally posted by jbbaseball:
Coaching is the process of letting others know what they do matters to you.
It's as simple or complex as that.
Great coaches exhibit 4 key characteristics:
1) They listen well.
2) Give EFFECTIVE feedback.
3) Help others learn.
4) Challenge when necessary (see a player/team member going down a dead end road).
Many of the great coaches exhibit this. Their "styles" may be different. Hard nosed vs. laid back. But if they can effectively execute these 4 characteristics, style doesn't matter. They are a great coach!
I noticed when son was home for Thanksgiving his notes from his athletic leaderhip class, all of the above were mentioned regarding coaching characteristics. Must be the same module.
My son had lots of coaches in HS. They all had different styles and personalities as do his college coaches but noticed most had teh same characteristics.
I can't answer, cause I've never been a player
Lafmom,
No need to apologize. Asking your son the question and not specifying HS really didn't matter, because what he desires in a coach most probably would be answered the same for LL, HS and college and beyond.
I'm goiing to digress slightly from the topic:
I played h.s. baseball '65-'69 so today's coach is (usually) a bit different from what I had. Tough as nails yet an uncanny ability to understand the 'uniqueness' of each of his players. Fair-minded yet winning was the only option most of the time, and the guys that could win were the guys in the lineup. If you weren't a starter you always knew that you had the opportunity to be one. There were no favorites. Not afraid to literally kick your a** or have you spend an hour on the ropes or running stairs if you had it coming. The baddest, meanest kid didn't dare challenge him. Not only did you know you would lose but you just had too much respect for the man and his abilities. Made you shower every day -- workout or chalk talk. If you couldn't afford a glove, he provided. He taught us how to be both proud and humble, to know no fear, and to give it our best. He was always there to help - whether you needed a ride home from a practice or to get into college or to see to it that a scout knew you existed. Only one guy that I can remember went on to play in the major leagues, but there is no doubt that guy was signed due to the initial efforts of the coach.
I miss that guy.
I played h.s. baseball '65-'69 so today's coach is (usually) a bit different from what I had. Tough as nails yet an uncanny ability to understand the 'uniqueness' of each of his players. Fair-minded yet winning was the only option most of the time, and the guys that could win were the guys in the lineup. If you weren't a starter you always knew that you had the opportunity to be one. There were no favorites. Not afraid to literally kick your a** or have you spend an hour on the ropes or running stairs if you had it coming. The baddest, meanest kid didn't dare challenge him. Not only did you know you would lose but you just had too much respect for the man and his abilities. Made you shower every day -- workout or chalk talk. If you couldn't afford a glove, he provided. He taught us how to be both proud and humble, to know no fear, and to give it our best. He was always there to help - whether you needed a ride home from a practice or to get into college or to see to it that a scout knew you existed. Only one guy that I can remember went on to play in the major leagues, but there is no doubt that guy was signed due to the initial efforts of the coach.
I miss that guy.
Every coach has his own way of motivating and developing players. And his own reservoir of skill and knowledge. Hopefully, players will adjust to his style and learn as much as they can.
But the one thing I think a coach must have to be a "Good" coach - is the willingness and courage to always tell the truth.
Without that - regardless of how many wins they may accumulate - and how many rings they wear - they will be losers in the only game that really counts.
But the one thing I think a coach must have to be a "Good" coach - is the willingness and courage to always tell the truth.
Without that - regardless of how many wins they may accumulate - and how many rings they wear - they will be losers in the only game that really counts.
There have to be more thoughts--lets keep it going
I like coaches just like players, who look like they're having a good time!
To me coaches who lose control... lose control!
That does not include "discussions" with umpires!
You judge the coach by watching his team. I've seen coaches that act like everyone came to the game to watch them coach!
To me coaches who lose control... lose control!
That does not include "discussions" with umpires!
You judge the coach by watching his team. I've seen coaches that act like everyone came to the game to watch them coach!
The best coaches are those that get respect from their players...
First, by having a record of success, but even if they are new coaches, providing answers to what a player wants to know the most...how to get better and win?
Secondly, a coach that knows how to motivate them to excellence...in other words he understands the psychological aspect of what motivates the athletic mind. It may sound unimportant but I think above all else it is the key to whether a coach is a success or a failure.
and Thirdly, a coach that sets very high expectations of practice, conduct and behavior and holds his players to those standards without favor or exception.
First, by having a record of success, but even if they are new coaches, providing answers to what a player wants to know the most...how to get better and win?
Secondly, a coach that knows how to motivate them to excellence...in other words he understands the psychological aspect of what motivates the athletic mind. It may sound unimportant but I think above all else it is the key to whether a coach is a success or a failure.
and Thirdly, a coach that sets very high expectations of practice, conduct and behavior and holds his players to those standards without favor or exception.
Good coaches teach, teach, and teach some more.....they exhibit tough love, and show with actions that they care about players, they compete fiercely, are confident in themselves and let their players know that they believe in them, too.....and they love what they do.
Ramrod---
Sometimes even YOU make loads of sense...this is one of those times. Right on!
Sometimes even YOU make loads of sense...this is one of those times. Right on!
As far as a coach is concerned, we want one that gives 100% at all times and is knowledgeable about the game, we except our son to learn as much on the field as he does in the classroom, too us a coach is just the same as a school teacher, when it comes down to it, the kids are there to learn, be it in the classroom or on the diamond and this is one of the reasons my son transfered schools this past fall, lack of coaching.
4myson, is your son with you in Saudi? What city? I worked there a little over 20 years ago, and can't imagine a baseball diamond anywhere in the kingdom. Heck, we had to carry astroturf mats to put our golf ball on. We'd hit it off the mat, pick up the mat and go find our ball somewhere out in the dirt, lay the mat down and hit it again. We didn't putt on greens, but rather, "browns". The browns were sand that was packed and rolled firm to resemble a putting surface. Boy, do I ever have memories of those days...Good and Bad!
RAMROD 
You summed it up quite well.
You summed it up quite well.
06catcherdad,
Well they still do carry around those little pieces of astroturf mats at serveral golf courses. I currently live in Abqaiq which is about 50 minutes south of Dhahran. The golf course in DHA has grass now, they finished putting it in last year and my son is no longer with me, he left in the 9th grade to go to school in PA, he just transfered in the fall (Junior) and is currently in Florida.
Well they still do carry around those little pieces of astroturf mats at serveral golf courses. I currently live in Abqaiq which is about 50 minutes south of Dhahran. The golf course in DHA has grass now, they finished putting it in last year and my son is no longer with me, he left in the 9th grade to go to school in PA, he just transfered in the fall (Junior) and is currently in Florida.
One that cares! That usually means they love people and the game! Their priority should be teaching the game, and it would be nice if they could teach the boys some baseball too.
Aretha Franklin says it all- RESPECT! A coach that teaches his players to respect the game: uniforms tucked in, hats on properly, pants not "sagging" takes proper care of equipment (not throwing bats and helmets); a coach that teaches the players to respect each other and their ability to achieve as a team; a coach that demands respect for the proper authorities such as the umpire, opposing coaches, himself; and a coach that respects all of the above. It seems to be a lost art too often.
AHH, Dhahran, boy does that name ever bring back memories. We flew PanAm from JFK non-stop to Dhahran, and it was 15 hours in the air. When we arrived on January 30th, it was about 2:00 AM and the temps were around 80 with about 90% humidity. Everywhere we looked, there were soldiers with machine guns, and this was in 1983! I turned to one of my fellow employees and asked if we'd gotten off at the wrong stop and could we just get back on and fly home? No chance of that. 63 days in Riyadh, 63 days of work without a day off (other than when we tried to sneak to Mecca!) and it was an experience I'll always be glad to have had.
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06catcherdad...
I knew there was something I liked about you...spent 8 months Riyadh in '83 teaching sports. Got a big smile with your description. How about the Camel Races, Billion Dollar stadium, Chop-chop square, the sports club....saw those same machine guns on the way out when our visas had expired a day to early...
.
06catcherdad...
I knew there was something I liked about you...spent 8 months Riyadh in '83 teaching sports. Got a big smile with your description. How about the Camel Races, Billion Dollar stadium, Chop-chop square, the sports club....saw those same machine guns on the way out when our visas had expired a day to early...
.
My roommate went to chop chop square one Friday, which was enough to ensure that I never ventured near that area on any Friday thereafter. The camel races were something altogether different, we nearly had a co-worker killed when we caught a camel and he tried to ride it bareback. Then there was the slaughterhouse in Manfuhah (sp?) where we watched a camel try to take as many with him as he could before he met Allah, that was hilarious.
If you're anyone who doesn't know what chop chop is, I don't think we can describe it here, but your imagination might give you an idea.
If you're anyone who doesn't know what chop chop is, I don't think we can describe it here, but your imagination might give you an idea.
.
CD,
Inshalla...
.
CD,
Inshalla...
.
PG
Isnt it always a "discussion" with the umpires and usually one sided at that
Isnt it always a "discussion" with the umpires and usually one sided at that
Inshallah....haven't heard that saying in many years. Boy, how could we apply that to baseball? Until the Red Sox and White Sox both won the series, it might have been applicable, but now, who knows?
Hey, do you remember the name of the Chinese Restaurant right across from the s****r stadium? I was talking about that with some others who'd been there, and I was telling them that I had the best chinese food I'd ever eaten in that restaurant. We used to eat there at least once a week. The other memorable place we had a meal at was, I think, the Sheraton Palace Hotel. Three of us ordered New York Steaks and Fettucini Alfredo, and the bill came to over $450.00 US, and that was in 1983! Boy, did we ever get in trouble when we submitted that on our expense reports!
Who do you work with there? I used to work with BFI (Browning-Ferris Industries) back then.
Hey, do you remember the name of the Chinese Restaurant right across from the s****r stadium? I was talking about that with some others who'd been there, and I was telling them that I had the best chinese food I'd ever eaten in that restaurant. We used to eat there at least once a week. The other memorable place we had a meal at was, I think, the Sheraton Palace Hotel. Three of us ordered New York Steaks and Fettucini Alfredo, and the bill came to over $450.00 US, and that was in 1983! Boy, did we ever get in trouble when we submitted that on our expense reports!
Who do you work with there? I used to work with BFI (Browning-Ferris Industries) back then.
I would hope my son would play for a coach who loves (and knows) teaching the game, isn't just a teacher in the district who's only doing it for the extra money, and would take the time to learn how to keep his players as "injury free" as possible.
I would think every coach "wants" to win, but a good coach should take a loss and make it a learning experience, not an opportunity to berate players.
I would think every coach "wants" to win, but a good coach should take a loss and make it a learning experience, not an opportunity to berate players.
Hey folks. In my years of coaching high school ball I can give you some insight that many miss. I have heard about many coaches who have expectations and yell in front of other players. I hope they have PREPARED their players to perform what they expect. This involves detailed practices, after practice extra work and before school workouts. I always got to know each player and let him know that I was there for him and I will attempt to advance his baseball abilities and then I will expect him to execute. The Only time I would chew out a kid in front of others is when he made a teammate look bad or he was disrespectful on the field. I did not have a lot of these problems. I am still able to push kids and get the most out of them without making them look bad. They must play this game loose. I attend many showcase tournaments where there are many coaches who recruit talent, but never teach them anything, they just win alot, but they Do expect alot and they yell alot to let parents and fans know that they're intense. Just watch some teams warm up during pre-game and you'll know who's prepared and who's not. Ask your kd if he's learned anything new at his practice or game today. If we put a prepared, talented team on the field, the wins will come. As a coach I felt that I had to treat each kid differently as I treated all of them the same. That's a balancing act in itself. Travel team parents are usually pretty knowledeable and intense so they expect some yelling just like they expect umpires. I believe in giving good competitive baseball. I'd love to hear from more of you. This seems like a fun forum with a lot of good people.
Merry Christmas
Coachric
Merry Christmas
Coachric
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Coachric..
Welcome! As evidenced by this post you have some excellent insights for us. You'll love it here. A variety of opinions, some excellent discussions that periodically morph into light arguments, but great place to hang out if you love baseball, good discussion, some great people, sports, player development....
My son's high school coach is much as you describe. No yelling, or chew out's, detailed practices, quiet high expectations, a thoroughly professional program, a program and approach that attracted talent, sponsors, and allowed to players to play loose and win 10 league championships in a row.
06catchersdad...
Worked for the Intercontinental hotel and lived there, but spent some time in a bunch of the the compounds. Sorry, don't remember the name of the Resturaunt. Did you ever get to the Gold Souk?
Coachric..
Welcome! As evidenced by this post you have some excellent insights for us. You'll love it here. A variety of opinions, some excellent discussions that periodically morph into light arguments, but great place to hang out if you love baseball, good discussion, some great people, sports, player development....
My son's high school coach is much as you describe. No yelling, or chew out's, detailed practices, quiet high expectations, a thoroughly professional program, a program and approach that attracted talent, sponsors, and allowed to players to play loose and win 10 league championships in a row.
06catchersdad...
Worked for the Intercontinental hotel and lived there, but spent some time in a bunch of the the compounds. Sorry, don't remember the name of the Resturaunt. Did you ever get to the Gold Souk?
Thank you. I am sure I will enjoy this as I am finding it hard to stop writing tonight. I'm glad to hear that your son has a quality coach as I know there are many more of those than the ones we should get rid of. I am open to advice and suggestions. I am always listening and learning this game after 30 years of coaching. I do instruct on a regular basis, ages 10 to 21. I am sure we'll post more to each other.
Merry Christmas
Coachric
Merry Christmas
Coachric