-         Adhere to the MVHS Coaches Code of Ethics and MVHS Athletics/Activities Guide.

-         Continually model, teach and preach Class and Commitment.

-         Our #1 priority is to help our players grow and develop into better people.  We're building championship kids through trying to win championships.  We use the game of baseball to help people discover things about themselves.  Be a teacher! - take advantage of teachable moments & "life lessons." We have 3 goals each season:

1.      Each player becomes a better baseball player

2.      Each player becomes a better teammate

3.      Each player becomes a better person

-         Continually teach and practice the key things that give us a chance to win a game:

1.      Execute with Fundamentals

2.      Be Mentally Tough

3.      Compete aggressively ("with a purpose")

-         We will be quick to welcome newcomers.  We will be slow to cut a kid for behavior issues - We will not compromise the expectations, but we will strive to be a positive influence in a student's life for as long as possible without it being detrimental to the team.

-         This is the pinnacle of the athletic career for most kids - we're committed to providing the best environment possible for them to have a program they take extreme pride in, and a program where they can develop and achieve whatever potential they have and are willing to work towards.

-         Coach and teach for the benefit of the players.  Keep the players' interest uppermost in mind.

o        Provide a safe environment; maintain control; be highly organized and prepared.

o        Get to know players as people.  Know what's going on in their life.  Know what they want; know what their expectations and goals are. Make sure they know you care. Develop as close a relationship with the player as their personality allows.

-         Coach within the framework of the overall high school experience and priorities.  We support  and encourage multiple sport athletes - they learn to compete, skills are transferable, they learn different roles, and they experience different teammates.

-         Have high expectations - of all involved - at all times:

o        Expect and accept nothing less than the best a player is capable of.

o        Model the expectations - Lead by example. 

o        Jump on the little things, and we may avoid the big problems.

o        Challenge them to believe in themselves; to be accountable - no excuses

o        What gets rewarded, gets done.

o        If it's not appropriate in the classroom, it's not appropriate on the field

-         Simplify!  Common sense leads to simplicity.  Simplicity is the genius of great coaches

-         Coach as a team!  - Be consistent as a coaching staff.  The coaching staff can and should have differing points of view.  Disagree as a coaching staff and address team issues behind closed doors. 

-         Focus is on the TEAM! 

o        Coach to each player's style and strengths within team context - leverage their strengths and work on their weaknesses.

o        Goal is that the player should be himself.  We will work within that framework to build a team around those personalities.  Find ways to achieve meeting their needs - on what they want - to get to what you want as coach.

-         Provide effective and stimulating use of practice time:

o        Practice time is Coaches time.  Game time is for players.

o        Repetition of the things that happen most often. Preach, Teach, Preach some more...

o        Balance of Fundamentals and Games Approach.

o        Get better at something every day; we want to play our best at season's end.

o        If we haven't taught it, we can't expect the players to do it correctly.

-         Provide a REWARDING and FUN environment:

o        Through hard work and improvement - commitment to daily improvement.  Help players understand that rewarding experiences occur when you are willing to persevere through adversity and things that aren't necessarily fun.

o        Focus on "temporary setbacks" vs. "failures" and "not satisfied" vs. "disappointed."

o        Through simply enjoying the game itself.

-         Provide an environment where the player's MOTIVATION will thrive

o        Motivation comes from within the player - people want to do the best they can, and want to achieve their potential.  It's our job as coaches to help them.

o        Focus on performance; on things the player controls, not on outcomes or results.

o        Be positive! Focus on and capitalize on their strengths!  Be about helping to build confidence.  CONFIDENCE IS AN AMAZING THING...

-         Communicate!

o        Be approachable/available.  Some listen to coaches more than parents at this time.

o        Be able to answer the question, "Why do we do this?"  If you believe in it, the kids will believe in it, and it's right.  Explain "Why," not just "How."  For most things, say, "Try this way" vs. "You HAVE to do it this way" -  there are very few "absolutes," "always," and "nevers."

o        Provide appropriate levels of feedback to players - don't under-coach and don't over-coach - Don' be a roadblock to their development and success by over-coaching.

o        Don't over-coach in games; don't fill their head with things better served for practice.

o        Don't take away their aggressiveness. "Aggressiveness under control," not "controlled aggression."

o        Be honest.  Each player should know where they stand.

-         Take the blame; Give the credit.