A mediocre coach tells,

A good coach explains

A superior coach demonstrates,

A great coach inspires.

Coaching Staff Expectations

 

 

 

Following are the items the coaching staff discusses and commits to striving for each season:

-         Our #1 priority is to help our players grow and develop into better people through competing in the game of baseball.  We're developing a person first, an athlete second.  We're building championship kids, not necessarily championship teams.  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

 

-    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 wo long as it is not 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.

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.

 

-         Coach within the framework of the overall high school experience and priorities.  We support multiple sport athletes � they learn to compete, the 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.

 

-         Continually model, teach and preach:

1.      Class

2.      Commitment

 

-         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")

 

-         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. 

 

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

 

-         Focus is on the TEAM!  Coach to each player's style and strengths within team context - leverage their strengths and work on their weaknesses.  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't 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 coach caution into a player.  Don't take away their aggressiveness

 

-        Provide effective and stimulating use of practice time:

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

o        Repetition

o        Balance of Fundamentals and Games Approach

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.  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        Create an environment where the players enjoy giving their best effort.

o        Focus on performance; on those things the player controls, not on outcomes or results outside their control.

o        Be positive!

o        Be about helping to build confidence.  Confidence is an amazing thing!

 

-         Communicate!

o        Be approachable/available.  They may listen to coaches more than parents at this time in their life.

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."

o        Each player should know where they stand; what areas they most need to improve on.

 

-         Take the blame; Give the credit.