5 Softball Coaching Tips
Published by League Admin
Nov 22, 2018
To be a good softball coach, you have to understand what type of team you have in front of you and how you need to approach them, speak to them, and act with them. Once they get comfortable around you, you can use your own coaching style to shape the team into the type of group you want to have as a coach. The following tips are for softball coaching and give you some heads up into how you can better yourself as a coach and as a result make your team better. Tip 1 - Play Smart Playing smart wins ball games. Players need to think ahead and not only want the ball but also know where to go with it once they have it. If you outsmart your opponent you can win a lot of games. It's as easy as your hitters not swinging at bad pitches but drawing a walk instead, or faking a throw with an aggressive runner on second and just holding onto the ball. It's about judgment and thinking ahead.In order to play smart, you and your players have to communicate with each other and make sure you see the same things. Try to give input and ask for input from them. If you communicate, think ahead, and trust your instincts, then you are playing smart and will come out ahead. Tip 2 - Play Hard A coach should never have to tell her players to "Play Hard." As a coach, you need to instill in your athletes the concept of playing hard, but then it should be something every player does without having to be told. That is what sports are all about. If a player is out on the field and does not play hard or give it her best, someone else who wants to play and seize the moment will give what it takes to be on the field and will pass her by. Playing hard is giving 100 percent of what you've got. That is what you should tell your players you want from them and not only from the starting nine but from the whole team. Everyone plays a role on the team and needs to be 100 percent when opportunity knocks. Tip 3 - Communicating With the Media Give the members of the news media your time and patience. This is probably easier said than done, but it's very important if your athletes are to get the exposure they deserve. You should want the media to talk to the players to better understand what it takes to be a softball player. Don't keep the media waiting either. Right after the game, if there is anyone present from the media, you should tell them that you'll be right with them. Gather your thoughts and meet them for the interview. At the same time the players are packing their equipment prior to the team meeting. If you have a unique story, try to let the media know first. They enjoy getting a "scoop." Encourage the reporters to call you at home as well, and if they would like to call you on the road let them know where you are staying. Tip 4 - Communicating With Players The main objective you should have with your athletes is to let them know that you respect them and the efforts they make, and that you care about the things that impact their ability to play to their best. When the coach is on the field she is visible to all who watch the game or watch the practice, so try not to overreact or embarrass the athletes - as they play their positions with poise and technique, so should you. The image that you project on the field is seen by many and it's so important to conduct yourself at the highest level of professionalism. Tip 5 - Team Praise There are crucial times when you want to make sure you verbalize the team's strengths both as a whole and individually. It can be before a big game, after a tough loss, or if the season seems to be a roller coaster of ups and downs. These times represent crucial moments when the group needs to be reminded of its talent and effort. You can sometimes take the time to pull out each individuals strengths for display. When you've touched upon everyone, combine all those attributes and talk about the team as a whole. This technique helps the team members respect each other for their own individual strengths and illustrates how they all make up the team they are a part of. Hopefully, with this in mind, they can find a comfort zone on the field and can begin performing at an optimal level. Verbal reinforcement is the quick and easy high that an athlete or a team needs. As coaches, you need to be the provider. You will also see other athletes picking up on it and using it daily to support their teammates. This helps but should not take place of the coach's verbal reinforcement.