Discipline

You make good points and I can definitely tell that you are a good coach. I used to coach as well and of course lost my temper and yelled and had moments were I did not know what to do with my players. But now I work side by side with the athlete as an ally and not a figure of authority and even the most competitive athletes say they just cannot think when their coach is yelling and telling them things they already know. Like "hit the ball!" They always tell me, "do they not think that's what I'm trying to do!?" And many coaches tell me that they don't understand why some of their players shut down when times are intense and I simply say, "If you cannot control your emotions how do you expect them to control theirs". As far as the part on benching goes I am speaking from a purely psychological standpoint on the fact that punishment must be almost instant for someone to make an effective correlation for it. We've all been benched before and we all hate it, but nothing is worse when a player's time is being cut and they do not know why. You want to effect a player's head that's how you do it for sure. And the last part about asking why your players are here is not a sign of weakness. It's a legitimate question because I wouldn't coach a player that does not want to be on my team. Of course every good coach sets the mission and the goals in the beginning of the season. The question is more to remind them of that. It isn't about being a push over because some of the best coaches I've seen can lead with an iron fist without losing their temper.

I get the "wussy" comment a lot. Especially talking about psychological ideas because emotion is involved. However, every single person on that field is experiencing an emotion and when I think of a yelling coach I think of someone that cannot keep theirs in check. All those goals should have been set in the beginning of the season and those questions are designed to remind them of those. Their kids so of course they're not going to be practicing everyday without flaw but when something is misaligned it's better to know what it is and why it's happening than just reacting to it.

Reading through this thread as usual many seem to think there is a golden, one size fits all method. IMO that is incredibly naive. What works in one age group with one skill level will not necessarily work with another. Just as what works with one kid will not work with another. There are many variables. Back in the day when I was coaching a 14U team I used a much softer approach and it was quite effective. Now with my 18U team my approach is more hard line, no BS, extremely direct and it works very well. In 14U it was fun and games, in 18U it is still fun but now it is business and should be treated as such. Otherwise they will be doomed at the next level.

Many like to point to great coaches of yesteryear as examples of how to coach. I think even coaches like Wooden would handle things differently today when coaching the entitlement generation and some self indulgent thugs that now permeate the game. While there are lessons to be learned from other coaches and styles you have to pick and choose what will work for your team and your individual players.

sportpsych_consultant said:

I get the "wussy" comment a lot. Especially talking about psychological ideas because emotion is involved. However, every single person on that field is experiencing an emotion and when I think of a yelling coach I think of someone that cannot keep theirs in check. All those goals should have been set in the beginning of the season and those questions are designed to remind them of those. Their kids so of course they're not going to be practicing everyday without flaw but when something is misaligned it's better to know what it is and why it's happening than just reacting to it.

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Yelling doesn't mean lack of emotion. Yelling "could" mean lack of emotion. Just like silence could be lack of emotion or it "could" mean intense focus. Or asking why you want to be here and questions like that are not the answer. They "could" be an answer in a given situation. When you make general statements like that......that's what I oppose, not the notion that the emotion or psyche of the athlete is irrelevant. Also, you have to be pretty specific about what age group and scenario you're talking about. Probably about 50 other factors that I don't know about, yet as well. There's a TIME for asking questions. There's a TIME for correcting mechanics. There's a TIME for stern direct approaches. There's a TIME for yelling. I've coached youth basketball and now softball and I can tell you without equivocation that if the game is on the line and a kid has a brain fart, asking why are you here is not the approach I will ever take. I'm yelling. I'm talking about I'll rival CB type of yelling. Also, benching a player is not always possible immediately. This is where communication comes in, though. Communication is more than asking questions like why are you here. It "could" be something like "You know why you're here (meaning on the bench). Let me know when you're ready to get back out there" (it happened to me and I didn't feel like there was any confusion about why.....and I've done it to my basketball players and they'vve never been confused about it, either). It could also mean (AFTER THE GAME) "You aren't performing xyz in the games like you are in practice so I had to go with Jane Public." Again, these are not THE ONLY possibilities. There are many more and it's based on variables that are not yet known. Mental makeup of a player. Mental makeup of a coach. Environment. Time of the day. Game day, practice day, or off day. Frequency of the error. Roster size. Alternate options.

It's not about being "wussy". It's about looking beyond 1 view and exploring the possibilities that you perhaps didn't explore before. If all you ever do is yell, I agree with that. It's a tool in the bag that you use when applicable. If I have a scalpel, butter knife, and a drywall saw in the tool bag, I have 3 options given a certain situation. If I'm installing HDMI, I'm not reaching for the butter knife. If I'm performing a surgery (know one in their right minds would let me near them for surgery lol), I'm not reaching for the drywall saw.

Well I went from 23-1 Last year with a Minors Girl Team . they redraw for Seniors in our LL park . I have 5 girls that has never played(yea NEVER)we are talking 13-14 ? . My games so far are 1-9 . I have coached my azz off and they are throwing , fielding well. Hitting we have out hit every team. No pitchers at all. Have you ever tried to train a pitcher @ 13-14 ? . I'm 68 years old It's over in three more games. "Lord hear my prayers" . Porch Sing I'm on my Way. My daughter said to me ' "dad I have never seen anything like this I feel sorry for you". She will be playing high school JV ball next year Good Luck to all You Great and Good Coaches, "The Guard Is Changing" Thanks to you all for the help Coach Grady

Practice was a little intense tonight. The "old Coach Butler" showed up when the team decided to socialize instead of setting up the cage and fielding area. We had severe storms and so, had an hour to get practice in. I don't think some of them have ever seen this level of intensity.