Baseball Coaching Info

The Start of A Brand New Season

Hope springs eternal as you and the team begin a new season. The best part is starting over each player, coach, and team can get off on the right foot. To do this, a fresh and positive attitude needs to filter from the coach and through the players.

Here are some key themes to consider as you kick off a new season.

No Expectations

It’s ok to set goals and have aspirations, but no team, even at the professional level, says that unless they win x amount of games or the championship, the season will be a failure. Be optimistic about your chances to succeed by winning games, but be much more vigilant about developing and improving.

Self-Motivated Players

Players’ best coach should be themselves. Much of soccer is self-taught, learned on the field. But to accomplish a quick learning curve, players need confidence and independence, coupled with encouragement and guidance.

Grow Every Day

Each day, whether it be a training session or a match is an opportunity to learn and enjoy more about the game. It is not necessarily an easy game, especially when you get to and past the intermediate level. As a coach, be sure to point out the small steps forward that are taking place each day both as individual players and as a team. Most importantly, be sure the players learn from the mistakes and their success.

Be Thankful

The game is not a chore. It’s a place to play a fun game, meet people, work with others for team goals, and grow as individuals. Remind the players that they should enjoy the situation they are in by celebrating each day. Have fun and don’t take it too seriously. The most improvement when the players are enjoying themselves, getting along, and experiencing a healthy balance of challenge and learning.

Another important element in starting a new season is to re-evaluate each player. Players can change in the off-season in physical, mental, and emotional capacities. Plus you will have new players to get to know. Lastly, the players need to be reminded to scrutinize their own abilities, mindsets, and goals.

Here are some topics for everyone to consider.

1. Individual goals
2. How each player is coached the best
3. Strengths (sport-wise and intangibles)
4. Weaknesses (sport-wise and intangibles)
5. Team goals
6. Team themes

Treat this season as its own, not a reaction to last season or a precursor for a future one. This fall is important so treat each player, training session, and match with dedication and optimism.