The key to becoming a good baseball coach or manager is to have a good grasp of the game. Knowledge and experience gained as a player will go a long way in making your team respect you. The ability to form and maintain positive relationships with players is also fundamental. A good coach directs his team firmly and never gets his feet on his head. Once players understand who's in charge, things will run relatively smoothly. A successful manager has a good character and reserves a treatment without double measures, balanced towards each of his players. Here are some further suggestions:
Steps
Step 1. Get to know your players individually
This will pay off in many ways. Ask them what their favorite teams and players are. Stay on the line between being their friend and their mentor.
Step 2. Be cheery and positive (not too critical
) in your tips and demonstrations of playing skills. You're half teacher, half pompom girl.
Step 3. Teach your players to trust you (and even admire you)
A young player will be more willing to work and play for a manager he wants to make proud. If you are not appreciated, the morale of the team will suffer.
Step 4. Don't be afraid to ask your players what they want or expect from you
Their answers may surprise and enlighten you and may help you become a better coach. Let them know that you really enjoy coaching young people. This will build an important bond with them.
Step 5. Start with the basics
Some players may not know much about the game, so start at the very beginning if you have very young players. Once the team has absorbed the main rules and patterns of the game, teach some basic practices, such as throwing balls low or very high. This will give you some idea of each player's level. Convey the importance of practice to your players. Use the old saying "you will play as you train".
Step 6. Prepare your players for a real game
After all, there is a big difference between skills in training and knowing what to do in a match. For example, have pitchers train on a pitch with an entire team behind the pitcher ready to make a play. Sometimes a better option is to place runners at various bases while hitting the ball without a pitcher and letting the players react to the situation appropriately. This will prove invaluable to your players in a real game.
Step 7. For more experienced players, introduce signals
The ability of a manager to call out various hitting and running tactics during a match without the opposing team knowing can sometimes mean the difference between winning and losing. Managers or coaches can teach their players to dampen, hit, steal, throw out or any other action. Consequently, the coach will establish a series of movements (such as touching different parts of the kit) to indicate to the players what to do during the next game without the opposing team noticing. Generally, a coach will use an 'indicator' signal to warn players that he is about to make the signal to follow (unlike other previous moves which can be ignored). The batter and any runner in the bases may respond with their own signals to signal the receipt of instructions. Signals, when done right, will usually give the batting team an advantage over the team on the field.
Step 8. Match day
It's when all your hard work as a manager and the efforts of your players can pay off (with a little luck). Before the game, be confident and cheerful, and let the team know that you expect to win. Encourage your players to play well and stay focused and responsive throughout the match (follow your own advice: don't stop focusing on strategies and tactics to help your team win). Other pre-match tasks include drawing up the order of the batters so that everyone knows where to stand on the court and when it will be their turn to bat (the best batters should play first, so that they have a chance to bat multiple times during a match).
Step 9. Over the season
One of your main goals is to help each player improve throughout the season. Emphasizes the importance of commitment to improve every single day. There will be times, especially later in the season or when the days are warm, when your players may lose their enthusiasm for the game. That's where your coaching skills will be most needed. You will want to encourage them to stay focused on what lies ahead and always do their best for the good of the team. Remind them that they will feel better if they keep doing their best even when the going gets tough and it feels like more work than play.
Step 10. Finish with a flourish
Even if the season wasn't particularly rosy, your players will be proud of the past year if they finish it in style. If you enter a post-season tournament, make sure the team is 100% focused on the main goal. Remind your players that "hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard". Tell them you have faith in their skills and think they can beat any other team in the tournament. Your words will be more effective if you really think about them!
Step 11. Beyond the season:
- The final stage of being a good baseball coach comes at the end of the season, looking back at the past year and evaluating the path of the team and yours. It's a good thing to be able to look in the mirror and know you've done the best you can do for your team.
- If you coach again next year, invite the team to some pre-season training (as long as there are no contrary rules in your league). As with other team activities, the goal is to improve the players and the team. Work on speed, agility, strength and team spirit. Never miss an opportunity to congratulate players and boost their self-esteem.
- You have passed a year of training! Evaluate what you have learned and be ready to apply it to the next season, which can be as rewarding and fun as the one you just finished.
Advice
- Take risks. As with all sports, baseball games are often (but not always) playing on offense. Consider playing a sacrificial bun, steal a base, hit-and-run, or extra base after a hit down the line. Encourage your players to think boldly.
- Steal the signals. Usually these are not rules that prohibit stealing your opponents' signals, so decide if this is an example you want to give to your players. If so, you can take advantage on defense by identifying your opponents' signals (not an easy thing - it takes group effort and determination!)
- Don't bandage your head over the mistakes you make. You will do it. Learn and look ahead. It is also good advice to give to your players.
- Always be sporty. As a manager or coach, you will get wrong calls from the referees in practically every game. Don't let yourself be scratched by adversity. The example you give to your players and fans will be remembered much longer than the outcome of the match.
- Train your players as you would like to be trained. It is the "Golden Rule" of training. Let your players know that they can come to you for any help in any situation. Baseball can be a sport full of mistakes. When mistakes inevitably happen, remember that you are working with children or very young adults. They want to make you proud (and with you, mates, friends and families). They certainly aren't trying to upset anyone!
Warnings
- Parents: Parents of players will sometimes let you know what they think of your performance. Listen to what they have to tell you, whether it's positive or not, but try not to base your strategic decisions on their opinions. You are in charge. Not them (you are the "expert" on that field).
- Do not argue with the referee about balls and strikes or other calls. If you have to make an objection, do it with caution. The decisions of the referees are final, and if you challenge them more than necessary, they could be altered and expelled. Again, remember the example you are giving (it is rare for a referee to change their call; this could happen after consulting with another referee).
- Mood of the players: sometimes the coach is a bit of a psychologist. The more players grow, the more their egos grow. Try to get everyone to play. That's why they joined the team. A happy team is often a winning team - An unhappy player can be the "weak link" of a team (something to be avoided).
- Watch out for your pitchers. If during a game your pitcher seems fatigued or shows signs of weakening, do not hesitate to replace him (or move him to a different position), it is your responsibility to protect the young arms (not to mention other parts of the body). Player safety is always extremely important.
- Negative periods: Losing 2 or more games in a row can be painful. Bad times happen. Its part of the game. Your challenge is to keep players' morale high and be as encouraging as you can. Again, a happy team is often a winner, so do what you can to help your team have self-esteem and not be tense. The aim of the game is to have fun. Any team can have fun by winning. Your best opportunities as a manager emerge with a team that struggles to win.
