It’s all about Grassroots Coaching / Chapter 6 - Coaching Games

Clipboard Notes

Commentary

On our blog of August 5, 2022, I commented on a speech I gave years ago to the finalists in the NCAA Women’s Softball World Series in Oklahoma City. . . There were teams there from Arizona, Michigan, Stanford, UCLA, Oklahoma, etc. I simply said to these expert softball team players that it was the quality of play of those in the room with them; that they had become such top level players on such top level teams.  

I said, “Your challengers are much more than your opponents – these excellent players – these excellent teams are the co-creators of an environment which enables you - which actually forces you - to express your excellence.

What I want you to do right now is to honor those players – these teams - who are here to challenge you - it is because of their excellence that you play so well. So, make sure you give those guys you really want to beat, and beat soundly, the credit they deserve for you being here and taking you on at the ballpark this week.”

I waited as they honored one another, loudly and happily - said, “Good luck to all of you.” and left the lectern.

Comments on the Clipboard Notes

 The Player: It is imperative to recognize the Person in the arena is the Player. - Not the Coach. -

Not the Parent. - Not the Fans. This needs no commentary - it simply needs allegiance. 

Our Challengers: These challengers are much more than acting as our opponents - they are the co-creators of an environment which enables us, which forces us, to express our excellence.

See Commentary above

The Officials: Referees and officials are essential parts of the Game. They share in the privilege of participation and responsibility of this co-creation.

Players of all ages deserve to have Parents who have learned how to deal with their charges in this venture. They also deserve Officials who know the rules of the game and how to deal with young learners. That is what Chapter 6 in this book is all about. 

Winning and Losing: If you play with someone nearly equal in ability to you - sometimes you will win and sometimes you will lose - you will stay involved and you will improve.

There must be the possibility of winning - there must also be the possibility of losing. 

Doing their Best: If doing their best isn’t good enough for us coaches and for that crowd in the stands then we’re having kids play the game for the wrong reasons.

This needs no commentary - it simply needs allegiance

Final Thought

We have had many hours of listening to terrible yelling by parents at their own children. And we really hate to hear adults(?) cheering against their opponent’s team - even wishing injuries on the players. -– PJM & PSP