Sometimes 'Nothing' is the best thing to do

Feedback is a very important tool in your coaching toolbox. Let’s be careful that we don’t use this very effective technique in a negative way. Remember when you were working with Steve and he didn’t execute properly when you told him to; you didn’t yell, “You stupid idiot, what’s wrong with you? Can’t you learn anything?” Not to worry, we know, you’d never coach Steve this way.

However, believe it or not, we’ve heard coaches and parents make those kinds of comments to their players/kids right out in public in front of friends, spectators, teammates, strangers, and other interested parties.

It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? So, what happens to your pitcher when you holler at him for not backing up the catcher on a throw to the plate? Does he really bear down on the next batter? Where is his mind? Was he listening to the good advice you threw in after all the bad stuff?

What makes a person or a team tough-minded? There are two important elements that are involved; focus and goal attainment. When a person is totally focused - that is mentally and physically focused on the end result of the game, on the ongoing strategies and plays, and even on the play that is about to be run, he is going to operate with a great deal of effectiveness - he will be reaching his goal.

If that pitcher is focused, leave him in that condition. Sometimes nothing is the best thing to do.