Sometimes nothing is the best thing to do.

Peter McGahey & Peter Pierro First shown on March 10, 2023

Dear Reader:

We began writing the beyourbest2day blogs in December of 2021 - over 200 all together - and the original one being reviewed here is probably the shortest of them. As with small packages, this may be the best of them. The message is very clear and very easy to transmit to the reader. It has been generally stated thusly in an old saying: 

“It is better to keep one’s mouth shut and be thought to be a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.” 

However, often there is more depth and width in the realities than is expressed in the saying. It often reaches the limits of pain experienced by a victim. Humiliation of a player by the coach is experienced much more than we would like to imagine. 

 “It is better to help your players become better players by using caring, positive advice and actions than by humiliating them in front of the team, the crowd, their parents, and whomever else.”

I hope you don’t have any personal history of this kind of coaching - if so, it should not have happened and erase it from your personal history.

Sometimes nothing is the best thing to do.              

March 10, 2023

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 hollered at your pitcher, Steve, when he failed to back up the catcher on that outfield throw to the plate. You yelled at him, “What’s wrong with you? Can’t you do anything right?”  

Not to worry.  We know you.  You would never coach “Steve” or anyone else that way. 

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. 

So, what happened to Steve when you hollered at him for not backing up the catcher on that outfield throw to the plate? 

Where was his mind? 

Did he really bear down on the next batter? 

Did he hear the good advice you gave him about the next batter? 

Was he dealing with the bad stuff that he would like to forget? 

If Steve is focused, leave him in that condition. 

At your next practice you can give him a proper, positive lesson. 

Sometimes nothing is the best thing to do.