Guiding Principles for Lynchburg Little League Coaches



Guiding Principles for Lynchburg Little League Coaches

Baseball is fun!

Play is a child’s vocation, and they probably work harder at their job than anyone we know. The more fun it is, the harder they will work.

There is a significant difference between what we, as adults see as fun and what kids see as fun. For adults, the fun is in the competition and in measuring ourselves against others. That is usually because we have developed the skills necessary to compete. Kids (especially under the age of 12) have not developed all the skills necessary to make competition fun but instead have fun in developing these skills. A study by the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports (YSI) reached the astonishing conclusion that the No. 1 reason that kids play sports is to have fun. Even more revealing is that “the challenge of competition” was at the very bottom of the list of reasons, after other motivations such as “to learn new skills”, “to get exercise”, and “to be part of a team”.

Which leads to the second principle:

The main objective is to improve every player on your team, not to win games

John Wooden, in his famous Pyramid of Success, defined success as “the peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming”. The most successful college basketball coach of all time did not focus on winning or losing. Instead he focused on making every player better. If you are successful in improving the skill level of all of your players, you will be a successful coach (and the winning will take care of itself).

Publicly praise and encourage. Keep constructive criticism and correction for private individual conversations

When a player drops and easy fly ball or lets a grounder go through their legs, no one knows better than them that they made a mistake. The last thing they need is for someone to point it out to them for everyone to see and hear. Encourage them to get ready for the next ball and save the instruction and correction for a private conversation when they come back into the dugout.

Cal Ripken, Jr. remembers how his father used to coach in the minors. “He would make notes during the game”, Cal would say, “but teaching would take place afterwards, when the moment wasn’t emotionally charged.”

Keep them busy!

• Plan practices to keep things moving

• Minimize lines and lectures

Use small group activities to maximize involvement

Apply age appropriate learning and skill levels

Understand the differences between kids and adults

• Understand the differences between 9 year olds and 12 year olds (majors and upper minors)

• Understand the appropriate physical, cognitive, and social skills for your age group

• Use drills and activities that are appropriate for your age group

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