The Crucial Role of a Coach
One of the most important people in NBLL is the manager. The players look up to him or her for instruction, encouragement, and inspiration. Coaches and parents take their cues from the manager. The NBLL goals can only be met if managers embrace them and work to achieve them. The greatest coaching principle in the world:
The things that get rewarded get done.
Punishment leaves a bad feeling that eats away at motivation. Excelling in sports requires emotional energy. When children are punished, yelled at, or criticized, their emotional energy is used up being angry, feeling sorry for themselves, thinking up reasons why the coach is wrong, etc. The positive approach strengthens desirable behaviors by motivating players to perform them and by rewarding players when they do. A great coach is one who can provide emotional support to a player who just blew an “easy” play that cost a game. True mental toughness is exhibited by remaining positive in the face of adversity.
Creating an environment in which children and adults have fun with baseball/softball
Encourage players often. Show by behavior and words that each child is an important member of the team whether or not they perform well. Give encouragement for effort as well as results.
Give every player comparable playing time.
Use one-sided games as opportunities to try less-skilled players in more challenging positions
Show your own enjoyment of the game to your players.
Teaching baseball/softball skills, rules and strategies to players
Rely on positive reinforcement for skills performed correctly.
Minimize negative emphasis on mistakes, which are required for learning to take place.
Players can handle only so much negative feedback at one time without becoming discouraged.
Players will learn more, try harder and be more open to accepting criticism if they are praised often.
Praise players in public, correct them in private.
Provide adequate repetition of teaching. Baseball is complicated.
Lessons often need repeating before they are understood.
Once players understand, they often need repeated practice before they can perform the expected behavior well.
Encourage players to set individual goals for themselves corresponding to their ability level and then work to master the skills needed to achieve them.
Organize practices to maximize learning and minimize standing around.
Modeling and teaching competitiveness with an emphasis on Good Sportsmanship
Teach players aggressiveness and good sportsmanship at the same time.
Obey the rules and show respect for the umpire even when you disagree.
Acknowledge good plays by opposing team to your players.
Always treat players on other teams as members of our community first and as opponents second.
Refrain from actions and words that undercut the self-esteem of players on other teams.
Promoting increased self-esteem among NBLL children and adults
Encourage players whenever possible. Show by words and actions that you like and accept then regardless of how well they perform.
Adults often assume that children can “read their minds,” but children determine whether they are like and accepted by adults by what the adults say and do.
Spend comparable instructional time with all players, regardless of ability.
Encourage and reinforce parents for being involved with the team.