What are coach's primary resonsibilities?

What are the primary responsibilities of a HS softball coach? Please list them briefly but in priority order.

Interested in where involvement in helping kids get recruited is on the list.

 

Regretfully, it is not the top of the list.
ERMS

 

Responsibilities

Hmm.....

This is a loaded question...If a coach is being honest, that is one list and if a coach is just about himself, that is a totally different list.


To respect that player (these go for every kid) and to teach more than just softball. (this includes standing up to players with crappy attitudes and not letting them get their way, even though they may be great players)

To be honest with that player/parent about both playing opportunities now and in the future (guess that would be recruitment question)

To develop that players strengths and weakness areas

To be there for that player if he/she wants to talk and provide the right environment for honest discussion

To challenge/push that player to reach higher/farther than they are comfortable (both personally and on the field...only way for them to grow)

To try and win your share of ballgames (after all, they do keep score)Most are going to come back with this on the top of their lists...

Prob not very comprehensive, but some off the top

 

well said John..........

 

Thanks....

Thanks Both,
i am in a unique situation where I am now a HS dad (9th grade) and a jv coach (Piedmont HS in monroe). I have asked the kids to work hard and make their own breaks...quit waiting on someone to hand them something.

I have also tried to make the point that they only have 4 years and should not have to look back on their years and say "gosh, wish I would have done things differently and worked harder". Thats the pits sitting in college and watching others going to college team practice and you are left playing intermural ball.

i have also seen in other programs where better players do get overlooked (not all that often) because of outside crap, but for the most part the HS coaches at least are trying to put the kids first.

kids/parents have alot to say about how a coach will treat a kid in the long run....being a pain in the rear will get you ignored.

 

Well said so far.....

Very nice comments so far, it's hard to top such great coaches with what I have but here it is. The school I help coach has a problem: Boosters and lack of. I mean this in a nice way of course. The point I'm getting at is, coaches are told to choose "Booster kids" to play sports, EVEN if other kids are better. We have had a "few" boosters say if their kid doesn't play, the money will stop. I have worked with some of our "travel ball" sponsors to get lights for our school. We had 3 players on varsity(freshmen), and 2 in middle school. It's hard to try and get these girls looked at if they're frustrated with politics. As a lot of you know, you can't hide a kid in the OF anymore....LOL

Any suggestions.....?????

 

Recruiting

Are the kids/parents responsible for approaching the coach first when they have the desire to play at the next level? I've seen very talented kids that were recruited by colleges that decided to focus on class rather than athletics in college. I imagine that could damage a coaches credibility if they are recommending kids that are not serious about playing.

I imagine a lot of people just assume a coach is responsible for initiating the recruiting process. As my daughter gets closer to that point, I'm thinking we have to express the interest of playing and hopefully work together at finding the right possibilities???

 

Recruiting

Are the kids/parents responsible for approaching the coach first when they have the desire to play at the next level? I've seen very talented kids that were recruited by colleges that decided to focus on class rather than athletics in college. I imagine that could damage a coaches credibility if they are recommending kids that are not serious about playing. I imagine a lot of people just assume a coach is responsible for initiating the recruiting process. As my daughter gets closer to that point, I'm thinking we have to express the interest of playing and hopefully work together at finding the right possibilities???

 

you are responsible and starting that college/university search early with your DD is important as well.