hs softball

HS/TB coaches

I've coached with quite a number of coaches over the years. From my experiences, most of the coaches I've coached with have had the interest of the girls at heart.

Being a head coach is tough and if not for the kids mostly unrewarding. I've known of situations where out and out lies were told because someone's kid didn't get the playing time the parents thought they should have. I've known some instances where they call the AD or the principal even if things didn't go their way.

I've even been a head coach once (actually twice if you count football) but I never will be again! I'll be the first to admit I wasn't a good head coach. I know what it takes to be a good head coach but, seriously, I don't have what it takes to be a head coach. But I'm a good assistant coach!!

It seems that a lot of parents do not understand and therefore are unable to appreciate what a head coach does. Most head coaches know the routine of practice, games, etc. So that is usually not the issue. What parents don't see is the love coaches have for the players. Those players are not little chess pieces that get moved around without much thought. We see those kids day in and day out working hard to earn a spot in the game. We see the ones who experience much success with sometimes little effort. We see some working to the point of tears just to be a part of the game.

I've seen coaches take money from their own pocket to buy a kid a meal when we eat out sometimes. I've seen them spend their own money because they couldn't get it from school. I've seen them criticized because they accepted support that didn't go through the booster club.

All those things are shrugged off by coaches who usually have thick skins. I couldn't do that part. That's why as an assistant I will always support the head coach. I know what they put up with.

Parents would not appreciate it if a coach were to criticize how they raise their kids at home. Coaches don't appreciate when they are criticized trying to coach the kids. And it's not just ego! We care about those kids! When you put down how we try to coach our kids, we feel the same way you would feel if we were putting you down!

The hardest thing for me to do is bite my tongue when I hear a parent putting down another player that they think their daughter should be replacing. If your DD is not playing where she wants to be playing it is NOT her teammate's fault. Support your DD to the max but don't slam another kid. That is just plain selfish!

Support your DD's choice to play the game! In part that means helping where you can help; and staying out of what you can't help! Oh yeah, and the third part I guess--the wisdom to know the difference.

 

Completely agree

My oldest DD has already expressed interest in coaching. I hope she pursues it when she is done playing in college. I know I, and several other folks, will certainly help her in any way we can.

 

.....leave her alone DAD!!!!!lol.

 

Politics are as old as the hills. They exist is all activities... it is a lesson in life. So complaining about the merits of politics in HS or TB softball goes nowhere in explaining the problem that was brought up in the very first post...

 

Oops

Did I forget to tell you that you are one of the ones that is going to help her??? LOL

 

Softball4ever- You are free now to do what I did. You can start your own board and manage it the way you see fit. I wish you success in that endeavor.

 

Dang !!!

See, I've been good this year !!!


Guru

 

Guru- For years I have been very tolerant with this poster, but even my patience has a limit.

 

Agreed !!

She has to learn like I did...except the punishment !!!