Qualities of a HS Coach

Since this discussion is about coaches, what are the feelings about coaches who allow their players to call them by their first name only instead of addressing them as Coach (name) or simply Coach.

 

I have never met a coach with any credibility allowing a player to address them by their first name. I can't imagine that happening!!

 

GREAT JOB!

Very thoughtful replies and most accurate as to qualities of a good coach! I commend all especially catamount... Good if not great coaches are remembered by their former players for leading by example and respecting their players individually as well as motivating, nurturing, and teaching them! It is the players and NO ONE else who will have their true respect for their efforts in trying to make them BEETTTERRR people as well as better players! Often times unfortunately it is all about winning if the COACH does not win he often times is seen as not being a good coach! If he does he is a great/good coach bottom line.... Too bad! Thoughts??

 

THANKS O,
THE BIG PROBLEM I HAVE NOTICED IS THAT SOME COACHES DO ALL THAT THEY CAN, AND ARE STILL CRITICIZED BY THE PARENTS. SOME THAT DO THE MOST ARE OPEN TO MORE CRITISISM. PARENTS NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT NO "TRUE" COACH IS GOING TO 1. HURT A KID EITHER MENTALLY OR PHYSICALLY MAKE HIM WORSE 2. GOING TO PICK OR PUT A TEAM ON THE FIELD THAT HE THINKS IS GOING TO LOSE 3. GOING TO HOLD GRUDGES AGAINST A KID 4. PLAYS THE POLITICS GAME. JUST SOME THOUGHTS.... I REMEMBER THE GOOD OLE DAYS WHEN THE TEACHER/ COACH/ POLICE ETC. WAS RESPECTED AND THOUGHT TO DO THE RIGHT THING INSTEAD OF AUTOMATICALLY MAKING EXCUSES FOR THE PLAYER/STUDENT ETC. WHEN ARE PARENTS GOING TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE KID NEEDS TO STAND ON HIS OWN TWO FEET IN ORDER TO MATURE AND GROW- UP. MY PARENTS NEVER MADE EXCUSES FOR ME. THEY FORCED ME TO ACCEPT THINGS AND TO WORK TO CHANGE THINGS I DID NOT LIKE OR AGREE WITH. IF I FAILED... I FAILED.

 

Jeff Johnson allowed it. He said he didn't call anyone by their position so for them not to call him by his. I don't see a big problem w/ it as long as the players know who is in charge. Even though we called him Jeff or JJ, don't think for a second that we ever pushed our luck w/ him.

 

most common (+): I believe most HS coaches in the CMS system have the kids at heart. I can't find any other motivating factor 'cause it sure has to be tough for them to make ends meet these days.

most common (-): I believe coaches in general lack the skills/experience to effectively articulate/communicate to the variety of groups they are involved with (players, admin, parents, community).

most desired: lets start with a basic assumption that there is a solid knowledge of the game. After that, I'm pretty sure that most will disagree but I believe, the most desired characteristic is the ability to "teach/coach in the positive" let's call it "+" for short. Encouragement and "+" are one and the same: "+" inspires, bonds and attracts. Discouragement deflates, fragments and repels. Need an example? Contrast environment and results of PHS vs CCS the past 2-3 years.

I'm not saying to be some mealey mouthed weenie who speaks with a lisp. Coach needs to be in control, needs to be demanding, needs to challenge. But how a coach delivers is as important as what he delivers. I'm saying that when the team is running the umpteenth sprint, they gotta know right then and there "it's the bottom of the 8th against Rival HS fellas; you're ahead by one. They ain't runnin sprints. I know you want it guys." "+" is the best way to get them to believe and get them where the've never been. Everything else equal, the coach that can paint a picture and draw the players into it is the coach whose team overachieves and is rewarding for players, coaches and parents. "+" is the edge that distinguishes a good HS coach... or boss for that matter.

 

Good job!

Once again well said this time squid... could n t agree more!

 

I AGREE SQUID WELL SAID. JUST WISH THE COACHES WHO DO ALL OR MOST OF THESE THINGS WOULD BE SHOWN THE APPRECIATION THEY DESERVE. I THINK MOST DO BY THE PLAYERS (WHICH I GUESS IS ALL THAT MATTERS) BUT THE PARENTS NEED TO TELL THEM THANKS INSTEAD OF WORRYING ABOUT THEIR KID ONLY... AND THEIR PLAYING TIME ETC. I THINK IT IS WORSE THAN EVER.... AND IT IS STARTED IN LITTLE LEAGUE

 

I not condoning it but the dadgum world is so competitive and the pressure so intense that it leads to behaviors that are detrimental to everyone.

You're right, it does start way down in LL, but here is an interesting observation, unscientific of course: the rookie parents with the first child growing up are usually the worst. And organizations tend to go through cycles: 2,3,4 years unbearable, 2,3,4 years’ ok. If the org has a majority of rookie parents it can be rough sledding; if its dominated with more crinkled and worn looking parents it tends to be a more stable situation. I'll tell you this, if the rec coach doesn't communicate well, the first thing that enters rookie momma and papa bear's gourd is the worst thing imaginable. In the absence of fact, the imagination goes directly to the paranoia/psycho channel and I'm not sure why.

But, at least in LL everybody plays... until all-stars... Whoa! This is everybody's first experience with not quite making the grade for a limited number of slots. Great machinations are endured by parents, but in reality, the kids usually wind up picking and really do a pretty good job judging the talent.

Then the kids are 12-13 yrs old and the travel teams start to form and the better players (and their parents, ever-so-wise) gravitate to more competitive environs, to get the edge. But at least, up till now everyone is "seen" and really does get a pretty decent shake until...

Middle school tryouts, 40-50-60 kids coming out and the coach sees them all for about 2 min each. There really is a problem here because there's no way a coach can make a fair evaluation under these conditions. The parents know it and the fur begins to fly. "Johnny, gotta get U lessons at the academy", gotta drop some serious dough, making an investment in the future! I have to call the principal... and then...

AAGHGHHG Johnny's in 9th grade and CMS just redrew the lines again and ARHHHHHHUH we're in the PHS zone, ohmygosh there's 90 kids trying out, and half of 'em are really good ballplayers ... all the money, all the years... JP really needs baseball, it'll keep him out of trouble, this isn't fair...

Then we gotta showcase, gotta be seen, gotta get positioned... it's all about "my kid". Who's Coach Fex here to see??? ummm, man, I gotta introduce my 15 yr old johnny...

Some parents wear rose colored glasses, others are truly interested in their kid getting a fair shake. But, I believe the driving force behind the behaviors Cat is experiencing is the system/institution itself; it creates the pressure that turns nice normal folks into drooling, rabid jackals. It takes away the fun of coaching I'm sure.

Unfortunately, its very common and I'm not sure what the ultimate answer is.

 

AMEN SQUID AMEN....... AND YOU KNOW WHAT IS FUNNY??? AFTER ALL THE BUTT GNAWINGS, COMPLAINTS, ETC. USUALLY ALL IT TAKES TO MAKE YOU SEEM LIKE EVERYTHING IS WONDERFULL IS ONE PARENT OR ESPECIALLY ONE KID COMING UP TO YOU AND SAYING THANKS..... I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND EFFORT......