Coaching Youth Softball - You Should Have Favorites

I've been coaching a long time.

It's my 20th season in softball this year.

I've coached at literally all levels.

Recreational. Travel ball. College. International.

10U. 12U. 14U. 16U. 18U. 23U. Senior.

Why am I saying this?

Because I've been there and done that at just about every level. I can relate to a coach at pretty much any level.

And there is one common characteristic at all levels: Coaches do have favorites.

It's a common belief that having favorites is a bad thing.  I don't agree.

It depends of who you favour.

If you favor your daugther because you want to get her more play time to the detriment of other as or even more deserving kids - that's bad.

If you favor kids to the detriment of others just because of race or because you don't like their parents - that's bad too.

However, you cannot like every body equally and as human beings, we do tend to favour people to the detriment of others - that's human mature.

As I coach - I do have favorites and I do favor people.

You are a favorite if:

- You work hard and you give me your very best
- You show up on time
- You don't complain all the time for no reason
- You're coachable and open-minded
- You show up for practices
- You are aggressive
- You're a team player
- You're respectful and pleasant to be around

If a player meets most or all of these, they are  DEFINITELY a favorite of mine and they ARE going to play more.

And I am going to like them more. I tell my athletes that and I don't shy away from that.

I don't have favorites to start with. You become a  favorite of mine if you do meet my expectations that are listed above.

Having favorites is ok - as long as they are favorites for the RIGHT reasons.

If you have favorites for the WRONG reasons - then you ought to reconsider why you are coaching.

Your job as a coach is to provide EACH KID with an  opportunity to improve, have fun and accomplish herself.

NOT just your daugther or other kids for unreasonable reasons.

The reasons listed above are reasonable.

It's ok to have expectations and to favor people that do meet those expectations like I do.

What does it take for a kid to become one of your favorites?

Write it down and tell your kids.

If you are an athlete - you now know what you have to do to earn playing time and more respect from the coach.

Who loves ya?

Marc
"Your Softball Peak Performance Coach"