Quick Tip for Softball Coaches - It's Okay to be Tough!

There are many coaches out there doing their best to teach instead of just yell which is great. I believe you coach best when you get to know your players and have the heart of a teacher vs just using a dictator style of coaching. (You know the one where you just yell as loud and often as possible to "make" your players listen.)

I'm all for positive coaching, however don't forget that if you DO have players that do better when you put some pressure on them or are "hard" on them, it's perfectly fine to get on them!

I'm not saying this from one coach to another. I'm actually saying this as a parent.

I have one daughter who is one who needs more encouragement with firmness. My other one does much better when someone just gets on her back! If you try to be nice to her she doesn't do as well. When you push her and get on her and even yell a little, she does better.

As a parent, I appreciate when a coach can back off just a tad and mix in some finesse with my younger daughter. With my older one, I WANT her coach to go ahead and get on her case because that how she performs best and a good coach recognizes that and does what they can to bring the best out in her.

In this day and age of positive coaching movements, you may think twice about being "tough," but there are times when it's completely appropriate and sometimes even necessary. You can be "tough" and still be a positive coach. Try to please everyone and you'll have more headaches than you ever wanted.

I realize another worry you may have is complaints from parents (why does he yell and that player and not this one?), but at some point you need to remember, you are there to do what's best for your players. It's your job to bring their best out and you do that for EVERY player in whatever way they need.

"Equal" does not mean the "same."  Your players will all have slightly different ways you get through to them. Treating them all the "same" wouldn't be "equal" or "fair" to them. Ultimately you are there for them (your players), not for their parents.

Just something to think about.

~ Stacie Mahoe