Author: Coach JP

The main responsibilities of a coach are to instruct the appropriate skills and strategies of a sport. The most important lesson I can offer as a coach is the particular value system that I represent, and that which I feel is important for my athletes to practice. Included in this package is a zero-tolerance for… Continue reading Coach’s Responsibilities Go Beyond the Playing Field

For those who “coach your son” (or those players who are coached by Dear Old Dad), lend me your ears. Here are some quick and easy thoughts to answer the common problems that surround coaching your own kid. 1st & Foremost Help him become the best player that He wants to be. When it becomes more about… Continue reading Teaching Your Boy the Game

One of the greatest rewards in life may very well be that of parenthood. Having the chance to watch your children grow from “demanding” infants to “demanding” teenagers may be life’s greatest compensation. Perhaps second to that honor may be the distinction of being athletic coach to your son or daughter. The problem comes when… Continue reading Techniques for Coaching Younger Children

A coach told me after a game that “his team just didn’t come ready to play”. I’m thinking gee! did they forget their pants? Of course they had lost and the coach was already thinking of the pep talk he was going to give before the next game.You’ve all heard these talks. ” Don’t let… Continue reading Coach Them With Confidence… Not Fear!

How many times do we as coaches call for a practice and meet the team at the field, only to find one team practicing and two other teams waiting to practice? When I first started coaching, this dilemma always seemed to happen to me. I would feel sort of helpless, and once even took everyone… Continue reading Practice When No Field Is Available

As the season starts, we want to get off to a good start with our team and what is expected of them. Of course, youth baseball is unlike a school team sport and you cannot force a player to practice or even force them to be on time. However, there are certain things you can… Continue reading Getting Kids to Practice on Time

Back in the late 70’s an old college professor of mine was fond of saying, “Don’t confuse activity with accomplishment.” Jump forward about eight years and imagine me observing a coach running practice for his Little League team. At the start of practice most of the 10, 11, and 12 year olds are very enthusiastic.… Continue reading Youth Baseball Practices Don’t Have To Be Long To Be Good

Some coaches have a difficult time handling the youth sports atmosphere, and some may underestimate their importance to their players. The No. 1 reason why kids come back is positive coaching. Coaches must grasp the idea that their role is important. When I talked to coaches and we define a successful coach, it isn’t determined… Continue reading Put Me In Coach: Setting the Tone for a Positive Experience

What it takes to be a good coach… 1. You Have to Like Young People This has to be number one: you have to like being with kids. Your primary reason for coaching should be to watch young people grow, mature and develop. Sure, everybody likes to win, but if winning is the only thing… Continue reading What It Takes to Be a Good Coach

Know this here and now . . . any one can be a good, competent and, consequently, a winning youth baseball coach. But this is the last comment about winning that you will read in this article . . . simply because winning is a result of being a good, competent coach. If you will… Continue reading Good Teams, Good Coaches