It takes a positive person to be a kids softball coach. One that believes in the power of encouragement and patience combined. If that person is you, take a moment to look over the following tips for being the best kids softball coach you can be.
Dedicate Your Time to a Schedule
Think up and jot down a schedule that works best for you. It has to be after normal school hours and you need to factor in the time it takes for kiddos to rest between school and activities. Talk to parents, ask your kids, and get a feel for a schedule that works for everybody. Sports scheduling software could be a big help in getting your routine down.
Reward Your Team
Not everyone needs a trophy for a job well done, but a pizza party never hurt. Take your kiddos for a slice of cheesy goodness whenever they have a great game. Or, to keep their morale and perseverance running on high, take them for ice cream after a good practice. Show your encouragement with incentives and rewards. Avoid bad language and negative moods, because at the end of the day, these are children and softball is just a game.
Patience is Your Best Friend
To teach children, you have to have patience. No matter the subject matter or sport. Kids need repetition to learn, so softball could be a bit monotonous until a youngster picks up the concept of a move or position. In this regard, patience is your best friend. Be compassionate and understanding, but throw in plenty of praise and encouragement to let your kiddies know that they are doing a great job.
Know When to Throw in the Towel
As a softball coach, you need to understand that some kids have no interest in the actual sport or participation. Their parents probably thought it would be a good idea, but no amount of encouragement and training will help that particular kiddo with their interest in the sport. If you see that you have an uninterested youngster, despite weeks of training and encouragement, talk to their parents and express your concern. Sometimes you, personally, need to let the parents know that their child is simply not interested in what mom or dad might be interested in.
The key to being an awesome, better kids softball coach is persistence, in the long run. You have to persist in repetitive training, while being an encouraging force for little softball-loving kiddos of every age.
