Team lacks fire...

[DLC11]

I am an assistant coach at a local high school here in Indiana. One of the biggest problems I am seeing with our team is they lack fire and passion.

Now I know a lot of this is just within the player himself, but how as coaches can we instill some passion to play the game? It's really frustrating because I think we can have a good team, but right now we are not there and I think the main reason is because of what I stated above. I also don't think it is a situation that our kids don't care, they do. I really don't think they understand what playing with passion really is.

Any advice?

Thanks.

[Jake Patterson]

I am an assistant coach at a local high school here in Indiana. One of the biggest problems I am seeing with our team is they lack fire and passion.

Now I know a lot of this is just within the player himself, but how as coaches can we instill some passion to play the game? It's really frustrating because I think we can have a good team, but right now we are not there and I think the main reason is because of what I stated above. I also don't think it is a situation that our kids don't care, they do. I really don't think they understand what playing with passion really is.

Any advice?

Thanks.

I have always felt that a team's enthusiasm is directly proportional to the coach's. Maybe you should start with looking at the manner in which you coach?? At this level I would have no problem sitting with my team and ask them.

[DLC11]

I have always felt that a team's enthusiasm is directly proportional to the coach's. Maybe you should start with looking at the manner in which you coach?? At this level I would have no problem sitting with my team and ask them.

Do you mind elaborating on this a bit? Today was only our first game so far, so I may be overreacting, but just expected a little more fire for an opening day game.

In what ways as coaches could we be hurting their enthusiasm?

[virg]

Just an observation with an angle. I'd suggest that in a random selection of individuals there will be a natural distribution of personalities: some quieter than others, most noisier, and if you're lucky one or two exhuberant and positive. Quiet or noisy, positive is the key.

If they are quiet as a group some outside influence may have caused it. But if they are naturally quiet yet well prepared it will show, the competition will see and know it and that will tell. What's within your control is their preparation so concentrate and have faith in that for the moment.

[Jake Patterson]

Do you mind elaborating on this a bit? Today was only our first game so far, so I may be overreacting, but just expected a little more fire for an opening day game.

In what ways as coaches could we be hurting their enthusiasm?

Hi DL,
I would have to see how you interact with the team in order to offer meaningful suggestions. Basically I have always believed that practices are for the coaches and games are for the players. The attitude i which you play your games are established at practices. Items like:

• Are you prepared?
• Is every minute of your practices filled with action?
• Do you have a practice plan?
• Do you know the subject matter you teach?
• Are you positive?
• DO the players have fun learning?
• DO you act and dress like a coach?
• Do you touch base with your assistants before the game?
• Etc.

Are all part of what makes a motivated team.

Hope this helps,
Jake

[Erik]

Hi DL,
I would have to see how you interact with the team in order to offer meaningful suggestions. Basically I have always believed that practices are for the coaches and games are for the players. The attitude i which you play your games are established at practices. Items like:

• Are you prepared?
• Is every minute of your practices filled with action?
• Do you have a practice plan?
• Do you know the subject matter you teach?
• Are you positive?
• DO the players have fun learning?
• DO you act and dress like a coach?
• Do you touch base with your assistants before the game?
• Etc.

Are all part of what makes a motivated team.

Hope this helps,
Jake

I would add setting team goals to this list. I think this is very important to the outcome of the season. I have been on 5 championship teams. I recall on those teams we set team goals. This brings teams together.




EL,

[Drill]

Just get them some sunflower seeds and hand them out during the game. Let them relax, but still keep there heads in the game.

It"s one of those hand mouth activities that helps relieve the inter stress kids put on themselves.


imho,

drill

PS
Make sure there is someone appointed to sweep the dug out out. Every body should have a post home game job when it comes to putting the field to sleep.

[Jake Patterson]

I would add setting team goals to this list. I think this is very important to the outcome of the season. I have been on 5 championship teams. I recall on those teams we set team goals. This brings teams together.

EL,

I have a section on goal setting in my book. The key with setting goals at this age is to insure they are reasonable. Winning the championship may not be reasonable...

[Erik]

I have a section on goal setting in my book. The key with setting goals at this age is to insure they are reasonable. Winning the championship may not be reasonable...

Jake Patterson,


I understand winning the championship might not be reasonable but it creates purpose. IMO without some goals it's hard to get players to work together as a team.



EL,

[Jake Patterson]

Jake Patterson, IMO without some goals it's hard to get players to work together as a team. EL,

absolutely agree.

[jbolt_2000]

I would add setting team goals to this list. I think this is very important to the outcome of the season. I have been on 5 championship teams. I recall on those teams we set team goals. This brings teams together.

EL,

This is one I do for my 9-10 y/o. I am not sure how well it would work with high school kids (might be a little "too cool" for this), but I had my team write down three goals they wanted to accomplish for the year. Two are for personal goals and the third is for team goals.

At this age I helped most of them determine what was a good goal. For example, if I had a kid who could not hit, one of his goals was to get one hit each game, or try swinging (no looking at third strikes). Another kid who is a good pitcher we had a goal of trying to strike out at least 3 batters in one game. Our catch had a goal of throwing out at least 2 runners at second. Our outfielders goals were to catch at least one fly ball correctly. Second baseman set a goal of no pass balls at second. Etc...

Then the team goals would be set such as; Win with Pride and Lose with Honor (be a good sport and don't get down on themselves), or never get down on a teammate if they make a bad play. Then the big one is to make it to TOC's.

I tell the kids that these goals to not make or break us, but help us work towards doing our best on the field and never give up.

I then print out each players goals on a small peice of paper and have them stick it in their hat or back pocket. Before every game I ask the kids to look at thier goals and strive to be the best they can. We have played 5 games so far and only three kids (out of 14) have lost their paper.

I will be handing out new ones tonight at our next game.

[Drill]

I always thought the goal was to get people out, hit, score and throw strikes and win the game.

I want to see how you keep a team up if you are losing. I watched a .500 fall ball team have so much fun I would consider it one of the best teams my son was on, just because the kids were loose. I even had a coach pass by and say to our coach that he wished he could get his own kids to have as much fun. He said his kids were always to serious. Our coach had to stop the game one time to tell the kids to stop talking to each other out on the field. They were still kidding/prodding each other after 3 of them missed a pop up that landed between all of them. They were having fun kidding with each other over there own mistakes.

I will never forget the comments that would come out of the dug out when one of there own team mates would strike out. YOU SUCK and they would all laugh including the batter. But it made the batter hit better because he would get on base and give it back to them, and the team would cheer. Out burst of laughter from the dug out would sometime stop the game or make the opposing pitcher look over at our dug out sometimes.

It was fun as a parent watching them trying hard and beating the best team in the fall league and still razing each other.

I would say it was a dream team as a parent to watch and I am glad my son got to experience this.

respectfully yours,

drill