| Today the four letter word for baseball coaches | | | | player, always find a reason to pat that kid on |
| is W-O-R-K: Working and learning to work are one | | | | the back later. Keeping a balance between |
| of the vital elements required in the building of a | | | | corrective criticism and praise is a valuable skill |
| successful baseball team and program. In baseball | | | | every coach must learn. Always try to send the |
| coaching work and baseball playing involves a lot | | | | players home on a positive note with a positive |
| of things. Work is practice. Work is hustle. Work is | | | | frame of mind. |
| execution. Work is commitment. Work is being | | | | 2. Fun |
| focused. Work and knowing the value of work | | | | The kids must enjoy practicing, playing and |
| may be the most important thing that you will | | | | spending time together. If going to the baseball |
| teach your players. A player can have all the | | | | field feels like going to the dentist, they are going |
| talent in the world, but if that player is not willing | | | | to lose interest and drive. When they lose interest |
| to work hard to develop that talent, the player is | | | | and drive, they will stop working. Plan your |
| destined to be an underachiever. | | | | practices with a variety of drills and activities to |
| Work is what allows a player, a team, and a | | | | prevent boredom from setting in. Always include |
| coach to reach their maximum potential in the | | | | a couple of competitive games or drills to make |
| game. Every player has the potential to be great | | | | the practice as fun as possible. I am not saying |
| at something in the game! Hard work is the key | | | | make your practice all fun game and play-time. I |
| element that will determine a the level of success | | | | am just suggesting that you plan and organize |
| a player will have later in life. Learning to work | | | | your practices to include as many fun and |
| hard is a life skill that every youth player can | | | | motivating activities as is practical. |
| benefit from. We all know of players that we | | | | 3. Discipline |
| played with or that we coached that had great | | | | Team discipline and player self discipline are two |
| God-given abilities but terrible work habits. They | | | | crucial elements for having a successful season. |
| refused to push themselves to greatness. They | | | | Players should be expected to have a high level |
| would always spend more time looking for a way | | | | of self control and follow all team rules. One |
| to get out of work, than actually working. They | | | | important team rule is always showing respect to |
| were simply lazy. They did not have the drive. It | | | | coaches and adults on and off the field. You can |
| made no difference what the coach did, what the | | | | be firm and still keep a fun and comfortable |
| parent did, or what their peers said, they simply | | | | atmosphere. |
| did not have the focus and commitment to work | | | | 4. Role Model |
| hard. These underachievers always come to their | | | | The players must see their coach work. Kids can |
| senses but it is always too late. When they look | | | | sense when a coach practices what he preaches. |
| back to the good old day, they always say that | | | | Do not expect a kid to work for you if you do |
| wish they would have worked harder. A common | | | | not work for him. |
| saying of underachieves is that if they only had | | | | 5. Short-term Goals |
| known then what I know now, they would have | | | | Setting a goal for a drill or workout activity will |
| pushed themselves harder and made themselves | | | | often motivate players to put forth more effort. |
| work harder. | | | | Have the goal be something simple and have the |
| Players and coaches must understand the value | | | | reward instant. |
| of hard work. Anything worth having is worth | | | | 6. Long-term Goals Setting team goals for the |
| working for. You must work hard. The assistant | | | | season is an important tool to improve player |
| coaches must work hard. The players must work | | | | mental focus and to add value to the work done |
| hard. | | | | at practice. |
| What are the keys to teaching players to work? | | | | 7. Individual Goals |
| Here are 7 keys to building good work habits in | | | | If you have a gifted player that is more |
| young players: | | | | advanced and skilled that most of the other |
| 1. Praise | | | | players on the team, you may want to have |
| Praise the player when work is done. Instant | | | | each player set 3 individual goals for the season. |
| positive feedback can serve to motivate players | | | | Have players set a target batting average goal, a |
| to work harder and harder. You should always | | | | goal of stolen bases, a goal of a number of base |
| correct a player when he does something | | | | hits or such. Such individual goals often can |
| incorrect. But when you do verbally get on a | | | | motivate players to work harder than ever. |