| Praise is the easiest and most effective way to | | | | that many kids we coach never hear many |
| motivate young baseball players. Understanding | | | | positive words. It is sad and true that many kids |
| and believing in the "Power of Praise" can make a | | | | never hear words or praise or encouragement at |
| Little League Baseball coach a better and more | | | | home. Words of praise are "words of respect" |
| effective coach. Knowing how and when to praise | | | | for a youngster. They want to love, appreciated, |
| is the key. This article discusses the value of | | | | and respected just like most people do. Many kids |
| praise in coaching youth baseball. | | | | we coach are hungry for attention, discipline and |
| Good coaches have a variety of skills. They know | | | | most of all praise. The more they are praised, the |
| how to teach the game of baseball. They know | | | | more they want to earn more praise. |
| how to communicate their thoughts and | | | | So when you see a player struggling or having a |
| observations almost immediately. They know how | | | | bad day, find something that he is doing correctly |
| to correct without humiliation. They know how to | | | | and praise him for his action. Make his day a |
| motivate without intimidation. They love the game | | | | better day. I do not mean to give out unmerited |
| of baseball and that love is displayed through their | | | | or false praise. Make sure that the praise is |
| actions and behaviors. But, one of the universal | | | | deserved and merited. Kids can sense if a coach |
| traits of successful youth baseball coaches is that | | | | is sincere or genuine when the coach praises a |
| they know the "Power of Praise". | | | | player. False praise is useless and |
| Good youth baseball coaches know that kids | | | | counterproductive. |
| respond differently when they are coached and | | | | One good rule to live by as a youth baseball |
| taught the game of baseball. Many kids do not | | | | coach is that you should find a way to praise |
| take constructive criticism. All kids do not respond | | | | every player on your team at least once a day. |
| the same to harsh words or loud instructions. But, | | | | A pat on the head or back takes little time and |
| one thing that 99.9% of all kids respond favorably | | | | energy on your part, but can do wonders for a |
| to is praise. They love to hear words of | | | | kids self esteem and attitude. |
| encouragement and words that tell them that | | | | I hope that you enjoyed this article. Thanks for |
| they did a task well. | | | | taking the time to read it. Good luck to you and |
| What youth coaches must always remember is | | | | your team. Your friend in baseball, Nick. |