Respect and related issues
For most of you who will be starting your JV, varsity, FROSH or other competitive program, you may notice some new faces on the coaching staff. The degree of “chemistry” between you and this staff my be good – then on the other hand things may not be so good. Personalities will play a big role in what’s basically a “people to people experience.
Now I know I’m not going to be telling anyone something new here – BUT, a coach, regardless of how they come across with their instruction and know-how deserves respect, first and foremost. For instance:
Your first impression about a coach can be really off base – I mean really bad.
Don’t get caught up in joining the crowd that likes to make fun of a coach or mock him/her.
Your environment is nowhere near as complex and volatile as the coach’s world.
College students can be called upon to fill-in, and you’ll find it’s a very small world when you meet these people a few years later. Be reasonable.
More then likely you’re going to find the coaching population getting older. These coaches have tons of “real world” experience. Listen to their game knowledge – not just pitching, hitting, base running and so on.
An older coach will have a bunch of contacts that have developed over the years. Knowing that you’ve shown him/her respect, only encourages a good reference further down the line. No coach in their right mind is going to pass on a trouble maker to another program.
A coach may be substituting for another specialty … say a staff assistant assuming the role of a pitching coach. Give the coach a break and work with him – don’t blame a poor appearance in that direction. Doing that shows no character.
Don’t quote Ghost Coaches. When you’re listening to instruction – don’t whip out…” Ahhh coach, … Mr. Dilley-Dally said for us to do it this way,” … or a common remark that I’ve heard was…“ I read somewhere that that’s not right.”.
Best wishes this year with all of the programs that you’ll be competing with.
Coach B.