Contest: 10 Coaching Commandments

[Stacie Mahoe]

This is the first time we're doing this, so we'll see how it goes.

Up for grabs at the end of the this contest, which will be August 31, is:
1. Marc Dagenais' Bat Speed and Hitting Power DVD - $37 retail value
2. One FREE eClinic Gift Certificate from SoftballExcellence.com
3. Keeping Softball Fun (drill e-book) from AllAboutFastpitch.com - retail value $27

So, what do you need to do for your chance to win?

Leave a reply here with your 10 Commandments for Coaching. IF you had to write 10 Commandments for coaches what would you write? Tell us here and you'll be entered to win the prizes listed above. ONE winner will be chosen at the end of the month. Your 10 Commandments can sorta follow the original 10 or you can make up your very own version...the ONLY rule is that each of your 10 Commandments start with "Thou shalt..."

That's it. Let me know if you have questions!

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Parents, players, coaches, and fan contributions welcome!

Good luck!

[Anthony Vertuccio]

1-thou shalt be knowledgeable
2-thou shalt be dedicated
3-though shalt be caring
4-thou shalt be a good listener
5-thou shalt be strict bit fair
6-thou shalt be honest
7-thou shalt be a good communicator
8-thou shalt be willing to learn
9-thou shalt be open to ideas from players
10-thou shalt have an open door policy for players and parents

[Arthur Contreras Jr]

Art's Ten Commandments 1) Thou shalt have other coaches before me. 2) Thou shalt not take yourself out of any game ,you can look above to the sky or below to the Earth. I shall remove you. From the whole you carved yourself . 3) Thou Shalt not use profain language , during games or practices. 4) Thou shalt remember Sunday is for Rest , no games. 5)Thou shalt Honor thy Mother and Father and play fair and be respectable. 6) Thou shalt murder other teams although there are mercy rules in place for that. 7) Thou shalt not listen to adults" while in the dugouts" you have coaches and managers for that. 8) Thou shalt steal any chance I get as long as Coach gives you the sign. 9) Thou shalt have neighbors witness some of you games, its a very enjoyable free entertainment. 10) Thou shalt not break any of your neighbors windows with balls "come on guys if you break it you pay for it"

[Yvonne]

1. Thou shalt set goals.
2. Thou shalt motivate the players.
3. Thou shalt set practice plan.
4. Thou shalt communicate effectively.
5. Thou shalt be a good role model.
6. Thou shalt not embarrass players.
7. Thou shalt never find excuse for failure.
8. Thou shalt work to develop a cohesive team.
9. Thou shalt encourage fair play & good sportsmanship.
10. Thou shalt have a game plan

[Leah]

1. Thou shalt not have attitude towards coaches, players, umpires, and other teams.
2. Thou shalt not swear (including saying any form of the word suck) at practice or games.
3. Thou shalt have respect for teammates, coaces, umpires, and opposing teams
4. Thou shalt work hard every day at everything done in or out of softball
5. Thou shalt not talk while a coach is talking
6. Thou shalt always do thy best on and off the field
7. Thou shalt be a good role model for other teammates, teams, students, and younger players
8. Thou shalt always have good sportsmanship
9. Thou shalt be punished for breaking any of these commandments
10. Thou shalt have fun!

[MDT]

1- know your coaching philosophy
2- formulate a mission statement
3- set goals
4- have a coaching plan
5- know the rules and make sure everyone else does
6- be ethical
7- be honest
8- follow the rules and follow the consequences
9- be knowledgeable about the game, never stop learning
10- remember your puropose

[Tom Stoll]

1. Thou shalt continue to educate yourself about fastpitch
2. Thou shalt use practice time productively
3. Thou shalt familiarize yourself with the rules of the game
4. Thou shalt develop a set of team rules that is given to players and their parents at the beginning of the season
5. Thou shalt apply all team rules equally to all players
6. Thou shalt not favor your daughter above other players.
7. Thou shalt maintain disipline without becoming an ogre
8. Thou shalt use your best efforts to ensure player safety
9. Thou shalt exhibit good sportsmanship and see that your parents and players do the same
10. Thou shall see that thine players have fun.

[Gil Gurney]

Its a little more complicated and involved than starting with "thou shalt.....

But here goes my thou shalts

"Thou shalt not be late for practice"

"Thou shalt not be late for our Game start time"

"Thou shalt leave all Infield Flies that fall within the triangle made up of HP - 1st B - 2nd B to our 1st baseman - all others support only"

"Thou shalt leave all Infield Flies that fall within the triangle made up of HP - 2nd B - 3rd B to our 3rd Baseman - all others support only"

"Thou shalt not field any infield fly unless it is dropping on your head - Pitcher"

"Thou shalt leave all balls hit into the outfield to the Fielder that is - running in"

"Thou shalt charge down all balls hit into the outfield - you must make your very best effort not to let it bounce"

"Thou shalt learn all 13 signals!"

"Thou shalt support your Team-mates"

"Thou shalt have FUN"

[Mike Neeley]

Fastpitch U - Coach Neeley’s

Ten Commandments of softball

1. Thou shalt always respect the game, your parents, the opposition, your teammates, umpires, coaches
and managers, people that deserve it and all equipment.

2. Thou shalt take responsibility for your actions

3. Thou shalt be a good teammate in the dugout and on the field

4. Thou shalt be honest at all times

5. Thou salt place the good of the team before yourself

6. Thou shalt display fairness at any opportunity

7. Thou shalt care about your parents, the opposition, your teammates, umpires, coaches and managers and
people that deserve it

8. Thou shalt always give 100% effort

9. Thou shalt be a good citizen at all times

10. Thou shalt accept failure in a positive manner, brush it off and then learn from it.

[Mike Davis]

Ten Commandments for Coaching

1 Teach First, Win Later
2 Start with the Basics
3 Encourage not Discourage
4 Keep Your Word
5 Discipline Fairly
6 Put Your Team First
7 Don’t give in to the Spoiled
8 Respect the Parents
9 Teach Character Not Just Sports
10 Repeat the Basics – Again

[Mike Neeley]

I wrote the last set of commandments for players. Here is the one for coaches.
Fastpitch U - Mike Neeley’s

Ten Commandments of softball for coaches.

1. Thou shalt always respect the game, your parents, the opposition, your teammates, umpires, other coaches
and managers, people that deserve it and all equipment.

2. Thou shalt take responsibility for your actions and hold players accountable for their actions.

3. Thou shalt be a good role model, mentor, teacher and committ to the betterment of the players.

4. Thou shalt be honest at all times

5. Thou shalt place the good of the team before yourself

6. Thou shalt display fairness at any opportunity

7. Thou shalt care about the parents, the opposition, your players, umpires, other coaches and
managers and people that deserve it.

8. Thou shalt always give 100% effort to display the character and class you expect from your players.

9. Thou shalt be a good citizen at all times

10. Thou shalt accept failure in a positive manner, brush it off and then use it as a teaching/learning opportunity.

[Mike Davis]

Mike Davis said:

Ten Commandments for Coaching

1 Thou shalt Teach First and win later.
2 Thou shalt start with the Basics.
3 Thou shalt Encourage your players not Discourage them.
4 Thou shalt Keep thy Word.
5 Thou shalt administer disciplineFairly.
6 Thou shalt put your team First.
7 Thou shalt not give in to the spoiled.
8 Thou shalt Respect the parents.
9 Thou shalt teach Character not just sports.
10 Thou shalt repeat the Basics - Again!

[Mike Neeley]

Well Said. I really like it. I may have to come up with the top 15 commandments, there are so many good ones. Yours are very susinct and makes it easy to remember. Good one!!

Mike Davis said:

Mike Davis said:

Ten Commandments for Coaching

1 Thou shalt Teach First and win later.
2 Thou shalt start with the Basics.
3 Thou shalt Encourage your players not Discourage them.
4 Thou shalt Keep thy Word.
5 Thou shalt administer disciplineFairly.
6 Thou shalt put your team First.
7 Thou shalt not give in to the spoiled.
8 Thou shalt Respect the parents.
9 Thou shalt teach Character not just sports.
10 Thou shalt repeat the Basics - Again!