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!

[David Regino]

1. thou shalt praise, support and respect each other
2. thou shalt love the game have fun and support softball
3. thou shalt inspire
4. thou shalt learn from their students
5. thou shalt never abandon your basics
6. thou shalt articulate & execute
7. thou shalt incorporate plyometrics and core training with their program
8. thou shalt have courage and commitment
9. thou shalt not take a negative to next at bat
10. thou shalt run, endure, perform, conqure

[Ron Blevins]

1 - Thou shalt keep players natural abilities in mind when assigning positions and tasks.

2 - Thou shalt accept input from and listen to players, parents and other coaches and officials; listen and learn from everyone you can.

3 - Thou shalt realize and accept the fact that the game is not about the coach or coaches, it is all for the players and their futures.

4 - Thou shalt show respect to all players, other coaches and officials at all times.

5 - Thou shalt be knowledgeable of the rules and regulations to every sanctioned event your team plays in.

6 - Thou shalt be fair, honest, caring and understanding.

7 - Thou shalt encourage players to practice as they play and play as they practice; always expect 100% from the team on the practice field and in games. Let players know your expectations up front.

8 - Thou shalt be an excellent role model, have a practice and game plan; set goals for yourself and the players. When setting goals always include the players.

9 - Thou shalt teach and exhibit good sportsmanship, ethical behavior, and the love of the game.

10 - Thou shalt have an understanding of first aid, safety, and realize the players safety and well being is first a foremost.

[Rob Fair]

Thou Shalt;
1. Have Fun
2. Learn
3. Respect your coaches, team mates, yourself, and umpires
4. Perservear
5. Give 110 percent
6. Practice what the coaches teach you at home not just at practice
7. Take away one life lesson every practice and game
8. Have/Set a goal for each game and the season and most of all write it down
9. Appreciate Mom and Dad for what they do
10.Lead by example

[Jeff Hammond]

I took mine from a little different spectrum than some of you. Enjoy!

Thou shalt remember that ·Girls don’t care how much you know until they see how much you care. ·Keep the players best interest in mind at all times.

Thou shalt focus a larger part of your energies on the least talented girls. You are only as strong as the weakest players and your team will improve immensely by building from the bottom up rather than from the top down.

Thou shalt take time to celebrate successes. Girls want to achieve. Show them a reward for their hard work. Get excited with them and for them and always make it FUN

Thou shalt not make promises to players that you are not sure you can keep. If the situation may change, say “as it stands right now, you will play 3rd base.”

Thou shalt not motivate with fear. This teaches the girls how to be afraid. Coaches want their players to be aggressive confident, and excited which impossible to do while feeling fear.

Thou shalt ·be willing to risk failure, but expect to win. Winning is, in large part, believing in yourself. Success (winning) is a by-product of your preparation. It is the sum of many small efforts repeated over and over.

Thou shalt ·set ambitious goals (personal & team) for the girls. Constantly challenge the players to commit to reach their full potential. Write down goals (per game, per week, per season) Make them related to things under the control of the person, (ex “become a better batter by hitting line drives” – not “get a hit every time at bat”

Thou shalt ·be aggressive! On offense, put pressure on their defense by making them stop you from getting to the next base. Test their arms and ability to make a tag. On defense, take a shot at a throw down or dive for a ball, especially when you have back up in place

Thou shalt ·respect the game enough to honor the rules, but do everything within the spirit of the rules to help your team win.

Thou shalt ·treat every player as if she were your own child. If coaching your own child, treat her like every other player

[www.ForeverFastpitch.com]

Did anybody ever win this contest?
Just curious.