Coaching Philosophy
How many of you remember that the majority of your coaches growing up were kind, respectful, understanding, even-tempered, and knowledgeable? I’m sure not many of us. Most people may remember doing sprints until they puked, facing frequent confusion and embarrassment, getting screamed at at practice and games, not being supported in their personal life, being on the verge of tears at practices, and not being desired to be known and loved as a person. If you had these experiences, you are not alone. Back then, we may have thought that it was normal and acceptable because it happened everywhere we went. Our parents thought it was “building character.” The coaches thought “they will only listen and win games if I’m harsh.” All of these statements are WRONG. We are just now starting to see the monumental impact of ethical, fair, holistic, joyful coaching. I am not sure why it’s taken so long to treat children with respect, but I am so happy that it’s finally becoming more commonplace. Our children are precious. They are sacred. They are sensitive. They deserve love. They deserve gentleness. They deserve explanations. They deserve apologies. They deserve support off the field. I played three different sports and sang in a choir almost all of my schooling career and I don't remember a coach coming to support me in these other endeavors. In college, I was crying during/after multiple practices a week due to getting my dignity stripped away from me in all sorts of ways. I felt terrified, unheard, and unloved. This is not how it’s supposed to be.
My philosophy is and will always be very simple. It’s the golden rule. Treat others how YOU would want to be treated. And more than that, treat others how you would’ve wanted to be treated at THAT AGE. To have a coach look at me and tell me they love me? To have a coach show up to watch me sing a solo? To have a coach ask me about my mental health and relationships? What a dream. I’ve taken it upon myself to be a pioneer in this regard- to spearhead change in the coaching community and help people realize that there is never a valid excuse to make a child feel like dirt, regardless of what they did. I want to help coaches realize that in order to develop a close-knit team, promote longevity, release any fear out of their players, and become successful, you have to start treating your players like people. They are people. People that don’t know much. People that haven't mastered emotional intelligence. People that are still unaware of their bodies. People that have a lot of questions. People that need their potential harnessed so they can flourish. It is a coach’s job to understand their players as whole people, not just bodies that can do athletic things to win you games.
Jesus shows us how to treat people. We ought to be slow to anger and try to be understanding in everything. We should show grace, forgive, and develop our emotions in healthy ways. We should lead with integrity and character, behaving in private how we would behave in public. There’s so much more we can do to grow healthy athletes. Who’s with me? I would love to keep this conversation going. Share your thoughts at ElevateFastpitch.Info@gmail.com.