subject: Softball Coaching Tips How To Motivate Your Players Better [print this page] Motivating your players is one of your most basic tasks as a softball coach. But sad to say, its also one of the most difficult things to master in this game. Its not easy to tell your players to perform better, to have a positive attitude towards the game, or tell them to relate well with their teammates.
You do not build your motivational skills overnight. You need all the experience you can get to do this well. Dont worry though, because Ill show you some of the most basic concepts of motivation through these softball coaching tips I have for you.
Let Motivation Start From Within
Many players have trophies and glory as their motivation to win games. However, these motivators sometimes called external motivators although good, are by themselves weak and do not push players well enough into wanting to become better players. This kind of motivation wanes when your players fail to claim the prize, or even after winning it.
What you should do, then, is to couple this with motivation that comes from within your players. Youll get lots of this type of motivation from players who really love the game. Let them share their enthusiasm with your other players, and it will eventually rub off on them.
Know Your Players Better
Motivation is not a one-way road. Motivation is a form of communication, and as such, you should learn to listen as much as you know how to talk to your players. Why should you do this? Thats because only when you start listening to your players will you know how to motivate them well. Thats the time youll know which buttons to push to fire them up.
For example, you have a player whos severely unmotivated. This player often misses practices, and does not seem to relish the playing time youre giving him. And hes not complaining when you dont let him play, either.
To address this motivational issue, you should talk to the player why hes acting that way. You might be feel surprised to find out that he doesnt like to play softball in the first place! Believe me, it happens. And the sooner you find out about this, the better. That way, you can prevent friction from building up and still part ways as friends. And more than that, you can find a replacement for that player immediately, if possible.
Shouting Does Not Motivate Players
Back in the day, coaches were a lot like drill sergeants. They always barked orders at you, and insulted you whenever you committed errors. But things have changed. Shouting doesnt work anymore. It could work for the first few weeks of training, but its effectiveness will wear off eventually.
What you should do then is talk to them as a normal persons would. Again, motivation is about good communication, and you do not foster that by insulting and shouting at your players.
All in all, these softball coaching tips on motivation are all about relating well with your players. Following these tips will make it easier for you to find out what causes their lack of motivation and address the root of the problem.
