Stacie,

Organization and communication. Communicating effectively is the downfall for most coaches in my opinion.

Also, make sure you are prepared for practices and games. Have a plan. Have it written and communicate the goals to the team and other coaches.

When a parent or kid complains, try to come from understanding their feelings and emotions. I think our first reaction as a coach is to defend our position. Grant legitimacy to their position and be open to learning about what they care about.

Ask them if they are open to hearing what you care about.

Good luck.

Coach Bill Mooney

My expectations were too high. I assumed that parents would be appreciative to have someone safe, knowledgeable and committed to the game, the program and to the girls. I was quite naive about all of that. I have learned so many things in all the years I've been involved in sports, I am very glad to have had the opportunity to play...play/coach adults and coach at different age groups.

I still struggle with an athlete with attitude; a parent who has difficulty understanding decisions. Even so, I continue to strive to be a better all around coach, better motivator and communicator. I only hope to inspire and promote a life-love of a game that has brought so much to my life.

Play Ball!!

One of the toughest things for me was standing up in front of the kids and talking to them. I hated speech class in high school and when I first started coaching (older girls) I found myself surrounded by 15-18 pairs of eyes all belonging to players bigger and taller than I was. It was a little intimidating at first. Thankfully I had lots of passion for what I wanted to tell them, so I just said what I had to say. Then I found that they actually wanted to hear what I was saying most times which made talking in front of them easier. I was never one who wanted all attention on me growing up, so it was an adjustment to be the focus of a team.

Now my players probably wish I didn't have so much to say as I am a lot less intimidated by speaking in front of groups than I used to be LOL

for me it would be introducing my style and getting them to understand and just to make us work harmoniously, getting my players comfortable with it. In my country, softball is not popular and parents don't take sports seriously here especially if girls are involved. So having a coach passionate and serious about softball is all to new to them.

Realizing that I would have to educate myself and always look for ways to improve my girls. How can you prepare them for the game if you do not prepare yourself. I would never expect my team to do anything in a game, if they have not practiced it, and practiced it well in practice!! Always asking questions from other coaches, watching other teams in tournaments. But most important to me is commucation with each one of them. Each player responds to coaching differently. Example-- Some players respond to coaches that are yellers, and some don't. Finding what works with each player. Hoping that one day they realize that alot of things they have learned in this sport also applies in everyday life. To me it's not about how much hardware you collect.(although it is nice) but when a player acknowledges you when you are off the field as a person. That's why I love coaching!!!!!

Brian - great answer!