Whether you are a newbie or a star softball player, a coach is the person to watch out for; the buck stops with him or her. He determines your success, both in the pitch and career wise as a professional softball player.
Giving them a wrong impression about you could lead to lots of warming the bench stints or a dismissal from the team.
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So, if you are heading for a tryout or a softball game, and wondering how you are going to impress the coach, you need not worry. This article is going to give you some of the tips on how you can win the coach’s eye and make him/ her happy about you. Enjoy!
Keep Time and always be ready
Every coach likes a player who keeps time. Be dressed up and on the pitch some minutes before playtime. No coach would take seriously a player who fumbles with putting away her bag, wearing shoes and other routines at the last moment while others are waiting for her.
Remember you got only one chance to make an impression on the coach. Always prepare your things, in advance. Be ready to learn what is taught and take it positively. A smile rather than a dirty look doesn’t hurt. A jovial personality shows that you appreciate your training, you are welcoming, and you bring positive energy into your team.
Have a positive attitude and be approachable
As the saying goes, attitude is everything. Coaches love a positive and winning attitude; it shows that you are coachable. It’s not news; talented players get dismissed from their teams on grounds of bad attitude. A negative player can bring down, the whole team and also kill team spirit.
Show your willingness to learn new things and do not keep complaining at everything that comes your way. If there is an issue that is bothering you, try and solve it in a proper way rather than engaging in some smack talk in the locker room.
Sometimes, the coach, the umpire and even your teammates will suck, but learn to push through that and remain positive. Furthermore, you all have one thing in common: you are human. Don’t allow a negative situation disable your performance.
Giving your all
Always work hard while on the pitch. It doesn’t matter whether people are watching or not. Putting all your efforts into the game tells the coach that you are indeed determined to succeed at what you are doing.
Always ask questions on what you don’t understand. Coaches are more than willing to help out those players that show determination; after all, it is their duty to do that.
Have team spirit
Encourage and support your teammates. This is a sure ticket into your coach’s heart. A coach would love to have a player with leadership qualities in his team. This is means being ready to help your teammates and volunteering at any opportunity.
A team that is cohesive and empresses team spirit is bound to win matches. Though many players don’t have these attribute, learn it, you will be on the coach’s radar.
Be disciplined
This is a biggie. Remember that your skills may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there. No coach likes a disrespectful player. Having respect means that you can receive instructions. The way you associate with your parents, teammates and opponents matters a lot. Coaches use this information when looking out for new players.
It’s essential for you to observe all the rules that exist. Being disciplined means that you get all the skills, making you an asset to the team. Avoid controversies at all costs and don’t engage yourself in fights or any other behaviors that might get you suspended from play.
Learn from your weakness
No player is perfect, get to know the areas and skills you are good at and keep improving on them, so that you become the best. For weak areas, double your efforts in practicing them, for you grow in them. It is your duty to become the best athlete you can be.
Be an all-around performer
True; a couch would undoubtedly want to have a good player who also performs well in other aspects of her life such as in education. Excellent school grades indeed point out to high intelligence quotient.
A softball game incorporates the physical, mind and emotional intelligence aspects. Your thinking capabilities come in handy when executing some of the different skills used in the game. Therefore performing well in education would put you high up, on the coach’s list.
Know the fundamentals
Know your stuff. Having an in-depth knowledge in executing some of the skills will make your coach happy. Take your time and practice some of the needed moves, even if in private. These will show your coach that you are indeed serious about becoming a star.
Taking that perfect swing or throw among other skill sets considerably boost’s your overall outlook and encourages the coach to give you more training. It merely shouts that you are ready for coaching.
Be confident
A coach likes a player who believes in her abilities. If you are not confident with yourself, nobody will. A softball game like any other is challenging and can get tough. It needs a player who got guts and can take things under control even when under pressure.
A player who is confident in herself wins the coach’s trust. She can deliver what she is supposed to do.
Conclusion
Impressing a coach is after all not that a difficult task as you might have seen. Remember that the coach is human too. What can annoy you will not please your coach, be on the lookout for these things, and develop positive habits that will improve your general outlook. Show effort and willingness to learn and have a positive attitude.
To crown it all, be friendly to your coach ask any questions that you have. All in all, act human and refrain from behaving unprofessionally.
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