Speak Softly: Lessons Learned from Little League Coaches

It was a hot July night in Davis, California.

Little League Fields were full of spectators smiling and sweating through the sweltering 100-degree-plus heat amid umbrellas, ice chests and the search for shade.  Hundreds of people were gathered to watch our local children battle it out in the District 64 All Star games. 

I do love Davis Little League baseball.  Starting with T-ball, our sons and daughters learn to run, bat, throw, catch, and play hard.  As they move through Farm, AA, AAA, and into Majors, games turn from endless marathons of good natured cheers and encouragement to intense moments of strategy, skill and endurance.  But tonight’s game got me thinking about HOW we teach them to play the game.

My son has had dozens of amazing Davis Little League coaches.  As a teacher, I am always amazed at and profoundly grateful for the contribution they make to the program -- my son wouldn’t be the player he is without their dedication.

I’ve watched them coach through rain, wind, cold, and heat with smiles on their faces and a constantly positive attitude.  They teach, supervise, and prepare their players to do their best and never give up-excellent life lessons.

But on this night I watched a different kind of coaching. It came from a visiting coach from a neighboring town. 

He used the "bark and drill" approach.   He was loud, and he barked as if he were conducting a symphony of soldiers on the field.

The strategy he used didn’t seem to involve his head or his heart -- it was intimidating, loud, and abrasive.  Because I was sitting merely 10 feet away from his ranting, I couldn’t help but wonder how the players on the field (namely the third baseman) could keep their focus.  He yelled, but did anybody hear him?

Baseball is a game of concentration and observation.  Players need to plan ahead, think it through, and know what they will do if and when the ball arrives in their space.  This "coach" was taking all individual thought away from his players in favor of overwhelming them with his plan.  Is this what we really want our kids to learn about playing a sport?  Are these the life lessons our kids should learn?

What I’ve learned is that the best way to get people to listen to you is to let them hear you whisper.  Trying to “lift up” rather than “shout down” has always served me best -- both in and out of the classroom.

What I’m still learning is how to deal with these "yell leaders."

If you have any ideas, please let me know.  And please, thank those coaches in your life who teach by example, and know how to really communicate what’s important.

Visit my personal blog for more lessons learned.