Want to Help? Give Them =this= "Permission"
- Coach Mike Giammussso
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
"CHRISTMAS IN MAY?!" For me: Yes!!
April/May uscher in a "fresh season" of Softball & Baseball and I'm as excited as a 5-year old poking me out of bed at the crack of dawn to see what Santa brought! How about you: how excited are you to be out at THE BALLPARK watching your own ballplayer or MLB Team? I hear you loud and clear, =you= also love the Sights-Sounds-Smells (that would be freshly-grilled hot dogs!) --So unique to a Baseball & Softball field!
"GIVING THEM PERMISSION"
From a Ballplayer's perspective, at any age & Stage, the beginning of a new season also puts an "annual challenge" at their doorstep: Transitioning from indoor training/practices to Live Games. Yes, even the Pro's admit there's always butterflies/anxiety with those first few "at-bats" and pitches.
The "conversation" in their head is something like: "Gosh I hope I don't strike-out the whole game" or "please get my pitches across the plate today"... if you played the game, you remember how nerve-wracking the first few Live Games can be.
Players put a ton of pressure on themselves. A ton. Then there's peer pressure--a continuous "comparison of my performance vs other teammates".
=HERE'S THE POINT=
The Issue: their internal "mental conference call" is focused 99% on Fear.
The fear of making mistakes.
They won't admit it--especially to their Parents--because deep down they want to make their Coaches and their Teammates and their Parents: PROUD.
The Fix: Give them "Permission" to make mistakes. To "fail".
Without mistakes, we don't learn; we won't step out of our comfort-zone to "grow"--we'll never reach our great Potential!
My advice is based on over 15 years of of experience Coaching Travel Teams. Thousands of hours of practices and games; interacting with so many types players and hearing the various types of "cheering" coming from the bleachers.
They'll be an internal feeling of "relief" when your ballplayer hears you cheer: "It's okay, you'll make the NEXT play!" (you've just given them permission to fail; the patience to Learn)
The Why: Ballplayers "dread the ride home" after a game of mistakes.
We know Coaches can sometimes spend a lot of time in post-game speeches reviewing mistakes. Which can be perfectly fine, except when they forget to add:
=Reassurance: that she/he will HELP THEM LEARN from those mistakes.
=Reassurance: what's important is "getting it right the next time". And not letting one mistake "ruin" the rest of the game or Season.
=Reassurance: that the she/he BELIEVES in their ability to be a Leader & Overcome today's mistakes. And is excited to see improvement next game!
A Parent can =instantly= remove pressure & boost Confidence! Post-game:
"It's okay to make mistakes" Even College & Professionals make mistakes.
"I'm =proud= of how hard you played & hearing you cheering your Teammates" That's what's most important!
Ask: "what was most =fun= for you in today's game(s)?" (if no response, add: "Well, I'm excited for the next game coming up--it's a fresh start". Then end game talk.)
Remember, this great game of Baseball/Softball is amazing. However, it is very challenging--it is designed for "failure". Example: as a Batter we have to hit a "round ball" with a "round bat" (squarely!) & BTW the ball is thrown "full blast!" In a blink of an eye.
And =if= you can get a hit (single/double/triple/homerun) just 3 times out of ten at the plate, a PROFESSIONAL is considered Elite Status & maybe a path to the Hall of Fame!
Yes, "failing" 7 out of 10 times can be Rewarded! (how we handle them is key)
=It's the 3 "successes" that matter most! =So reassure them: "it's okay!"
