ATTENTION
Q: I'm having a lot of problems getting my players to pay attention to me.
HELP!
A: Some kids don't pay attention to anyone, particularly at tee ball age, so
let's not assume you're failing them. With that said, coaches are famous for
being part of that culture that can reach children when no one else can, so
let's look at the best way to equip yourself to get through to them. A former
schoolteacher once told me that his trick for keeping discipline in the
classroom was to never smile before Christmas. Although probably a bit ofan
overstatement, his point is well-taken in that authority figures don't gain
discipline by trying to demonstrate what good guys they are. The players need
to be in your camp and prove things to you. You need to build that camp and
make sure that when they prove they're part of your program that you'll
nurture, support, train, encourage, and kid around with them.
Discipline begins with habit and repetition. Make a habit of practice and
game routines that reinforce the fact that you're on the field to play
baseball. I always told my players that baseball is a great game and that
they needed to show it respect when they step inside of the chain link area of
the playing field by not playing around. We did not allow them to stir around
in the dirt, chase butterflies, or play with their caps. While some think
it's cute for them to do this, it also defeats the point of having them learn
a team sport where the rest of the team is counting on them to do their part.
I spent a lot of time talking to them about baseball and tried to develop in
them a sense of gamesmanship. It worked pretty well. The older kids werethe
first to catch on, then I asked them to show some leadership. Believe it or
not, those 6 and 7 year olds towed the line and brought the 4 and 5 year olds
along with them. They all worked very hard and had a great time. Most of
those kids are still playing baseball, and that tee ball team, five or six
generations of players removed, is still doing well. Habit and repetition
requires a lot of patience and persistence from you.
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