HELP! My fielders don’t communicate!

Ever feel like you are speaking a heck of a lot more than you should be during games?  Ever wonder how to get your players to do more of the speaking for you?  If so, you’re not alone.  Many coaches (me included) grow frustrated at the lack of vocal performance of our players.  If only we could get the players themselves to do the speaking, life as a coach would be a whole lot easier.  But how do you do it?

Well, here is an example sent to me by a good friend of mine.  Like most coaches, he grew frustrated at the lack of communication but instead of just complaining, he decided to do something about it.  He put up cards in the dugout like this one …

When a player says one of those statements he checks it off when he returns to the dugout.  At the end of the game, all the statements should be checked off.  If not, players clearly see where they fell short.

It’s a great idea that empowers the players.  I like it because it also addresses the fact that many players really have no idea what to say.  The cards force the shy ones to speak up and inform the ignorant on what specifically they should be saying on the field and in the dugout.

Create some sheets of your own and put whatever it is you think players need to say.  Be creative and switch up each game with new ones.

Tomorrow’s post: Nose over toes