Coaching Guidelines

The volunteer coach is the heart of STMA GFA. It is the coach who has responsibility for developing players and building a “team.” For the season, the softball experience of a dozen girls will be shaped and formed by you, the coach. Explain to the parents and players your coaching philosophy, what you expect out of them, and what they should expect from you. Remember, you will make mistakes – we all have. The mark of a good coach is one who keeps an open mind and learns from his or her experiences.  STMA GFA encourages all of its coaches to continue to develop their coaching skills by attending coaching clinics, reading instructional material and viewing training videos.

Coaching is a major responsibility. The Board and other coaches will do whatever possible to assist a coach. In addition, STMA GFA has a responsibility to protect the well being of all players. As a result, part of the coach selection process includes background checks on all of our prospective coaches and assistant coaches, regardless if they have coached previously in our Association. This demonstrates to our players, parents and other coaches that you have been deemed “certified” to work with the youth of STMA GFA.

As a Coach I pledge to:

1.    Place the emotional & physical well being of players ahead of personal desire to win

2.    Treat each player as an individual.

3.    Do my best to organize practices that are fun & challenging.

4.    Ensure that I am knowledgeable in the rules of the sport that I coach and teach these rules to my players.

5.    Be patient.

6.    Be fair.

7.    Be consistent - apply rules equally to all players.

8.    Treat each player, coach, official & parent with respect & dignity.

9.    Refrain from profanity during games & practices.

10. Be available to my players & their parents.

11. Place each player in positions where they have the best chance to succeed. 

12. Never consume any illegal drugs. Never be under the influence of alcohol prior to practices or games.

13. Communicate issues as they arise in a clear & timely manner, to players, parents & the league.

14. All head coaches are required to attend STMA GFA and a minimum of 1 Non-STMA GFA coaches' clinic before coaching a team. 

Coaches should contact the Vice President or Travel Director for advice or help solving problems that may arise.

STMA GFA recommends that each coach hold a parent/player team meeting before the first practice or game. The key to a successful parent/player meeting is to be well organized and have all the points you want to cover laid out and printed on a handout for parents.

 The following are suggestions and examples of how to plan and conduct a parent/player meeting. These meetings and the information included will vary based on the age level and caliber of the team (tier I vs. tier II) but the basic outline and information are similar. 

The parent/player meeting lays the foundation for all parties – coaches, players and parents – to explore and communicate their expectations and concerns. A good communicator has to present his or her message in a form the audience can easily understand. If you want to reach your players, you have to understand why they play the game. A Youth Sports Institute survey of boys and girls ages 10 – 18 asked why they participate in non-school sports. Following is the rank listing of the top answers:

1. Have fun                     6. Learn new skills

2. Stay in shape                 7. For the excitement

3. Get exercise                  8. Play as part of a team

4. Improve my skills            9. Make new friends

5. Do something I am good at  10. For the challenge of competition

Yes, “Win” was one of the choices. With both boys and girls it came in 12th place.

 For your players to hear your message, particularly at the younger ages, it needs to include things like how much fun they are going to have, how they are going to improve and how good they are going to get at skills.

t cannot be overstated that communicating with both players and parents is one of the most important parts of being a successful coach. One of the first things we, as coaches, should communicate to our players is that they are OK no matter what their athletic ability. Helping to develop a positive self image is job one. Cindy Bristow, past director of the Amateur Softball Association Junior Olympic program and professional coach stated, “Most of us coaches will have more impact on the lives of our young athletes than we ever will on their ability to play softball (in spite of what we think). You might not even make better softball players out of your kids…but if you deal positively with them you will probably make better people out of them. If your kids are better people for you having been their coach, then you have without any doubt, been a successful softball coach. Help unlock their abilities to believe in themselves and you will be amazed at just how good those kids can be!!!” The article appeared in the May 1989 issue of Balls and Strikes.

In the same way, how do we communicate with parents who may have very high expectations for their young athlete? Most parents want very similar things for their children in sports:

1. To be treated fairly               6. To be psychologically safe

2. To be taught skills                 7. To enjoy friendships 

3. To enjoy playing softball    8. To spend time with quality adults

4. To be a winner             9. To get to play 

5. To be physically safe            10. To have family watch them play

By making clear at a parent/player meeting your philosophy about playing time, players conduct, and winning you will help assure parents that their children will be treated fairly. 

Site - It is important to find a site where you can have plenty of room and a quiet environment for at least one hour. Some local locations are the library, schools, your church, a coach’s or parent’s home, and as a last resort, the practice field.

Breaking the Ice - A player information sheet example can be found in the Coaches’ Tool Kit. This form can be used both when calling parents and players about being on your team and then during the parent/player meeting. The first part is meant to have a conversation with the player and find out a little bit about their likes and dislikes establishing a rapport before you even meet them. Modify it to what questions you feel comfortable in asking your new team members. The second portion is used when having a conversation with the parent regarding the child’s medical condition(s), special needs and to discuss proposed dates and times of the parent/player meeting.

Pick two or three times you can hold a team meeting, then call all parents and pick the time/date that works for the majority. Given everyone’s busy schedules, it is important to try and find a time that works for the majority because your goal is to only have to communicate the information once. A well-attended meeting helps build team unity right from the start of the season.

Introductions - Meet players and parents at the door to introduce yourself and have a parent sign the roster and fill out a medical form (example in Coaches’ Tool Kit) while waiting for others to arrive. Once the meeting begins, introduce yourself and fellow coaches, and give an overview of your background and experience. Ask the girls to stand and introduce themselves.

The player/parent meeting should start with a review of STMA GFA’s mission and philosophy. The key is to emphasize that STMA GFA wants to help girls with the development of fundamental softball skills in a fun, safe and competitive environment.  STMA GFA has the objective of ensuring that girls participating in the program will have a positive and rewarding experience that will maximize personal and team growth.

At the meeting be sure to cover: Coaches Objectives and Responsibilities, Key Coaching Emphasis, Team Objectives and Responsibilities, and Parent’s Responsibilities. For example, an objective that should be shared by all is to have each player get better no matter what the initial level of ability.

Prepare a season schedule. Be sure it covers the whole season including any possible post-season gathering, such as a parent/player picnic or players vs. parents.

Practices – times and days of the week

League dates, times and location

Tournament dates and times 

League Qualifier and State playoffs (include all possible state tournament dates)

Each Team/Coach will be assigned an equipment bag. Make sure your team’s equipment bag is ready and all equipment is in working order and accounted for. At a minimum, your STMA GFA team bag should include:

Catcher’s equipment (mask, chest protector and shin pads). Preferably you’ll have a second set for use by your backup catchers. Make sure all straps are in good working order and adjusted so they fit properly. NOTE: ANYONE under 18 years of age warming up pitchers on the sidelines is required by ASA rules to wear a catcher’s mask.

Several bats (at least three) of various lengths and weights. A bat bag (used to carry several bats at one time) and/or a portable bat rack that can mounted on the back stop while at the game work great and not only help with transporting your equipment but help keep the dugout organized by keeping bats off the ground. NOTE – generally State Qualifiers and State Tournaments require that all bats to be used in the game be inspected and certified by tournament officials prior to your first game. Give yourself ample time to check in

First aid kit – well stocked with all necessary essentials. STMA GFA will provide a kit to all head coaches. Kits are also available at Target or WalMart for $12-$15.

In addition you may want to add the following items:

Towels, small rags, etc. – they come in handy keeping balls clean, as a holder for ice if you need to apply ice to an injury, or for other needs. 

Lots of warm-up balls for batting practice and pre-game fielding drills. A five-gallon plastic bucket (with cover) works really well for keeping the balls in one accessible spot when not being used. The bucket also works well as a dugout stool during the game.

At least one NEW game ball for league games, possibly two for tournaments. Consult league/tournament rules and requirements.  STMA GFA will provide you with an ample stock of new balls at the beginning of the season.

Wiffle balls and/or practice golf balls (the kind with holes) work well for taking batting practice in tight places. Not all fields have sufficient areas to throw and hit in prior to your game. Plan accordingly!

Scorebook that your designated scorekeeper can use for recording the “official” game results. Usually a parent will volunteer to handle the scorekeeping at most games in which case they can possibly be responsible for getting the book to and from your games. Always have a spare – just in case they don’t show, you lose one or you run out of unused pages in your scorebook.  

A coach’s notebook, such as a three-ring binder, that has everything you might need in a pinch. This could include information on players (i.e. birth certificates, multiple copies of your official team roster (tournament officials may request to see this form when checking in or while your team is on the field), etc.), league rules/schedules, the “official” ASA, AFA rule book, extra pens and pencils/paper and other supplies you might need and any other pertinent data you can think of. Having a list of all teams and coaches in your league (including phone numbers) is a pre-requisite and can come in really handy in a pinch. Having to call other coaches for game information or directions to the field happens quite often.

Should you need additional equipment, such as practice balls, game balls, catcher's equipment or bats, contact the STMA GFA board member in charge of equipment. Just because the equipment is not broken, does not mean it is not in need of replacement. This is especially true of helmets and catcher's gear. Please examine your equipment before the season begins. As the coach you are responsible for keeping and caring for the equipment you have been given.