Being creative
There’s often a lot of talk about there being more than one way to perform various skills. But what many coaches miss is that there’s also more than one way to teach the same skills.
This is something I learned when I started teaching private lessons, and I keep re-learning it every day. For example, last night I was working with a pitcher who is starting to learn how to throw a change-up. I explained the technique, used some examples that had helped other pitchers in the past, and she still didn’t get it. So I had to find a new way to explain it yet again.
Everybody learns differently. Some need to see an example. Others need to hear an explanation. Some need to feel it.
Coaching is often like the old stereotype of trying to speak to someone who doesn’t understand your language. Shouting louder doesn’t help. You have to find another way to communicate. It’s what keeps it fresh and challenging. And fun.
Ken
Posted on December 10, 2006, in Coaching. Bookmark the permalink. 3 Comments.
This recovering Fastpitch Junkie wishes you well with the site, Ken. Glad to see you finally went and started it. You’ve got a lot to share.
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Speaking of being creative – how can we start new threads on this site? I was thinking about starting something where we can list specific drills for specific techniques or some focus of the game. It would be nice to hear about what others do for drills and etc.
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It’s one of the beauties of blogs, at least for the bloggers. Only the owner can start a new thread, unlike a bulletin board like eTeamz where anyone can start one. I will try to put a post up asking for your favorite drills, and then you can respond that way. Not quite the same, but at least there will be an opportunity to create some information exchange and dialog. Good suggestion, especially given what I would ultimately like to do with this site.
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