Coaches have an eye for development, and the best coaches always see their athletes in the best possible light. We recall their best performances or imagine the performance we know they are capable of, and work to help them repeat those performances at the most important times. This is really what coaching is about. However, that virtue can become a vice if we only focus on what they are capable of and forget to encourage what they are already doing right. My coaching tip is to “catch athletes being good” and encourage what they already do correctly.

In my sport, hitting a softball is the most technical and difficult thing an athlete has to do. A coach can spend hours explaining the technical, tactical and physical elements of the skill that lead to the proper kinematic sequence that results in the hitter making contact with the ball.  Or, the coach can set up a drill that allows the athlete to be successful.  My favourite drill with new hitters is to have them hit basketballs or volleyballs into a net.  The size of the ball makes it more likely the hitter will be successful, and they have to ensure they take a full cut in order to compensate for the increase in mass of the ball. Many young hitters are scared of striking out, and take half-cuts and start to run as soon as they make contact with the ball.  This results in very weak contact and produces outs for the opponent.  When athletes are asked to hit a basketball, they want to hear the “Boom!” of the bat hitting the ball, and the subsequent “Boom!” of the ball hitting the wall.  This feeling of success for the hitter should be contagious, and often results in the hitter taking more full cuts.

This drill is a great one for a coach to videotape.  When the hitter sees their performance on tape, the coach can highlight and emphasize the technically correct things they are doing in their swing.  This has two benefits.  First, it allows the athlete to “Feel” their swing to give a sense of what a full cut feels like.  And secondly, the video gives the athlete the image of their own ideal swing.  Putting the athlete in a position where they are more likely to be successful, and perform the skill correctly allows the coach to “catch them doing something right” and highlight that.  This action from the coach, builds athlete confidence and helps them keep a mental picture of a positive performance.