August 28, 2014
WYC 015 Youth Baseball – Brian Beaman – Baseball Boys and Bad Words
What does it take to be a winning youth coach? Listen in as Brian Beaman shares coaching stories and discusses his journey to becoming a successful youth coach.
Brian is a sales consultant. He played high school football, basketball, track, and baseball and also played college basketball for 4 years. He has coached competitive youth sports for over 20 years. He is married and has 3 children – all boys: ages 16, 12, and 9.
Twitter: @Beaman07
Facebook: facebook.com//brian.beaman.509
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Coaching/Leadership Quote
▪ ‘I’m not trying to raise great kids, I’m trying to raise great adults’
Coaching your own Kid
▪ Having a great assistant coach is key- so you can coach each other’s kids and fairly evaluate talent levels
My ‘Cringe’ Moment
▪ Brian’s team had a large lead in a game so he decided to have his team work on their bunts – the other coach thought it was bad sportsmanship – GOOD DEBATE: Are coaches too sensitive to ‘showing the other team up’ – when is it crossing the line?
Coaching AH-HA Moment
- No kid should be standing around and watching – keep them ALL involved
Best Stolen Idea
- Great baseball drill used by Vanderbilt and Belmont –lots of defensive situational reps so kids know what to do in games and it is natural to them
Teaching Children & Keeping it Fun
- Be consistent. Let the kids set goals on what they want to improve.
- When doing drills – break the kids into small teams and turn it into a game with points
Coaching Resources
▪ WEBSITES: Paul Reddick Baseball and Ripken baseball
Discipline
HUGE IDEA #1:
▪ 3 Things the kid can control:
- Hustle
- Have a good attitude
- Have Fun
▪ ‘No Matter Whats’ – We won’t throw our helmet, glove, or bat; we won’t argue with umpires
Reward, Recognition, and Teambuilding
▪ Recognize accomplishments immediately
▪ Brian had the Dad who kept the scorebook put little notes in the book when a kid made a great play
HUGE IDEA #2: Basketball recognition: Have 2 mini-basketballs: one says ‘Hustle’ and the other says ‘Breakthrough’ – give to 2 kids after each week and they get to keep it for the week and write their name on it
Teambuilding with Parents
▪ Communication is key – ask the parents to deal with any concerns directly with me – don’t just complain to the other parents
Inspiring Story
- Quote: ‘I’m not trying to raise great kids, I’m trying to raise great adults’
- Brian coached who a kid who was not a very good dribbler – but loved to play point guard – so Brian tried to find situations to get him in at point guard – and it meant the world to the kid
Coaching/Leadership Motivation
▪ Book: Proverbs – there are 31 books, read one per day
▪ Book: Andy Andrews – The Travelers Gift, and Baseball Boys and Bad Words
▪ Quote: The Golden Rule – ‘Treat others as you want to be treated’– This included the umpires – learn their name and ask them if you can call them by their name
Parting Advice
▪ Don’t take it too seriously
▪ Have fun
▪ Be prepared and organized
▪ My goal: for the kids to love the sport
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