Tag Archives: Coach Mike Green

They Call Me Coach

Coach-Mike-Green-Graphic-WEBBy Mike Green

There are few job titles in this world that are absolute. Doctor, Chef and Nurse are a few that come to mind. With the exception of Doctor, you rarely hear someone say, “Hello, Nurse,” in passing on the street.

To me, my job title of “Coach” is by far the best! Being called Coach by players, friends, parents and peers is quite an honor. I feel pride every time I hear it. However, anyone can be called Coach regardless of experience, knowledge or education.

The great thing about being called Coach, is once you’re a Coach, you’re always a Coach. You could have coached a single season and those players will always remember you as Coach.

There are good coaches and bad coaches. The type of coach you’re remembered as is entirely in your control. To be a coach that is respected you must provide respect. If you’re enjoying yourself, your players will also. The rewards of being a brief part of a young life are simply invaluable.

Being a Coach is a privilege, and the memories you gain will last a lifetime. If you have spare time and your child is participating in an activity that requires a coach, take a chance and join in.  You never know…it just may transform your life!

Mike Green is a coach for The Sports Family Club, a website dedicated to enriching the lives of children through sports and activities.

 

Three Keys To Hitting

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By Mike Green

It’s been said that hitting a baseball is one of the hardest things to do in sports. You’re trying to hit a round ball with a round bat, and the ball is moving in various directions. But, with enough practice and these three keys, you can make hitting easier and be more successful.

#1 – Relax.  You must be relaxed while at the plate.  If you are tense and concerned with the pressure of getting a hit, it will be difficult.  Besides, a relaxed muscle will fire quicker than a tense muscle, and a relaxed mind is a clear mind. See the ball, and hit it!

#2 – Balance.  Being balanced during your swing is a critical component to hitting. Watch the best hitters in the game:  when they swing and miss, they are still balanced. A good way to work on your balance is to take a swing and hold it when you’re finished. If you can “pose” after your swing, you are balanced. Swing hard enough to stay balanced in your finish.

#3 – See The Ball.  You have to be able to see the ball out of the pitchers hand, Work on finding the ball the instant before the pitcher releases it. You can practice this while on deck or in the dugout. This is an overlooked aspect of hitting and by far the most critical. Don’t follow the ball from the glove to release. Look at the pitcher’s hat or have a soft focus over his throwing shoulder, and then pinpoint your focus on the release.

Good luck!

Mike Green is a coach for the Sports Family Club, a website dedicated to enriching the lives of children through sports and activities.  To contact Coach Mike or find out more about the Sports Family Club, visit  http://thesportsfamilyclub.org/home

To Win – Make It Fun!

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By Mike Green

As a youth coach, you may feel like your goal is to have a winning season. The fact is a winning season is a by-product of a good process, based upon having fun.

The key feature in a winning season for a youth coach is that your players MUST enjoy themselves. If the coach makes the experience a positive one, the players will want to put the extra effort into the process.

I’m not saying all you do is mess around and not provide discipline, structure or accountability to your team. Those attributes are present within every winning team. Children need those responsibilities to learn and grow, and if you can create an enjoyable environment they will work very hard without even knowing it.

The best coaches are the ones who create a passion for the sport they are coaching, regardless of the win-loss record. The only way to do this is to respect and treat every player as a valuable member of the team while making the experience a fun and positive one. When your players say, “Practice is over already?” you’ll know you’ve done a great job as a coach.

Mike Green is a coach for The Sports Family Club, a website dedicated to enriching the lives of children through sports and activities. For more information on The Sports Family Club visit http://thesportsfamilyclub.org/home

Youth Sports Parents, Know Your Role

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By Mike Green

To determine your role as a sports parent, you first have to ask yourself, what do you want your child to take from their sports experience? Some parents want their child to be active, some want them to learn social skills, some want them to learn how to compete and some want them to achieve something more.

There are many reasons as to why we put our kids in sports. Most parents would chose the reasons stated above, but then they put pressure on their kid to always win, or be one of the best on the team. This pressure often has a negative impact on the experience for your child, and eventually drives them away from the game.

Your role as a youth sports parent is strictly to support your child. Not to coach them, not to criticize the coach, not to criticize the officials. Unless you are putting in the extra hours to be the coach, your role is simply to support your child and the coach. Be sure to tell them how much you liked watching them play, regardless if they won or lost.

If you remember that youth sports are for your child, not you, they will have a great experience and get the most benefit from the sport.

Mike Green is a coach for The Sports Family Club, a website dedicated to enriching the lives of children through sports and activities. For more information on The Sports Family Club visit http://thesportsfamilyclub.org/home