Ways to Improve in the Summer

With the temperatures plummeting and the holiday season upon us, I thought it would be a good time to discuss ways coaches can improve in the summer. Coaching is a highly competitive field.  When I started coaching, I had no idea what I should be doing during the summer months.  Here are five things you can do in the summer to help your career.

1.  Recruit-  Most of us have visions of grandeur.  Most of us have the aspiration to advance in the profession.  The best way to “get noticed” is to do a really outstanding job with your current program.  The best way to make your current program better is to attract really good players and people into your program.  The only way I know to make this happen is to be on the road seeing as many prospects as possible.  Also, the best way to “network” in our profession is being on the road and watching games with other coaches. Don’t be mistaken, coaches are not only evaluating the skills of the players, they are also evaluating the work ethic of the other coaches.  Here are a few simple (not easy, but simple) tips for recruiting:

•   Arrive early: Showing up early gives you time to organize your materials and get everything in order before the event begins.
•   Pack your lunch: I’ve wasted a lot of time and missed good players searching for a place to eat.
•   Be the guy who knows everybody in the area: Work hard to know the players regardless of their level of play.  When a coach from another school has a question about a player and you have solid information it enhances your credibility.
•   Pay attention: You are at work; focus on the game.  We all daydream from time to time but realize this is a time waster.  Either watch the game or go home.  There is no sense in sitting there if you aren’t engaged.
•   Avoid being the guy who talks constantly: Even if you aren’t seeing any players for your program please don’t annoy the guys who are “working.”  Some coaches like to chat; others like to sit and concentrate.  Don’t be the guy who asks a thousand questions while someone is trying to lock in on a player or players.

2.  Coach a Summer Team:  Coaching a collegiate summer league team can be a great experience.  I was fortunate to manage the Southern Ohio Copperheads in the Great Lakes League.  This provided me with the opportunity learn to make decisions as opposed to merely making suggestions.  I also was in charge of selecting the players; therefore, I was in contact with coaches throughout the country.  In addition, being an assistant coach can also be a great experience.  It provides another opportunity to learn from a new coach.

3.  Work Camps:  I really missed out on this as a young coach.  If I had to do it all over again I would have actively searched to work camps for several reasons:

•   A lot of coaches will not hire you without seeing you work.  The only way for them to see you work is for you to coach at their camp.  Make a list of the programs that you are interested in and reach out to them to see if they have any staffing needs.  This is your first chance to get your foot in the door.
•  Networking Opportunities:  Our business is all about relationships.  The more people you can meet and connect with (especially when starting out) the better.  Most camps will have other coaches besides their own staff working.  Get to know as many people as possible.
•  Observation: Great programs run great camps.  Working a camp is like observing a good program only you get hands-on experience.
•   Lessons: There is no substitute for teaching the game.  Lessons are a great time to practice your delivery, try new things, and figure out ways to communicate your message. Some of the best teachers I have been around are people who give lots of lessons.
•   Invest in a “Think Week”- Below is a link to an article about Bill Gates and Warren Buffett.  I was amazed that Bill Gates takes two weeks a year to read books and articles and simply think.  I have designated four days this winter: December 22-23 and December 29-30th to try this exercise.  The article is impressive- I highly recommend you check it out.

http://qz.com/231907/why-bill-gates-and-warren-buffett-are-so-successful-in-one-word/

Take action on investing for your summer growth now.  There is no shortage of great people looking to make a career out of coaching; like collegiate players, what you do in the summer can greatly enhance your chance of improving.  Make sure you are doing something to differentiate yourself from the competition. 

Please be on the lookout for Sundays blog: P.A.C.E. (Play After Critical Error).  Thanks for helping me improve.

Mike Deegan

P.S.  Here is a link to our camps this summer.  Please spread the word to anyone who may be interested in attending or working.

http://www.mikedeeganbaseballcamps.com/