The Value of Players Asking Questions

One of the best ways to teach your players life lessons while striving to win – the two goals of a Little League® Double-Goal Coach – is to get them to ask questions. Many players are reluctant to do so, often because they fear admitting to a gap in knowledge will cost them playing time, or because they are embarrassed to speak up in front of their peers.

It is important for players’ current and future well-being that they learn how to express themselves and understand that asking questions is often the only way to get the information necessary to succeed on and off the field.

Also, chances are that if one player has questions about a skill or drill, so do other players. Getting that one player to ask a question may elicit the information that all the players need in order to improve.

Players often speak the language of their peers in a way that a coach cannot. For example, if you are used to saying, “Don’t step in the bucket,” and a player asks, “Coach, does that mean step straight toward the pitcher?” more of your players are likely to pick up on the message.

Once you get one player to break the ice, and when you thank and praise that player for speaking up, other players will follow with their own questions. So, the next time you finish explaining a drill and ask, “Any questions?” don’t take no for an answer!