Is being stubborn a result of lacking trust? I don't know. Maybe not in every case, but I can see a trust issue in those who will not take advice or refuse instruction. I have coached more than one player who ignored specific advice meant exclusively for them to use for improved performance. For many, learning the hard way is the most effective way for growth.
This does not sit right. I do not feel comfortable knowing that there are those who must hit rock bottom to get the synapse firing and the heart pounding. In fact, this reality saddens me. If legitimate trust is formed in any given environment maybe hitting rock bottom does not have to be.
Trust is never given but always earned. The trust principle is used everyday; in our conversations, shopping, driving, business dealings and even in the decision to accept or reject advice. Trust then is exchanged between parties who have proven to be trustworthy. It starts with good people; people who seek to promote you not to take advantage of you.
In baseball, trust is a character trait that can be developed. There are many examples within the game that give players the opportunity to practice gaining trust. I've made a list:
- pitcher accepting a sign from the catcher
- infielders covering the correct bases
- outfielders backing up appropriately
- catcher blocking wild pitches
- hit and run execution
- suicide bunt execution
Remember, trust is always earned, never given. Having developed trust with teammates means being confident in them to perform as coached and displaying a self confidence proving to teammates and coaches a high level of competency.
As a coach and instructor, teaching trust is a long process. Learning to trust depends on knowledge and understanding of the skills necessary to play in addition to a redundancy of repetition. Because errors are made, trust takes time. Physical errors, mental errors and relational barriers keep a player from complete trust.
Teaching trust is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. Whether with individual baseball players at Upside Baseball or coaching a team, I set expectations right from the start. Communicating clearly helps lay the ground work of learning the skills necessary to perform. Players are instructed as to the demands of the various positions. Individually, the mechanics of skill execution is analysed and tweaked (or re-built if necessary). Repetition then follows. Lots of ground balls, fly balls, swings, pitches, bunt coverage, balls in the dirt for blocking, rundowns, relays...Over and over again.
Finally, none of this is any good unless I as a coach and instructor build a rapport with the players. Care. Be interested in their lives. Know them apart from baseball.
Can you see now how baseball is the ultimate metaphor and classroom for life?
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