Coaching Girls Vs. Boys
Image via Wikipedia This is something that I struggle with constantly. I have girls in softball and boys in baseball and coaching them is completely different. The younger boys are more like girls, but when they get older it gets tougher. Instilling confidence is key at the younger ages, but there is so much more beyond that.
I am intrigued by the statements in an article on The Championship Coaches Network that goes into great detail about this.
Click here to view the article
I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that I was referred to this article from one of my favorite blogs Life in the Fastlane by Ken Krause
The thing I take out of the article is that girls need confidence building and wish to gain your approval, while boys are cocky by nature and need humbling. Of course this is not an all or nothing situation, but it explains why my softball teams started performing better when I went all positive reinforcement!
What is the biggest difference between coaching girls and boys to you?
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Coach, Nice Ken doll image from Wikipedia. Reminds me of a slur I heard on the radio once, one guy against another: “He’s smooth down there, like a Ken doll!” Heh.
Anyway, interesting article on the differences between coaching men and women. The article specifically discusses men and women, but you take it further, and apply it to boys and girls. Do you think the notions articulated apply equally to boys and girls as to men and women?
I have no research to cite to support my opinion, however, just my instinct that the similarities outweigh the potential differences. I’m working on a blog post about this very issue, to follow up on this one: http://greenroomthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/07/its-boy-thing-no-wait-its-girl-thing.html
Anyway, thanks for the interesting link. Food for thought, don’tcha know.
E. Peevie
I think that boys and girls are the same until about 8 years old. Then boys get cocky and girls unsure. This is a blanket statement that isn’t true across the board. I prefer to get to know EVERY kid on my team and treat each differently. Some words work on one kid and not another, some need a stronger approach while others need a soft touch.
It is kind of like my work. Every customer is different, you have to learn how to get the most out of every player to succeed.