{"id":46,"date":"2011-06-06T23:25:36","date_gmt":"2011-06-06T23:25:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.coachingafemaleathlete.com\/?p=46"},"modified":"2014-07-09T05:31:32","modified_gmt":"2014-07-09T05:31:32","slug":"how-to-coach-the-scholar-athlete","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.coachingafemaleathlete.com\/?p=46","title":{"rendered":"How to Coach the Scholar Athlete"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to Coach the Scholar Athlete<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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A scholar athlete is one that is very bright and excels in the classroom; seemingly a better student than athlete.\u00a0 Many coaches struggle with the scholar athlete simply because they do not understand them.\u00a0 They do not understand how they think and how they relay instruction to action.\u00a0 For example, if you tell a scholar athlete to \u201cwatch the ball hit the bat,\u201d they will think a handful of things instead of that simple phrase.\u00a0 They will think, \u201cWhere are my hands,\u201d \u201cdo I need to swing now,\u201d \u201chow are my feet supposed to look,\u201d \u201cwhere does my bat make contact\u201d.\u00a0 They are very mechanical thinkers.\u00a0 Now, most athletes do not analyze such a simple phrase because it is just that; simple.\u00a0 When a scholar athlete is told a command, they analyze, dissect, and picture everything that is supposed to happen to \u201cwatch the ball hit the bat,\u201d instead of just hitting the ball.<\/p>\n

How do you fix this as her coach?\u00a0 To make things simpler for your scholar athlete, you need to try to think how she thinks.\u00a0 The more you are in touch with your athlete and understand her way of thinking, the better your communication will be.\u00a0 When you start to think about the swing and break it down mechanically, you will understand how your scholar athlete comprehends your commands.<\/p>\n

How do you understand your scholar athlete\u2019s mentality? Ask questions!\u00a0 Ask your athlete to break down her swing; watch what she does and have her explain what she is doing.\u00a0 By doing so, your language with your athlete can connect based on how she interprets parts of her swing.\u00a0 Now once you and your athlete are on the same page and you have strong lines of communication, teach her the same way you would any other athlete.\u00a0 Allow your scholar athlete to break down her swing mechanically while she is completing drills and dry swings, but as soon as she faces live pitching or a machine, she needs to be in \u201cgo mode\u201d.\u00a0 Let your athlete know that they are allowed to be mechanically and analytical during drills, but have her swing with a clear mind against a pitcher or machine.<\/p>\n

We call this, \u201chitting like a 5 year old\u201d.\u00a0 This is not meant to be demeaning, but to literally have your athlete think like a 5 year old would.\u00a0 5 year olds know the difference between right and wrong, and they know if you tell them to do something, they will directly do it.\u00a0 If you tell them, \u201cLook at that ball, when it comes to you, swing and hit it,\u201d they will do it.\u00a0 Because you gave them a simple direction, and nothing else, they are able to accomplish the task because it is the only thing on their mind.\u00a0 Treating your scholar athletes in a similar fashion will prove to be extremely affective in their performance.\u00a0 Stick to direct commands, small adjustments, and key words and your athlete will overcome mechanical and analytical thinking in the batters box.<\/p>\n

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Key Coaching Tips for the Scholar Athlete <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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1.)\u00a0 Do not over teach!\u00a0 If you give your athlete too many points to focus on, their brain will be on overload!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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2.)\u00a0 Praise small achievements!\u00a0 Scholar athletes look to be perfect and when they don\u2019t achieve perfection, let them know their small accomplishments are still great!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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3.)\u00a0 Get on her level!\u00a0 Get to know your scholar athlete and the way she thinks.\u00a0 The more you understand each other, the better your communication and teaching will work! <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How to Coach the Scholar Athlete   A scholar athlete is one that is very bright and excels in the classroom; seemingly a better student than athlete.\u00a0 Many coaches struggle with the scholar athlete simply because they do not understand them.\u00a0 They do not understand how they think and how they relay instruction to action.\u00a0 … <\/p>\n

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