5 Tips to Improve Player Development

Regardless of the level you're coaching at—be it little league, youth teams, college baseball, or even the professional level—player development is a key component in creating a successful team. So, how can you help your players become the best version of themselves on the field?

In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of player development, which involves not only harnessing the physical maturation of young athletes but also adapting to the unique characteristics of each player.

As I reflect on my journey from youth baseball to professional baseball, I’ve seen firsthand how effective player development is a combination of genuine care, diligent research, and hard work. That’s why I’m sharing 5 crucial tips that have made the most significant impact on player development.

1. Commit to investing in your players

A USADA survey on the significance of sports in America revealed that coaches are considered the most influential positive force in young athletes' lives. This underscores the immense impact coaches can have on their players, shaping not only their athletic abilities but also their personal growth.

However, coaching a team is quite challenging, especially when considering the high player-to-coach ratios that exist in amateur sports, which often exceed 12-to-1. These ratios tend to increase even further at less competitive levels, making it even more difficult to provide personalized attention, monitor each player’s progress, and help players reach their full potential.

That’s why it’s essential to remember that a player's self-perception is crucial to their performance. Young athletes often rely on their coaches for validation and confidence building. Although for the majority of players, the sport will remain a hobby, baseball provides everyone with an environment for developing confidence, social skills, work ethic, and communication.

As a significant figure in your players' lives, commit to making a positive impact. The most influential coaches in my career possessed a genuine and selfless nature that was palpable. Show genuine concern, and you will witness your athletes flourish.

2. Put in the work

Coaches who made a conscious effort to be available for their players fostered better relationships with their athletes, which in turn encouraged them to work harder.

During my brief professional baseball career, I played for three teams within the Twins Organization: Rookie, A, and AAA (four if you count MLB spring training). I observed that the teams’ work ethic often followed the coaching staff's approach. On teams where coaches made themselves available to players beyond practice hours, a stronger and more collaborative atmosphere emerged. Players felt more comfortable lowering their guard and became receptive to suggestions and criticism—ultimately working harder.

It’s hard to get good at something by doing nothing!

3. No favorites

It can be challenging to allocate time, attention, and resources equally among players on a team. However, providing a consistent experience for all athletes is crucial in fostering a fair and supportive environment. By digitizing some aspects of coaching and using video learning material, you can ensure that every player has access to the same resources and opportunities for growth.

Some coaches might think that the power of video remains its ability to easily capture attention. However, video can be as effective as an instructor in conveying information or demonstrating procedures, facilitating mastery learning where students can replace complex mechanical procedures as often as necessary.

4. Never stop learning

As a coach, you have the exciting opportunity to influence the lives of young athletes, which is why it’s important to never stop learning. Life will never stop teaching, and continuing to learn allows you to share new information with your players. It’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest training techniques, and don't be afraid to seek advice from other coaches or experts in the field.

Continuous learning is also a mark of humility and fosters growth in multiple ways. By remaining open to new knowledge, you, as a coach, can expand your horizons and demonstrate to your players that there are always opportunities to learn. This mindset can create a more collaborative environment where you lead by example, encouraging players to embrace continuous learning as well.

5. Share additional resources with them

Sharing additional resources with players is a valuable way for coaches to enhance their players’ learning experience. With so many resources in the world today, coaches can broaden their players' knowledge beyond what can be taught through in-person instruction. By providing additional resources, coaches can also encourage players to take ownership of their own development and become self-directed learners, helping them become more engaged in their own growth and development.

To help coaches nationwide nurture their players more efficiently, the Futures App offers a video submission feature. By investing 3-5 minutes in analyzing a player's video, coaches can provide valuable insights and inspiration from anywhere and at any time. They can then provide actionable next steps on what their player needs to focus on. Our platform allows coaches to send videos of their own unique drills or choose from a library of exclusive MLB ones.

Let Your Players Learn From the Pros

Give your players & coaches access to the highest quality training tools in the world with The Futures App:

• Combat high player-to-coach ratios with our remote coaching tool
• Video Analysis Tools
• Interactive strength and conditioning platform
• Access to 300+ MLB Drill Videos

Join teams across the country who are already utilizing the tools TFA has to offer and coaching their players in a more efficient way.