How to Conduct an Effective Post Game Team Huddle
In every softball game played, there is a winning team and a losing team. After each game, the teams will go through the handshake line to show good sportsmanship towards their opponents. Typically, after the handshakes, the teams will meet with their coaches for a post- game team huddle. Depending on the outcome each team faces, the huddle could go one or two ways. Losing is never fun, but with every loss comes teaching and learning moments. There are also learning moments in winning because not every game will be a perfect one.
Below is a list of suggestions for coaches to cover in a post-game team huddle win or lose.
What Went Well: It’s always important to lead post-game team huddles with things that went well during the game. This will shed some light on a loss and players are likely to be drawn in if something positive is brought up first. What went well could be an individual performance, the grit the team showcased, being aggressive on offense, playing sharp defense, having a stellar pitching performance, noise from the dugout, etc. There are hundreds of things a coach could share with his/her team that they are proud of from the game. Always lead with positives first.
What Could Have Been Better: This is where coaches should bring up areas from the game where the team needs improvement. I would recommend keeping things to work on aimed at the team and not at individual players. A player knows when they make an error in the field that costs a run, or when they run themselves out of an inning, or give up a game-winning home run. Try to avoid singling out individual players in a negative circumstance. If a coach has a player who is struggling with her play, I would advise setting up a one on one meeting with that player. It will take some pressure off the player being confronted by the coach away from the team and she may even feel as though the coach cared enough to meet with her.
What The Team Needs to Work On: After coaches identify what went well and what could have been better, it’s up to the coach to point out a few key details the team needs to work on for the next game. This could be following a game plan, shortening up swings, getting lead-off batters out, limiting walks on defense, etc. It’s always productive for coaches to give the team a few things to work on and think about heading into the next practice or game. This way, the team is continuing to improve and work together to achieve their common goal.
Reiterate Team Mission Statement: At the beginning of each season, every team should have some sort of mission statement. A team mission statement should be something short, sweet, and to the point that unites the team and keeps them together throughout the season. This mission statement could be as simple as “have fun”, or “stick together as a team”. No matter the outcome of the game, the team must find a way to bounce back and win the next game. The only way they are going to be successful is if they are able to do it together.
