BASEBALL COACHES UNPLUGGED

How To Handle Constructive Criticism From Your Baseball Coach

August 28, 2024 Ken Carpenter Season 2 Episode 111

Send us a text

Can you handle constructive criticism like a pro? Discover how mastering the art of receiving feedback can elevate your game and transform your approach to improvement. In this episode of Athlete 1 Podcast, we unpack the essentials of active listening, asking clarifying questions, and expressing gratitude when receiving feedback from coaches, teammates, and mentors. By focusing on the message rather than its delivery, you'll learn how to take feedback in stride and use it as a powerful tool for your growth as an athlete.

Join me, Ken Carpenter, as we explore strategies to combat defensiveness and separate feedback from personal value. Learn practical steps to stay positive, embrace mistakes, and seek specific plans for improvement. By the end of this episode, you'll have actionable insights to turn constructive criticism into a pathway for success in baseball and beyond. Plus, don’t miss the exciting news about Athlete 1 coming your way on September 4th!

Join our podcast where an experienced baseball coach delves into the world of travel baseball, offering insights on baseball coaching, leadership skills, hitting skills, pitching strategy, defensive skills, and overall baseball strategy, while also covering high school and college baseball, recruiting tips, sports coaching, and fostering a winning mentality and attitude in baseball players through strong baseball leadership and mentality.

Support the show


Speaker 1:

Today on the AthleteOne Podcast how to handle constructive criticism from your coach. The AthleteOne Podcast is powered by the netting professionals improving programs one facility at a time. The netting pros specialize in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for baseball and softball. This includes backstops, batting cages, bp turtles screens, ball carts and more backstops, batting cages, bp turtles screens, ball carts and more. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding, windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches and cubbies. The Netting Pros also work with football, soccer, lacrosse and golf courses. Contact them today at 844-620-2707. That's 844-620-2707. Or you can visit them online at wwwnettingproscom. Or check out Netting Pros on Twitter, instagram, facebook and LinkedIn for all their latest products and projects.

Speaker 2:

You're locked in to Athlete One, a podcast for athletes and coaches. Thanks, veteran high school baseball coach and someone who has jumped out of perfectly good airplanes, your host, ken Carpenter.

Speaker 1:

Hello and welcome back to episode 111 of the Athlete One podcast. I'm your host, ken Carpenter, and today we're going to be talking about constructive criticism. In this episode, you'll discover why you should focus on listening. Don't be afraid to ask questions to get clarification and be coachable. Avoid being defensive It'll take you a long way in the game of baseball and also stick around to the very end as we discuss some news and exciting news about the AthleteOne podcast coming up on September 4th, receiving Constructive Criticism.

Speaker 1:

As high school players, you're at a pivotal stage in your development, and how you handle feedback can make a huge difference in your progress. Development and how you handle feedback can make a huge difference in your progress. So let's dive into how you can turn constructive criticism into a powerful tool for improvement. First things first listen actively. When you're receiving feedback, it's essential to focus on what's being said rather than how it's being delivered. It's natural to feel defensive, but try to set that aside. Instead, tune into the message and the intention behind it. Remember, the goal of constructive criticism is to help you get better, not to bring you down. By listening actively, you'll be better equipped to understand and apply the feedback. Next up, ask questions If something in the feedback isn't clear, don't hesitate to ask for clarification. This shows that you're engaged and genuinely interested in improving. For example, if a coach tells you that your swing needs work, you might ask can you show me specifically what I should adjust or how can I apply this to my practice? This not only helps you understand the feedback, but also shows that you're committed to making changes. It's also important to express gratitude. Thank the person giving you feedback, whether it's your coach, a teammate or a mentor. They're taking time out of their day to help you get better, and acknowledging their effort goes a long way. A simple thank you for the feedback, I appreciate it, can make a big difference and also helps build a positive relationship with those who support your development.

Speaker 1:

Now let's talk about avoiding defensiveness. It's crucial to separate the feedback from your personal value. Constructive criticism is not a reflection of your worth or abilities as a person. It's a tool to help you improve. If you find yourself feeling defensive, remind yourself that this feedback is about your performance and how you can get better, not about who you are as a person. Also, don't get down on yourself. Mistakes happen. It's baseball. Stay positive. Embracing this mindset helps you stay open to learning and growth.

Speaker 1:

Lastly, seek a plan for improvement. Don't leave the conversation without a clear plan on how to apply the feedback. Ask for specific steps you can take to address the areas that need improvement. For example, if you're advised to work on your batting stance, ask for drills or exercises that can help you make those adjustments. A concrete plan ensures that you're not just receiving feedback no-transcript.

Speaker 1:

Remember, constructive criticism is one of the best tools for growth. It's meant to guide you towards becoming a better player, and keeping an open mind is key. By listening actively, asking questions, expressing gratitude, avoiding defensiveness, connecting feedback to your role and seeking a plan for improvement, you're setting yourself up for success both on the field and in life. That wraps up today's episode of the Athlete One podcast. I hope these tips help you embrace feedback as a powerful part of your growth journey. Keep striving, keep learning and remember that every bit of feedback is a step towards becoming a better player.

Speaker 1:

Also, I would like to announce some exciting news. Starting on September 4th, athlete One podcast will be changing names to Baseball Coaches Unplugged. The podcast cover art will look different, but I'll still have the best coaches, players and stories from around the country, as always, thanks for listening. Keep competing and be on the lookout for Baseball Coaches Unplugged. Today's episode of the Athlete One Podcast is powered by the Netting Professionals, improving programs one facility at a time. Contact them today at 844-620-2707, or you can visit them online at wwwnettingproscom and tell them the Athlete One podcast sent you.

Speaker 2:

You've been listening to the Athlete One podcast. Be sure to subscribe on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts, to get new, fresh, weekly episodes. For more, please follow us on Instagram, x and Facebook, or visit our website at wwwathlete1.net. That's athlete the number one dot net.

People on this episode