BASEBALL VICTORIA - COACHING ACCREDITATION July 2014 | Page 3

Coaching Fundamentals

The following tips will help you to engage with confidence.
It is important that you be yourself. This is the greatest attribute that you have to share
with someone. Be a real person; do not put on a false facade.
Treat people according to their age. We often make the mistake of assuming that a
person with a disability is at an immature intellectual level. It is important not to
trivialize, to talk down or to play games. Your initial interaction with a person will give
you a cue to the person’s level of understanding.
Talk directly to the person in preference to talking through a third person . For example,
even when the third person may assist with sign language, look directly at the person
with a disability you are talking to.
If you do not understand what a person is saying ask the person to repeat what was
said. Never pretend to understand. Some people may use communication boards or other
aids that assist in communication.
Ask if you can be of assistance before jumping in an d performing a task. The person may
be developing independence in doing the task.
Encourage independence by not offering to help all the time. Allow mistakes to be
made, as these are great learning tools.
If you are not sure of what to do when your assis tance is requested, ask the person you
are helping to tell you. Avoid making assumptions.
Only talk about a person’s disability when it comes up naturally. Be guided by the
person’s wishes to do so.
Appreciate a person's ability and what they can do . A person's difficulties may stem
more from society's attitudes than from their disability.
Be considerate of the extra time it may take for the person to say or do things . Let the
person set the pace in walking or talking.
Be encouraging in your approach rather than correcting.

“The journey around the bases is
different for everyone”