The Game-Changer: Why Player Development Meetings Are Essential for Success
Looking at How We Run Meetings For Players Setting The Stage
When it comes to using film in classroom settings for coaches, there’s a wide range of styles in how coaches run meetings, choose plays, and structure discussions. The first major separator between successful teams and those lagging behind is simply whether or not they’re running meetings focused on player development. By 2025, if you’re not holding classroom sessions to engage players and enhance their understanding of the game, you’re already behind the curve.
Once the decision to hold these meetings is made, most coaches can figure out the types of plays and situations they want to highlight—whether it’s breaking down team gameplay, teaching key scenarios, or reviewing operational aspects of the team. However, what truly sets coaches apart is how these meetings are run and the flow they establish.
During my time away from baseball, I’ve often observed that many coaches lack a clear model for running effective meetings. This contrasts sharply with teaching, where resources are abundant, and models for lesson plans or classroom engagement are readily available. Teachers can easily share and access examples of effective teaching strategies, both online and within their professional networks.
In coaching, it’s often a different story. Coaches frequently operate in isolation. Many have never seen how another coach runs a meeting, let alone an entire affiliate or team’s approach to film sessions. This leaves a gap in knowledge that impacts the quality of these sessions and, by extension, player development. Without exposure to successful models, coaches are left to build their systems from scratch, often without feedback or comparison.
Ultimately, the challenge isn’t just deciding to hold classroom sessions or selecting the right plays to review. It’s about building an effective framework for meetings that fosters player development, encourages engagement, and promotes long-term growth. This is where coaching can learn a lot from teaching—by adopting structured, repeatable models that guide how meetings are planned and executed.
During my time as a teacher, one of the most valuable aspects of the profession was the constant opportunity to learn from others. Early in your training, you’re immersed in classrooms, observing experienced teachers, taking note of their strategies, and understanding how they handle everything from lesson planning to classroom management. This exposure builds a foundation of knowledge, showing you a range of effective approaches.
Once you start teaching, the feedback loop becomes even more important. You’re consistently evaluated, whether through formal observations, peer reviews, or mentorship programs. This feedback isn’t just about pointing out mistakes—it’s about refining your approach, identifying what works, and learning what can be improved. Over time, this cycle of observation, practice, and reflection helps shape you into a more effective educator.
Coaching, however, often operates in a completely different environment. Many coaches don’t have the chance to observe how others run their meetings or structure their interactions with players. There’s no “student teaching” equivalent for coaches. For many, their first meeting might also be their first experience of what a meeting could or should look like. Add to that the lack of consistent feedback, and you’re left with a profession where coaches are often isolated in their processes, figuring things out as they go.
For my first paid post, I want to break down this barrier and give readers a true inside look at what goes on in our meetings. I want to provide clarity and insight into the structure, flow, and purpose of these sessions—things that are rarely discussed openly in coaching circles. This is a chance to pull back the curtain and show how these meeting flow.
My goal is to create a resource that coaches can learn from, much like how teachers benefit from observing one another. If you’re new to running meetings or simply looking for ways to refine your approach, this post will offer actionable takeaways, practical examples, and a framework for leading sessions that prioritize player development.
