practice reading signs?

CoachHarley · Jan 13, 2015

How does everyone practice reading signs?

We are indoors only right now, so I will set up 2 bases for running/practicing leads and give signs like there is a batter in the box. I have a coach go through the pitching motion and they will do whatever I told them with the signs. For batting while we are having live coach pitch in the cages, I will give signs.

Outdoors we will set up an infield, have about 3 batters, each one will hit 3 to 4 balls then run. Next batter comes up I will give signs for both, they execute. Once runner makes it to 3rd, they go off field, grab glove and replace someone in the field.

GunnerShotgun · Jan 13, 2015

Use wristbands and give out three digit numbers (342). The girls pick it up so quick and they will never miss a sign again.

It also moves the game along faster, I can't recommend this enough. Additionally there is no more time spent at practice going over signs.

CoachHarley · Jan 13, 2015

I had actually thought about that, but don't really understand how to make the numbers so it's not easy to catch on for the other team. Everything I found on it was to pay for programs that make up the numbers for you.

Fastpitch86 · Jan 16, 2015

My DD's team uses both traditional hand signals and wristbands. The wristband signals have several numbers for each signal. For example, bunt might be 123, 472, 591, etc. I have seen some teams go with color and number combos for signs, so a bunt might be orange 24, black 17, etc. They use the traditional hand signals sometimes if there is a time limit or something along those lines to speed up the tempo.

If signs are added or changed, they usually will review either at beginning or end of practice and review before a scrimmage or game.

ArkFastpitch · Jan 16, 2015

Whatever you do, make sure they understand that the other team is not supposed to know your signs. When DD was in 8u I was coaching 3rd. I gave her the sign to bunt. She took the sign stepped into the box and called time and stepped back out to get the sign again. I gave it to her again and again she stepped in shaking her head this time. She called time again and stepped out. The PU asked her if she was going to bat and she loudly told him "Yes but he's telling me to bunt and I don't want to".

CoachHarley · Jan 16, 2015

ArkFastpitch said:
Whatever you do, make sure they understand that the other team is not supposed to know your signs. When DD was in 8u I was coaching 3rd. I gave her the sign to bunt. She took the sign stepped into the box and called time and stepped back out to get the sign again. I gave it to her again and again she stepped in shaking her head this time. She called time again and stepped out. The PU asked her if she was going to bat and she loudly told him "Yes but he's telling me to bunt and I don't want to".

That's pretty funny. Least she knew to call time.

GunnerShotgun · Jan 16, 2015

Yes because clearly at 8u she knew that, "Heroes Don't Bunt".

FastpitchCoach10 · Feb 8, 2015

We purchased wristbands and I created a 2 number system with various things (various bunt combos , hit and run, steal,etc) and it works great. I have girls from different towns and so they all have their school ball signs so the wristbands make things so much easier for them and like someone already mentioned, no missed signs.

Jojo · Feb 9, 2015

My DD picked up with a coach that loved to call signs.

It seemed like he'd spend 5 minutes on each pitch.

If I wipe my sleeve, forget those 20 signs I just gave you, if I touch my hat, then take the last sign I gave you, unless I wipe my sleeve again...

practice reading signs?

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