Are there any coaches who don't claim to be aggressive at base running?

If there is, I haven't met him or her.

My DD's 10U coach boasts about how many girls he's going to get thrown out, "Parents are going to be so mad at me!"

While I understand about putting pressure on the defense with the runners it seems to me that being smart about running the bases would be a better approach than just being aggressive.

It really depends on what level you are playing.

Good luck being "aggressive" against a good Team, they will thank you after the game.

I always preach smart bases running to my girls not aggressive. Always encourage them to take 60 feet if its there but remind them just cause I send them I don't have a problem with them diving back instead of getting out. I would rather live another pitch with a girl on the same base then deal with an out cause my girl hard go and blindly slide into a tag.

Most coaches steal when they shouldn't and stay when they should steal.

I would rather be smart than aggressive.

I think the player has more to do with being aggressive then the coach.

There is a fine line between aggressive and stupid.

Agree! Would rather be smart than aggressive. I believe coaches have to give players the freedom to make the right decisions on base paths, and make sure that as part of that base running they are taking advantages given them.

You will be surprised how a smart base running team leads many people to say conclude that they are an aggressive team on the bases!

"Aggressive on the bases" at the lower levels is code for "make them throw the ball around and take advantage of their errors."

Lobster Birch said:

My DD's 10U coach boasts about how many girls he's going to get thrown out, "Parents are going to be so mad at me!"

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At 10U, that's not a winning strategy. But it is great for player development.

At 10U, you will get more stolen bases, more extra bases, but only because the defenses aren't good enough to defend it. Take what the defense gives you, but don't put yourself in risky situations because (1) it's a high-scoring game and the defense will often give you that extra base if you're just patient and (2) making outs on the bases is devastating in high-scoring games, which are more common at 10U.

On the other hand, giving young players the license to be aggressive ("I won't get mad at an aggressive mistake") and learn from their mistakes is the best way to teach base-running. It's hard to teach base-running in practice because it can't easily be simulated. My DD became a better base-runner at 12U when she played for an overly aggressive coach and got the green light to take risks. She made more outs, sometimes dumb ones, but learned what she can and can't do that way.

Being aggressive on the bases is fine at 10U, as it is hard to teach the girls to take the extra base when they are older and haven't done it. However, being aggressive and then yelling at the player for getting thrown out is an approach that will result in a very non-aggressive base-running team. As a coach, you have to be willing to take the hit for the outs when you send the runners.