Team needs motivating

Coach's, how do you motivate your players?? So I have a 12u team and they are ok, not going to win trophy's anytime soon but can win some games. The players are lazy most of the time, sometimes they play hard just cant get them to be consistent. We have tried music, fun practices now I think its just time to crack down and have consequences for the laziness.

Just wanted your thoughts.
Thanks

I tell my players at the first team practice ... and remind them frequently ... who has Ownership for Improvement.

Each player takes ownership for what they achieve.

Each player is responsible for practicing on their own. Don't make excuses. Even performing dry swings, counts as practice. Take ownership.

Make hard work and attitude a much higher priority when deciding playing time, batting order and defensive lineup.

There is nothing wrong with having fun at practice. I personally love practices. I want my players to have fun too.

Let me explain the type of ‘fun’ I’m after.

I’m not talking about the type of ‘fun’ that comes from attending a trip to Disney World.

I’m talking about the ‘fun’ that comes from a player realizing that they are getting better.

If you are doing your job correctly, IMO that is, there is no need to differentiate between a “productive practice” and a “fun practice” … because the reality is, that “productive practices” are “fun practices”.

Comes down to why you are involved in youth sports. For me, I want players to learn that it is their hard work, performed smartly, that improves their odds of success in life. I want them to understand that they personally hold the keys to their success.

If those aren’t the girls you are working with … then make a change. Explain to the players the type of fun you are after … and that you hope that is the fun they are after as well. What I personally wouldn’t want to be doing is running a baby-sitting service under the disguise of a team softball name.

I work with pre-HS age girls to college age girls … from JV skills to high-end travel ball club skills … and IMO it doesn’t matter what the age is, or what the skill level is, … if a lady feels the practice, or hitting session, is productive, and they feel that they are getting better, then they tend to be happy.

I heard multiple “thank you” responses from ladies leaving the cages at this morning’s hitting sessions. Run productive skill sessions, and the ladies will leave happy knowing that they are improving.

Winston Churchill: "The price of greatness is responsibility."

FiveFrameSwing said:

There is nothing wrong with having fun at practice. I personally love practices. I want my players to have fun too.

Let me explain the type of ‘fun’ I’m after.

I’m not talking about the type of ‘fun’ that comes from attending a trip to Disney World.

I’m talking about the ‘fun’ that comes from a player realizing that they are getting better.

If you are doing your job correctly, IMO that is, there is no need to differentiate between a “productive practice” and a “fun practice” … because the reality is, that “productive practices” are “fun practices”.

Comes down to why you are involved in youth sports. For me, I want players to learn that it is their hard work, performed smartly, that improves their odds of success in life. I want them to understand that they personally hold the keys to their success.

If those aren’t the girls you are working with … then make a change. Explain to the players the type of fun you are after … and that you hope that is the fun they are after as well. What I personally wouldn’t want to be doing is running a baby-sitting service under the disguise of a team softball name.

I work with pre-HS age girls to college age girls … from JV skills to high-end travel ball club skills … and IMO it doesn’t matter what the age is, or what the skill level is, … if a lady feels the practice, or hitting session, is productive, and they feel that they are getting better, then they tend to be happy.

I heard multiple “thank you” responses from ladies leaving the cages at this morning’s hitting sessions. Run productive skill sessions, and the ladies will leave happy knowing that they are improving.

Click to expand...

I like this. DD has been practicing with new team for a month, and the coach makes practices challenging...DD is happier/more focused/improving more quickly. The key is the coach challenges the girls, pushes them, but doesn't get frustrated. He makes girls do pushups or run for missed throws or fielding errors in practice. The girls pump them out.

I really think the key is there are 2 very vocal leaders on the team who push themselves, and the rest of the girls follow suit. OP, maybe identify a couple of leaders on the team and really challenge them to vocally and physically lead in practice.

jsnfltn said:

Coach's, how do you motivate your players?? So I have a 12u team and they are ok, not going to win trophy's anytime soon but can win some games. The players are lazy most of the time, sometimes they play hard just cant get them to be consistent. We have tried music, fun practices now I think its just time to crack down and have consequences for the laziness.

Just wanted your thoughts.
Thanks

Click to expand...

It usually starts at the top. I've coached 10's - 14's for the last 13 years without a DD on the team. It's all about a firm and consistent approach. Do not compromise with the players. They need to know what the expected effort level is on the team. And it goes from the top to the bottom of the skill levels on the team. Treat them all the same. I tell my players I will only demand one thing from them at all times and that is their best effort. I let them know I expect them to make mistakes, and that's okay, so long as they make the effort to correct it for the next time.

The other thing you do is to turn the laziness into a team issue. What you do is start telling them they are not hurting themselves. They are hurting the other team members. Put the onus on them to not let their teammates down. If I have to stop practice because a player is screwing around I always put it in the context of them taking practice time away from the entire team because I have come and deal with whatever nonsense they are pulling. Make everything about the team first and foremost!!! Usually after a few practices at the start of the season I don't have too many issues. If I see a player being lazy I don't tell them they are being lazy. I will tell them they are not giving the team their best effort because I've seen better from them. That lets them know you see they are dogging it while also telling them you believe in them because you've seen better from them. A negative followed with a positive is the approach that I've found works the best.

The other thing I tell all my teams is I am going to treat them like they are an 18U team. I make sure they know they are responsible for their actions on and off the field as well as their equipment. Not me. Not their parents. Not their teammates. It is up to them as person, not a little girl. For the most part the kids respond really well to being given responsibility and accountability. It is adjusted for the age group, but the message is the same.

You MUST be the most dynamic personality on the field when it comes to motivating the younger age groups. I use a combination of humor, firmness, cajoling and sometimes a little bit of a verbal butt kick. The biggest thing to remember is to treat them with respect like you would an adult. I found that talking to them not at them makes a world of difference. Let them know the "why" about what they are working on so they understand just they are trying to accomplish.

Gotta say that I've not had a team issue along those lines. As others have said, lay out the expectations at the outset, then hold them responsible for meeting those expectations. My #1 requirement is 100% effort 100% of the time. The one question they all hate to hear from me is "Was that 100%? Really??" I have found that the Wooden approach really works for me, and the girls respond well even at 12U (though there are some individuals that might not respond every time, including DD who probably has received a major overdose of dad imitating Wooden lol).

Gotta say that I've not had a team issue along those lines.

Click to expand...

It comes with coaching experience and throw in a little parenting experience too. That is something that a girl fresh out of college can't understand. They may know the game, but they don't know how to coach.

I have a 12u team ...The players are lazy most of the time, sometimes they play hard just cant get them to be consistent.

Click to expand...

12YOA kids aren't lazy. The problem lies with you, not with the kids. You aren't rewarding the behavior you want.

There is only one thing that a coach controls that the kids want: Playing time. If you fail to use playing time to reward players, then the kids will never play well.

What do you do when a kid doesn't hustle? Do you yell at her more? Or, do you replace her?

If a kid muffs a grounder, do you replace as soon as you get a chance? Or do you just ignore it and think, "Wow. She is lazy." ?

Every position on the team has to be up for grabs every game. Every inning of playing time has to be up for grabs every game.

When I coached, I never criticized. But, if they didn't perform, they were sitting on the bench. Everyone got second, third, and fourth chances...I have a short memory.

If you aren't willing to sit your best players on the bench, your team will never perform to their ability.