Helping a team focus

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Apr 16, 2010
924
43
Alabama
Our team is a second year 12U team. We are at that age when girls are maturing at different speeds and other interests and school work can put a strain on them. Have any of you found the miracle cure to helping get the girls focused?

We honestly are a team full of "A" class kids and they can compete with anyone when they are focused. All of them say they want to continue playing softball down the road but only four or five show up every game ready to play and compete and show the desire. One game the others join them then the next a couple of girls are off and it kills us. This weekend we went 4-2. The first game we out hit the team that beat us but 4 errors and missed signs killed us. The second game was against a weaker team and the girls could not get anything going. After that they went on a streak and won four in a row. They did everything it took to win. The one game they got down because of a mistake they fought back and won 5-2.

Any help would be great. I know there is not a miracle cure because of their age and everything pulling on them. Is there anything y'all have done to help them get through this tough age?
 

sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,132
113
Dallas, Texas
We honestly are a team full of "A" class kids and they can compete with anyone when they are focused. All of them say they want to continue playing softball down the road but only four or five show up every game ready to play and compete and show the desire.

The only tool you have is sitting kids on the bench. If you refuse to take kids out (and I mean any kid at any time), then they will never focus.

What do you do when a kid misses a sign? You take the kid out *immediately* and sit her on the bench. You are telling the child and the team what is expected of them.

1) Tell them how you expect them to play the game.
2) Watch the game.
3) When a kid doesn't meet your expectations, take her out.
4) Tell her why. ("I can't have players who miss the signs. Have a seat. You can show me next game that you know how to follow the signs.)
5) Always give the kid a 2nd, 3rd or 4th chance.
 
Last edited:
Jun 17, 2009
15,105
0
Portland, OR
Expectations need to be set.

This game can have many dead spots. During that time players can become somewhat chatty. It can get to the point that players continue to chat-away on the on-deck circle with players in the dugout, ... to the point where they aren't truly focused.
 
Sep 11, 2015
33
6
Team Meeting......set expectations.

Question #1 - What do you want to achieve?

Question #2 - What do you need to do to achieve this?

Question #3 - Are you willing to do it?

Now, I'm a big fan of effort points which gives positive points for doing something they are in control of (i.e. putting the ball in play, fielding the ball, etc.). At 12U, I started doing a little bit of negative points for missed signs, strikeouts (just 1), strikeout looking (-3). From those, you can show them who is putting "effort" in or not and then come up with a plan together to overcome that.

this is better coaching......not taking them out unless they truly just don't want to play.
 
Last edited:
Jul 10, 2014
1,283
0
C-bus Ohio
And every once in a while you have to bark. The girls start to think you're their pal, and a quick, loud "[NAME]!" tends to redirect attention. Yes, people will say that you shouldn't single anyone out; I disagree with all of them.
 
Aug 26, 2015
590
16
And every once in a while you have to bark. The girls start to think you're their pal, and a quick, loud "[NAME]!" tends to redirect attention. Yes, people will say that you shouldn't single anyone out; I disagree with all of them.

IMHO this is spot on.....as long as you're equal opportunity AND you're not stingy with loud praise as well
 

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