During game coaching.

There is a philosophy that practices are for the coaches and games are for the players.

I personally think a middle ground is right, if a player makes a mistake and I don't think she understands the play I may pull her aside between innings to quickly explain what to do next time while its in her head but for the most part I'll make a note to talk about it at practice. Things like positioning should be taught in practice but reminders during games, especially at younger ages, are ok. While I'd rather teach catcher's to call pitches I think coaches doing that is ok as well. As someone already mentioned base coaching and providing small reminders is also good.

Things I think should not happen in games (not full list):
-Technical hitting instruction
-Technical pitching instruction - certain established verbal cues ok
-Recap of every play between innings
-Recap of every mistake to whole team and detail of what should be done
-Chastisement of physical error
-Same tedious reminder (definition of tedious depends on the age level)- remind the OF not to catch a deep foul ball with runner on 3 = usually ok, remind a 16u 3rd basemen to check the runner back = probably should already know and have practiced at practice
-Defense positioning instruction for EVERY batter - players should know how the team wants to play slappers and adjust to big hitters. If you have extra info sure, share. If you see a player way out of position fix it and then make sure they understand when to move themselves for the future. For the most part players should learn to position themselves.

djcarter1966 said:

Hopefully they mean not trying to teach them things they need to learn at practice.

In game is not really the time to teach anything per se it should be reminders of all the things you have already taught them or they should know.

Coaches should be: positioning the defense, giving signs to the hitters, constantly reminding runners of their responsibility and also if they notice something hitter or fielder are doing incorrectly they should be correcting them as soon as practical (between pitches, batters or at the very least innings)

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This ^^^^^

I've also been known to pull players aside for a little 1-on-1 discussion. Usually this is related to a mental approach issue (emotional breakdown, bad attitude, etc.)

Rookie Proud said:

Thanks for all you feed back so far, but just to clarify this was directly relate to the coaches. Not the parents, however there are some parents that feel there is not enough feedback, cues, game time communication.

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I will discuss game situations, maybe remind them of their hitting cues, or pitch calling/reminding pitchers of their cues, arrange infield/outfield if I am not happy where they have decided to be, talk about game situations they need to be aware of, etc, etc...

However I also know I am not going to fix their swing between pitches, or teach them how to field or correct technique flaws or a long list of others things best worked on in practice.
And the older they get, the more coaching becomes (or at least should become) game management and reminders.

I prescribe watching twenty Domingo Ayala youtube videos to the parents. Starting with Travel Ball Parents, Bleacher Coach and Bleacher Ump

Rookie Proud said:

Hello I'm relatively new to your forum and generally just follow along and absorb what I can from the knowledge posted. However during a recent conversation with our daughters 12U coaches it was stated that you can't coach the girls during the game. It has become very apparent that this is the way they feel because there is little if any communication to any of the players during a game. Correct me if I'm wrong but at the 12U level I strongly feel there should be some guidance/instruction and some sort of connection during games.

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It depends what you mean by "coach them" during a game.

You can keep it simple and remind them of some stuff or make one small correction here or there for a girl, but you're rarely going to make whole sale changes in a player by coaching in a game, you're more likely to lose them if you over coach in game. They have enough to think about with out trying to make a game an in game practice.

It really important to tell them things that they don't know

"Don't swing at the high pitches"
"Throw strikes"
"You have to swing the bat"
"Get your glove down"

Had a coach last year who was a hitting guru.

DD fouled one over the back stop and he actually told her
"You were under that one"

canyonjoe said:

It really important to tell them things that they don't know

"Don't swing at the high pitches"
"Throw strikes"
"You have to swing the bat"
"Get your glove down"

Had a coach last year who was a hitting guru.

DD fouled one over the back stop and he actually told her
"You were under that one"

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It is crazy how common this one is. Especially at younger ages... what did you think she was trying to do??

DJ, Sweet Lou and Eric are right...there isn't much corrective coaching during a game. A coach is trying to help his team win the game, and should be thinking about many other things.

A coach should make mental notes of what a particular player needs to work on during the game, or possibly give some basic instruction (e.g., "get your butt down"), but that is about it.

As far as "connection to the game", I'm not sure what you mean.

During the game, the coaches should be talking strategy and tactics to the kids so that know what is going on and understand their role in the game.

E.g., I might say, "We haven't been able to hit their pitcher so far So we are going to play some small ball." Or, "Cindy is on 1st, and we need to move her to 2nd. So, you are going to bunt."

Rookie Proud said:

Thanks for all you feed back so far, but just to clarify this was directly relate to the coaches. Not the parents, however there are some parents that feel there is not enough feedback, cues, game time communication.

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Coaches need to provide strategy and encouragement during the game, but fundamentals are learned in practice.

JAD said:

Unfortunately a few helicopter parents who try to micromanage everything their child does ruins it for everyone.

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ITA. Parents should cheer and shut up otherwise IMO. I've noticed the parents who coach a lot during games are the ones who have kids who are too concerned with whether mom/dad thinks they're doing well to even pay attention to the coach. It makes me sad. There are kids who even at practice are constantly saying, "Did I do ok, Mom/Dad?" I don't talk to mine during practices or games other than a thumbs up or a cheer for a good play or a good hit. I'm pretty sure neither of my girls even notices whether I'm there most of the time (well, they'd notice if weren't there at all but they don't pay me much attention otherwise). We may break things down a bit later - like with my younger one right now, if you want to keep playing short stop you're going to have to be more aggressive with the ball - but during the games I don't say squat. I think it can confuse them and actually bring down their performance. I get plenty of time to work with mine on whatever I want to work with them on. I don't think during a game is the proper time. And really not even during a team practice. Let the coaches do their jobs.

That said, we play 10U and the girls do still need coaching *from the coaches* during games sometimes. They may need a reminder that there are 2 outs, where the play is, they may need their fielding position tweaked a bit, etc. But game time is too late to teach them essentials; they need to do that in practice and, as much as possible, let them just play during games, IMO.