Worst player on the team. How do you deal?

CoogansBluff · May 25, 2016

DD joined a new team this season. It is the strongest team she's ever played on. About 9 or 10 of the players are committed to D-I schools. DD is one of the weaker players, possibly the weakest. She knew this coming in. She wanted and needed the challenge.

What advice would you give her to keep her from getting down on herself? Not only are some of her teammates more advanced (and she compares herself to them), but so are some of the pitchers she'll be facing. She might hit .200.

How do you guide and support a player through this sort of challenge?

eddieq · May 25, 2016

If, as you say, she is aware of the situation and wants the challenge, just keep reminding her of that if she gets down. Make sure she's observing and learning as much as she can from these elite players that now surround her. Don't be shy about asking questions and seeking advice. Not just game skills, but game prep, practice habits and fitness. Surrounding yourself with people more advanced than you are is great if you take advantage of the opportunities.

Pdiddy · May 25, 2016

for you....be strong and optimistic....and commit to facilitate the work necessary for you both to "learn" how to succeed at that level (defense included).....that means lots and lots of extra work.....some kids are naturals, sure, but there are plenty of kids out there that plowed their way through their skeptics to earn playing time and be a productive team player by hard work.

and as for advise on getting down on herself....that's never easy to solve, as no one should patronize players at the highest levels but everyone needs encouragement. I could only add that some young players really struggle with the necessary criticism it takes to compete at the higher levels....

CoachKevin · May 25, 2016

She made the team from a Tryout correct? Remind her of that when she starts to get down. But then again, in your view she is one of the weakest, in the coach's view she may be middle of the pack with huge potential

I know for my DD, when she went from 14B to a 16A team, I thought oh no. She had been an OK player, nothing fantastic, but she was smart on the field. Always knew where the play was. She made that 16A Team, and actually became a pretty strong player overall. It was my being overcritical of her that skewed my view of her potential.

CoogansBluff · May 25, 2016

Pdiddy said:
I could only add that some young players really struggle with the necessary criticism it takes to compete at the higher levels....

She's struggling more from self-criticism at the moment.

One thing I saw early on in youth sports is that the best player on a C team thinks she's a good softball player, while the worst player on an A team often doesn't think she's good. This is especially true at the early ages, and a better perspective is gained through time.

But, that sheltered perspective can have an effect on their development because a player's perception of herself can affect her motivation and confidence. There is a real danger in putting a player a team that's too good too soon. I really believe the player's belief that they are good is a key piece of player development.

Of course, at some point, if you want to play at the higher levels, you have to know the reality of your place in the food chain and go from there. I agree that everyone, even at the highest levels, needs encouragement. It's a humbling game if you have the courage to find out exactly how good you are, and aren't.

marriard · May 25, 2016

CoogansBluff said:
Of course, at some point, if you want to play at the higher levels, you have to know the reality of your place in the food chain and go from there. I agree that everyone, even at the highest levels, needs encouragement. It's a humbling game if you have the courage to find out exactly how good you are, and aren't.

Sometimes you need to know and see that you are making progress... If she can guest on another team on an off weekend she might just see how all the work is actually making her better.

Just a thought.

JJsqueeze · May 25, 2016

Remind her that no matter what happens that the experience is good, if she does great then she proves to herself she can do it, if she struggles then she knows exactly what she needs to improve on to be one of the best and if she finds that she gives it her all and is just not able to compete at that level then she will get over the heartbreak and feel better for having tried and failed then never giving it a shot.

gophert · May 25, 2016

I would suggest you tell her to compare herself to the "Game" not the other players. Is she making the plays that the game presents her. Yes, she needs to be competing with the other players for playing time etc, but ultimately the comparison is to the game. I think being challenged is a good thing as long as it doesn't effect the confidence of the player. I would monitor that very closely. She will eventually find her role on the team.

Strike2 · May 25, 2016

CoogansBluff said:
DD joined a new team this season. It is the strongest team she's ever played on. About 9 or 10 of the players are committed to D-I schools. DD is one of the weaker players, possibly the weakest. She knew this coming in. She wanted and needed the challenge.

What advice would you give her to keep her from getting down on herself? Not only are some of her teammates more advanced (and she compares herself to them), but so are some of the pitchers she'll be facing. She might hit .200.

How do you guide and support a player through this sort of challenge?

Is she a weak player, or simply one of the weaker players on a strong team? There is a difference.

My kid plays on two teams right now. Although she has a good OBP, she's an average hitter. She's a relatively slow runner, but doesn't do stupid things on the bases. She doesn't have a big arm, but most every throw is exactly where it needs to be. Things that typically set her apart include her glove, attitude, effort, and head for the game. On one team, she is considered a strong player who can line up almost anywhere. On the other, she is, at best, middle of the pack and the coach has a more limited view of her versatility.

There are roles to play on every team, and even strong players have things to work on. Even though your kid may not be a stronger player on this particular team, she still has a role. She does something well, or she wouldn't have made the team. With her, focus on what that skill brings to the team while working to improve the others.

Hawkeyes · May 25, 2016

Strike2 said:
Is she a weak player, or simply one of the weaker players on a strong team? There is a difference.

My kid plays on two teams right now. Although she has a good OBP, she's an average hitter. She's a relatively slow runner, but doesn't do stupid things on the bases. She doesn't have a big arm, but most every throw is exactly where it needs to be. Things that typically set her apart include her glove, attitude, effort, and head for the game. On one team, she is considered a strong player who can line up almost anywhere. On the other, she is, at best, middle of the pack and the coach has a more limited view of her versatility.

There are roles to play on every team, and even strong players have things to work on. Even though your kid may not be a stronger player on this particular team, she still has a role. She does something well, or she wouldn't have made the team. With her, focus on what that skill brings to the team while working to improve the others.

I think you are talking about my daughter here, almost identical stories.

Focus on the little things and note the improvement there. Make it as small of a picture as possible. "great job on this, you couldnt make that play 2 weeks ago" or something on those lines

Worst player on the team. How do you deal?

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

CoogansBluff

eddieq

Pdiddy

CoachKevin

CoogansBluff

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am

JJsqueeze

Dad, Husband....legend

gophert

Strike2

Allergic to BS

Hawkeyes

Similar threads

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Share this page

Online statistics

Forum statistics