Coaching Rec Ball...Help!

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Sep 8, 2013
4
0
Hi Everyone! I am looking for some idea's regarding coaching rec ball. I've played the game for 16 years and this is my third season coaching a combined 12U and 14U team. I also have a couple 10U players on my team. Our season runs for 8 weeks. The problem that I've consistently run into, is that my roster is combined with multitudes of different skill level players and I've been trying to run drills to get the girls to work together. Practices go fairly decent (when all the girls show up); I've worked on talking, basic fundamentals etc.. Our games have just begun and my players are falling apart by the bottom of the 2nd inning (we typically get through 4 innings per game); it seems 1 error on the field and the girls are struggling to recover. My assistant coach and I have moved girls around; we're constricted with Rec ball rules that 1. We have to bat the entire roster (I have 13) 2. All players have to play at least 2 innings 3. We are not guaranteed a pitcher/catcher combination, so we have to make due with what we are given after draft. I am reaching out to hopefully get some idea's on a way to pull my girls together, other drills I can try and to figure out what I can do better as a coach and prevent the girls from falling apart so early in the game. Any ideas are welcome!
 
Aug 3, 2013
108
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wow....so you could have girls on the team ranging in age from 8-15..??...that doesnt sound safe...what size ball do you use? 10, 11, or 12?
 
Aug 20, 2013
558
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Start with the cause not the symptom. Why are they falling apart? Drama in the dug out, resentment of lower or higher skill levels, parent involvement, to many "I's". Once you identify the root cause then put together a plan. Best of luck, sounds like you have been given one heck of an issue.

The older, more skilled girls maybe bored waiting on the younger ones and vice versa. This is a mom's thought, not a professional coach so please don't rip me a new one. Could you pair them up and have a stronger one work with a weaker one during some of the practices. Older ones get practice and younger ones get attention. Just a thought.

When I did 8U and the stronger players got frustrated, I expressed how the younger ones needed them to show them the ropes. "Don't get frustrated, see what you can teach them!" I worked some times cause they felt needed not held back by the less skilled players.
 
Jun 29, 2013
589
18
Wow, tough situation. To get them over the error issue, just remind them this is still a learning process, praise the effort and what they do right, remind them that if they want to play in the infield they have to learn to forget about the last play and focus on the moment. Yes, its easier said than done!
To keep them motivated, let the kids with similar skill sets work together in practice more often- think of it as having "pods" of 3 or 4 whom you shift around. Remind them everyone will get a shot if they prove they have the ability AND effort out there. And remind them that effort is the one thing everyone can excel at.
Wish I had better advice.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
Hi Everyone! I am looking for some idea's regarding coaching rec ball. I've played the game for 16 years and this is my third season coaching a combined 12U and 14U team. I also have a couple 10U players on my team. Our season runs for 8 weeks. The problem that I've consistently run into, is that my roster is combined with multitudes of different skill level players and I've been trying to run drills to get the girls to work together. Practices go fairly decent (when all the girls show up); I've worked on talking, basic fundamentals etc.. Our games have just begun and my players are falling apart by the bottom of the 2nd inning (we typically get through 4 innings per game); it seems 1 error on the field and the girls are struggling to recover. My assistant coach and I have moved girls around; we're constricted with Rec ball rules that 1. We have to bat the entire roster (I have 13) 2. All players have to play at least 2 innings 3. We are not guaranteed a pitcher/catcher combination, so we have to make due with what we are given after draft. I am reaching out to hopefully get some idea's on a way to pull my girls together, other drills I can try and to figure out what I can do better as a coach and prevent the girls from falling apart so early in the game. Any ideas are welcome!

- Separate the skill-level groups in practice. You can still run small group stations - and even the same stations - but you change the skill level for the players in that group. No point mixing in the "can't catch" players with the "arm like a cannon" players when you are doing skills work. Work on advanced skills with the experienced players and the more basic skills with the less experienced players separately. This way the better players get better (and less frustrated) and the less experienced players build their skills with their peers (and less intimidated). At least 2/3 of the practice can be done this way and then some combined competition drill to help getting the girls together at the end gets the teamwork aspect (we use the 5 minute game - search my older posts for a description - high paced, lots of fun, lots of team work to finish off a practice). You'll need help at practices to do it this way - at least a coach for every station.

- Work on how you position players in game - make sure you have the opportunity in every inning for an experienced player to throw to an experienced player for an out. I know your type of situation - you need a player at first who can catch at all times which may feel like a waste but you need outs. No point your best player making a great play at SS if she has to throw to a girl who has no chance of catching a throw at first.

- You may have to give up a side of the field or position every inning depending on your mix - when you play an inexperienced player in the infield you play them as a deep third or SS or second (wherever you think it is less likely the ball is going to be hit) and be willing to give up the single. Same with outfield - play them deep and restrict to singles where possible. Make the other teams go base to base. If you have a fast pitcher SECOND is where you put your best fielder - the ball is MUCH more likely to go there than SS - many rec coaches screw this up and put their best fielder at SS - and then watch the ball go to 2nd all game long (slow pitcher - more balls to SS so put her there). I used to play a lot of deep 3rd in rec - they get outs when there is a force at third otherwise they make sure anything hit their way stays a single and if it gets past them the LF throws to second a lot.

- Everything is going for outs. Forget the runners and stopping a player coming home - take the simple out every time. Make it simple for new players and more complex for the more experienced players. Runner on third with no outs - that run might as well already be in the book so go get that out at first.

- Bunting - everyone can bunt. Teaching simple bunting is pretty easy and putting the ball in play in a rec league that has 10U-14U combined is going to get you on more often than not and the girls feel much better than striking out because the other team has the best pitcher. It puts a lot of pressure on the fielders especially if someone has to cover 1st. And if you are getting some runs then that helps when you make mistakes.


One of your biggest issues is likely how your league is being run. If there is enough pitching to go around it should be made to go around. Our rec draft can be 'called and restarted' by the VP/Person Running the Draft if a team does not have a pitcher and a catcher by the end of the third round. No hoarding pitchers and catchers in rec - leave that to travel. Get on the rec board and make sure the draft is run properly for future seasons. Players need to be identified and evaluated especially for these skills. No evals - not in the draft unless everyone agrees. No freezing 1/2 dozen players. Coaches kid placed in draft on ability. Etc, etc...

I hate most of the above recommendations but they can be used to make the best of the situation. Coaches should not be put in the position to have to make the above types of decisions by playing such a wide range of ages and skill levels on one team. "Not enough girls" is an excuse especially if nothing real is being done to try and solve that.
 
Jul 6, 2013
371
0
Keep in mind that this is from personal experience in a league very similar, and based almost exclusively on my observations.

Any organization that will put 14u girls with 10u girls is not one I would want my kids anywhere around, nor would I want to coach it. My advice would be to advise the league of the error of their ways, explain how they are opening themselves up for lawsuits from parents WHEN a younger girl gets injured, and cut my losses and move on. That is, unless you are just a glutten for punishment, and are ok with the idea that you will never be able to put together a team that is truly balanced where the younger girls get the work they actually need.

In most rec leagues, not all, but most, the play is below "competitive"...saying that to say skill level is lower than TB or other. The young girls will be "hidden" in the outfield, because that will be a safe place for them. Figuratively and literally. They won't get the game work they need. In a couple years they will be the girls needing to move into the infield...without having ever been able to play it before because no one in their right mind is going to stick a 9 year old on third base playing against a 14 year old with a composite bat. The cycle continues. You have older girls struggling to play the positions most of the balls go to, and their confidence is shot....it's shot because at 8,9, and 10 years old the girls ahead of them were brought up through the same flawed system and they all played poorly.

There are exceptions to every rule, but there is a lot to be said for having a girl play in her age group, with other girls her age, to develop and not be scared or at high risk of injury. This isn't a 15-16 year old girl playing 18u. You're talking about 10u girls playing 14u. Even a lot of really good 12u girls are not ready for the leap to 14u.
 
Sep 8, 2013
4
0
wow....so you could have girls on the team ranging in age from 8-15..??...that doesnt sound safe...what size ball do you use? 10, 11, or 12?

No, only 10 through 14; there's qualifying reasons that a child must obtain before they are allowed to move up in divisions. We use a 12".
 
Sep 8, 2013
4
0
Thanks all for the recommendations! It's a really tough situation this season! I intend on breaking the girls into groups during this weeks practices and really try to work within those skill levels and at the end of practice grouping them back up on the field. I agree that the age range is too broad; however, this league is a "fundamental" league, not competition nor travel. But the bottom line I want to achieve is that the girls HAVE FUN and in the process are learning a new skill seeing since a third of my team has never picked a softball up before! I think some of your comments hit the nail on the head with continuing a vicious cycle where I have no choice but to play my younger girls in deep outfield because I can't risk them taking a line drive at 3rd, and in 2 years they will be the one's needing to play the infield and will have no experience. I have my work cut out for me! Thanks again!
 
Aug 20, 2013
558
0
I agree to putting the smaller girls in the outfield for games, but be careful not to only do that in practice. I have seen it to many times that those kids are stuck out there 24-7 and get no chance at all to improve. At least do infield drills with all when you can control the speed of the ball. Best of luck!

PS This is our first season where a coach finally started assigning homework to the kids. He was upfront with the kids and parents that they aren't going to get what they need in 2 hours of practice twice a week. He gave out some assignments(small to start), the name of the local batting cages and where to find extra instruction and tips on getting better. I have always thought that this was the best idea ever, but never been in a HC position. Don't be afraid to assign each 20 pop-ups, 20 grounders and 20 throws or whatever at home each day. It will grow them and hopefully the relationship with the parent.
 
Sep 8, 2013
4
0
I agree to putting the smaller girls in the outfield for games, but be careful not to only do that in practice. I have seen it to many times that those kids are stuck out there 24-7 and get no chance at all to improve. At least do infield drills with all when you can control the speed of the ball. Best of luck!

PS This is our first season where a coach finally started assigning homework to the kids. He was upfront with the kids and parents that they aren't going to get what they need in 2 hours of practice twice a week. He gave out some assignments(small to start), the name of the local batting cages and where to find extra instruction and tips on getting better. I have always thought that this was the best idea ever, but never been in a HC position. Don't be afraid to assign each 20 pop-ups, 20 grounders and 20 throws or whatever at home each day. It will grow them and hopefully the relationship with the parent.

I have been assigning homework to a different set of girls after each practice. Catchers and pitchers have homework every night; I also was up front with parents that their child is not going to improve drastically with 3 hours of practice a week and they need to do things at home too. I've tried to make their homework things they can do on their own if the parent is too busy to help or they don't have a sibling to work with.
 

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