New to coaching... player position advice

Hello... This is my first year coaching a 12U travel team. Assisted the coach for the last 2 years for 10U. He has moved on and I inherited the team. Half the team moved on to 12U. I have recruited general talent to get me to 10 girls. Now I am challenged with placing them in the right position.

What is a good way to determine the best child for the position. I am primarily looking for 3rd and SS talent as those are positions that did not move up.

Any help is appreciated.

read this thread

http://www.discussfastpitch.com/coaching-softball/2129-position-tryout-criteria.html

It's this is Rec level ball (I've been there too, no snobbery intended) It's sort of like the old jokes "What do you call a guy with no arms, no legs who lays in front of your door? - Matt"

What do you do with the girl who can catch but can't throw - 1B
What do you call the girl who can catch and throw but not very far - 2B

For the most part I'd encourage you to rotate them all through all the positions they can handle (and be generous in that evaluation allow them the chance to fail) the main thing at this age is to get them hooked on the game and stranding some kid in LF for a whole season doesn't get that done. Also look for help from more experienced people in your organization. Many Dad's of older girls probably would love the opportunity to help coach kids who still don't know everything.

When working with 12U girls it has always been my thought process to run them through every drill at every position. Pitcher and Cathcers included.....At 12U they are still developing skills and its your job as a coach to make sure you give them leadership and equal opportunity. While you will know who you want in certain positions/situations during tournament play, when playing a B game or winning or losing a game by a large margin should be the time when you get the girls that you "think" are not as advanced as others..... that playing time in a real game situation is imparative for improvement.

On a B team I have never once had one set line up to start a game....all the girls are given a chance....picking "star" starting line-ups in my humble opinion is not the way to go......Especially in a B level team that every coach I have ever talked to would consider develpmental level.....Your job as a coach on a B level team is to improve every player with the hope they will make their Jr High team, High School team and then potentionally improve enough to be placed on a A level team. I always have thought B is develpmental, A ball is to shine your players ability.

Rooster98 said:

When working with 12U girls it has always been my thought process to run them through every drill at every position. Pitcher and Cathcers included.....At 12U they are still developing skills and its your job as a coach to make sure you give them leadership and equal opportunity. While you will know who you want in certain positions/situations during tournament play, when playing a B game or winning or losing a game by a large margin should be the time when you get the girls that you "think" are not as advanced as others..... that playing time in a real game situation is imparative for improvement.

On a B team I have never once had one set line up to start a game....all the girls are given a chance....picking "star" starting line-ups in my humble opinion is not the way to go......Especially in a B level team that every coach I have ever talked to would consider develpmental level.....Your job as a coach on a B level team is to improve every player with the hope they will make their Jr High team, High School team and then potentionally improve enough to be placed on a A level team. I always have thought B is develpmental, A ball is to shine your players ability.

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I would agree, but would note that because I wanted to rotate girls fairly at that age/level I actually came to games with set lineups (and set substitutions) to make sure I was happy with the balance of OF/IF/Bench for each kid.

SnocatzDad....exactly what I meant to say but worded it incorrectly......I come to games with set line-up cards and subs, but it is different at the start of every new game so there is no perceived #1 starting rotation at every game....I want equal development time for all girls on the team.....Sorry for the confusion......

Thanks for the replys. I found the other similar thread after I posted. It is a 12U travel team. They are all first year. I have a strong core that moved up from the 10s.

In my first two tournaments with the girls at the end of last year, I did what many have suggested. I had my starting line-up with my subs preplanned. I kept to the plan. On elimination day, I used the strongest performers from Saturday in the key spots.

I am hesitant on elimination days to sub anyone just to sub, even with a big lead. I'd rather keep the girls in and start the subs the next game after we win.

One2win said:

I am hesitant on elimination days to sub anyone just to sub, even with a big lead. I'd rather keep the girls in and start the subs the next game after we win.

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I don't think you'll draw much criticism for this approach. Once you reach win or go home status your doing a disservice to the team to not try to get them another game by winning. I would add that it's a team sport and if you take the attitude that these 9 play 100% on Sunday's, This girl pitches 100% on Sunday's and these three watch 100% on Sunday's you could be hurting the team. You need to find a way for every kid to contribute. There is a balance to be reached. I am also a huge believer that you have to continue your rotation of pitchers especially at those ages even when you'd rather not. I'd rather go home early on a Sunday in May or June because I chose to put faith in a #2 pitcher, than get to the end of the season and really only have one pitcher who is ready to feel the pressure that comes in a big game. When it comes to pitching you have to think long term. What will keep them motivated and developing, We had three pitchers on a 12A ASA travel team and rotated them religiously even though the gap between #1 and #3 was large at the time. The #3 pitcher from that team three years later is getting looked at by colleges as a Sophomore, and will end up being our Varsity pitcher once the current pitcher( who is signed to played college ball ) graduates. The #1 from that team is still a great pitcher, but her family moved, and the #2 didn't stick with pitching. There are few things that coaches should get credit for, if a kid becomes a great player that's 99% the kid's work and a good coach can help them maximize what they get out of the time they put in, but they can't get credit for doing the work. What you can do is show faith in kids even when it's hard ( i.e. peer pressure from parent's who only want to win this game, right now ). Keep in mind that you'll measure your success as a coach this year, not by trophy's. but by how many girls are still playing 4 years from now and how many of those get inspired to work to the next level.

FYI, That doesn't mean you pitch whomever and they get the complete game regardless of their performance. Whether it's #1 or #3 if they can't perform to start or lose it during the game you need to be ready to allow another kid the chance to succeed or fail once your criteria for your starter's success or failure have been met. My kid doesn't pitch, but I've talked to a lot of pitchers over the years and I think they would all rather get a chance to start a big game and get pulled, than never get a oppotunity to succeed/fail.