I have coached LL softball for past 2 years (2 years of coach pitch, 2 years of 10u, which normally becomes 7, 8,and 9 yr olds in our league). this year, as DD2 joined a travel team (but also still playing LL), and there would be enough coaches without me, I decided not to coach, worried that I could not make time commitment between DD1 (several FH teams, plus her juniors LL softball team) and DD2s activities and coaching a team. I did indicate that I would like to help out when I am there (looks like we will only make about half of the LL practices, travel practice comes first).
First practice, went pretty well overall, have known HC (a lady, I am male, for what that is worth, might be relevant to question) for a few years now, pretty friendly.
My question relates to two scenarios in practice (kept my mouth shut during the practice).
one she has them do BP one buy one (well 1.5 by one, one getting ready, while another is hitting), while rest of team is on the field defensively. of course, only about 1 in 5 pitches, if that is hit, and that is with other AC (HC's husband) throwing pretty much meatballs, slow ones. To me this is #1 thing not to do with valuable practice time. 6 or 7 girls (only 9 on team) standing doing nothing watching AC pitch to batter, every now and then a hit. and there is a batting cage with machine available. My alternative would be to suggest that one of us hit balls to fielders (with baserunners if we have enough girls), with another coaching them on proper play in the field, while third has them one at a time in batting cage (and even some tee work). better for hitters, better for fielders. At this age and skill level, they need a lot of fundamental work, with a little game type scenario work near end to bring it all together.
next, she wanted to work on cutoffs, so she lines up a SS and 2B, had rest go out into OF in two lines (one in LF, one in RF), alternating hitting to each field, so while RF field a ball, 3 girls in LF are standing there, then vice versa. I kind of stood there (other AC was hurling balls into OF. My tweak here would be only do one side at a time, and take the girls that would be in the other side of OF, and work in small group with them on some type fast moving simple drill.
don't want to seem overbearing, just make some suggestions based on my experience. should i say something or not? don't want to seem a jerk, but also want to give the girls the best possible practices, making best use of everyone's time, and hold their interest. I may even see if she is open to me taking say two aside at a time, of those who need the most fundamental work (ie how to catch, how to throw), and just do that for a good portion of each practice. making good progress on fundamentals with the girls most deficient in them is going to make the biggest difference for the team I believe (weakest link theory). I know for a fact she is going to move girls around a lot, and get them all some IF time, so I want them to be ready and succeed.
First practice, went pretty well overall, have known HC (a lady, I am male, for what that is worth, might be relevant to question) for a few years now, pretty friendly.
My question relates to two scenarios in practice (kept my mouth shut during the practice).
one she has them do BP one buy one (well 1.5 by one, one getting ready, while another is hitting), while rest of team is on the field defensively. of course, only about 1 in 5 pitches, if that is hit, and that is with other AC (HC's husband) throwing pretty much meatballs, slow ones. To me this is #1 thing not to do with valuable practice time. 6 or 7 girls (only 9 on team) standing doing nothing watching AC pitch to batter, every now and then a hit. and there is a batting cage with machine available. My alternative would be to suggest that one of us hit balls to fielders (with baserunners if we have enough girls), with another coaching them on proper play in the field, while third has them one at a time in batting cage (and even some tee work). better for hitters, better for fielders. At this age and skill level, they need a lot of fundamental work, with a little game type scenario work near end to bring it all together.
next, she wanted to work on cutoffs, so she lines up a SS and 2B, had rest go out into OF in two lines (one in LF, one in RF), alternating hitting to each field, so while RF field a ball, 3 girls in LF are standing there, then vice versa. I kind of stood there (other AC was hurling balls into OF. My tweak here would be only do one side at a time, and take the girls that would be in the other side of OF, and work in small group with them on some type fast moving simple drill.
don't want to seem overbearing, just make some suggestions based on my experience. should i say something or not? don't want to seem a jerk, but also want to give the girls the best possible practices, making best use of everyone's time, and hold their interest. I may even see if she is open to me taking say two aside at a time, of those who need the most fundamental work (ie how to catch, how to throw), and just do that for a good portion of each practice. making good progress on fundamentals with the girls most deficient in them is going to make the biggest difference for the team I believe (weakest link theory). I know for a fact she is going to move girls around a lot, and get them all some IF time, so I want them to be ready and succeed.
