Moving from coaching league ball to coaching travel ball

Later this year, I will move into a head coaching position for a 10u travel team. I have been coaching league ball for 6 seasons now. I have been the assistant coach for a 12u travel team and I'm currently an assistant coach for the 10u team I'll be taking over in the August. The girls already know my style of coaching, but my system (strategy) is different from our current coach (probably more aggressive). I've already started planning my summer workouts with the girls that will be with me next year and with the girls that will be joining us. Any advice on making this change? I know my intensity will naturally be ramped up once the change is made. I was taught to set the standard early, so I intend on doing that. Any other words of wisdom?

My recommendations:

- Hold tryouts and cut players, as needed;
- Let the players know that this is travel ball and everyone competes for positions and playing time;
- Try not to have parents as assistant coaches or at least get one paid coach to assistant who is fairly objective;
- Be very transparent with dues/fees and where the money is going;
- Be very organized and consistent with your approach;
- Teach softball fundamentals;
- Find and/or develop good pitching/catching;
- Play lots of friendlies and scrimmages;
- Enter a good mix of tournaments where you can have some success and other tournaments where you might get beat up pretty badly (a 50% winning% is fine);
- Enter a big regional or national tournament towards the end of the season as a goal for the team;
- Know the rules!
- Make sure the players, families, and coaches are having fun. Ultimately, if its not fun, what's the point?

Rocketech1 said:

- Let the players know that this is travel ball and everyone competes for positions and playing time;

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Make it very clear to parents that in TOURNAMENTS, you will make the batting order and defensive alignment in the way that YOU feel gives the team the best chance to win. That will most likely mean that some players will not get full playing time on defense, or be in the top 9 of the batting order. Some players are needed to play the role of courtesy runner for the C and/or P. Some players may bat, but not play defense. Some may play defense, but not bat. This is how it works. These roles are important for the team, and must be filled by someone. Equitable playing time is not intended. Winning is intended. Equitable playing time is for friendlies. Many parents struggle with this concept.

Rocketech1 said:

- Try not to have parents as assistant coaches or at least get one paid coach to assistant who is fairly objective;

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I would say this depends on your situation. None of the coaches on our team are paid. I'm a dad who became an AC as I proved myself as being knowledgeable, loyal, and trust-worthy to the HC. We have had other parent ACs that have come and gone, but been good contributors to the team during their time. That said, there are some parents who will NEVER get asked even to help with pre-game warm-ups. Know your parents, and choose carefully.


Also...Know the rules and flexibility of DP/Flex. It can be a powerful tool.

All good advice above.
Here are a few others...

Share during tryouts the schedule you plan to have each week. Tell parents that attendance is NOT optional and that all players are required to work at home on areas that need improvement.

Establish guidelines and share information regarding if and how you will use guest players. I see more issues with this than anything else. Also, share your philosophy on if you will allow your players to guest play during times when you are not playing.

Be transparent with the player and parents that you can and will move kids to different positions than they may have tried out for once they are on the team.

All great advice. I would suggest that each practice you have a "rule of the day". Starting with simple and getting more complex. 10u should be all about player development and I think most coaches assume kids know the basic rules or will learn as they go. If you want them to play with a high IQ then start this immediately. As you scour the rule books to teach them you end up learning a ton yourself.

Some other things to consider and touched on in other points:

- Unless you are a pitching expert, encourage anyone who wants to pitch to get lessons.
- Set a preliminary schedule before tryouts - # of games, tournaments, practices per week so you set expectations
- Remember that they will have good days and bad days and ultimately the goal is to get them to the next level - in this case 12U. As you move up, adjust your expectations.

10U is a fun year with some crazy stuff that happens - don't take every game to heart and you will do fine.