what do coaches look for in tryouts?

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Sep 15, 2016
40
8
We have our rec league evaluations(tryouts) coming up soon. Was wondering at the rec level what do coaches look for other than the obvious softball skills? For example, the girls that haven't played at all or very little, what would you look for that may point to a successful, coachable softball player? And how much do you take into consideration the parents of players at the rec level? The age groups that will be at the evaluations will range from 8u to 12u. I will be coaching my oldest DD's 12u team and my wife and I will be helping with my youngest DD's 8u team. A lot I know, but we are short coaches so we help out when and where we can.

thank you for any insight...
 
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
Attitude and effort will always take the front seat, regardless of talent or experience!!!
When picking your team, be sure to have an idea who can play where and when. Don't get caught with 5, 1st basemen and no pitchers for example...
Then, once you have your team established, make sure to establish an identity asap. Figure out who you are based on your greatest assets. Are you a pitcher dominate team? Murders row at the plate? Base running speed demons? Lock down Defense? Know who you are!!! and game plan your strategy around that.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
I do not look for raw speed, hustle and going 100% is more important to me.

It can be hard to gauge parents at 1 practice, if you feel off for whatever reason leave the player for someone else.

Pitching is critical, have them all pitch a little bit even if they have never done it before.
 
Last edited:
Sep 29, 2010
1,082
83
Knoxville, TN
I do not look for raw speed, hustle and going 100% is more important to me.

It can be hard to gauge parents at 1 practice, if you feel off for whatever reason leave the player for someone else.

Pitching is critical, have them all pitch a little bit even if they have never done it before.
You can teach kids to go harder than they think they can. They can be taught to hustle. You can’t teach speed. :)
 
Aug 23, 2016
359
43
DD's best coaches have looked for enthusiasm. All the speed and athleticism in the world won't compensate for a kid who doesn't want to be there.
 
Feb 19, 2016
280
28
Texas
We still get a few first year and fairly raw players trying out, so we watch for speed, attitude, and fluidity. Do they seem natural or awkward doing the things we're asking them to do? Sometimes it's just a gut feeling.

We do look at parents as well. Every year we have parent comments splattered here and there on the tryout sheet.
 
Dec 10, 2015
845
63
Chautauqua County
try outs at 8U and 10U? sign them all up and see what you have. make more teams if you need to. then coach, mentor, teach, train, evaluate, improve, and always encourage. 12U is where it gets a little more serious. I can't really put it into words but you just know who the players are.
 
Aug 23, 2016
359
43
try outs at 8U and 10U? sign them all up and see what you have. make more teams if you need to. then coach, mentor, teach, train, evaluate, improve, and always encourage. 12U is where it gets a little more serious. I can't really put it into words but you just know who the players are.

If this is like DD's rec league the tryouts are to help create balanced teams through a draft. No one gets cut but its a more fun season for everyone if the teams stay competitive.
 

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