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Feb 26, 2018
328
28
Our HC in our org last year refused to put "Select" in our team's name because he didn't want that target on our back. His opinion, which I agreed with, was that if you're going to put Elite or Select or anything like that in your name, you better get ready for people to be gunning for you.


The funny thing is that at the adult level, the orgs (ASA/USA, USSSA, and NSA) are all over the teams making sure they are playing at the right level and not playing down. Granted there might be a lot more movement for the girls as they age out and move up, but it all goes off a points system. All the players are registered, so tracking records and all that shouldn't be tough if they already have a system in place for adults. It was frustrating playing USSSA B Nationals last year with teams that were clearly A teams playing down just to get that plastic trophy. Some of that blame not only falls on the sanctioning bodies, but also the coaches and the orgs as well.
 
Feb 21, 2017
198
28
It seems mileages vary on recreation leagues but learning anything more but the very basics in recreation leagues around me is asking a lot.

Like FP26 there is no correlation between travel and recreation in my area. Recreation teams are LL driven and play 8-12 games April to June and maybe that many practices based on weather. Teams make up games often at the expense of practice so I have seen teams get 4 practices in a spring. On top of that you are lucky if a kid gets a good coach in a recreation league from ages 6-10 but most are green and practice consists of too much standing around or one coach tossing BP. We also have regional summer leagues that play 6-8 weeks with games 2x a week but tend to be same recreation coaches (although the more enthusiastic and motivated ones) with the all-star players of the town. I have seen those teams go to travel and it can be quite a jump.

Riseball is right on... I have seen many of these enthusiastic coaches fool themselves by winning a few recreational games so think they have the magic sauce to jump to travel. These teams often are in over their heads (and get hammered) or that coaches has use car salesmen in them and sells athletes and parents on the promise of plastic gold (and sign-ups for the obscure tournaments which are winnable). Those kids quit (former) or end up with lots of flawed fundamentals (latter).

Riseball again hit on lack of quality coaches and that is key. Too often I see coaches in softball travel who don’t understand the game enough to teach the fine points because they don’t put in effort to learn, are too arrogant to admit mistakes, refuse to admit they don’t understand something or have fooled themselves into thinking winning once in a while at some random tournament constitutes quality coaching on their part (because it was about them anyway). Really they don’t know what they don’t know.

IMO learning happens at every level, even fundamentals. Adam Jones (Orioles OF) posted some Instagram videos of his MLB coaches teaching fundamentals to MLB players. At that level the game is so fast being precise and flawless with your fundamentals is the fractions of seconds required that make the difference between safe and out. Those MLB coaches are constantly working on being better teachers.

Really coaching to me it is about keeping an open mind and a constant endeavor to learn what you don’t know or how to do it better and then communicate that to players. I am happy with my coaching when my players want to come to practice, feel they improve as a player and person during those practice and are motivated to accept any challenges in games and in life. I have learned I am in the minority.

To quote Mr. Miyagi “Win, lose, no matter. Make good fight, earn respect.“


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Dec 10, 2015
845
63
Chautauqua County
I found a great website that was as huge help to me when I first started coaching. Whatever you want to know about softball coaching, instruction, etc., you can probably find it here...link

lol, already knew that one! unfortunately, a lot of noobs and other coaches could use a clinic or two on basics. I always visit the rec teams and speak with the coaches and parents and take in a game or two. helps me know what I'm facing when they move up to Modified.
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
lol, already knew that one! unfortunately, a lot of noobs and other coaches could use a clinic or two on basics. I always visit the rec teams and speak with the coaches and parents and take in a game or two. helps me know what I'm facing when they move up to Modified.

Our local little league used to hold district wide clinics for coaches. All coaches (new or returning) were asked to attend each year, but it wasn't mandatory. What I typically found is that myself and three other coaches attended every one for the 5 years I was involved. Beyond that very few coaches ever attended. I personally found the first one to be helpful. After that I didn't learn much from the clinic itself, but it did give me the opportunity to pick the brains of some coaches that were at it a lot longer than I had been. I learned quite a bit that way. Unfortunately, many of the other coaches didn't feel it was important enough to attend.
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
lol, already knew that one! unfortunately, a lot of noobs and other coaches could use a clinic or two on basics. I always visit the rec teams and speak with the coaches and parents and take in a game or two. helps me know what I'm facing when they move up to Modified.

What I would suggest to any "noobs" or coaches who want to learn how different coaches go about their business is to ask those coaches. We are currently planning a coaching clinic for some teams in our area. I don't know if it will go over or not. I have been asked to play a small role. We did this last year as well. We had several coaches in attendance. This is not fancy and involves nobodies like myself. Still, I would hope that those coaches learned stuff. We have never sought to create these various clinics. Instead, we get approached a lot. Naturally, I am a HS coach. One area HS and TB worked together a few years ago and brought in Gerry Glasco.

I'll throw this out as well. Many here have shared so much from the Moderators and owner to all of the various TB and HS coaches. If you find that you agree with a particular contributor(s) then send them private messages. I know a lot of us have helped others that way. When my dd was growing up, and although this site wasn't around then, I exchanged video etc. with those I agree with and disagree with to get a lot of different opinions. I'd name some but don't want to leave anyone out.
 
Feb 21, 2017
198
28
so, why aren't there any camps for coaching?

Besides NFCA there often are numerous local and regional ones. In New England there is one at the Casinos in January and sometimes high school governing boards will have one as part of rule updates.

Other good options are attending College clinics not just for your kid but for you to watch what the coaches do. I always brought a notebook. I found the D3 coaches to be extremely approachable. Our baseball HS coach runs a coaching clinic and if there are any good HS programs then invite them to share with your local league.

I have inquired with reputable travel programs who have come and hosted a league info session because if you are a recreational coach learning eventually you could potential customer. YouTube is loaded with stuff, there are a million books. On top of all this if you look for equal baseball stuff you can find 3x,4x,5x as much.

The issue in the end is sorting the wheat from the chaff and that takes a bit of working it out and trying things, and a site like this helps.

It is out there but it take some work and effort. In my case I took notes and made diagrams covering technique, situations, even good communication ideas but I am type A with OCD so I can’t do it any other way. Over the years I weeded it down to about 10-15 pages because I realized I didn’t need everything but it started small with one good drill or idea.

I have been told I should be a professional coach/practice instructor because of the OCD organization skills, the chihuahua energy and odd humor I seem to keep people interested and entertained.

I believe they laughing at me more than with me though.

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