This is my first year coaching, My daughter is 11. This is her 2nd year playing. I was pitcher for a local college. I didn't want to push my daughter into loving what I loved so I waited and now that she has shown some interest, I wanted to get "all in" for her. She says she wants to pitch too... I thought "GREAT!" I can help you. We have an issue, I'm her mom, and she's not very good at taking critisism. When I throw her the ball back, she doesn't catch it and then mopes to the ball, slowly picks it up and walks back to the mound. I'm getting aggrevated because she says she really wants to pitch, but never wants to practice. I have her playing second base when she isn't pitching, but she just doesn't hustle quite like the other kids and she gets upset when I correct her on anything... Any thoughts from anyone ?
Parent and Coach ? Need Help.
- Thread starter Pickle
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Are you doing the same thing to her as you would do to any other kid on the team for not hustling? I see this a lot, where the coaches kid gets away with stuff that others don't (not saying this is you, but really look at what/how your doing it). I have also seen where coaches are too hard on their own kid.
Last year we picked up 2 new girls from another town. It was probably our 3rd team practice and one of the new parents came to me and asked which one is your daughter? That showed me I didn't treat her any different than the others.
Last year we picked up 2 new girls from another town. It was probably our 3rd team practice and one of the new parents came to me and asked which one is your daughter? That showed me I didn't treat her any different than the others.
That's something I'm afraid of- I don't want to be too hard on her and I don't want to be too easy either... For example, during pitching practice, I went to each girl and spent some time with them, when I get to my daughter, I recieve glaring looks and rolling eyes. I can't make her want it and I feel frustrated that I can't get her motivated. I hope there have been other coaches who have experienced this same kind of attitude. She is 11 and at the age where she knows everythin.
sometimes kids do things they think we want...sometimes not. Your dd sounds like she doesn't really want to pitch. AS you know it takes a huge desire to want to become a pitcher. My DD liked the idea of being a pitcher. She liked being the spotlight, but after a year of me nagging her to practice I just one day stopped. A few days went by of no practice and then a week and then we talked and she stopped being a pitcher.
Perhaps a similar type of experiement will let you know where her heart lies.
Perhaps a similar type of experiement will let you know where her heart lies.
I think you're right. I really don't want to her feel like she has to do it. The worst feeling is watching your daughter, who you put on the mound for that game, struggle with walk after walk. We have our 2nd game tonight and I'm thinking about not playing her as pitcher and reluctantly putting her at 2nd. She did not pitch our first game.
I think this is the way to go. Tell her ( and all your pitchers) that they MUST practice on their own if they want to pitch, and then tell your DD that she's going to have to come to you and ask to practice ( rather than You telling her). And of course, if she doesn't, then don't let her pitch in the games.
As Inside says, she'll figure it out real quick, and will decide if she wants it or not.
Play your DD at second.When and if she asks why she didn't get to pitch tell her the reasons.Explain to her what you have said to us.Tell you DD that you played in college.Tell her your playing days are over and tell her you are now here for her.If you want to be a pitcher she needs to practice and listen to you the coach, not you the mom.Explain to her it's her time if she doesn't want to pitch thats fine with you.Tell her when and if she wants to practice to let you know your ready.Sometimes you need someone else to coach your child.Good Luck.
I like that, "tell her it's her time" so much !
It's reassuring to know what you guys are thinking ! Two heads are better than one, right
I was so worried when we began practicing this year and I asked her repeatedly about her "really" wanting it. Maybe she felt overwhelmed about my excitement to teach her ? It's so hard to hide it sometimes.
You guys are great !
It's reassuring to know what you guys are thinking ! Two heads are better than one, right
I was so worried when we began practicing this year and I asked her repeatedly about her "really" wanting it. Maybe she felt overwhelmed about my excitement to teach her ? It's so hard to hide it sometimes.
You guys are great !
redhotcoach
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- May 8, 2009
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I like that, "tell her it's her time" so much !
It's reassuring to know what you guys are thinking ! Two heads are better than one, right
I was so worried when we began practicing this year and I asked her repeatedly about her "really" wanting it. Maybe she felt overwhelmed about my excitement to teach her ? It's so hard to hide it sometimes.
You guys are great !
First born right? I could tell my 1st born that she should back off the plate an inch and she would either flip out or stop talking to me for hours. I could tell my 2nd born that she couldn't hit a beach ball being rolled in, and she would respond with something like "whatever, I can hit better than you" and laugh.
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