Anyone like outs at 2nd?? 10U

[FuryMike]

I disagree. Teaching the game of softball is a progression. Teach the basics, become proficient at them, introduce new and/or more advanced skills. It takes a lot of reps to get kids to understand 3B’s of rotation. The last thing I would recommend is complicating it prior to understanding the basics.

 

[Towny9]

I disagree. Teaching the game of softball is a progression. Teach the basics, become proficient at them, introduce new and/or more advanced skills. It takes a lot of reps to get kids to understand 3B’s of rotation. The last thing I would recommend is complicating it prior to understanding the basics.

I think 10U is a pretty good age to teach the SS to cover second on a groundball to the right side and vice versa for the second baseman. I have seen groundballs to third with runners on 1st and 2nd at 10U and the third baseman throws it across the field to first because they have been programmed to do so when simply tagging her or touching 3rd would have been the smart/easier play. Yes they are going to mess it up, but that’s fine. It’s a teachable moment for the next time they are in that situation. Now I’m not advocating for trying to turn 2 with 6 year olds. Common sense needs to apply at every level, but it’s amazing what young kids are capable of when you get them thinking for themselves and not just robotically throwing it to first every time.

 

[Towny9]

This is one of those weird things I’m passionate about. The possibility exists that I’m wrong and that’s ok too. Here’s a quick story for some context of what 10U kids are capable of.

We were in ITB extra innings of a 10U game and my our #3 was pitching. I had taken our #1 out of the game the previous inning because she had hit her pitch count. If they scored the runner from 2nd they win the game. We intentionally walked the leadoff hitter to put the force out in play. When we did that I realized our girls have no idea you can even intentionally walk someone so they all looked very confused. I called time and went to explain it to them - that we wanted the force out at each base to be in play and that the runner at 2nd was all that mattered anyway.

Our 9 year old pitchers response - “should I pitch the batters inside so they hit it to third base?”

I was so happy because she was thinking ahead and thinking for herself!

I also laughed because she has nowhere near good enough control to throw it where she wants. We ended up losing the game on a double to right a few pitches later, but that one moment was worth it.

 

[_MIA_]

I disagree. Teaching the game of softball is a progression. Teach the basics, become proficient at them, introduce new and/or more advanced skills. It takes a lot of reps to get kids to understand 3B’s of rotation. The last thing I would recommend is complicating it prior to understanding the basics.

Unless we are talking about rec, and probably not even then, in 2021 by 10 YO most kids have been playing softball for 4+ years. Teaching a kid to throw it to second (and making sure everybody knows where they need to be) if the situation warrants it isn't exactly rocket science.

I am going to be blunt, the only reason you wouldn't do this at 10U, with kids who had more than a year or 2 of softball under their belt, would be you want to win more than you should and you think this will be advantageous to winning more. That said, to be honest, if you were actually playing against decent teams (e.g. ones that can throw and catch..) the "strategy" would likely backfire eventually anyway since they would be getting the lead outs when possible...

Now if you don't want to teach them all of the proper feed techniques for SS/2B, DP turns, etc then yes I can understand that.

 

[clemenslee1]

DD's now 2nd year 10u team definitely shoots for the lead out, but depending on how the ball is hit for sure. They work a lot on who's covering where depending on location of the ball hit. SS covering, 2nd covering. etc.

 

[Towny9]

Unless we are talking about rec, and probably not even then, in 2021 by 10 YO most kids have been playing softball for 4+ years. Teaching a kid to throw it to second (and making sure everybody knows where they need to be) if the situation warrants it isn't exactly rocket science.

I am going to be blunt, the only reason you wouldn't do this at 10U, with kids who had more than a year or 2 of softball under their belt, would be you want to win more than you should and you think this will be advantageous to winning more. That said, to be honest, if you were actually playing against decent teams (e.g. ones that can throw and catch..) the "strategy" would likely backfire eventually anyway since they would be getting the lead outs when possible...

Now if you don't want to teach them all of the proper feed techniques for SS/2B, DP turns, etc then yes I can understand that.

Our 2B do (try) the backhand flip to second and it’s pretty funny sometimes as they learn when to and when not to. My own kid tried it from way to far away and we just laughed about it. We also try to make throws on the run on slow rollers which can get pretty funny too. That’s what makes it fun. When we do it right it’s awesome and when we fail - we fail spectacularly.

 

[_MIA_]

DD's now 2nd year 10u team definitely shoots for the lead out, but depending on how the ball is hit for sure.

Bold is one of the more difficult things to learn as a IF, in particular as a MI, which is why you need to let them work through it in their little brains as soon as possible. Experience is the only way you will learn.

 

[Towny9]

Bold is one of the more difficult things to learn as a IF, in particular as a MI, which is why you need to let them work through it in their little brains as soon as possible. Experience is the only way you will learn.

There are no hard and fast rules that’s what makes it tough. Toy hit the nail on the head though when you said THEY have to figure it out in THEIR head. Whatever their initial instinct is when the ball is hit is what they are going to go with. If a coach yells something to the contrary they just freeze. I try to teach ours to ask themselves before each play “what will I do if it’s hit to my left? Right? Slow? Hard? Etc..

 

[_MIA_]

Our 2B do (try) the backhand flip to second and it’s pretty funny sometimes as they learn when to and when not to. My own kid tried it from way to far away and we just laughed about it. We also try to make throws on the run on slow rollers which can get pretty funny too. That’s what makes it fun. When we do it right it’s awesome and when we fail - we fail spectacularly.

While they can always get better, Marcela has SS feeds down pretty well technique wise..but those are easier. Working with her on 2B stuff...eek. When to do a power feed (e.g. what you call backhand I think) vs pivot , making sure you don't come up out of your legs on a pivot throw, etc.

If you want to see something really funny, I have my 5 YO DS do the same things she does when I am working with them ..he has blast though.

 

[_MIA_]

There are no hard and fast rules that’s what makes it tough. Toy hit the nail on the head though when you said THEY have to figure it out in THEIR head. Whatever their initial instinct is when the ball is hit is what they are going to go with. If a coach yells something to the contrary they just freeze. I try to teach ours to ask themselves before each play “what will I do if it’s hit to my left? Right? Slow? Hard? Etc..

Right..experience is your teacher. No point in waiting if your team can catch and throw...