Practice criticism

This weekend we had a parent talk to our sister 16U coach stating that our team's 14U practice drills are "Rec Level" I'm certain this was a ploy to join the older, already successful 16U team. However, I don't want to ignore the comment. So in your mind, what drills would you consider below a 14U team or better yet, what drills should a 14U team definitely run. For some context we have only been a team for four weeks. Currently we are running some foundational drills for throwing and batting mixed with situational work. We only had one scrimmage (last week) so we are now addressing things we saw in game.

Filterbing said:

This weekend we had a parent talk to our sister 16U coach stating that our team's 14U practice drills are "Rec Level" I'm certain this was a ploy to join the older, already successful 16U team. However, I don't want to ignore the comment. So in your mind, what drills would you consider below a 14U team or better yet, what drills should a 14U team definitely run. For some context we have only been a team for four weeks. Currently we are running some foundational drills for throwing and batting mixed with situational work. We only had one scrimmage (last week) so we are now addressing things we saw in game.

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Need more detail. Specifically what drills you are currently doing.

I'm willing to guess that if this same parent came across a practice and saw some coach sitting on a bucket, just rolling balls to his infielders, they'd think that was pretty "rec level" as well.

Of course, Mike Candrea would probably think otherwise...

Any drill can be rec level. Any drill can be pro level. It all depends on the intensity, expectation, and execution.

I agree, just attended a college coaches camp with about 12 coaches. A lot of stuff they do can look silly without context.

Gags said:

Any drill can be rec level. Any drill can be pro level. It all depends on the intensity, expectation, and execution.

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Totally agree...

I'd go further and say there aren't "rec level" and "pro level", just effective / ineffective and well executed / NOT well executed.

Strike2 said:

Totally agree...
I'd go further and say there aren't "rec level" and "pro level", just effective / ineffective and well executed / NOT well executed.

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The difference between rec level, semi-pro and pro-level is the attention to detail. Let's use the "rolling the ball drill".

REC LEVEL: Coach is rolling the ball but spends most of his time trying to figure out where to pick up a six pack on the way home.
SEMI-PRO: Coach is watching the players, but gives advice such as "You have to want it!", "Give 110%!", and "Dig deep!" Likes discussing how he "could have been contender" had the coach just let him play SS.
PRO: Coach is watching each and and every move the player makes, from the time the player gets into position to the time the player releases the ball. Gives advise on specifics such as feet position, glove position and hand position.

For example:

I've been to coaches clinics with P5 college coaches and the drills they run are the similar to drills I've run ever since I started coaching at 10U rec. The speed and ability of the girls is what changes. People like to bash on rec ball, but most of the times, those people know nothing. If not for rec ball, this sport wouldn't exist. Pisses off when hear people comments like that.

Filterbing said:

This weekend we had a parent talk to our sister 16U coach stating that our team's 14U practice drills are "Rec Level"

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[Stops conversation right there] “Great! We have a coaching vacancy and I think I found my new volunteer!”

Love those Bobby Dickerson videos. "Get your face behind the ball - you ain't that pretty!" (Will likely be waiting forever before I ever get a chance to use that one...)

But that rolling the glove stuff - don't think that 10U's can't pick that up. I worked that into a practice with my 4th Grade rec team last year - and a few of them got it. Slightly higher percentage understood it when introduced to a 10U travel team. Will they ever get to use it? Or remember to use it? Don't know - but it's something to build on, or use as a reference point later - because I WILL be emphasizing the importance of those little things - foot position, hand position, etc.

You can NEVER practice fundamentals too much. You show me a defense that can make the routine plays in other words field the ball and throw it accurately to the right place and you will probably be looking at a winner.