Coaches: I Need some opinions

[SoCalSoftballdad]

In general, the younger the player the more instruction you give them during the game. As they get older and more experienced playing the game, less instruction is better during the game. When they are young, 8U & 10U, the other coaches and I talk to them all the time. Frequently when we play other teams you'll see for example, baserunners are not set-up and leading off correctly; they try to catch the ball with a forehand catch and should be using a backhand to field it; fielders are not in "softball ready" position; batters are too far back or too far forward in the box; etc and no coach is correcting the players. If you are not correcting them during the game, when are you going to correct them, at practice two days later?

However, as starsnuffer points out, you better make sure you have something important to say before you say it.

 

[PEPPERS]

I looked at it this way, the first meeting with the players and parent I asked if the player has a hitting coach. If they have a hitting coach I leave them alone as far as instructions go and I let parents and the kids know this. I figured if the parents paid money to an instructor they did not want me to tell the kids a different style of hitting.

I do let the parents and the kids know I am available if they need help. A number of times I’ve had to bite my lip, but I wait to be asked.

 

[Momo'sDad]

In general, the younger the player the more instruction you give them during the game. As they get older and more experienced playing the game, less instruction is better during the game. When they are young, 8U & 10U, the other coaches and I talk to them all the time. Frequently when we play other teams you'll see for example, baserunners are not set-up and leading off correctly; they try to catch the ball with a forehand catch and should be using a backhand to field it; fielders are not in "softball ready" position; batters are too far back or too far forward in the box; etc and no coach is correcting the players. If you are not correcting them during the game, when are you going to correct them, at practice two days later?

However, as starsnuffer points out, you better make sure you have something important to say before you say it.

Defense and baserunning, yes.

If a runner should take a bigger lead, let her know. Make sure your defense is communicating out there.

Pitching and batting, no chirping at any age.

 

[SoCalSoftballdad]

Defense and baserunning, yes.

If a runner should take a bigger lead, let her know. Make sure your defense is communicating out there.

Pitching and batting, no chirping at any age.

I guess we will agree to disagree. During different times in the game, I will sometimes talk to my pitcher from the dugout if I think she is doing something incorrectly or there is an improvement to be discussed (something less extreme than actually having to visit the circle). I also give them lots of encouragement throughout the game ("great location of that pitch"; "protect the plate now that you have two strikes on you", etc.). At these younger ages its about learning how to play the game correctly and the best way to correct them is in real games and on the fly. You cannot really replicate this in practice. Of course it is a balancing act of letting them play the game and correcting, encouraging them. Its a tought job, but isn't that why we get paid the big $ for coaching?!

 

[quincy]

How can anyone disagree with such a nice post?

The point is, the coach’s heavy lifting is during practice.

Let the kids’ show their stuff during the game, stay out of it is much as possible. If they make mistakes it is my fault, I will try to resolve it next practice.

There is minimal individual coaching during a game, and nothing you have not discussed with them in practice.

 

[bobbyb]

I like what my dd's HS coach does. If you even look at someone not on the field that is trying to coach/instruct or converse with you...you are punished. In younger ages...i don't see that being useful...but the older girls...i like it.

I would talk to the parents and if they were not comfortable informing the person they pay... that instructing at the game is a no-no...i would directly contact him. He should know better than that already.

 

[Lozza]

I had a situation like this recently. I was ropped into umpiring a junior game (some lovely person didn't turn up and I was the only person on canteen duty who had the knowledge to do so) that involved umpiring one of the junior teams for the club I play seniors for (I've started up a junior club up with another woman. Next year is going to be a terrible decision if she pushes for the seniors she wants)

Their pitcher was quite good and had talent. But every time she struggled to get the ball over the plate she would switch to slingshot. I practiclly bit through my lip not to say anything during the game. After the game, I approached her mother and told her that by doing so she was making it harder and she might want to suggest to her daughter she stops doing it.

There was also the problem of their coach *screaming* at the girls every time they do something wrong. That was something I kept my mouth shut on.

If anyone, parent or specialist coach is walking into your team during a game and offering advice, they are out of line. I don't agree with the pitching coach giving advice in between digs, but she approached you and you agreed to it, so she wasn't out of line. (I think the worst thing you can do to a person during a game is offer advice of a specific kind) The hitting coach is someone you should approach and let him know that you don't appreciate him coaching your team during the game and would he kindly stop. Make it clear you have no issue with him being there. If that doesn't work talk to the girls parents.

 

[alexander58]

I like what my dd's HS coach does. If you even look at someone not on the field that is trying to coach/instruct or converse with you...you are punished. In younger ages...i don't see that being useful...but the older girls...i like it.

I would talk to the parents and if they were not comfortable informing the person they pay... that instructing at the game is a no-no...i would directly contact him. He should know better than that already.

I wouldn't punish a player for someone attempting to coach them from outside the fence. Most players say they don't even hear them. It's just white noise. Coaches that worry about what is going on outside the field are worried about the wrong thing.

 

[Lozza]

They're not being punished for being coached, they're punishing for ackowlding the coaching.

 

[RLETCHER]

Coaching from the bleachers

iN MY 25 PLUS YEARS OF SOFTBALL I HAVE SEEN PARENTS, FANS AND COACHES TRYING TO TEACH PLAYERS WHILE THEY ARE HITTING, FIELDING AND PITCHING. NONE OF THESE BLEACHER COACHES HAVE SUCCEEDED. WHEN A PLAYER IS PREPARING TO ENTER THE BATTER'S BOX OR IN THE BATTER'S BOX DO YOU REALLY THINK THEY WANT TO HERE YOU? DO YOU REALLY THINK THEY CAN HERE YOU? PUT YOUR SELF IN THAT POSITION, RUNNERS ON SECOND AND THIRD, TWO OUTS, IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 7TH. YOUR BATTING, YOUR COACH IS YELLING INSTRUCTIONS TO YOU, THE FANS ARE YELLING INSTRUCTIONS TO YOU, YOUR FATHER IS YELLING INSTRUCTION TO YOU, ANOTHER COACH IS YELLING INSTRUCTIONS TO YOU. NOW, THE PITCH IS THROWN AND YOU STRIKE OUT. WHAT DO YOU HERE? EACH PERSON THAT WAS YELLING IS SAYING IT SHE WOULD OF ONLY LISTENED TO ME. WHAT'S THE POINT? PLEASE LET THE PLAYER PLAY, SHE WILL DO FINE ON HER OWN.