My AC and I disagree about one part of our team philosophy.
First, some Background:
12u B level team that plays in a competitive League, and tournaments. League play we treat like a practice and we rotate girls around a little, we bat the lineup, and everyone plays fairly equal innings. In pool games (tournaments), we bat the lineup and everyone plays. Not all innings are equal, but every girl gets plenty of opportunity. However, come Sunday I put the top 9 girls in that will help the Team compete hard. Of course, if we are winning or losing by enough, we rotate other girls in, but in tight bracket games we play with the girls that have earned the position.
I emphasize that each girl on the team can earn a starting spot on Sunday, but it must be earned and it must help the team. I believe that teaching them this skill now before high school is just as important as teaching them fielding fundamentals.
The disagreement.
My AC agrees mostly with league play and pool play (although he would probably like us to tilt the playing time more in favor of the lower 3-4 girls), but he disagrees with bracket play. He thinks that all girls should play even if it hurts the teams chances of competing. His philosophy is more about personal growth and learning to play under pressure. He said that a few girls are discouraged and know they will not play on Sunday.
What are other coaches doing?
First, some Background:
12u B level team that plays in a competitive League, and tournaments. League play we treat like a practice and we rotate girls around a little, we bat the lineup, and everyone plays fairly equal innings. In pool games (tournaments), we bat the lineup and everyone plays. Not all innings are equal, but every girl gets plenty of opportunity. However, come Sunday I put the top 9 girls in that will help the Team compete hard. Of course, if we are winning or losing by enough, we rotate other girls in, but in tight bracket games we play with the girls that have earned the position.
I emphasize that each girl on the team can earn a starting spot on Sunday, but it must be earned and it must help the team. I believe that teaching them this skill now before high school is just as important as teaching them fielding fundamentals.
The disagreement.
My AC agrees mostly with league play and pool play (although he would probably like us to tilt the playing time more in favor of the lower 3-4 girls), but he disagrees with bracket play. He thinks that all girls should play even if it hurts the teams chances of competing. His philosophy is more about personal growth and learning to play under pressure. He said that a few girls are discouraged and know they will not play on Sunday.
What are other coaches doing?