- Jun 1, 2015
- 501
- 43
Howdy all. Background information:
- 16U rec team here made up of 2 varsity players, 10 modified players (both modified and varsity teams are winless this spring), and 3 12U-level players.
- One 2-hour practice per week - Lots of group work/stations for hitting, fielding, baserunning and a game/contest at the end.
- I'm totally new to the girls and vice versa. I knew a parent or two prior but I knew none of the players before this season.
- I've got fairly supportive parents who have helped at our 2 practices so far (soft toss, helping correct basic form, etc.)
After our most recent practice, said helpers/parents have remarked how lacking in focus the girls are during the occasional drill. The drills/stations are designed to prevent girls from standing around, doing nothing, which I think has been successful so far. However, now and then, I find some ladies (especially the younger girls) not focused on drills - chatting while I'm giving instructions, not taking a drill seriously, occasionally sassing a parent (if they know them, probably thinking they are being funny, etc - I've told the girls that parents on the field are the same as coaches, and the parents can feel free to reprimand the girls as necessary). Given that it's early in our time together, I've not been a dictator coach but I have pulled aside girls and talked to them about these matters. It's 50/50 if it works or not.
For the more veteran coaches, what do you do to ensure your girls keep their focus through a 2-hour practice? What strategies (positive and negative) do you find work best to keep your girls engaged, learning, active, while also enjoying practice and having fun? I don't want to run a boot camp - but with how weak these girls are in ability, I want to maximize my 2 hours and get in what I feel is most important. All constructive criticisms/advice will be taken into account.
- 16U rec team here made up of 2 varsity players, 10 modified players (both modified and varsity teams are winless this spring), and 3 12U-level players.
- One 2-hour practice per week - Lots of group work/stations for hitting, fielding, baserunning and a game/contest at the end.
- I'm totally new to the girls and vice versa. I knew a parent or two prior but I knew none of the players before this season.
- I've got fairly supportive parents who have helped at our 2 practices so far (soft toss, helping correct basic form, etc.)
After our most recent practice, said helpers/parents have remarked how lacking in focus the girls are during the occasional drill. The drills/stations are designed to prevent girls from standing around, doing nothing, which I think has been successful so far. However, now and then, I find some ladies (especially the younger girls) not focused on drills - chatting while I'm giving instructions, not taking a drill seriously, occasionally sassing a parent (if they know them, probably thinking they are being funny, etc - I've told the girls that parents on the field are the same as coaches, and the parents can feel free to reprimand the girls as necessary). Given that it's early in our time together, I've not been a dictator coach but I have pulled aside girls and talked to them about these matters. It's 50/50 if it works or not.
For the more veteran coaches, what do you do to ensure your girls keep their focus through a 2-hour practice? What strategies (positive and negative) do you find work best to keep your girls engaged, learning, active, while also enjoying practice and having fun? I don't want to run a boot camp - but with how weak these girls are in ability, I want to maximize my 2 hours and get in what I feel is most important. All constructive criticisms/advice will be taken into account.