Also, just my two cents again, teach your outfield the importance of playing back rather than up. You can come up on a ball a lot quicker than getting back. If you actually spend some time working on outfield specific drills, your parents might question you less. Then again, there will always be one parent...
Girls Softball All-Stars
- Thread starter ageecee
- Start date
Yeah, the last time you made that claim was when I said the media was over-hyping the swine flu and that it was no different than the standard flu.
Good call on that one dbag-
Glad I'm not in that position. It nauseates me thinking about an 8 year old child of mine practicing a sport 4 days a week with a game on the fifth. The kids are too young for that, and it will be a huge chore to them to be practicing all the time when all their friends are having sleep-overs, going to the pool, going to the water park, going on vacations, etc. Only the diehards will not hate it either at some point to all the time.
For dealing with parents, I've seen code of conduct agreements that parents must sign that are very good. Might be too late for that though??
The, "If you think you can do better, u can coach next year" retort is no good. You want to steer clear of arguing with parents at all costs.
Gee, my post sounds discouraging... Sorry about that. Good luck with your season and games.
For dealing with parents, I've seen code of conduct agreements that parents must sign that are very good. Might be too late for that though??
The, "If you think you can do better, u can coach next year" retort is no good. You want to steer clear of arguing with parents at all costs.
Gee, my post sounds discouraging... Sorry about that. Good luck with your season and games.
We have hit almost every practice. Have no idea why that parent made that comment. We have practiced off the tee, and then with soft toss with plastic balls, then with slow pitch.
I put the girls at a position that would help us win games. I didnt make the outfiled weak by any means because i knew many balls would be hit in the outfield. Have a girl who should be playing infield who is in outfield just to make my outfield a little stronger.
We have them always playing back rather up. They know to keep the ball in front of them that way we can limit a player to a single instead of letting it go over our head and then its a home run.
Some times we use 2 fields. One for the infield and the other for outfield. They are right next to each other and we do this for 30 minutes so we can have more room.
Sounds like you have things under control, not that you needed us to tell you that. Just keep doing what you're doing. As long as you're providing each girl the skills and knowledge to advance to whatever level she chooses in softball, that's all you can ask. Don't let the small stuff get to you because it will wear you down over the long hall.
Best of luck!
Best of luck!
Have to agree w/ Sixfive on this. I know what I posted earlier, but you have to avoid being confrontational w/ the parents. I guess you just need to let them know who is calling the shots in subtle way. I lock up girls, not only for the girl and her skills, but the parents to. I couldn't ask for better parents than what I have, and it makes things so much more enjoyable.
You have been getting some excellent advice here. One thing you need to emphasize at this age, is you gotta keep it fun. One drill that I have done in the past (that I found on a college softball practice drill site) is I get a medium sized stuffed animal and put it up on some sort of pedastal (you can make something like I did or just use a box), divide the team into two groups, form two lines, one about where shortstop is, and one where second base plays, hit them ground balls, and have them make the throw home and try to knock the stuffed animal down (which is at home plate), kind of like at the carnival. Count how many times each team knocks it down and the winninng team gets some sort of candy reward. (that the coach provides) Great way to end a practice on a fun note.
Don't get discouraged w/ all of this. In the end, you will have a lot more respect from the parents and players by taking the time to do this and it will end up being a rewarding experience. I have made a lot of new friends from my coaching, and you can never have enough freinds.
Keep us updated on the how you do.
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Good ideas guys keep them coming.
Any other drills im open to. I need work on throwing and catching in the infield.
One drill i did was made them catch ground balls with there hands instead of there gloves. They werent hit hard but it teaches them to use there glove when they have it on and that worked real well.
We went 0-2 in pool play this morning.
Any other drills im open to. I need work on throwing and catching in the infield.
One drill i did was made them catch ground balls with there hands instead of there gloves. They werent hit hard but it teaches them to use there glove when they have it on and that worked real well.
We went 0-2 in pool play this morning.
Ageecee: The last thing you need is to get bullied by a parent, because the rest of them will want the same treatment for their little princess. Come up with some sort of philosophy that you ran recite every time a parent challenges you so your purpose/stance is clear.
I watched my nephew's 9 & 10 year old team play a month ago, and it was outright torture. I had to listen as parents of awful players questioned why their kid wasn't pitching, playing SS, getting a chance to catch, etc. They just don't understand and you need to help them understand. One thing I would do is start giving inquiring parents some "homework" assignments. A lot of kids need time playing catch or hitting soft toss to help develop their coordination.
My nephew is way behind the curve and it is because the only time he works on his game is when it is time to play with the team. I spent hours throwing a ball against the house that had a strike zone taped to it. I feel like that is what put me in a position to play college ball, more than any natural ability or desire to win or coaching, or whatever people say make players better than others.
I watched my nephew's 9 & 10 year old team play a month ago, and it was outright torture. I had to listen as parents of awful players questioned why their kid wasn't pitching, playing SS, getting a chance to catch, etc. They just don't understand and you need to help them understand. One thing I would do is start giving inquiring parents some "homework" assignments. A lot of kids need time playing catch or hitting soft toss to help develop their coordination.
My nephew is way behind the curve and it is because the only time he works on his game is when it is time to play with the team. I spent hours throwing a ball against the house that had a strike zone taped to it. I feel like that is what put me in a position to play college ball, more than any natural ability or desire to win or coaching, or whatever people say make players better than others.
One that I do quite often, but not sure how well it would work w/ 7 & 8 year olds is the "star drill". You stand at home w/ the ball and you place a girl at every infield position (except pitcher) and a runner on first base. You throw (some coaches hit a ground ball) the ball to SS (the runner on first leaves first base running around the bases to home as soon as you make the throw to SS), the SS throws to 1st, 1st then throws it to 3rd, 3rd throws it to 2nd, and 2 nd throws it to the catcher at home, hoping the throw beats the runner. Seems the runners always win early in the year, but as they get better, the fielders should be winning after they get better.
If I can think of some more, I will let you know.
gmroz22, I think once these parents of younger kids realize their kid isn't an allstar after a few years, they settle down. I just got another email a few minutes ago in regards to some BS related to this in our league. We had one parent even threaten to go to the local news and pitch a bitch. Thankfully, that never happened.
That sounds like a good drill i will try it. Im assuming its mostly an infield drill so what kind of drills can i do for outfielders?
We do this drill as well, but we start the runner at home. You'd be amazed at what this does for teaching the girls the importance of accuracy and transferring the ball cleanly.
Exactly. I would also think it teaches them to catch and throw the ball while concentrating better.
Like I said, its always the parents of the younger ones that are a pain. Most of them smartin up after a few years. I'm sure the kids appreciate everything you are doing. Coaching can be a thankless job sometimes.
Finally got my 1st call from a parent tonite asking if i didnt need her then they would taker her off the team. WTF??
I'd probably have to say something like:
"You are teaching your child an invaluable lesson on how to deal with adversity."
-or-
"So, you're teaching your kid it is okay to quit?"
Something nice and passive aggressive.
Just told him she was good enough to make All-Stars she should be on the team. He understood completely i think its the mom who made him call. Shes the one behind the call.
Keep doing it. You'll be amazed at how much better they will get after doing it a few times.
Glad it helped. I used to know of some websites that were full of drills like this. I will try and find them and post them here.
