Coaches and Parents.....What do you do after the season started off fairly well if not great and as a team, you were winning 75% of your games.
Now that we're at mid-season, your team is drifting back into the pack, and you're struggling to win 50% of your games and teams you've beaten earlier seem much more confident and able to dust the diamond off with your joc!
What do you do? Take a week or two off and get away from the game? Go from 2 days a week practice to 4? Change up the lineup and defensive positioning? Get tougher on the kids or back off?
Really depends on the problem. They may not be winning as much for various reasons. There is a difference between losing by one run in a hard fought battle and losing by ten runs because your team quit. I disagree with taking time off for any reason short of sore arms as a resolution to problems. Every practice is so important that I do my best to see my son gets to every one of them (he maybe has missed one this year). I get upset when practice gets canceled because I am creative enough to hold an hour long practice in a parking lot (or in someone's gargage) and not have them touch a ball once. Coaches need to try and diagnose the problem though. If it is attitude problem then make sure as a parent, your kids' attitude is in check. You cannot affect anyone else's (and his either the older he gets I am finding out). Teach him to pick those up who are struggling and cheer those on who are doing better than he is. Attitude starts with the coaches and the parents though. Always try and stay as upbeat as possible - even at the best level of travel ball. My one cent.
That is a subjective answer. I would think you as coaches need to identify a reason or reasons why you are not as successful. Pitching not getting stronger? This requires extra work. Hitting not as good? This requires a good eye to assist. Again extra work. These two have to be beyond practice. Defense issues?? Pick out the problem that sticks out, address one problem per practice. Working to make the fielding positions better always increases your chance of winning. Pitchers pitch better when they know the defense is not Swiss cheese. The person calling pitches can be more aggressive as well. Kids tired of playing? Take a break, or better yet. Throw a party!! Nothing like a party to build a bond between boys. Doesn't even matter what kind, even a pizza party at Stevie bs will work. Kids not paying attention in practice? Having to spend to much time going over and over things? Time to lay down a little law. Are you having fun as their coach?? Often overlooked, kids won't sell their soul for you if they don't feel you want to be there or you want to replace them. Just some thoughts. Not accusing, don't even know your situation.
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Posted - 04/30/2012 : 15:24:41
