OK, so I'm a newbie Little League coach . . .

[Carrman]

Any tips?

This is for 8-9 year olds, the rules are regular baseball (pitching, regular balls/strikes, etc.), with only a few exceptions, like no leading off, no stealing home.

I have a lot of experience coaching my own kid in baseball, golf, and some of the "action" sports like skateboarding.

But that's one on one stuff, not 12 kids running around at the same time!

Anyways, any BTDT tips would be appreciated!

[WI wide body]

Originally Posted by Carrman

Any tips?

This is for 8-9 year olds, the rules are regular baseball (pitching, regular balls/strikes, etc.), with only a few exceptions, like no leading off, no stealing home.

I have a lot of experience coaching my own kid in baseball, golf, and some of the "action" sports like skateboarding.

But that's one on one stuff, not 12 kids running around at the same time!

Anyways, any BTDT tips would be appreciated!

I had 4 boys and I've been watching that stuff for 40 years (including the grand kids) and let me tell you much of it is not good. And all of it (at that 8-9 age) that is not good is because of asinine parents.

My first two boys were natural athletes and everything just came easy for them. I would actually feel sorry for some of the little kids who played against them because of the way their parents acted. It once got so bad that I actually told one dumbass coach to knock it off when he was berating his own kid when he was batting against my son.

A couple of quick and easy guidelines:

KISS for kids at that age. Basics are essential.
It's supposed to be fun. If not, maybe try something else.
Parents who live through their kids are mostly jerks.
If you see a parent much more involved than the child, there may be a problem.
At the other end are the parents who seem willing to do almost anything so that their child will succeed or look good. Another big problem.

Sports were mostly great for us because of what I said at the beginning. But I came to believe that most of the team sports did almost as much harm as good. I truly wish that my kids had concentrated on the individual sports such as golf, tennis, etc that you can play and enjoy for a lifetime.

All the time and effort in football, baseball, and basketball was fun since a few of them ended up being all-stars and leading their HS teams and even playing in college. But now that they are all past 40 guess what are the only sports they still play?

But good luck.

[JavaBrewer]

There is lots to say but I'm short on time tonight.

1. Be fair with positions. Kids that want to pitch, even if they are terrible, make sure they pitch at least once (1 inning) during the season. Same goes for catcher and infield positions.

2. Run high intensity organized practices. The boys can do it. Watch a few all-star/travel team practices to get an idea. There's nothing worse than a boring practice.

3. Have a team meeting after every practice and game. Talk about what went right and what needs work. Always encourage.

4. Always be positive and smile alot. If you're having fun the boys will to.

5. Encourage team play and sportsmanship. Boys that throw their glove or bat, or say negative things to other players, need to sit for a game/inning. Kids in the dugout need to be on their feet and vocal in support of their teamates.

[dhoward]

Make sure you let them know they're ALL winners!

[Carrman]

Thanks guys, sounds like I'm on the right track. This is my son's 4th or 5th year playing, so I've been around the sport for a while, but this is my first time as coach.

We've been pretty lucky in our league to have mellow parents. They stay out of the way, for the most part. Some of the coaches, on the other hand, have sometimes been a bit out of hand. But not too bad.

My philosophy is going to be to keep it simple and keep it fun. I agree, at this age, it's about the basics.

Agree on the high intensity practice, too. My biggest issue with the practices that my son has had in the past is there is too much standing around. He'd be at a practice for 2 hours, but if you really broke it down, he probably only spent 45 minutes actually catching, throwing or hitting the ball. I have a very carefully designed schedule that has everyone doing something at all times!

Team sports v. individual - I agree on that, too. This actually will probably be his last year of BBall, he's also a local PGA Jr. Tour golfer, and we'll likely focus on that starting this summer. My dad is an avid (6-7X per week) golfer, and it's a lot of fun to have 3 generations of golfers playing a round!

[Sapporo Guy]

great advice,

I can only add-in:
- Get a good whistle Saves your throat
- Try a notebook diary of how they did in practice / game. This is a good way to communicate with them without getting in their face in front of their friends.
- Especially in a loosing game, try to get all the kids a chance to bat and field ... they'll be more willing to accept your decisions on placement ... I still don't like coaches who put the record over a player ... hmmmm, been thinking of changing teams


+1 on letting them get a chance to play the position they want

[gchappel]

I helped coach for years, we were successful, won county, coached allstar, etc.
The most important early meeting we had each year was with the parents. All of them, if parents were not represented that child was no longer on the team. The parents have to understand your approach, if they don't like it is was early enough they could switch teams. Are you coaching to win? That is a whole different concept than coaching to teach. Parents have to understand your goals, and the teams goals. Do the "weaker" kids - and you will have some- only play outfield? Do they play everygame? Would you lose a game to play a weaker player? Get this worked out first and stick to it. We played every child every game. We did have the stronger batters on the top of the lineup. Kids played all postions- except if the child did not want to play infield. (Not counting pitchers- I didn't coach them- whole different kettle of fish)
Go to a coaching clinic weekend- I can't stress that enough. I played as a kid and thought I knew baseball, but I learned a lot. You may be able to throw, field and hit yourself- but do you know how to coach it, teach it, know the fundamentals. You owe your kids that. It will also gain the respect of the parents- and you will need it.
Practices need to set up well and intense- they need to be planned. Start off with something fun- so the kids don't want to be late. We had base running and played tag the coaches to start off. All the kids want to hit- so we had that last. The better the practice, the earlier we started hitting. The majority of the practice at this level, imho, should be fundamentals. The CORRECT way to throw, stand, swing. Drill it, and drill it more. We also had some tubs we had to get in shape- baserunning! But always with a plan, build everything up, have a goal. We won because of defense and fundamentally correct play.
Batting practice was a fiasco untill we purchased a pitching machine- best couple of hundred dollars we ever spent. Got donations from a couple of parents, used it for 4 years, sold it to another team- everyone about got their money back. You don't want your pitchers throwing that much- and our coaches could not pitch. Buy the machine.
Have rules. What do you do if practice is over at 7, and at 8:30 billy's parents are not there yet to pick him up (again.) Kids will be late, discipline problems, etc-
The games should be fun. Win or lose congratulate the kids, and the team meets for dinner. You will make some coaching errors, admit it and move on. Take some time to talk to the kids one on one- you may be the only non parent adult that will. You will have some bad parents- good luck with those.
Last hint- KNOW THE RULES. Know the rulebook like the back of your hand. It is not just the rules of baseball- but the rules of your league. Things like player eligibility, and the other little quarks. It is your job to run your team by the league rules. Many other coaches will not know the specific rules, you have to decide when and if you use them.
It was a great time. I am still- many years later- friends with most of the kids and parents- except now they are bigger than me and getting married.
Gary

[DavidI]

My advice is to remember that they are kids. Some adults try to live vicariously through their kids and are extremely hard on them in sports. Control your behaviour and set an example for the kids and their parents.

It will be very rewarding, David

[JavaBrewer]

As already mentioned many rec league teams are coached by Dad's who don't really know what they are doing and possibly are just there to promote their own kid (starting pitcher, top of the order, starting catcher, etc...). That can be fustrating.

About the practices. I've seen lots where they simply break the team into two groups where each lines up at SS and 2nd to field balls and throw back to catcher. Fine but that means alot of down time waiting for your turn. Two good drills that involve all the infield positions and also teach game strategy are

Round the Horn
Star Game

These keep the pace going and more kids participating.

Make sure you have good warm-up/stretching drills before actual practice. Oh and one more thing - kids like the super pickle game but enforce that they are all wearing their batting helmets or play it instead with a tennis ball. I've seen a kid get nailed in the face with a ball thrown by an over zealous Dad/Coach and it was not pretty.

[Flatbutt1]

Well I've mostly coached soccer and ice hockey but coaching kids in any sport I find that I must be alert to keeping the kids chins up. Really making it OK for the kid that isn't quite getting it AND making it clear to all of the players that its a team. We help each other and do not get on each others case when things don' go well. Never underestimate how down the boys can get. The girls I've coached seem to deal with losing better than the boys. Oh yeah ..be ready with a roll of Lifesavers, they really are a nice distraction.

[Carrman]

In our league, the kids do play to have fun, but by the 8/9 year old divisions, it is no longer classified as an "instructional" league, but is a "competitive" league. You do have to play to win. This is the point where the less serious kids start dropping out (only the more serious go on to the next division).

So the goal is to win, but not at the expense of having fun. Fortunately, i think at this age level, the two go hand and hand. I believe the more fun the kids have, the less stress they have, the more engaged they are, and they do better. I think I can "trick" (ha ha) them into thinking they are just having fun, when they are really learning! That's been my specialty with my own son.

There are very set rules on playing the kids. For example, can't sit out 2 consecutive innings, have to play infield a minimum number of times, have to play a minimum number of innings, and the entire batting order (all 12 kids) bat.

Batting machine! I'm already on that. I already bought one. I didn't ask for donations, I just paid for it myself. I view it as part of my commitment to the kids that I agreed to lead and coach. I think it will make a huge difference at this level. The kids just don't get many opportunities to have a lot of strokeable balls pitched to them (usually the coaches throw batting practice and the pitches are all over the place). Good tip on using it last in practice!

My biggest strength, I think, is being able to relate to the kids. I've competed in sports most of my life, including in contact sports as an adult, so I know that competition isn't as easy as it looks to non-participants!

Thanks for the tips, lots of good stuff that I am going to use! I'll let you know how it goes (first official full team/parent meeting and practice tonight).

[Macroni]

get help, be organized and be fair

[nostatic]

teach 'em to spit correctly. I hate seeing little leaguers who don't do that right...

[JavaBrewer]

Keep in mind that the hitting machine generally throws the balls in the same location. The boys get the position dialed and they start slipping on the key fundamental - eye on ball to the bat. The tee is a good tool that should not be forgotten.

If it's a live pitch league (boys are pitching) then the balls are going to be everywhere. So a kid who's king on the machine can really struggle on plate in a game.

I guess what I'm saying is keep it mixed up. Batting stations of soft toss, tee, and pitching machine.

Being a hitter is key for the boys. They can play a tremendous defensive game but if they strike out they will not be happy.

[WI wide body]

Originally Posted by Carrman

Thanks guys, sounds like I'm on the right track. This is my son's 4th or 5th year playing, so I've been around the sport for a while, but this is my first time as coach.

We've been pretty lucky in our league to have mellow parents. They stay out of the way, for the most part. Some of the coaches, on the other hand, have sometimes been a bit out of hand. But not too bad.

My philosophy is going to be to keep it simple and keep it fun. I agree, at this age, it's about the basics.

Agree on the high intensity practice, too. My biggest issue with the practices that my son has had in the past is there is too much standing around. He'd be at a practice for 2 hours, but if you really broke it down, he probably only spent 45 minutes actually catching, throwing or hitting the ball. I have a very carefully designed schedule that has everyone doing something at all times!

Team sports v. individual - I agree on that, too. This actually will probably be his last year of BBall, he's also a local PGA Jr. Tour golfer, and we'll likely focus on that starting this summer. My dad is an avid (6-7X per week) golfer, and it's a lot of fun to have 3 generations of golfers playing a round!

Sure wish that you hadn't brought up that golf thing. My #2 son was a whizbang at all three major sports (at a very small high school) but I also got him into golf. He even won a few kid tournaments but I never could get him to take it serious and he didn't even play in HS. Too busy with the others.

Pissed me off since he had all sorts of natural ability (strength, ball/eye coordination, swing speed, good short game, etc) but he mostly just hit it hard and had fun when not playing the other sports. I never could get it into his head that hitting a ball 300 yards cannot really be taught...anymore than being able to run a 10 flat 100 can be taught.

Of course the odds of him making anything out of golf are remote but ya never know. And we never will know and that bothers me a bit. But I love golf.

And now, he has his job and three little girls and still doesn't play much. But he still kills the ball!

[rattlsnak]

Play every kid, even the ones that suck.....

[gassy]

When the game is over,win or lose, ask them if they had fun. Let them know that's what important and why they are there. At that age, don't criticize individuals nor as a team--they're just diggin' being on the field and seeing their mom and dad watch them play.

A good hitting drill is to get a 5 Gal bucket full of balls and kneel down and have them hit them in to the fence--you just flip them up instead of a tee--they love it--that way your asst coach can be working with the other half so they don't get bored.

[sammyg2]

BTDT with good success.

1) no walks. Find pitchers who can throw strikes, even if they are as fat as a watermelon. A kid who throws hard and doesn't have control is not good for the team. Teach them to throw strikes no matter how soft or slow or fat. (see hitting below, same idea).

2) keep it simple, stick to basics, repetition, explain the strategy of the game in simple terms. Score more runs than the other team, by doing this and this and this!

3) give them an excuse to win instead of an excuse to lose. It's better to tell them that if they do something correctly they will succeed, instead of telling them if they don't do something right they will fail.

4) teach control. If they swing hard they will probably miss the ball. If they swing easy, check swing so to speak, they will make contact. Hitting the ball softly is much better than not hitting the ball at all.
During batting practice I had they just try to hold the bat out and just stop the pitch. They had very little trouble doing that. Then I had them take a very short, controlled half-swing and hit the ball back to the pitcher. Again, no problem. I used that as an example how easy it is to hit the ball, and that there was no reason to ever strike out unless they were trying to swing too hard.
That team had too many infield hits to count, but they got on base a great deal of the time.
We won one game by a mercy rule, even though we did not get a single hit. The players on my team would hit the ball and the other team committed one error after another, advancing the runners. All we had to do was get the ball in play. The more errors the other team made the worse they played, until eventually a kid laid down a bunt and scored because of all the bad throws.
A controlled team will win because the team that is out of control will beat itself.

5) Good throws or no throws: teach the kids it's better to throw the ball back to the pitcher than to over-throw first base.

6) nothing by you, ever. Teach them to stop the ball. Knock it down, pick it up, control the play. Show them how to keep the ball in front of them and to knock it down. Keep a single from turning into a double. No extra bases from error. Limit the other team's advantage on every play.

7) no yelling, ever. Be cool, be calm, be concise and clear with instructions but don't ever forget they are just little kids.

8) use words and explanations that they can understand. I've seen too many cases of a coach yelling at a kid telling him to "box out" or "shorten it up" or something like that, and I could tell that the kid had no clue whatsoever what the coach wanted him to do. Most of these kids want to play well. Give them the opportunity and excuse to play well, and take away the things that would prevent their success. Using words and vocabulary they understand is a big part of that.


Obviously this simplistic strategy wouldn't work at higher levels, but at the 8 to 9 year old level it works.