Quote:
Originally Posted by Seahawk
Are they acting out at practice or games?
If practice, split the squad up into many small groups and roll through a number of skill drills, not just BP and Infield. Keep them busy. Ask the Moms and Dads to help, even the divorced ones 
Boredom is the enemy of baseball practice at their age.
This is a good link: How To Run An Efficient Baseball Practice
It is funny how times change. When I was a kid if I had acted out to the Coach I was one phone call away from Unpleasantville, My House, USA. |
Yeah - We made a plan to speak to the parents between the coaches. I spoke to my two that day and highlighted that it wasn't just their kid but we did need to see some behaviors change.
We do split them up into small groups to drill at practice and if they don't pay attention they do laps and miss their turn. then they try to come back into the rotation and cut into where they think they should be instead of just getting at the end of the line. When the other players don't let them in - pushing and shoving - practice stops. We have tried to address that with simple 'stop it'. Don't cut in line, if someone is cutting in line arguing about it is just wasting time. You're both on the same team start acting like it.
They are less of a problem during games - especially the talented one. So from Seahawks excellent link which was exactly what I was looking for I already have some good stuff on how to handle it. I have to socialize not playing this kid in a game if he is a disruption in practice though as our Manager may not want to go with that. But, our last game he was off skiing and it was our best game yet.
The other kids can still be disruptive but are much less so during games with the exception of #1, the disruptor. he's just pretty ADHD and can't sit still - I get it, my oldest is like that as well. In fact - he's #4. When he isn't paying attention I have him benched just like anyone else.
I saw the question of my qualifications and I know that was retracted but man to be honest I don't think you're wrong. I'm probably not the best guy to be the coach and I know I'm not the best Cub Scout leader because I've seen much better. I've tried to emulate those guys and while I don't think I'm a bad leader I'm just not as good as those guys.
The problem is when they asked for volunteers everyone else took a step back for the most part and me an a few other guys stepped forward. So, we're it regardless of our qualifications. If the parents of the 'troublemakers' don't like it my only problem becomes if I send them home can I actually field a team? At that point of course I go to the league and we do some trades if we have to. I don't want to get there though - I'd much rather change what I'm doing to help them handle things better and get them to adjust their behavior as well.
I believe in these team sport things - I work on teams all the time at work and all these things the kids are doing on their sports teams are extremely important to how successful they can be in life.