Applying What They Are Taught

What aspects are they strugging with would probably help if you can tell us. Is it something like just the technique of fielding and throwing or moving to where you need to be when ball is in play or being in correct back up position. Telling us more specifically may help us with more appropriate responses.

When you say they do it great in practice are they doing it in live situations as in a controlled scrimmage or is it a set up drill? Sometimes you can set up drills and they look great but without having done it in a controlled scrimmage it still overwhelms them.

Sometimes this is all mental. I tell my guys on every drill to "slow the game down". This is something I got from Peyton Manning. He said that during games the action causes things to feel like they are going in fast forward and players panic. By "slowing the game down" then players can accoplish plays successfully because they are not overwhelmed mentally.

Good luck with it because that is what is hard about coaching - we can teach and prepare but it's still left up to the players.

Doc

Every year our team has a different chemistry due to the players personalities---some are more cohesive than others

I think a lot has to do with the league play--is it rec?--is it showcase?---I think the players looking to get to the next level and are truly serious about it work harder and apply themselves more strenuously

TR,

The league is classified as simply Competitive Baseball, by no means is it Showcase. The teams composed of 14 players, and I'd say there's only 3 of them that don't really want to pursue or try and pursue baseball at the next level. Team Chem is actually pretty solid, for the most part there aren't any big problems, there's been a few little problems, but nothing to cause concern. It's been addressed and handled in the proper means.

coach2709,

In practice we do both a set up drill and a controlled scrim.

Some aspects are: backing up like you mentioned they get there, but it's about 5 steps too late. It's as if they stand and watch what is going on rather then reacting. Moving where you need to be, getting a better read. Some of them need better throwing technique in a game, I think they rush themselves too much. Hitting, practice they have a good approach in and are disciplined, in a game they'll chase anything and everything, I think they are applying too much pressure to themselves. Then there's just routine ground balls, for some reason there's about 5 that go through every game, they are out of position, they don't get their glove down. It's really frustrating to watch. In the outfield we're solid. As far as Pitching goes, the problems there I can handle quite easily. It's really just the infield and their hitting that is giving me grief.

I like the idea of 'Slow the game down' I never thought of telling them that.

quote:

we can teach and prepare but it's still left up to the players.

So very true. I tell them that every practice and every game.

They are playing against older players and that situation may produce two opposite results.
1. They may think the opposition is too strongh and they believe they can't win. Traduce in lazy baseball.
2. They think that they can and want to beat the older guys and that motivation make them to play better.
They need a motivation, for example, Hey guys show me what you can do against the big guys!

Racab,

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll try that as well!

quote:

Originally posted by Doc_K:
coach2709,

quote:

we can teach and prepare but it's still left up to the players.

So very true. I tell them that every practice and every game.

One thing that has helped me over the years in teaching where to go is a no ball IF / OF. Coach simulates hitting the ball and the players go where they need to go and communicate what they need to communicate. I have found by taking the ball out of the equation they can now focus on doing what they need to do instead of being spectators.

I wouldn't stress to much about how it is left up to them to make the play. One potential problem (and that is only something you can judge because you know your team while I don't) is they will feel you are putting them out there with no support from the bench. While they should have ownership in their performance they still need to know that no matter what you support them and will keep working to make them better.

Good luck.