My son (14U) is an excellent catcher but not the most verbal guy around. He hsutles and leads more by example - does anyone know of any books/videos/instruction that may be available to make him a better leader on the field.
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Being a leader is something that has to come from within.
Some do it by their actions some are more vocal. Both my boys are team leaders. My oldest one is very quiet, but goes out and does his stuff. My youngest is very vocal, but follows thru on the field with his actions.
I don't think that you can make a kid into something that he isn't. Leaders do not necessarily need to be the Rah Rah type of guys.
Some do it by their actions some are more vocal. Both my boys are team leaders. My oldest one is very quiet, but goes out and does his stuff. My youngest is very vocal, but follows thru on the field with his actions.
I don't think that you can make a kid into something that he isn't. Leaders do not necessarily need to be the Rah Rah type of guys.
Go to catchingcamp.com. Coach Weaver is an excellent catching coach and works great with the kids.
Dave, when my son was a freshman in college, the seniors nicknamed him "stoneface" because he never showed emotion. Only twice in his college career did he "bark" at anyone. By the end of every game, however, his uniform looked like a dirt cloud. Never underestimate the leadership that derives when the game is played with intensity, max effort and skill.
Dave, When my now 15U starting catching full time about 4 years ago, this was one of his weakest areas. He was always a very hard worker, but never a very vocal leader. He prefered to "lead by example". As someone before me said, by the 2nd inning, he was covered in dirt. I have often told my wife, I think we should invest in Spray & Wash! When he moved up to 13U, he had a coach who really expected the catcher's to be leaders on the field - both in work and in voice. It has taken two years of that prodding, but this past fall when he played varsity ball with his HS team, I was amazed at what I was hearing from him. He was still working as hard as ever (dirty from head to toe), and giving out encouragement, challenging others and being that vocal leader on the field that a catcher has to be. And he was doing all of this with a predominatly senior lineup who he had never played with before (we just moved into this area). I know I talked to him about this for two years, but until he had a coach who just expected him to do it, it didn't click.
Dave17,
Glad to see you’re still around. I agree with BigWI but will say it a little differently. (Since I already typed it) Being a so called leader is more of a personality characteristic. Don’t expect your son to be a leader. That is a huge responsibility to expect out of a kid. Leadership is often associated with the catching position, but it isn’t position specific. I might add a little tongue in cheek comment. Being able to call a great game or being the team leader is something a catcher’s parent conjured up because their kid can’t hit, throw, or block.
Your son needs to have confidence in himself and a total understanding of the game at all times. This comfort level will help bring out the verbal instructions needed from a catcher. Good coaching and catching instructions will teach him this. During fall ball I noticed my son “screaming out” instructions to a young pitcher to “GET OVER, GET OVER” to cover the bag at first. After the game I commended him on his increased vocal involvement. Al he said was: “Hey, the kid’s a freshman and he didn’t have a clue”. At any level, when inexperienced players join the team, the more experienced players gain confidence and step up to the challenge of taking charge.
As your son gets older he begins to understand the catcher’s job can be to control the tempo of the game, set up the dp ball, call pick off moves, and set the infield, he will realize this “taking charge” is just part of the job of the catcher. Why the catcher? Not because of some leadership training course or because catchers are perceived as more macho, but simply because he’s the ONLY one in a position to do those things, plus he sees everything and everyone sees him.
Good luck to your son,
Fungo
Glad to see you’re still around. I agree with BigWI but will say it a little differently. (Since I already typed it) Being a so called leader is more of a personality characteristic. Don’t expect your son to be a leader. That is a huge responsibility to expect out of a kid. Leadership is often associated with the catching position, but it isn’t position specific. I might add a little tongue in cheek comment. Being able to call a great game or being the team leader is something a catcher’s parent conjured up because their kid can’t hit, throw, or block.
Your son needs to have confidence in himself and a total understanding of the game at all times. This comfort level will help bring out the verbal instructions needed from a catcher. Good coaching and catching instructions will teach him this. During fall ball I noticed my son “screaming out” instructions to a young pitcher to “GET OVER, GET OVER” to cover the bag at first. After the game I commended him on his increased vocal involvement. Al he said was: “Hey, the kid’s a freshman and he didn’t have a clue”. At any level, when inexperienced players join the team, the more experienced players gain confidence and step up to the challenge of taking charge.
As your son gets older he begins to understand the catcher’s job can be to control the tempo of the game, set up the dp ball, call pick off moves, and set the infield, he will realize this “taking charge” is just part of the job of the catcher. Why the catcher? Not because of some leadership training course or because catchers are perceived as more macho, but simply because he’s the ONLY one in a position to do those things, plus he sees everything and everyone sees him.
Good luck to your son,
Fungo
At 14, he's still young; with experience, the vocal part will come. Leading by example is a great foundation -- that will show his teammates that his directons and encouragement are worth listening to.
Having a coach that expects leadership from his catcher would be very valuable (haven't we all had the experience that a coach can use even the exact words we have to our sons....but they don't listen until that someone else says it?). So would having a coach who displays the value he places on the catching position. If you can find such a coach on a travel team or as a private instructor (given that he doesn't have that at hs), go for it.
Otherwise, start with basics. Hustle on and off the field like you own it. Then move on to how to deal with pitchers....which is a lot like dealing with real people with problems (that was for you, Phoenix
). Next might be encouragement to a player that just made an error. Take it one step at a time.
Sometimes we make the mistake of giving our kids general instruction "You need to be a leader". What does that mean? Does he know? Ask him what he thinks it is!
To me, being a leader on the field has nothing to do with the rah-rah stuff. But it has a lot to do with knowing the game, and doing all yu can to keep the team on track to put themselves in the best position to succeed as a unit.
Having a coach that expects leadership from his catcher would be very valuable (haven't we all had the experience that a coach can use even the exact words we have to our sons....but they don't listen until that someone else says it?). So would having a coach who displays the value he places on the catching position. If you can find such a coach on a travel team or as a private instructor (given that he doesn't have that at hs), go for it.
Otherwise, start with basics. Hustle on and off the field like you own it. Then move on to how to deal with pitchers....which is a lot like dealing with real people with problems (that was for you, Phoenix
). Next might be encouragement to a player that just made an error. Take it one step at a time.Sometimes we make the mistake of giving our kids general instruction "You need to be a leader". What does that mean? Does he know? Ask him what he thinks it is!
To me, being a leader on the field has nothing to do with the rah-rah stuff. But it has a lot to do with knowing the game, and doing all yu can to keep the team on track to put themselves in the best position to succeed as a unit.
No book, no tapes, just a desire to the help the team. Your son doesn't have to tell anyone what to do to be a verbal leader. Leadership is often just providing the right information at the right time. Here are some suggestions that a scout gave my son, whom he concluded was way to quiet.
Before each hitter he must stand in front of home plate, face the infield and annouce:
1 Number of outs
2 Batting order position of the current hitter (after the 1st inining)
3 What the hitter did last time up (if it was a K the catcher points to the pitcher and you got him) don't embarass the hitter.
My son started doing these items in that order, he didn't start doing them all at once. I don't know if it made him a team leader or not, but people noticed and he got a lot less shy.
Other things he started doing on his own after some hints from the scout:
-Always meet the pitcher on the way back to the dugout with a pat on the back
-Point to the pitcher whenever does something good
-Always call time out if the pitcher crosses you up
-Shake the umpires hand before the first pitch
If you can get him to start doing these things he'll be a leader w/o even knowing it.
Before each hitter he must stand in front of home plate, face the infield and annouce:
1 Number of outs
2 Batting order position of the current hitter (after the 1st inining)
3 What the hitter did last time up (if it was a K the catcher points to the pitcher and you got him) don't embarass the hitter.
My son started doing these items in that order, he didn't start doing them all at once. I don't know if it made him a team leader or not, but people noticed and he got a lot less shy.
Other things he started doing on his own after some hints from the scout:
-Always meet the pitcher on the way back to the dugout with a pat on the back
-Point to the pitcher whenever does something good
-Always call time out if the pitcher crosses you up
-Shake the umpires hand before the first pitch
If you can get him to start doing these things he'll be a leader w/o even knowing it.
I picked up on a very good point in 2parent's post:
Perhaps your son could start by picking one obvious area to be more verbal, and then as that became easy, add another. When my pitcher son was a senior in HS and team captain, he helped the starting catcher to "come out of his shell" in pretty much that way. Varsity starting catcher was only a soph and very shy and quiet, but a great athlete and very good catcher. My son started by saying, "Okay, John, remember to call out how many outs, nice and loud, before each batter." John wasn't too shy to do that. After another practice or two, my son suggested another thing for him to take charge of, and gradually John became - well, not a highly vocal leader, but more comfortable with some of it at least. (The coach had given my son permission as captain to coach the other players.)
Perhaps your son could start by picking one obvious area to be more verbal, and then as that became easy, add another. When my pitcher son was a senior in HS and team captain, he helped the starting catcher to "come out of his shell" in pretty much that way. Varsity starting catcher was only a soph and very shy and quiet, but a great athlete and very good catcher. My son started by saying, "Okay, John, remember to call out how many outs, nice and loud, before each batter." John wasn't too shy to do that. After another practice or two, my son suggested another thing for him to take charge of, and gradually John became - well, not a highly vocal leader, but more comfortable with some of it at least. (The coach had given my son permission as captain to coach the other players.)
great stuff guys and gals. keep it coming, please!
I think goMO says it short and sweet.
Maybe "desire" could be included in the statement also.
quote:
Words are meaningless without action. Accomplishments speak louder than words.
Maybe "desire" could be included in the statement also.
Please don't confuse Rah Rah with leadership. Every starting catcher that I've coached here has gone on to college. I've not had one yet that was vocal. Leadership can be accomplished in so many ways. Many of them are posted here and are great! Catchers lead by example. Blocking that ball in the dirt. Doing the bullpens. Just the nature of the beast demands leadership. I would add that I believe it is the coach's duty to make the team aware of the sacrifices of catchers. Example: Our catchers hit last. They have the bullpens. They catch pitcher's live arms. They have their defensive work to get in be it drill work and/or throwing. Typically both! I've made it a point to make sure that the team realizes that our catchers are first to arrive and last to leave. I've tried to make sure to take care of them via the trainer etc. I know that the kids I've had are in awe of our catchers. Naturally, the nature of the kid also plays into this. For this year, we are making one of our SS a catcher. He already has begun doing drill work etc. with a former player at one of our barns. They already can see the bruises. That's how leaders are formed.
CC - I have a SS who is also a catcher (yes, my son). I do believe he has those intangible qualities that make for a good leader. He understands the game better than most, he's not afraid to talk to his teammates about stuff, and he's tough. He just needs a stronger arm...
I also have another catcher who is very good, but not necessarily a leader. The other kids on the team kinda push him around a bit (moreso at school and stuff). He's got all the physical tools, but I think he's a bit afraid of showing leadership to his teammates...
what to do....
I also have another catcher who is very good, but not necessarily a leader. The other kids on the team kinda push him around a bit (moreso at school and stuff). He's got all the physical tools, but I think he's a bit afraid of showing leadership to his teammates...
what to do....
All through the years from LL till this year(sophomore in college) my son has only had one coach who wanted a yeller on the field...he is not the verbal type...he will yell get over and does pat the pitcher when he has thrown particularly well but beyond that he just does what needs to be done...he does not look for praise...is very hard on himself...hates braggots and bravado...but is willing to learn, help and advise if need be...leaves every game tired and filthy but would not change a thing...he had one coach who described the position as the one person noone noticed on the field as he made no mistakes and just did his job...this has been his credo for years
I am one of those coaches thats just loves a catcher to be the vocal leader on the field. First of all its a posistion that commands alot of respect from coaches and players. The physical abuse that a good catcher is willing to take to help his team win. The constant pressure to perform at a high level that is only heightened in a close game. That kid that is blocking balls off his chest and forearms and sweating through that gear all day I just love what it takes to be good at that posistion. I agree that you can not teach a kid to be a leader on the field. You can teach him some things that will help like being vocal on cut calls etc. It is a huge plus when the guy behind the dish is a leader not only by the way he sets the tone defenseively but vocally as well. But one thing is for sure, if he is not good at what he does then no one is going to listen to his vocal leadership. He has to back it up with a stone wall mentality behind that plate. Defense starts with a stud behind the plate.
Thanks for the thoughtful replies - my son just read thru them and he appreciates your comments as well.
Being a leader does necessarily mean you have to be vocal--many lead by example and action on the field and in the dugout
AND SOME ARE JUST NATURAL LEADERS while others are followers
AND SOME ARE JUST NATURAL LEADERS while others are followers
yes a catcher has to be a leader. that doesn't mean he is a rah rah guy, but he needs to be vocal as far as the games siuations etc. all of our signals go through the catcher. we usually let our catchers call pitches, so he must also be knowledgeable about hitting etc. in the dugout he doesn't have to be vocal, in the locker room he doesn't have to be vocal, but on the field... yes. i have been fortunate to have 4 catchers play for me as a head coach (about 15 total)and all of them have played college ball (10 of 15 total) some have been rah rah guys , some have been very quiet and lead by example, but all have been vocal leaders on the field during a game.
I totally agree that you do not have to be a rah rah guy to be a leader. Many guys lead by example without being vocal at all. Some guys are vocal in their leadership and back it up with strong play. I do believe that it is a huge plus for a catcher to be a vocal leader on the field during games. This does not mean that he has to be a rah rah guy at all.
quote:
Originally posted by Coach May:
I do believe that it is a huge plus for a catcher to be a vocal leader on the field during games. This does not mean that he has to be a rah rah guy at all.
I agree (Bet you're excited about that
)I do not think that a catcher is doing his job if he isn't vocal. He is the one player on the field that sees everything that is going on. He needs to communicate - Loudly - to his teammates. But as you point out that is not necessarily the Rah-Rah stuff. I think that would just be a plus.