signs

flash whatever you want none of them mean thing, after signs are complete clap your hands, one clap steal, 2 claps bunt, 3 claps hit and run!!

 

no claps means no sign.

I would try to figure out why they are messing up on simple signs.  Are they resistant to buying into the purpose of execution?  Do they just want to hit?  Is it clear to them that they are to call time if there is any doubt?  Are the signs being relayed clearly?  Are they confident in their ability to execute?  There is almost always an underlying reason why signs are missed/ignored.  You have to find out what it is and address it.  You have to build a culture where everyone buys in.  Lots of communication, lots of teaching and steady increase in expectations.

In our area, at the HS V level, other league teams will figure out your system if it is TOO simple.  We'll usually use a consistent sign system that is logical and mix the indicator.  You can simplify by always flashing the sign immediately after the indicator.  After pre-game discussion of signs, I'll typically go around and ask small groups "what is the indicator?" just to make sure everyone is on the same page. 

Old_school's technique will work fine at LL, but even at that level, if you get to All Stars or play travel, somebody in the dugout or stands is going to bother to watch, and as soon as they do it's over.  But if you do your signs like that above 12U, all you're doing is telling your players that they are $%*&ing idiots and you have no confidence in their ability to master the simplest of tasks.

 

So here's a pretty simple one.  Only one sign is "hot" for any given game. Say it's touching the bill of the cap today. You go through signs and once you touch the cap,  the player counts how many other things you touch before touching the cap again.  Doesn't matter what you touch, just how many touches there are before you touch the cap again.  Once is bunt, two is steal, etc.

 

 

Take JCGs suggestion a step further by rewarding them or praising them in front of their teammates.   Before every game, select a kid who got the signals right in the last game.   That kid gets to pick the "indicator" for the next game.   As more kids buy into the system you'll get more participation and more peer pressure to pay attention to the signs.

 

Btw....coaches are the only ones who get annoyed with missed signals.  I;ve seen high school and college players get into players grill for missing signs.  

Maybe try to go with one of the football style play caller systems. You call out a number, they read their wristband and that is the play.

 

As JCG said, this will be picked up after about 2 pitches. Don't do this. This might be the simplest sign system to steal that I've ever heard of, actually.

 

When used properly, the quarterback sleeve is effective and pretty much impossible to pick up. A bit tough to get a feel for but once they do, it doesn't slow down the game at all - despite the backlash you might hear from people against it.