Coaches,
I'm a new head coach this year. I created a team packet with all kinds of rules, expectations, team philosophy, etc. In this packet, I have offense signs that I would give from 3rd base. I know many coaches who don't mind to put signs in the packet but also understand why some coaches may not want signs to be placed in the packet. Especially if rival or conference schools are close by. What is your take on putting signs on paper for the team?
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We hand out the sign sheet separate of all other information at a different time (following our first thorough review of our sign system). This makes it far less likely to land in wrong hands and gives it the proper attention. We also post it in the dugout every game and take care not to leave it or post too early.
Even then, we have a changing indicator, so even if an opponent knew our system (which a few likely do), if they don't know what indicator we are using that day, it does them no good. In fact, I'll decoy right sign, wrong indicator with teams I suspect know our system... seems to keep them honest.
When I played college football our playbooks had the recipient's name on every page...so if it was ever lost or left behind everyone knew the guilty party. (It never was.)
IMO, do not put your signs down on paper for your HS team.
The upside is minimal since very few players will do anything more than just glance at them
The downside is real-- a security-breach, LOL.
This thread brought up a question I've been trying to figure out with regards to catchers signaling defensive alignments.
My son is a 13U catcher and last year we tried to work on the catchers signal defensive coverages, but I could never come up with a good sequence to signal the catchers the coverages desired and then have them signal the players.
Any help here? Helmet, chest, arm taps the most common, but how do some of you here signal them in and then how does the Catcher signal to the infield?
Thank you!
My high school coach used the same signs for like 15 years. And they were the same signs that his high school coach had used for 20+ years before that! lol. His comment? "I don't care if they know our signs. Plenty of the opposing coaches do, they still have to stop us!"
Coach_TV posted:This thread brought up a question I've been trying to figure out with regards to catchers signaling defensive alignments.
My son is a 13U catcher and last year we tried to work on the catchers signal defensive coverages, but I could never come up with a good sequence to signal the catchers the coverages desired and then have them signal the players.
Any help here? Helmet, chest, arm taps the most common, but how do some of you here signal them in and then how does the Catcher signal to the infield?
Thank you!
You can use a touch indicator along with simple signs (but any indicator will do, really). Indicator may be, for example, a set number of touches to the elbow and the sign might be belt, chest or facemask after the correct indicator. Change touches as needed. Catcher can flash touches to hand, elbow and shoulder as well as up and down the belt, chest and facemask. Keep it simple. Keep it under 5 seconds. Bulldog's coach philosophy is right. Execution is far more important than the sign system itself. Problems only occur when too complicated, too lengthy or the kids don't know it, which brings us back to too complicated.
Another note regarding Bulldog's coach philosophy... it doesn't matter if you have the same system for 35 years if you use an indicator system. It's easier for your players to have the same system with a changing indicator than to try to change the system every time there is fear that the opponent knows the signs.
This applies to hitting signs, catcher/defense signs, MIF/Pitcher signs and for a coach calling pitches.
"I don't care if they know our signs. Plenty of the opposing coaches do, they still have to stop us!"
I like this coach's attitude!
But if I'm playing the same program twice a year for many years in a row and know their signs, I like to believe I could take advantage of it.
IMO there is no reason that signs need to be put on paper. You can change your indicator before every game and players shouldn't have any problem with that. Heck you can change the indicator during a game and it shouldn't be a problem. You have the entire off season and pre season to get it down. Returning players should already have it. JMO
freddy77 posted:IMO, do not put your signs down on paper for your HS team.
The upside is minimal since very few players will do anything more than just glance at them
The downside is real-- a security-breach, LOL.
Are the Russians in your league? If so it is better you use paper rather than keep them online so you can't be hacked and have it end up on Wiki Leaks and cost you the conference title. 
