What does the player do when the coach isn't knoweldgable?

I assume you mean high school coach where there isn't an option to change (i.e., as in travel).

Teach him that it's the reality of the world.  He'll have co-workers, bosses, subordinates, etc., who aren't necessarily the most knowledgeable throughout his life.  Be respectful and change the things you can and tolerate those you cannot.

So long as personal safety isn't a risk of the result, then he should put forth 100% to try and do what the coach asks of him.  

We've had some similar situations in our program where there are some fundamentals being taught that are not necessarily the best way to do something.  Nothing that would injure someone, but simply less efficient or different.  I've told my sons that when you're playing with coach A (HS), do it how he says, when you're with coach B (travel) do it the other way.

Actually had a scenario where one coach taught the pitchers how to catch the ball being returned by the catcher.  First week of summer after HS, my son was catching the ball that way.  His travel coach asked him what the hell he was doing.  Son told him that's how they have to do it on the HS team.  Travel coach's response was "stop doing that, you look like an idiot".

In all cases, be respectful and mindful of whose field he's on and behave accordingly.

We have a hitting coach in our area who kid made it thru HS, college and got drafted.  Kid is currently in the minors.  His comment in regards to a difference of opinion with their HS coach -- "If the coach is doing a bad drill, it is time to go take a ____."    

I taught my son early on to always respect authority & he would rarely be able to choose his coaches so he better find out how to make each one happy. 

Early on he got some bad instruction sometimes but he just said 'Yes, Sir" and made the necessary adjustments afterwards. 

I also, have never bad-mouthed a coach's strategy or game management, no matter how bad it may have been, in front of my son. IMO, adult conversations with a kid or in a kid's presence shouldn't take place on the car ride home from a game or anywhere. I know that high school is different as young men are expected to communicate directly with coaches. I've seen the lack of respect for coaches rub off on their kids. At a minimum, a kid should always be respectful unless their are some serious wrongs taking place. 

Great title for a topic -- I fear that my little league team has been asking themselves this very same question! ;-)

Golfman25 posted:

We have a hitting coach in our area who kid made it thru HS, college and got drafted.  Kid is currently in the minors.  His comment in regards to a difference of opinion with their HS coach -- "If the coach is doing a bad drill, it is time to go take a ____."    

I am SOOOOO stealing this!

Mike Epstein said the best thing is to say yes sir and then continue to do it your way if he turns around. As long as you get your hits and make the plays most coaches leave you alone.

I would very nicely explain that you want your son to have one voice. Be it yours or an instructor. If they have an issue with that then you are in the wrong place.  As your son gets older then it's ok for the player to question the coach - again politely - and have a conversation about why he wants to do things a certain way. 

Nuke83 posted:

I assume you mean high school coach where there isn't an option to change (i.e., as in travel).

Teach him that it's the reality of the world.  He'll have co-workers, bosses, subordinates, etc., who aren't necessarily the most knowledgeable throughout his life.  Be respectful and change the things you can and tolerate those you cannot.

So long as personal safety isn't a risk of the result, then he should put forth 100% to try and do what the coach asks of him.  

We've had some similar situations in our program where there are some fundamentals being taught that are not necessarily the best way to do something.  Nothing that would injure someone, but simply less efficient or different.  I've told my sons that when you're playing with coach A (HS), do it how he says, when you're with coach B (travel) do it the other way.

Actually had a scenario where one coach taught the pitchers how to catch the ball being returned by the catcher.  First week of summer after HS, my son was catching the ball that way.  His travel coach asked him what the hell he was doing.  Son told him that's how they have to do it on the HS team.  Travel coach's response was "stop doing that, you look like an idiot".

In all cases, be respectful and mindful of whose field he's on and behave accordingly.

I must misunderstand this.  Surely you are not in favor of constantly changing mechanics to appease various coaches?

This provides a great opportunity to the players to be his own teacher/coach. Read books of the great players and learn. If you strike out learn to make adjustments.

Several days ago in Santa Rosa I told the story to the 25 pro scouts about Ralph Garr

[many knew Ralph]. When I meet Ralph [Braves scout and Batting champion] at our Area Code tryout in Houston, I asked Ralph who was your hitting instructor. He said Henry Aaron. I asked "what did Henry tell you"?

Henry said "Figure it out for yourself Ralph".

Bob

Isn't knowledgable or is Burned out and single digits from retiring. Here we have both.Out of pure luck before HS. 2016 played for 5 different travel HC's in 5 yrs.There were some carryover with Assistants.I can't remember how many times we had the conversation that theres no BBHC that knows everything.If there were there would be one way of playing and everyone would be the exact same.What he/us had to do was figure out from what was being taught by all those HC and AsHc what fit him or help him the most.Everything else tune out and move on respectfully of coarse.When the 5th in 5 rolled around I could tell he was'nt the most enthused kid there was.But when he got to HS he was miles ahead of anyone in the program.Even when these coaches don't know/care much theres always something to learn or take away from things.

Every coach at every level has strengths and weaknesses.  Every coach has something good to offer, regardless of method of delivery.  Have your player seek out the good that each particular coach is offering.  Help your player understand that each coach will also have areas that are not his particular strength (just like us parents).  Always have respect.  Understand that there are often more than one right ways to do things.  I can't emphasize this enough.  Yes, there are coaches that are coaching things that are just wrong but, even more often, I see kids/parents furious and adamant that their kid is being taught incorrectly when, in fact, it is just a different right way.  

So, with the coach that is particularly low on the game knowledge aspect...

COMMUNICATE.  The majority of those coaches have at least some idea that they are not master mechanics of the game.  If there is a distinct difference in a mechanical or philosophical teach and the player is conflicted, he can politely ask the coach about it after practice or during a break.  "Coach, can you help me?  I'm sorry but I'm confused.  I have been taught XXX.  Can you explain why XXX is wrong and we are supposed to do it this way?"   

Both will probably learn something and it is just the right way to handle things.

I absolutely hate the idea of telling a kid to nod his head in agreement and then ignore.  What are we teaching them?  I have seen that blow up and cause more problems so many times.  

Even if you are producing, I would rather see it play out where you tell the coach in private, "I'm really struggling with this.  I have always been taught something different and I am having a hard time adjusting.  Is it OK if I do it this other way instead if I know it is what works best for me?"  This is better than nod and ignore.  If, then, you still get a completely ridiculous reaction, you know what you are dealing with and you just play.  But be open to actually listening to what he has to say.  Again, both can learn something.

Just say, ok coach and keep working hard. You might have a boss like this some day.

Don't risk the Dog House!

CaCO3Girl posted:

In another thread Iowamom23 made the statement:

"Son has been raised to know there are two kinds of coaches--those you respect because they have the title and those you respect because they have the knowledgeable skill to make him better."

That struck a chord with me.  So as to not hijack her thread I wanted to open my own.  If your son's coach isn't knowledgeable how should a kid react to that kind of coach? What are the Do's and Do-nots? 

I want my son to be respectful to ALL adults, and I understand it is not acceptable for the kid to say "Nope, not going to do that because that may be the stupidest thing I have ever heard on a ball field".  But seriously, how should a player act if he has zero faith in his coaches knowledge?

Isn't knowledgeable by whose standards, the kids or the parents?  And what age are we talking?

BTW, in our program, we constantly reinforce the message that we understand many are getting private lessons, which we encourage, and the most important thing is to avoid confusion.  We insist our players speak up if they hear instruction from us that is contradictory to what they are being taught outside of the program.  When they do, it is almost always just different language or a different angle to the same desired end result.  Sometimes it is two right ways.  Once in a great while, it is different mechanical philosophies and we'll discuss which might work better for that particular player.   I don't have a problem if it turns out to be the other guy's way.  Sometimes a player will take the nod and ignore route.  Sometimes I don't know about it and life goes on.  Sometimes it becomes obvious and we have issues.  Big issues.  There's one of my weaknesses, I guess.  I consider that dishonest and disrespectful, regardless of intent.

bballdad2016 posted:

CaCO3Girl posted:

In another thread Iowamom23 made the statement:

"Son has been raised to know there are two kinds of coaches--those you respect because they have the title and those you respect because they have the knowledgeable skill to make him better."

That struck a chord with me.  So as to not hijack her thread I wanted to open my own.  If your son's coach isn't knowledgeable how should a kid react to that kind of coach? What are the Do's and Do-nots? 

I want my son to be respectful to ALL adults, and I understand it is not acceptable for the kid to say "Nope, not going to do that because that may be the stupidest thing I have ever heard on a ball field".  But seriously, how should a player act if he has zero faith in his coaches knowledge?

Isn't knowledgeable by whose standards, the kids or the parents?  And what age are we talking?

I'm hypothetically talking about high school.  Knowledgeable by the players standards.  From what I have heard the high school coach is knowledgeable and my son shouldn't have a problem but Iowamom's comment made me wonder...what if the coach did want my son to do something he felt was incorrect, or something that had options and he had already worked out with a previous coach on what worked best and now was being asked to do it the other way.

It seems from this thread there are options:

1. Smile, nod, then do things the way you have always done them (I don't like this plan, it seems disrespectful and the definition of a know-it-all uncoachable player)

2. Try it, if it's not working for you pull the coach to the side and have that conversation with him. (I like this idea)

3. Change mechanics based on the coach (I don't like this but I have seen this happen even in youth ball)

4. Make an excuse to get off the field so there is no confrontation.  (I imagine this would work a few times but might become noticed and backfire)

What if said coach is dad? Lol

playball2011 posted:

What if said coach is dad? Lol

Then the player does what he always does . . . ignores him. 

I tell my son to make sure he is understanding what is asked of him and there is no miscommunication. If the they are on a different page son will give it a go, but sometimes it just does not feel right. If that's the case then son will have to talk to the coach one on one and hopefully there will be some compromises on both sides.    

CaCO3Girl posted:

  If your son's coach isn't knowledgeable how should a kid react to that kind of coach? What are the Do's and Do-nots? 

 

 If my player is in HS and playing with a coach that is not knowledgeable, he wont be playing with him. I am not talking about a HS coach but rather a summer/fall travel coach, etc.