... at this level, i've heard just about 90% of 16u coaches yell at kids, talking loud, whatever. most of the time it comes from not paying attention, other times it's for motivational purposes (some backfire as in the #1 coaches chant--"get it together, girls!"), and other times it's from frustration. Obviously, as a coach, you want to avoid frustrational yelling. 3) the "slump" is sometimes much better than the yelling. Ever see the head coach walk away from the 3rd baseline? Ever see them slump their heads when their own DD doesn't slide into 3rd and gets thrown out? no one ever posts on the OFC about their head coach turning their back on a kid during an at-bat, or look down at the ground and kick the dirt. Much worse than yelling, believe me! and don't act like you haven't done it people!
There are some great comments here. As a coach that has a reputation for being loud and yelling I would like to comment. I have coached the same group of girls for 3 seasons now, 10u thru 11u this season. I am intense and vocal. A core group of 7 players have been with me now for over 250 games, a thousand practices, and untold hours. This season we went into it with a plan to let the girls play, motivate themselves and for my coaches to focus more on coaching. Several tourney's into the season as I was walking down the fence my parents stopped me and told me to get in there and get on the girls... I told them no, they have to 'own' it and find their own fire... since that time I have become a little more vocal and directive to them and we are finally reaching a good medium.
I talk to my parents a lot, we try to keep a very open line of communication - that is the key to keeping a team together. The one thing they all have told me is that while they did think I was too vocal early on, I would always leave a positive and constructive comment, praise or even a hug as the last thing before the girl went back on the field - you have to build them up after correcting them.
One other thing we did early on was we set our positions and keep girls there. My SS, 2nd, catcher, etc knows she is going to be at that position all season (baring injury) and she is not going to 'lose' that position or get yanked for making a mistake (I may pull her for not being mentally in the game, etc, but they always go right back at that position the next game, or later in the game to get a chance to redeem themselves)..
We coaches and parents/players know we are in for the long term with our team. We occasionally move girls around, not much though, our players have a position and we are grooming them to be better all the time, not just for this season but for the next 5! We have never released a player at tryouts, all girls have moved on with the team. Their parents know that, the players know it and they love it and perform well.
Me, my coaches and parents are still learning. After one parent discussion early this season about my vocal approach, the very parent that chastised me came in our dugout during a game the next weekend and ripped his DD. I did not overreact, I simply walked up to the girl, put my arm around her and told her a bad game does not tarnish a superstar like her and that I will talk with dad and it will not allow it to happen again. I addressed it with him and all our parents and he has been fine since.
The bottom line is that these are kids - but they are not playing 12 rec ball games a year. They practice hundreds of hours, play 70 or more games a year and the level of intensity, expectation and accountability for them is high.
At the same time they are also young girls and very few are able to bring that intensity and the understanding that they need to focus all game, come prepared to play hard, and that they let down the team when they don't - that is why the coaches need to make sure they are pushing them as needed.
Derek's post on praising effort vs results/performance is great, we adopted that about mid season when he sent it to our coaches. We have had more girls lay out for balls, try shoestring catches and their overall level of play has improved since we began praising effort.
Lastly, as coaches, none of us are perfect. I just ask our Hawks coaches to listen and adapt to the proper feedback we get from parents and players. Coach Kepple's coaches (10u) and my coaches have changed our approach during practices and games over this season with positive results. The parents see that, respect it and the girls are winning and having more fun than ever.
We had an intense 3hr practice last night - we have played over 70 games this season, we practice 2-3 times a week.. while the girls were gathering their stuff to leave around 9:30pm I noticed how dirty and sweaty they all were... I hollered over at them from the parents area, 'Was it a good practice?' .. instantly they yelled back, with smiles on their faces -- YES! That is all I needed to hear.