Questions for high school coaches?

default · Mar 1, 2010

If we are talking about two people of equal talents or maybe even not so equal: it is still about who you know. Networking, friends/family member and loyalty will trump the other every time. I believe a high work ethic is the way to go and what I impart to my children too. That is why I want them to do their own thing, not be dependent on a company or union to make their way. The best way to do that is be your own boss because the real corporate world it is as much who you know that is going to keep and or find you that job you are looking for. Better to be your own boss but much harder, longer hours that you will put it to do it successfully. JMO

And as for alittledifferent's comments: Who are you going to P@*$# of at that point really a senior and their family that won't be back next year. The season's over by this point. Not that it is the right thing to do, but it is done whether you want to believe it or think it is right or wrong.

default · Mar 1, 2010

commonsense said:
If we are talking about two people of equal talents or maybe even not so equal: it is still about who you know. Networking, friends/family member and loyalty will trump the other every time. I believe a high work ethic is the way to go and what I impart to my children too. That is why I want them to do their own thing, not be dependent on a company or union to make their way. The best way to do that is be your own boss because the real corporate world it is as much who you know that is going to keep and or find you that job you are looking for. Better to be your own boss but much harder, longer hours that you will put it to do it successfully. JMO

Commonsense - we are completely and totally in agreement on all these points. Being in sales, I couldn't agree more that relationships (and who you know) goes along way.

What I was contending was the impression I got from your last post that you were ok with telling your dd to wait her turn, even if her qualifications and results were superior - simply because someone was a year or two older. With that entitlement, why would your dd need to get any better. It will be her turn in a year or two.

default · Mar 1, 2010

Tangy-Mike said:
Commonsense - we are completely and totally in agreement on all these points. Being in sales, I couldn't agree more that relationships (and who you know) goes along way.

What I was contending was the impression I got from your last post that you were ok with telling your dd to wait her turn, even if her qualifications and results were superior - simply because someone was a year or two older. With that entitlement, why would your dd need to get any better. It will be her turn in a year or two.

Not okay with it. Telling her to work her butt off no matter where the system that is in control places her. Somethings in life we can't control, we can only control how we respond to them. That is why no matter what keep working hard to prove yourself and know you have done everything you can possibly do to achieve your goal.

default · Mar 1, 2010

commonsense said:
And as for alittledifferent's comments: Who are you going to P@*$# of at that point really a senior and their family that won't be back next year. The season's over by this point. Not that it is the right thing to do, but it is done whether you want to believe it or think it is right or wrong.

The problem is not who are you going to make mad. The issue is the team overall. By tournament time your team should be clicking on all cylinders. Adding new players into the mix disrupts this unity and cohesiveness. How good are those younger players going to get playing inferior talent on JV? If they truely are the better player they should be playing against the best competition to make themselves and the team the best they can possibly become.

default · Mar 1, 2010

Good topic.
First I don't know how you can cut when you don't even have all your team, your setting your self up.
Next more of a question, you have 2 kids at one position that you think are capable of playing varsity ball ( forget thier age) do you move one to another position to take over a weaker player? I say yes.

default · Mar 1, 2010

"Next more of a question, you have 2 kids at one position that you think are capable of playing varsity ball ( forget thier age) do you move one to another position to take over a weaker player? I say yes."
Great point, our freshman have already been told that "we have a shortstop, 1st base, catcher,etc..... we need you on JV" nevermind that the girls can outplay any of the outfielders and hit.
The girls were told last year that "if you can hit we will find a place for you", now they say they want a strong JV program, huh? S.O.S. different day.

default · Mar 1, 2010

alittledifferent said:
The problem is not who are you going to make mad. The issue is the team overall. By tournament time your team should be clicking on all cylinders. Adding new players into the mix disrupts this unity and cohesiveness. How good are those younger players going to get playing inferior talent on JV? If they truely are the better player they should be playing against the best competition to make themselves and the team the best they can possibly become.

Point taken. But what I am referring to is JV players that already play at a higher level than the seniors who are getting the loyalty nod. JV players that play with elite type travel teams year round, take individualized pitching/catching/hitting etc lessons on top of that. When the senior varsity player plays for school and no other time. So I would not say all JV players are only playing against inferior talent all the time, just maybe with school teams. But I do get your point on teams clicking unity etc. To get your best players all on varsity would mean cuts to some seniors sometimes would it not?

default · Mar 2, 2010

commonsense said:
Point taken. But what I am referring to is JV players that already play at a higher level than the seniors who are getting the loyalty nod. JV players that play with elite type travel teams year round, take individualized pitching/catching/hitting etc lessons on top of that. When the senior varsity player plays for school and no other time. So I would not say all JV players are only playing against inferior talent all the time, just maybe with school teams. But I do get your point on teams clicking unity etc. To get your best players all on varsity would mean cuts to some seniors sometimes would it not?

It very well may. However, as a coach I would try to make a decision with the kid as a junior. If they make it through their senior year I am telling them they have a chance to contribute. If I keep them around as juniors knowing they do not have a chance to play as a senior I am not doing that kid any favors. If a senior and a freshman are of equal talent and attitude the nod goes to the senior. If the freshman has more talent but her attitude is horrible the nod goes to the senior as the freshman needs to mature. If the freshman has more talent and great attitude she should start. This is a reality of life the senior will need to come to grips with at some point. The situation should be handled correctly. There may be another spot that I can put that senior in to help contribute to the team. If she has some talent and is a great kid I will find something for her. There is always someone on the team that either needs some attitude adjusting or is not as talented.

default · Mar 2, 2010

Each year folks have to go through the same discussions regarding HS ball. Most of us posed the same questions when our daughters were incoming freshman, and each year it boils down to the simple fact that it really doesn't matter what any of us think....rather it is what the HS coaches think and do......I would not want to be in the HS Coaches shoes having to tell his Junior or his Senior they are cut and have no place to play as the incoming frosh is equal to or better than they are......tough tough position for a coach to be in........with that being said though I still agree the best 9 should be on the field.....those 9 will always be open to debate as to who they should be and always much easier to make out the lineup sitting in the stands......just saying

default · Mar 2, 2010

Best nine take the field period! Age and maturity plays into that and talent alone does not give you a pass to the best nine. Having an understanding of what the team goals and methodology is very important.

The only time I may take a player deserving of a fiedling position and send her to JV for some games is if she is a second or third string under classman pitcher or catcher. She may be able to contribute on varsity at another position but she needs innings of pitching or catching experience to prepare for the future.

Ideally, we will pick a starting (best) nine/ten on March 8th and 9th. Then we will pick another five that will float from JV and Varsity depending on team need.

Good luck to all this season!

Derek
Dixie HS softball

default · Mar 2, 2010

When I was hired as head coach one of the first things I did was have a player/parent meeting. One of the things I told the parents and kids was that the 9 kids who gave us the best chance to win were going to play, regardless of age, grade, or where and how much they played last year. Of the 35+ kids trying out, only 1 is a senior, so that senior loyalty is not going to be an issue. I do have the advantage(I think so) of having coached many of the girls during youth league and travel ball, so I am very aware of their capabilities. But they are also aware that that knowledge and $1.00 gets them a small fry from the dollar menu. They know that I expect their best everyday, and that the so called "best 9" is not set in stone. I have read a lot of posts on this subject and I guess my answer is this, the program I am involved with has always played the best in the state(last two years nonconference games with Keystone(2), Hudson, NDCL, Walsh Jesuit among others) and all of those programs played the best they had regardless of age or grade. If you are truly trying to build a program you need to do this. If you have a reputation for not playing underclassmen at the varsity level, you will undoubtadely have girls enroll at another school as incoming freshmen because of this. Freshmen now play as many games in one year (travel ball) as some of your high school players will in their four year career. And they do this against, in most cases, a much higher level of talent. I truly believe this and this is how I will run my program for as long as they keep me.

default · Mar 2, 2010

They should keep you for a long time and I really like the $1.00 statement.

default · Mar 2, 2010

We are D4.
Small enough that if your evolved with softball in our town at all. You would be able to name the best 10-12 girls in HS. We have girls that play 70-80 games a year and we have girls that pick their stuff up in March and put it away in May. And nobody in the middle

default · Mar 4, 2010

With the try-out season getting ready to begin:

How many of you before try-outs have actually predetermined your rosters for Varsity/JV? Definately haven't

How many of you are open minded during actual try-outs and or go by a point system to pick/place your players on your teams? definately open minded. I hope I see something or someone that surprises me.

How many of you go by stats/performance from the previous year to choose your roster?
Last years performance is important. It gives you an indication of players that HAVE performed at the varsity level. But in the end you have to have a short memmory. What have you done or can you do THIS year?

How many of you would cut seniors if you find underclassmen with more talent for your varsity squad? If players know your policy about playing the best a large portion already know where they stand. Be honest all the way through there softball career. In the end if a Freshman beat out a senior thats the way it is. Probably a hard working freshman and senior thats doing the minimum.

What do you do if you find someone has improved in their play so much from the previous year (under or upperclassmen) that would take away a spot from someone that you had planned to be on your varsity squad? Than the improved player is going to play. Had a first year junior (formerly did track) come in and started last two seasons.

How many of you can say that your varsity team is actually filled with the best players from all your teams? Sure try to have the best nine in the field and the best nine at the plate. May or may not always be the same nine.

default · Mar 5, 2010

Miamisburg Softball said:
Each year folks have to go through the same discussions regarding HS ball. Most of us posed the same questions when our daughters were incoming freshman, and each year it boils down to the simple fact that it really doesn't matter what any of us think....rather it is what the HS coaches think and do......I would not want to be in the HS Coaches shoes having to tell his Junior or his Senior they are cut and have no place to play as the incoming frosh is equal to or better than they are......tough tough position for a coach to be in........with that being said though I still agree the best 9 should be on the field.....those 9 will always be open to debate as to who they should be and always much easier to make out the lineup sitting in the stands......just saying

Some very good points there and 100% true, I am thankful every day that we have a coach at our school who is not afraid to make those choice's. He has a track record of starting freshman over upperclassmen every year, and we have the record to prove that it works year in and year out over the last 6 years.

default · Mar 5, 2010

Wave Rider said:
Some very good points there and 100% true, I am thankful every day that we have a coach at our school who is not afraid to make those choice's. He has a track record of starting freshman over upperclassmen every year, and we have the record to prove that it works year in and year out over the last 6 years.

Wave.......know GVille very well since we usually play you in school ball and see all your kids during summer ball............must say year in and year out always put a nice team on the field.....of course doesn't hurt to have top of the line pitching as well......at the end of the day it requires a great feeder program, Summer coaches and HS coaches who check the ego at the door and talk to each other.....no sense folks complaining all the time...not gonna change a thing.

default · Mar 5, 2010

Ah, but starting that feeder program. The rec system serving our school district is very poor. Little organization. The girls who want a challenge or really want to get better end up going elsewhere. Girls who have talent that isn't nurtured with good coaching get short shrift.

default · Mar 5, 2010

"Ah, but starting that feeder program. The rec system serving our school district is very poor."
Our Rec is good enough. Ask any of our upperclassmen

;&

default · Mar 5, 2010

Change can only occur when an individual or individuals grab the bull by the horn and change it.......

default · Mar 9, 2010

True that, but unfortunately it also needs someone, or more accurately, a group of like-minded people to create change in this situation. It is a slow-moving revolution.

Questions for high school coaches?

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