Breaks in between games - coming out flat

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Coaches - what do you do to keep your players focused or get them going after an hour or longer break in between games? Especially that break around lunch really gets us - takes us an inning or two to wake up sometimes. We have tried a few different things and we still see to come out flat. Any suggestions???

We asked the girls what they thought might work and got some interesting answers - from playing football to a dance party....


Thanks....



Rodney

Thunder 00

 

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see "warm up music" thread.....

Coaches - what do you do to keep your players focused or get them going after an hour or longer break in between games? Especially that break around lunch really gets us - takes us an inning or two to wake up sometimes. We have tried a few different things and we still see to come out flat. Any suggestions???

We asked the girls what they thought might work and got some interesting answers - from playing football to a dance party....


Thanks....



Rodney

Thunder 00

 

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Yea, music is the ticket. The girls are...well....girls. They thrive on the energy that music gives them and it keeps them bouncing.

Also, to be honest I think the parents and coaches all seem to get a lift when they are energized also, keeps us all ready to go.

 

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Shoot them up like they do in the pros? Just messing.... Don't let them eat 5 hotdogs, chips and pop. Lol, we'll wait, that's how one of ours gets really ready for next round! See music thread....that's the ticket...that will cause the dance party! Oh yeah tell them they all have to dance or they have to dance with the coach.

 

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Yea, music is the ticket. The girls are...well....girls. They thrive on the energy that music gives them and it keeps them bouncing.

Also, to be honest I think the parents and coaches all seem to get a lift when they are energized also, keeps us all ready to go.

This is so much more important than I would have thought - It seems with girls, that they play better if they are pumped up -

I know this irritates some coaches... but I encourage the girls to stay loose in the dugout (DD's old HC called this unfocused) most can cheer, sing and be loose and still know what’s going on in the game -

and if they can't it's our job as coaches to keep them modulated.

 

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QUOTE=chstrahl;495509]Shoot them up like they do in the pros? Just messing.... Don't let them eat 5 hotdogs, chips and pop. Lol, we'll wait, that's how one of ours gets really ready for next round! See music thread....that's the ticket...that will cause the dance party! Oh yeah tell them they all have to dance or they have to dance with the coach.

Helpful Hint; DANCE THAT EVEN COACHES CAN DO: [video=youtube;TRBLmogRL4c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRBLmogRL4c[/video][

 

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Great question and topic for this forum.

I've already read the posts from others mentioning music and while I have to admit the large boomboxes that take a 2-ton trailer to move around are not my first choice, I believe music is a good answer. Take it to your team canopy or designated area and play it within reason. Don't force others watching their teams to be a part of your R&R time. It doesn't happen very often but it does happen. We've played euchre in the shade, cornhole tourney, frisbee, and a host of things that keep them smiling while trying to get them to relax and conserve energy. Their minds are still racing but at least their bodies will hydrate and relax we hope. Competitors like to compete. Anything that challenges them will normally grab their attention. As they get older there's only so much you can do.

One thing I have learned is try not to force any of this on the kids. They are not soldiers. Let them all be involved voluntarily. Especially the older girls. They may have another agenda and want to go shopping but being in a mall with A/C isn't all that bad an idea. My point: don't force the girls to stay together between games if it doesn't involve a team agenda. Even if you want to work with a few on bunting or something, don't MAKE the team stay unless they want help as well. It might surprise you how many will hang around to get a little extra instruction if they know it's "just for them." Girls like to hang out in mini groups. It's okay. Seldom will you have an entire team of girls that want to be together all the time. If you do have that chemistry, you are a lucky coach.

 

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The problem with "playing football, or a dance party", etc. is that you may be foolishly asking why the girls ran out of steam in the last game of the day...

 

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After many many years of watching teams it seems there are a few things that help.

1- team chemistry
2- how serious are they, did they start out with the right message
3- music helps
4- but by far it is playing someone they want to beat the **** out of, then you get focus and energy

My wife's 12U team plays much better on Sundays and gets better as the day goes on Sunday. They like to win stuff. So Saturday she takes it easy and just lets them wallow a bit because she wants them fresh mentally Sunday. She knows they are going to bring it Sunday.

All teams seem to have their rhythm. So as a coach you need to learn where the buttons are and find out what they need to get going.

She has had teams that needed music. Others needed to have really hard warm ups. Other needed light and easy warm ups. Teams are funny.

You gotta just keep working with them to see what will turn them on.

And I agree as the get older it seems music is a big one.

 

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QUOTE=chstrahl;495509]Shoot them up like they do in the pros? Just messing.... Don't let them eat 5 hotdogs, chips and pop. Lol, we'll wait, that's how one of ours gets really ready for next round! See music thread....that's the ticket...that will cause the dance party! Oh yeah tell them they all have to dance or they have to dance with the coach.

Helpful Hint; DANCE THAT EVEN COACHES CAN DO: [video=youtube;TRBLmogRL4c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRBLmogRL4c[/video][

lol, yea that's about all I can do. My girls would take pics and snapchat, Instagram or anything else they can to put me on social media....again were 16u so they would love to put coach on blast!

 

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Sometimes it depends on the day, what worked last weekend may not work this weekend.
Music is inspirational but conserving energy on a 90 degree day is important. Kids should be in the shade and allowed to break out in small groups (and the groups are likely to change weekly) for card games, watching other friends/teams play, or napping-especially older girls.
Dehydration begins before games are played on Friday so monitor water intake on Saturday. Kids don't drink enough water daily so they will dry out quickly. Keep foods light between games: high in protein, low carbs but fruits and vegetables are okay, avoid sugary carbonated drinks, include some salty snacks (pretzles, pickles, nuts/sunflower seeds, chips/salsa).