How to light a fire???

[Stupid Jim]

You-all like saying ass too much

 

[FastBat]

I agree. Team chemistry can take a team far. Its up to the coach to make that happen.

The coach, is only one piece of the puzzle. Isn't it hard enough to just coach girls at this age? Sure, the coach has to have softball knowledge, be open and honest about playing time, on field stuff, etc.

I believe, the players, and the parents can create a great "team" environment. It is all about chemistry, but if you ask any experienced coach, they would probably tell you, it's a matter of everyone being on the same page or "buying into the team" and working together, selflessly, to make the team better! Wouldn't it be considered a great season, if all players (with parent support) would just be happy to be apart of the team, would play any position, and would always say, "I'll try coach"?

 

[wow]

School ball. Need anything else be said? .

Truer words have never been spoken!

 

[larrybowman]

To those who think Ive thrown anyone under the bus, that was never my intention, and I'll stand behind my original post. The team has "team bonding" meetings where the girls all get together and stay at each others house for the night, go to movies, hang out etc.....
The bonding isn't a problem, all the girls get along great, and there's no "bad attitudes". But some of the girls (and I should have put this in my original post) who are supposed to be team leaders this year didn't even sign up for Spano? One is a senior with excellent speed, and covers ground like a deer. But.... She hasn't been to one workout, indoor hitting, or core training that the girls put together. My DD, our SS, and the 2 pitchers have gone as far as going to her house to talk to her, and try to get her to come out. She is always sick, or has a family thing....So if anyone is offended by my original post I don't know what to tell ya. Maybe cross your legs and and fart, you'll clear your mind? I didn't bash any girl, I get along great with them, all of them who come out and play. It's just that some of them I wish would take it a little more serious. Maybe coming on here and asking for advice is a bad idea? Honestly I thought this was a forum? ConverseKid relax, I'm not looking to make enemies on here, not my intention there either. As far as "lighting a fire under my own ass"..... I'm not sure what you mean by that? That just sounds kinky to me? Anyhow, to those offended, I'd apologize but I don't know what for. To those who tried to help out the evil, terrible, throwing kids under the bus, and destroyers of galaxies Larrybowman, thank you for the advice. Good luck to all.....

 

[larrybowman]

Maybe you should start a fire under your own ass. Calling out young women on social media seems ridiculous. If it was my girl you were talking about there would be consequences to pay. Get a grip on your own ego first. I hope your coaching career is as short as your manners.

Relax, I'm not calling anyone out on here. Just a general question on how to fire certain girls up. And dont get so worked up, I'm not talking about your DD so why bring that into it? Besides threatening me with "consequences" makes me giggle. Look in all seriousness, I wasnt trying to piss you off or anyone else. Plus my "ego" is obsolete, has been for some time. So take it easy, relax, and realize this was a question nothing more....... geez......

 

[Fairman]

This problem exists in all sports, both boys and girls, men and women, travel ball and school ball, and at all age and skill levels. Motivating a team is a tricky business at all levels in all sports.

This is not just a problem restricted to School Ball. Take off your blinders and help solve this puzzle. Don't say school ball and shrug your shoulders and walk away.

 

[coachjwb]

While I would agree with advice that we try to avoid on here singling out any specific players or teams, this is a very common issue, more so in high school softball I think than just about any other team sport, boys or girls, that I've even been associated with. There are of course school teams out there that don't have this issue to at least some degree, but I honestly think that's the exception and not the rule. Some of the exceptions have long histories of success, and we can debate whether it's the chicken or the egg, but no doubt past success can help breed the attitudes and work ethic that will ensure future success.

I think it would be a great discussion to talk about some of the common characteristics are of the high school coaches who run these programs. But I personally think that it has to come from within the team ... that if there are young ladies on the team who have the leadership qualities, who treat each and every player on the team with respect (too often a rarity with teenage girls), and who set the example with their hard work and dedication, then the rest of the team will follow. And if the underclassmen coming into the program see evidence of that from the upperclassmen, that they will learn from that and really start to really build the culture of a winning program.

So I think the advice some have given about the girls who are dedicated trying to lead is good advice ... but it's going to take those leadership qualities and respect for everyone that will greatly increase the chance for success.

 

[Converse Kid]

How do you know it is not my DD that is slow and has no movemnt on her pitches? Hhhhmmmmmm?

Relax, I'm not calling anyone out on here. Just a general question on how to fire certain girls up. And dont get so worked up, I'm not talking about your DD so why bring that into it? Besides threatening me with "consequences" makes me giggle. Look in all seriousness, I wasnt trying to piss you off or anyone else. Plus my "ego" is obsolete, has been for some time. So take it easy, relax, and realize this was a question nothing more....... geez......

 

[wvanalmsick]

Larry, I have been in that spot as the "Winter" Helper. You are not approved by the board and you cannot be one the the official school coaches. You need to be careful that you do not over-step the duties as the "Winter Helper". Let the official coaching staff deal with the kids who want to take the winter off. Kids are so stretched out (time-wise) nowadays. So, the best you can do is teach those girls that are there. They apparently want to improve themselves or they wouldn't show-up. A successful HS program needs to have a lot of girls showing interest in the program. If you do a good job with the kids you have, then the word will spread and hopefully more will show-up.

Best of luck and enjoy teaching.

 

[larrybowman]

Larry, I have been in that spot as the "Winter" Helper. You are not approved by the board and you cannot be one the the official school coaches. You need to be careful that you do not over-step the duties as the "Winter Helper". Let the official coaching staff deal with the kids who want to take the winter off. Kids are so stretched out (time-wise) nowadays. So, the best you can do is teach those girls that are there. They apparently want to improve themselves or they wouldn't show-up. A successful HS program needs to have a lot of girls showing interest in the program. If you do a good job with the kids you have, then the word will spread and hopefully more will show-up.

Best of luck and enjoy teaching.

Oh i dont overstep when it comes to coaching in Spano. Nice thing is theres 19 freshman who are coming out this yr, so the younger ones are hopefully getting hungry too. thanks for the advice.....always welcomed here! lol...

 

[larrybowman]

How do you know it is not my DD that is slow and has no movemnt on her pitches? Hhhhmmmmmm?

when did i say she was slow? I just said top speed was 50, your the one claiming slow, not me. I can honestly say she works hard as i posted before, both of them. But some girls (very few) have good movement and some dont. Its not a dig on her, just a fact. Nice change up, but needs to work on movement, now.... whats wrong with that? Shell be our #1, with the junior probably our #2. We'll be fine with them on the rubber, those two im not worried about. So to say I "called out" a kid is just not true. I may have ruffled some peoples feathersd on here, but its a forum, at the end of the day thats all it is.

 

[bucketime]

My opinion...I always thought about this...its the parents complaining and moaning bout the kids high school ball...not the kids...and times it is because of them or maybe listening to what the parents are saying so they agree. its High School ball let it go; yes some players are on teams to socialize. But I read the post and I feel he said two girls and his DD are good and the rest of the team Well??? At least hat is how I took it too. I can remember my DD first year as freshman in highschool; she started as first base on varsity and the first couple games the coach put caution tape around the dugout to prevent helicopter parents; I loved it. I coached travel ball for about 10 years and now its my D second year playing college. I always sat out in outfield said not one word to coach or DD cuz it really didn't matter it was/is high school Maybe you could of just asked the question is how do we motivate players on team; sure you didn't pick out the good ones but you named three ok ones and the rest were not up to par (the way I took it too).. Inmost cases all sports would be happy for players if the parents would just let the coach, coach and keep pinions to their selves. I'm sure I went off path here but just my opinion.

 

[larrybowman]

All I said was my DD and a few others had the right attitude. Never said she, or the others were better or worse than the next ones. Once the HS season starts I sit in the bleachers with my mouth shut and my hands clapping, I learned a few years ago that saying anything to my DD was not worth the battle. I keep it very positive with her and the other girls. Your right though, "how to motivate" would've been a better way to word it, which is what I meant. There's always helicopter parents in every aspect of softball travel and HS, two years ago one of the girls on my DD HS team was benched because her dad would not keep his opinion to himself. He learned quickly who the boss was during the season (no, I wasn't the dad). I also agree that some parents (I've witnessed this myself) tell there DD "don't listen to what he coach is telling you, just do it the way I showed you".... So at this point it is what it is I guess.....

 

[MD 20/20]

Listen....I'm certain Converse read the post wrong, thinking that the name you called out was not a departed senior, but the girls who needs motivated. Everyone is now bashing converse so they feel pinned in a corner and they are coming out swinging. There was nothing in Larry's post that implied any particular player by name or inference. Did Converse put themselves out there a little too far to "defend" one who didn't need it? Sure, but lets get back to Larry's original question. It's a good one.


Larry, I am part of a HS staff that the old coach didn't do much if anything off-season, but there is a new coach this year and we now have a varsity staff of all "travel guys". The girls all claimed that more was what they wanted. As we opened up the gym for them to hit we saw our numbers go from low 30's on the first night to about a loss of 3 per open gym until we have held steady at about 12-14. I think that you will always have those that are ALL-IN, and then you will have "the others" I think you build around your ALL-IN's and hopefully your "others" will not be needed to "make a difference" in your program but still be part of it.

 

[larrybowman]

Well said. I have no problem with Converse kids post regarding my original statement, its a forum, a place to have an opinion and discuss this stuff. If I'd ever meet him/her at a tournament I'd gladly sit down and have a beer with him/her and talk softball all day. There have been 4 girls who have already told the coach they quit this yr! 2 of which were going to be varsity starters, and one of the two was an honorable mention last season.... I'm not sure whats going on but it does open the door for some other girls to show there stuff. The "all-ins" are also the ones who need to push the "others" to become better or just support them as a teammate. So hopefully the "leaders" of the team can get the whole team "all-in" in this season!