Question about practice..

[OHsoftball]

Posting this as a concern of mine but typically in practice, does it make sense to continuously drill the ball at your infield and hit the ball so they have to lay out numerous times each practice? My daughter is on her second shoulder injury now after laying out for the ball in practice. This is a college team. Maybe I’m wrong but shouldn’t practice be more focused on reps and drills and situations rather than who can make an espn top 10 play?

 

[Stedman00]

doesn't make sense. BUT outside looking in is always tough to judge coach's approach.

I have worked a bunch with my 18u teams on going and getting hot grounders this winter. BUT it was also rolled balls, starting from knees and gently laying out for balls. work on proper form and timing to eliminate getting hurt. I'm not a huge fan of daily hitting rocket grounders at players. much better ways to maximize reps during limited practice time, and eliminate standing around waiting. Plus you do NOT want players throwing full throttle every day in practice.

 

[daboss]

Every coach is different. I wouldn't do it this way. I wouldn't practice it that way even in a field house. That's me. I'm not her coach.

It's not your concern.

She's in college and needs to confront things for herself. I would recommend she talk with the team captain. Talk it thru with her and get her feedback. If in agreement that this is not in your daughter's best interest due to physical injury/strain, ask the captain to approach the coaching staff or at least go with her to express her concerns. Just like in the military, there's an order of rank and mom and dad are not included.

None of us want to see our kids get hurt. It doesn't matter if they're getting shot at or lifting concrete blocks to build a wall. We cannot hold their hands forever.

That's why the military won't allow parents on base during boot camp. Reporting to her team in college is very similar.

 

[OHsoftball]

I have to disagree. It’s hard not to be concerned.. She’s still a teenager and is taking a beating at practice. I have no intentions of going to the coaching staff myself. I agree that is up to her. I just don’t think she will. She’s just that type to not say anything. The purpose of my post was just to hear others thoughts on this. I appreciate the feedback.

 

[McPecker32]

I have to disagree. It’s hard not to be concerned.. She’s still a teenager and is taking a beating at practice. I have no intentions of going to the coaching staff myself. I agree that is up to her. I just don’t think she will. She’s just that type to not say anything. The purpose of my post was just to hear others thoughts on this. I appreciate the feedback.

So if neither of you will approach the coach, it's time to call it quits or transfer. What other option do you have? I'm guessing you'll never watched any games or practice before signing on the dotted line.

 

[DanMaz]

Posting this as a concern of mine but typically in practice, does it make sense to continuously drill the ball at your infield and hit the ball so they have to lay out numerous times each practice? My daughter is on her second shoulder injury now after laying out for the ball in practice. This is a college team. Maybe I’m wrong but shouldn’t practice be more focused on reps and drills and situations rather than who can make an espn top 10 play?

Question.... did your DD play other sports and take time off or play softball 24/7

 

[CARDS]

Honestly we would run tryouts that "gets the ladies dirty" we also practiced the way we wanted the ladies to play "all out". (Most ladies actually enjoy the challenge with drills that require maximum effort. It also makes practice fun and challenging).

IMO,

You challenge your players to be the BEST they can be and have the ladies try to get to balls "they think" they cannot get too. With good practice they will be become stronger players. We did not always hit the balls and never a full 2 or 4 hour workout on on diving plays. A coach cannot always get the level of effort or challenge needed (especially with the older players) by rolling the ball now it is the preferred method when doing reps. and as demonstrated by one of our younger teams a few year back in this video that can be done indoors or outdoors.



With that said, There is a need for repetition type ground balls or basic plays especially when warming up. The players need to understand the higher expectations with these drills as far as percentage for success that is much greater with each play opportunity they have fielding or throwing than one of the more challenging drills.

The more challenging drills (EX: face the fire, Static drill, and other drills that require all out effort) generally would take place the last part of practice and prior to the cool down period. Its a great way to end a practice and our ladies always looked forward too it.

There are lots of videos out there at all ages where the ladies are pushed and learning how to get to balls on the ground or in the air. (More baseball than softball but still a lot out there).

I like what BP said when asked how he was able to make so many ESPN top plays...His answer, "I practice it"...

 

[DanMaz]

i definitely agree. that you practice game speed and ESPN highlight speed...

 

[OHsoftball]

Question.... did your DD play other sports and take time off or play softball 24/7

She played other sports in high school..

 

[daboss]

I have to disagree. It’s hard not to be concerned.. She’s still a teenager and is taking a beating at practice. I have no intentions of going to the coaching staff myself. I agree that is up to her. I just don’t think she will. She’s just that type to not say anything. The purpose of my post was just to hear others thoughts on this. I appreciate the feedback.

I still understand you concern. That's just being a parent. In a way you have helped make my point with this response.

She confided in you to raise the concern. She's an adult. You can't do anything about the issue. She needs to air this out with somebody that can. You need to encourage her to do so if she feels it is important enough. This is the life lesson she needs to learn and the steps for you to let go. It needs to be done or she needs to make a choice that she doesn't want to pick this battle. That's always been my "go to" term with the kids. "Pick your battles" in life.

Let me share a quick analogy. This is no different than her car needs repairs and she calls you to tell of her problems. If you would make the call, set up the scheduled repairs, perhaps take it in for her because she's "busy", and pay for it, she's learned that all she needs to do in life is call you.

I think you get my point. I hope others reading this are triggered by it and have the light bulb go off over their head.

Don't ever stop worrying. You know what I would say next......

 

[CARDS]

https://youtu.be/uq1mTSKnSEE

i definitely agree. that you practice game speed and ESPN highlight speed...

When they learn to "play faster than they did yesterday (or, last year), always look for the next out and ways to score or get to the next base with that little extra effort that is when the ladies progress from one level to the next.
https://youtu.be/uq1mTSKnSEE

 

[daboss]

https://youtu.be/uq1mTSKnSEE

When they learn to "play faster than they did yesterday (or, last year), always look for the next out and ways to score or get to the next base with that little extra effort that is when the ladies progress from one level to the next.
https://youtu.be/uq1mTSKnSEE

I agree there needs to be time to push the girls out of their comfort zone. Many girls are reluctant but they'll never know what they're capable of if they don't try. During practice is the best time to test themselves.

I had diving drills I used when we were indoors but I had doubled up padding for them to dive on. I've been inside field houses and even inside them I would use padding. For me it was a confidence thing. They needed to know they were capable before you could expect it to happen.

Diving onto the floor with expectations it will hurt is not conducive to the the design of the drill. That's why I said I wouldn't do it that way. Just me------not everyone.

 

[CARDS]

I agree there needs to be time to push the girls out of their comfort zone. Many girls are reluctant but they'll never know what they're capable of if they don't try. During practice is the best time to test themselves.

I had diving drills I used when we were indoors but I had doubled up padding for them to dive on. I've been inside field houses and even inside them I would use padding. For me it was a confidence thing. They needed to know they were capable before you could expect it to happen.

Diving onto the floor with expectations it will hurt is not conducive to the the design of the drill. That's why I said I wouldn't do it that way. Just me------not everyone.

You bring up a good point, "confidence thing"...There are some things that players, coaches and parents can do to help build confidence...
We would use BA or, Impact protection for our corners, catchers and most of the pitchers.
As the ladies got older some of the middle infielders would wear it. Todays kevlar is lightweight and most have no idea the player is wearing it.
Comes in socks, shirts, wrist bands or sliders...I remember once at 14 U we had or corners crashing hard half the way up the line on a teams slappers. When our ladies were at the plate the opposing coach yelled out, 'Do the same to them". Their third baseman was gun shy after the first one off the shin and a couple near miss bullets. The protection is not just for impact with balls but also collisions with players or the ground. Baseball players have been using it since the baggy uniforms came into play.