Questions to Ask a Coach Before Selecting a Team?

[default]

musty:

I think most of the more experienced coaches do post precisely this kind of information. It's a little scary some times because your honesty might only have five or six players show up, but it has always been our experience that some of that handful are super players that have added to the quality of the team.

 

[default]

Honesty is always the best policy, and I would encourage players/families looking for teams to absolutely talk with the coaches and ask them questions about needs, philosophies, etc., and to get a feel for the coach's sincerity. When my DD was playing, I wanted to know who she was playing for, what position(s) she would likely be playing, and get a feel for if the coach really knew what they were doing. Several posts on another thread suggest a parent should "go hide in the car" at tryouts ... I would call that irresponsible parenting. Its important that everyone is on the same page if you want to avoid problems later.

As mentioned above, I posted in the tryouts section what was going on with my team (i.e., about 1/2 the girls were moving up), and what the purpose of the team was (i.e., girls who want to play in college and whose families are willing to make the commitment that requires). I probably should have also added that all returning girls have to try out again the following year, so there is no guarantee that all of these girls will try out or that they will make the team (one of the reasons they try out again is so that the new girls can see the talent level and attitudes of those who are coming back). While they do have to re-tryout, they are all pretty talented and I think they are having a good time this year, so I am hoping and trusting that they will be back!

Here's hoping that everyone who tries out for teams this coming year finds the situation that is right for them. Parents doing their homework will help ensure this happens.

 

[default]

The best way to get answers is to research potential teams before tryouts. Go watch them in tournaments. See how the players react to the coaches. See how the parents react during games. See how the coach interacts with the players. So if you know in June or July that you need to find a new team or want to look for something else keep your eyes open during tournaments. Take an off weekend to go watch other teams. I think this will give you more of an idea than what a coach says. I would also talk to parents of returning girls to see what they like the most. What they don't like. Not a bad idea to talk to someone who has moved on (if possible) to see the reasoning. Going into tryouts blind is really tough. We have always been lucky. One year we took a blind dive and it was into a fantastic org and was a good year.

 

[default]

I would go sit with the parents and watch a game or two from the bleachers. You get an excellent feel for the coaches, the parents and if you actually want to spend a summer with these people. A team that is trouble can not keep a lid on it for an entire game.

This is not fool proof and must be used in conjunction with other research techniques but first hand experience can't be beat.

 

[default]

Ask the coach if its ok to bring cow bells to games....:lmao:

 

[default]

I believe a few key questions should be asked... do you coach softball for high school? how many returning players do you have? and how long have those players been with your team?

The first question because if they do then how many players from their current high school team are on the team, because you know where its heading before it gets started. Next, if there are say 9 girls returning he all ready has a relationship with those 9 and parents playing time will be a premuim. They will be looking to fill roster spots for subs and not given a fair shot at winning a position. This will not be told to you at tryout tme. Just a couple of suggestions that we got burned on from this year. Do your homework people sometimes aren't who they seem!

 

[default]

Ask the coach if its ok to bring cow bells to games....:lmao:

we have one parent left in the org that brings one..........seriously, it has to go. I am hoping they leave or we are going to have to give them the heave ho. Funny thing is that they bring a whole bag of them and offer them to the whole team. even though no one takes them they do not get the hint.

My new hatred are the "long horns" they are obnoxious.

 

[default]

One of the MOST important questions in my opinion is... Commitment level. Very hard to build a competitive team if the players aren't showing up!
jdcii, Hate to agree, but "Does your daughter play and what position" is unfortunately another important question...

 

[default]

Definitly ask questions before. There's nothing more irritating then going to a 3 hour tryout with 500 girls there in the heat of the day and then later getting an email saying they were only looking for a few positions that your DD doesn't play

 

[default]

Do you have a contingency plan if you suffer a mental breakdown and quit?

If they have that covered, they probably have everything else under control. :lmao:

 

[default]

One of the MOST important questions in my opinion is... Commitment level. Very hard to build a competitive team if the players aren't showing up!


BINGO!!!

 

[default]

I believe a few key questions should be asked... do you coach softball for high school? how many returning players do you have? and how long have those players been with your team?

The first question because if they do then how many players from their current high school team are on the team, because you know where its heading before it gets started. Next, if there are say 9 girls returning he all ready has a relationship with those 9 and parents playing time will be a premuim. They will be looking to fill roster spots for subs and not given a fair shot at winning a position. This will not be told to you at tryout tme. Just a couple of suggestions that we got burned on from this year. Do your homework people sometimes aren't who they seem!

Good questions to consider.

I think anytime you go to an exsisting team with 9 players returning, you should expect to have a hard time cracking into that top spot. Coaches should be somewhat loyal to returning players and usually for good reason. They know these kids will be with them for the long term and not jump ship the first chance they get.

Many times parents fail to see what the coaches can see. Coaches are often accussed of playing "daddy ball" when infact parents can rarely see that their DD just does not have the same talent level as the rest.

My best advice is to ask the coach how playing time is given out during pool play and then does he expect to play to win in elimination. If pool play gives each girl a chance to prove her worth and she still can not show that she belongs in the top 9 in elimination...guess you need to look for a team with weaker players or focus on developing your daughter.

If the coach does not give you a chance to prove yourself during pool play, head for the hills and find a team that does.

 

[default]

Ask the coach if its ok to bring cow bells to games....:lmao:

we have one parent left in the org that brings one..........seriously, it has to go. I am hoping they leave or we are going to have to give them the heave ho. Funny thing is that they bring a whole bag of them and offer them to the whole team. even though no one takes them they do not get the hint.

My new hatred are the "long horns" they are obnoxious.

Rest assured that if you come to either of our ASA tournaments the UIC will be talking to those folks with the "Artificial Noise Makers". ASA banned the use of them two years ago (Thank Goodness). They annoy the cr@p out of me as well and our UIC has no problem enforcing the rules. LoL

 

[default]

@Legit, I think you're already ahead of the game by even thinking about what you want to ask. I feel like I never asked enough questions. Looking back on it, I know I didn't...

My daughter is a pitcher and we've had some coaches promise the world or say something like, "I already know she's good from school ball, so she'll have plenty of time in the circle" and then she's riding the pine. That can be hard to bite your lip about. So, as the parent of a pitcher, you have to be ready to deal with that too because what you see/what you hear isn't always what you get.

Another question I think is important to ask: How many girls from one school do you have on your team? This can cause an automatic clique that doesn't sit well with the players and the parents in some cases.

 

[default]

Do you have a contingency plan if you suffer a mental breakdown and quit?

If they have that covered, they probably have everything else under control. :lmao:

pot and kettle..........:lmao:

 

[default]

One of the MOST important questions in my opinion is... Commitment level. Very hard to build a competitive team if the players aren't showing up!

Couldn't agree more!!

 

[default]

been reading this thread and want to throw a few thoughts in not wanting to insult anyone, coach, organization, athlete, parent blah blah blah! but a few things i have been thinking because the kids and parents have to jump through hoops this time of year to find a team or stay on a team.

is it ok to ask who has been picked to be on the roster before committing? (not thinkin' an explanation is needed)

is it ok to ask to ask about coaches training/background knowledge (not just one but all)

is it ok to ask to see the final product before committing....you don't always know who is a returning player at a tryout and you don't know who else coaches picked because of private tryouts


input?

 

[Fairman]

I would also suggest that you talk to the parents of existing players during the tryout and get a feel for the coaches, the team and their families.

 

[BigBaller06]

You can ask all the questions you want and receive all the right answers, but that doesn't guarantee anything.

I've learned the best question to ask is, "How many of the coaches have daughters on the team?"

We joined a team that cut all but 5 players. Found out later the 5 players all have parents that help in one way or another! Don't get me wrong, having a parent coach isn't always a bad thing, but when that parent is only there to "coach their daughter," that's an issue.

 

[softballfan27]

Get everything in writing. Nothing worse than a Coach telling you something then pulling the rug from underneath you.
Then you question the Coach about what they promised and they look at you like you have 3 heads.