Thoughts/Opinions on tryout methods

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not in favor but open minded.

Quick can mean arrogance. As previously stated, simply saying "NEXT" will be the message when going that fast.

Weed out processing as previously mentioned is also well said!

We want to pressure them and push till they have to make tough plays while tired or mentally frustrated... and closer to real life on Sunday. Hard to do in 1.5 hours but it is what it is. Also want to see who is "on their heals" vs who is always ready or working hard.

 

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For those of you who figured it out - the original post was more or less "tongue in cheek" meant to draw out discussion on tryout methods. Of course it's impossible to tell in 5 minutes what a kid's potential is!

If the original post was "tongue-in-cheek", then why did you post this as a follow-up???

Hint: I am specifically referring to younger "unseasoned" kids, not older kids with ingrained bad habits. Look beyond those "four steps"; there is some hidden information there if you look hard enough...

Len

 

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not in favor but open minded.

Quick can mean arrogance. As previously stated, simply saying "NEXT" will be the message when going that fast.

Weed out processing as previously mentioned is also well said!

We want to pressure them and push till they have to make tough plays while tired or mentally frustrated... and closer to real life on Sunday. Hard to do in 1.5 hours but it is what it is. Also want to see who is "on their heals" vs who is always ready or working hard.

Lester, IMO this is the circumstances under which my DD earned her college scholarship. Her team was in the loser's bracket at a very prominent showcase tournament. It was 90+ degrees, and the backup pitcher was injured. It is usually rare to see many college coaches on Sunday, but the coach that granted her scholarship was watching her that day. It was the toughest pitching battle she ever had fought, but her team battled back to second place, just missing a win from an error.

Under tremendous pressure, but never on their heels. They were expecting to win the whole time, and that's what kept them in the game. Your last paragraph says a lot about what college coaches expect to see in recruits.

 

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Thats all and well and good come game time but a lot of players simply dont practice how they play.

 

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At younger age gruops the kids seem a bit nervous early in tryouts so think it is better to do the typical system and let them get comfortable.

 

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Considering some travel team tryouts seem to go on forever, I propose an abbreviated method for 10u and 12u. Since this age range should be heavily biased toward teaching proper mechanics to perceived athletic kids, why not compress the "tryout" into a 30 minute period as follows:

First 5 minutes: Sprint home to home
Second 5 minutes: 5 overhand throws
Third 5 minutes: 5 swings off of a batting tee
Last 15 minutes: Provided the kid is a candidate from steps 1-3, interview the parents

Other than pitcher/catcher, how many coaches feel they could pre-qualify (or disqualify) a kid to become part of their "training regimen" with these simple steps?

Although Sammy chooses to ignore me, this method of tryout is not far off if it was a cattle-call tryout and over 100 kids came out for 11-18 open roster spots. It's okay to think for yourself Sammy! You may be on to something with your original thought.

After fully warming up:

Phase one: Two tries at 40 yard dash. Benchmark time depends on age group. If they do not meet or beat benchmark, they are done.

Phase two: Two to three tries. Throw to third from right field. Watch how they field and throw. Look for mechanics, quickness, strength, accuracy, and confidence. If they do not meet or beat your expectations, they are done.

Phase three: Hitting....15 pitches, preferably with a pitcher throwing behind a net approximately 30 feet away. Bunt the first three. If they slap, let them slap three to five. Watch their swing mechanics and their confidence. If they do not meet or beat your expectations, they are done.

Phase four: Put kids in positions of your choice, based on your informed initial guess. Hit infield and outfield, moving kids around if necessary. Watch them closely for mechanics, ability, and confidence. Watch each kids' hustle and desire. Length of time for this depends on how many kids are left after the first three cuts.

Phase five: Shut down the tryout and thank everyone for coming. Tell parents results will be posted via email or on website within 24 hours. Have a coaches meeting to determine the first wave of kids to get offers. The remainder of the kids are put on an alternate list. Give the parents 7 to 10 days to accept or reject the offer. Upon rejection, move an alternate up to the offer list.

Of course, as stated in the original post, this does not include pitchers and catchers. Pitchers and catchers are another post.

Len

 

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We have spent alot of time building and coaching this age group and I think you have missed a few points.

1- not worried about throwing mechanics at all, they all stink and need to be fixed

2- not worried much about swing, again thay all pretty much stink

3- unless they have a serious parent they all catch one handed at first

#1 Do they hustle?

#2 Do they attack the ball?

#3 Do they take direction well (coachable)?

#4 Do they appear to have some passion? Or ability to focus?

If the answer is yes to all four then they are a keeper. Every time we take someone who is not hustling or does not attack ball (is afraid), it turns out poorly. Everything else can be taught if those 4 things are in line. And it takes seeing them approach a ground ball, approach a fly ball, play catch, and take 10 swings to figure that out IMO.

Now some girls you can tell right when they start warming up. But others you need to watch and see how they warm up to the whole process. We had a 10 year old this year puke in the middle of tryouts. And after that she was dynomite. Nerves can be a big deal. We had another take one off the forehead on a bad bounce, go get stitches, and then some back to finish what she has missed (sign her up....that is passion 101). We rarely have to cut many at the 10U and 9U level. If they have the drive to show up at the tryout they usually have what it takes at this lower level.

Now 12U gets a bit tricky. And quite honestly we pretty much only take girls who have been playing travel. We may take 1 or 2 at 11U but at the old 12U team they are just getting too far behind. And we pretty much will stay loyal to girls that stay in the program. We feel that we should be able to coach em up if they are with us 3 years. And so far we have been right. You lose a few from 10U to 12U but in general the ones who want it get better.

 

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Thats all and well and good come game time but a lot of players simply dont practice how they play.

True but they had better tryout much better than they practice. How many times does that get us coaches in the you know what!

I had a 10u team several years ago that practiced absolutely terrible aaaaall freakin' year... but we took 1st in 6 tourneys. Go figure. And, they all tried out extremely well. Got lucky I guess.

So it becomes a coaching staff filtering process (as it does for all) and how well do the coaches see the real side of a player... all 'pregnant' comments...;&

Or, what will they live with? Trade-offs as always.

 

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Although Sammy chooses to ignore me, this method of tryout is not far off if it was a cattle-call tryout and over 100 kids came out for 11-18 open roster spots. It's okay to think for yourself Sammy! You may be on to something with your original thought.

After fully warming up:

Phase one: Two tries at 40 yard dash. Benchmark time depends on age group. If they do not meet or beat benchmark, they are done.

Phase two: Two to three tries. Throw to third from right field. Watch how they field and throw. Look for mechanics, quickness, strength, and accuracy. If they do not meet or beat your expectations, they are done.

Phase three: Hitting....15 pitches, preferably with a pitcher throwing behind a net approximately 30 feet away. Bunt the first three. If they slap, let them slap three to five. Watch their swing mechanics and their confidence. If they do not meet or beat your expectations, they are done.

I will continue the post later. Time to get ready for work.

Len

Lenski is on a roll here...