Winter practice attendance

[default]

Not just show up when you want, you read rather selectively in an attempt to support your own thoughts. Your talking about telling a 10 year old that loves softball and basketball if she misses WINTER softball PRACTICE during BASKETBALL SEASON that she will be punished for that. That IMO, is rediculous and is an ego trip. But its your team. Your the one wondering why 1 bailed on you. Maybe think about 99% of the opinions you asked for.

 

[default]

I'm a softball addict but I'm not sure how this sport became any more important than any other. It is for the kids. If they get better in the off season, than they should be put where they belong. If they work there but off in the off season, and Susie played basketball and missed winter practices, but is still better, then put them where they belong

 

[default]

okkk...

Im not sure where all that comes into this conversation. Noone is "degrading" anything, everyones goal is to be successful and win but at 10u you should be more of a teacher than a coach. And yes, they should be able to play other sports especially when those sports are in season. Get the parents together, find a day where the most players can make it, and go from there.

 

[default]

I think you and another notorious 10u coach on here need to get together... ;&

Seriously dude. Relax. They are 10. If they are not coming to practice due to "in season" conflicts, yes they should do a little work at home. But again, I say, relax. You are taking this way too seriously.

 

[default]

I get your frustration because my husband used to coach our daughter's softball team from from 9u - 12u and I know its tough setting up practices trying to accommodate the widest attendance, and having 4-5 girls miss for AAU or JO and getting frustrated because as a coach, you still want to make sure the girls are developing as players and gelling as a team.

BUT Sometimes you just have to hit the reset button and realize that try as you might, there is little you can do ...so try not to let it frustrate you.

My daughter is an 8th grader and has played three sports year round since she was 5. At 10u, she played $occer, winter basketball leagues, softball for OGSO, and travel softball. Now that she is in middle school, she plays volleyball, basketball and softball for the school in addition to year round travel softball.

She is also a pitcher, and works on pitching 3-4 times per week mixing in lessons every other week, takes weekly hitting lessons and on the days she doesn't pitch, she hits at home doing T work. She has practice for her travel team
1-2 days a week (usually fielding with Bob Hoiles during the week and then a weekend practice). This is in ADDITION to volleyball five days a week for the school, taking advanced classes, maintaining a 4.0 and mixing in some college camps here and there now that she is in 8th grade. I think it is absolutely crazy but SHE wouldn't have it any other way.

The point I'm trying to make is that when kids are younger, it is possible for them to play many different sports and play them all well. Now whether she will be able to keep up this schedule next year in high school is yet to be determined and that is a choice that SHE will have to make but there is NO WAY I would have made her make that choice at 10u.

 

[default]

I guess I just need to take a chill pill and focus on my own DD drive to be the best. Thanks to all

 

[default]

It seems to me that there is something being missed here. I would venture to say that at least half of the girls playing softball are from small schools. That being the case then these girls NEED to play multiple sports or the schools will not be able to field competitive teams for each sport. Both of my DD's play multiple sports. Each one of their classes has maybe 10 good atheletes in it. So just by need alone, the school really needs them to play more than one sport. Now I know eventually they will have to trim it down but while they are young we will let them play any sport they want. As far as travel softball goes... we have been very fortunate that every coach they have played for understood this. They tell the girls that the in season sport takes precedence. Now with that being said... My wife and I make sure that they get to most off season softball practices as well as the in season sport practices (which are usually during the week). Their softball teams usually practice maybe one night a week(which our girls go to after their school practice is over) then one weekend day which is either Sat night or Sunday. It has worked out great for us so far. Each coach has been great so far and we actually have not missed anything yet. I wont lie, our schedule is very hectic but as long as they want to do it we have told them that we will do everything we can to make it happen.

 

[default]

There is the way the coach would like it and then there is reality. I think as a coach I would love to have players who only want to play softball. The reality is, they have other interests and if you force the issue you lose players. You gotta deal man.

 

[default]

There is the way the coach would like it and then there is reality. I think as a coach I would love to have players who only want to play softball. The reality is, they have other interests and if you force the issue you lose players. You gotta deal man.

I'm starting to see that LOL

 

[default]

Don't penalize the kids. They can't drive at 10u...otherwise I know they would all be at every practice. Fact of the matter is the ones that work at it always seem to separate from the pack. I might suggest getting a handle on this sometime in the next couple of years because when that multisport athlete that is a great softball player decides to go to basketball team camp during softball season, you will absolutely flip.

 

[default]

My policy has worked well for me and I'm committed to it. I love athletic players, athletic players all have one thing in common, they play other sports. I run zero mandatory practices over the winter months. We practice twice a week over the winter. I've found most kids and parents make every effort to make practice. I don't want kids missing basketball practice during basketball season for softball... The trade off is I don't want them missing softball practice during softball season for any other sport.

 

[default]

Pretty much on the same page as the consensus here ... you can't force kids to only play one sport, nor should you, and especially at such a young age. But what also can't be denied is the fact that kids getting good quality softball instruction/coaching on a year-round basis are going to be advantaged over kids who don't, for whatever the reason. That doesn't mean the coach should "favor" those kids and/or "penalize" the ones who don't. Most travel coaches aren't going to survive if they try to force the issue ... parents and players will figure it out themselves over time.

 

[default]

As a coach, I feel your pain. But as a father, do whats best for your DD. Been there, done that. So glad my DD dumped the other sports when she was 9. Parents just dont understand that their is a difference in playing at an elite level and competing at an elite level. No matter what the age group. Work your butt off with your DD and for those who want to join to max their potential, then one day they might play in college. Hard work always beats talent when talent doesnt work hard. Winter time work brings summer time success. Its not about winning or losing, its about development and competing at the highest level. I dont care about those $5 trophies, but helping girls one day play in college is my goal. All you can do as a coach is give them your time and then its up to them whether they want it or not. Hopefully by the time youre in 14u you will have a team filled with dedicated softball players. Like I said before, been there done that. JMHO.

 

[default]

I believe not playing all year helped my daughters. They didn't get burned out like some of their friends. I'm glad my kids didn't give up other sports they also loved, they met many friends and memories.

There are many paths to reaching their goal please don't discourage your kids from taking different roads because you think you know better.

 

[default]

I guess a TEAM means more to me then others. Its not fair to the other kids that put in the work to have a player that slacks and gets to play.

You're missing your own point. What makes those girls strong players at 10u is their athleticism. The speed they develop in ****** or the aggressiveness from basketball. Reps are important and you can set that expectation but to expect these families to conform to your values just because they PLAY a GAME on your team is self centered. Your goal as a 10u coach should be to take them as far as they want to go, not as far as you want them to go.

 

[default]

1300 views in 24 hours, now that's impressive... S o c c er

 

[default]

Lol....17 hours

 

[default]

For our girls, the sport that is in season or any school activities trumps softball no matter what. If they don't have any of those activities, than they are expected to be at practice. We usually offer more than 1 practice a week to give those who can't make it an opportunity to attend. The girls know that they need to work on their skills at home as well as at practice but with all the things going on, it is crazy for me to think that everyone will be at every practice that I hold....it just doesn't work that way. If I expect my girls to be flexible and conform to my schedule, I have to be flexible myself. The ones who attend everything and are absolutely dedicated usually progress faster than the ones who miss here and there and most of the time will beat the others out for positions. But once summer Sunday's roll around, it is the best for the positions regardless of who attended winter practices.

 

[default]

Coach, Your only mistake is that you stated a cold, hard, fact much to clearly. '...I've told the parents if they miss practice their DD will be behind and could effect playing time and position...' this is a true statement that is not acceptable to many of todays parents.

If a player comes once a week for the 35 weeks of the 'off-season' and takes 100 good cuts under the watchful eye of a knowledgable coach; then that player will be 3,500 swings ahead of the player that doesn't take the time, for whatever reason. If the results don't show in the next travel season then you are doing a poor job as a coach. If she is successful, she will get more playing time; it is that simple.

Don't waste the kids time, make sure you know what you are doing and then do it with who ever shows-up. The kids that want to be there will find a way and the kids that don't will be left behind. You can't force them, you told them the facts and these facts are indisputable. They can play ******, and volleyball and basketball and then softball but if you want your dd to excel she needs time in the gym working on the necessary skills for each of these sports. Playing only games and having no practice time will not result in elite skills in any of these games and is clearly a mistake. At some point, something will have to drop by the wayside. Sometimes a highly athletic player can play at 80% of her potential but not often.

Most of my winter work is on individual skills and having a team present isn't necessary, but you are learning which children should move on to their life's work and what their actual level of commitment might be. That commitment must be taken into account next tryout season or you will have an average rec ball 18U team down the line.

 

[default]

I agree, but I was trying to nip it in the bud now. Worst part is shes my best friend and her dad is our teams sponsor.

I'm wondering if the highlighted text is the real problem. The parents feel you "owe" them this exception due to your friendship and their money. I'm not saying this is the case, but people take what they can get, and I'm wondering if they're trying to get a foot when you're only willing to give an inch.

I've been there too. Schedule a practice and have a plan, only to change it due to a handful of players present, so we can't go over infield defensive situations, etc. Not to mention having to answer questions from parents about "how committed are these players on this team if they wont' show up for practice?" Probably the best advice I can give is work on individual skills and drills during the winter. Do not go over team drills until the season is in place and all players can attend. Then, those players who have been working on their skills all winter will shine, and those who have missed (for whatever reason) will be behind. Then they will have to make a decision - to I focus on this sport or not? Those that won't will find a situation that fits their needs, while those that do will do the same. It sounds like your DD is one that does, so maybe the answer is that you should find a team for your DD that has the same mindset. That may mean a different team, or it may mean different teammates.

My DD has gone through it all (good athletes with no focus, multisport athletes that waited until season to be committed, etc.) and is now on a team where every girl wants the same thing. It's amazing how quickly they become a team when there is a single focus.