Coaching kids

[Jacksonian]

I joined the local youth baseball board and as a result have been chosen to coach a 7-8 year old coach-pitch team.  My son is 8.  I haven't ever coached before.  One of my strengths is dealing with kids.  I know how to play baseball.  What I lack is good information on what to teach and how to teach them.  I'm wondering how much technique they can generally handle learning.  How to go about getting the practices done organizationally speaking.  And, just about anything else.  So, if any of you out there can lend some good keystrokes or a link to good info I would appreciate it.

[Limey]

They're kids...scare 'em.

[MikeyBoy]

I coach a 8U coach pitch team as well and have coached all of my son's baseball teams since he was four. I could write a book on my learnings over the past four years. In my opinion, the keys to success, success being keeping the kids interested as much as possible and keeping the parents as happy as possible, are keeping the kids interested as much as possible and keeping the parents as happy as possible. If the kids aren't interested, then you will never get them to learn anything. If the parents aren't happy, then they can be a pain in the ass and even more importantly, if they are happy then they're more likely to be somewhat committed, which usually rubs off on the kids.

The best way to keep the kids interested is organized, fun practices with as little of standing around as possible. Idle hands, yada yada. Split the kids up as much as you can into smaller groups utilizing station work to focus on certain areas. Have a plan going in to practice, what drills to run, what stations to set up and how much time to spend on each one. I can get into the specifics of the drills and stations if you would like? I can talk all day about this stuff.

As far as technique and how much to try to teach them, well that's an inexact science for sure. I just focus on the fundamentals and just feel my way through the reactions from the kids on whether to give more or pull back. I will say the little shits are like sponges and I'm always shocked how much they learn and retain.

With the parents, clear, concise and timely communication is imperative. Meet with the parents before your first practice and set the expectations for you as a manager and the season as a whole.

I've got a run, but let me know if this is helpful. I know it's kind of high level, but I can go to the details if you're interested. Feel free to PM me as well.

Also, here's a website that has decent info on dealing with parents and practice structure. (LINK)

[94CougarGrad]

Kids that age absorb a lot more about technique than people think. Work on the skills drills with them and show them how those drills are incorporated into gameplay. Don't lecture too much about technique, but if you have to explain why something needs to be done some way, explain away. Make the drills fun and keep 'em interested in the game, and they'll play their hearts out and have a good time doing it.

[Noe]

I coach a 8U coach pitch team as well and have coached all of my son's baseball teams since he was four. I could write a book on my learnings over the past four years. In my opinion, the keys to success, success being keeping the kids interested as much as possible and keeping the parents as happy as possible, are keeping the kids interested as much as possible and keeping the parents as happy as possible. If the kids aren't interested, then you will never get them to learn anything. If the parents aren't happy, then they can be a pain in the ass and even more importantly, if they are happy then they're more likely to be somewhat committed, which usually rubs off on the kids.

The best way to keep the kids interested is organized, fun practices with as little of standing around as possible. Idle hands, yada yada. Split the kids up as much as you can into smaller groups utilizing station work to focus on certain areas. Have a plan going in to practice, what drills to run, what stations to set up and how much time to spend on each one. I can get into the specifics of the drills and stations if you would like? I can talk all day about this stuff.

As far as technique and how much to try to teach them, well that's an inexact science for sure. I just focus on the fundamentals and just feel my way through the reactions from the kids on whether to give more or pull back. I will say the little shits are like sponges and I'm always shocked how much they learn and retain.

With the parents, clear, concise and timely communication is imperative. Meet with the parents before your first practice and set the expectations for you as a manager and the season as a whole.

I've got a run, but let me know if this is helpful. I know it's kind of high level, but I can go to the details if you're interested. Feel free to PM me as well.

Also, here's a website that has decent info on dealing with parents and practice structure. (LINK)

This is dead spot on information, especially the "stick to the fundamentals".  The game time is where you switch from teaching to mentoring to rise above mistakes.  Start now, make sure to encourage them when they make mistakes because this is where the biggest disconnect happens for kids that age.  They think because of failure to execute, that they didn't learn as much as Timmy over there who doesn't seem to struggle.

The best moments in coaching are when you find yourself being an encourager during games.  During practice, be sure to repeat, repeat, repeast... never think that you said it one time so they should understand.  The site MikeyBoy is good, I also have a small book I can try and make into a PDF for you that teaches fun drills.  The basic thing to focus on:

1. Throwing the ball correctly.
2. Catching grounders correctly.
3. Catching pop flys correctly.
4. Running the bases correctly.
5. Hitting a baseball.

In that order and you can focus on the top three first and foremost while getting them ready for actual games.

[Taras Bulba]

If they come away understanding that baseball caps should only be worn backwards by catchers and welders, you will have done God's work.

[Limey]

The basic thing to focus on:

1. Throwing the ball correctly, by Chuck Knoblauch
2. Catching grounders correctly, by Bill Buckner
3. Catching pop flys correctly, by Dmitri "E7" Young
4. Running the bases correctly, by Lance Berkman
5. Hitting a baseball, by Morgan Ensberg

FIFY

[Jacksonian]

How's about the play different positions during a game philosophy?  I had planned on having the kids play different positions throughout the season but have noticed that some coaches will move the kids around from inning to inning.

[Limey]

How's about the play different positions during a game philosophy?  I had planned on having the kids play different positions throughout the season but have noticed that some coaches will move the kids around from inning to inning.

Cooper?

[Jacksonian]

Cooper?

I won't be letting one of the kids coach the team while I'm sitting on the bench expressionless.

[MusicMan]

I won't be letting one of the kids coach the team while I'm sitting on the bench expressionless.

So...

Collins would just scream at the kids until they all cry;
Dierker would pull his best player in a critical situation because he thought the kid needed a nap;
Jimy would coach every possible fundamental but would alienate all the parents;
and Garner would be loved by the parents until he didn't close the deal in Williamsport.

[Andyzipp]

I think you got Jimy wrong.  The kids love him.  The scoreboard operator hated him, and convinced the concession stand guy to boo during the end of the season awards ceremony.

[JimR]

call me if you want. 800 964 5191 is the office. often wrong but never in doubt applies especially to this topic.

[94CougarGrad]

^ Now that's a guy to get coaching lessons from.

[Duman]

8U is a great time to experiment with different positions but I would do most of the moving in practice and have 2-3 positions a kid focuses on.  Here are some of my guidelines I have used defensively in coach pitch.

1B - need to be able to catch the ball.  One of the most dangerous positions on the field.  Because of having a ball and a runner coming at you at the same time.  I don't do much changing with this position - if you can't catch a hard thrown ball, you don't play first.

P - need good reaction time (future SS) don't do too much changing with this one either because of the risk of hot shots being hit back up the middle.  It is also where the most baseball savy kid goes.  You know the one who knows the number of outs and where to throw the ball in the right situation.

2nd - best fielder - most kids don't pull the ball yet.  Also most kids arms aren't strong enough to throw from 3rd.  This is your key defensive position.  (I called P, 2nd, 1st - the glove triangle because that is where I saw most of the action being hit).

Teach your RFs to back up every throw from 1st and what to do if they pick it up.  Keeps them involved and makes the parents proud when you say "Good job backing up the throw, Billy" even when the 1B caught it.  

Let them have fun, notice small improvements and smile at them.

Have a parent who can keep things in order in the dugout (a non screaming mom/dad).  Their whole job is make sure kids are ready to go when it is there turn on deck.

[JimR]

First issue (most important to me):

Are you trying to win or are you trying to teach baseball regardlees of W-L record?

Imo, if you answer "win," let someone else do it.

[Outlawscotty]

First issue (most important to me):

Are you trying to win or are you trying to teach baseball regardlees of W-L record?

Imo, if you answer "win," let someone else do it.

That ain't no lie.  However, be prepared to deal with parents who know so much more.

[Jacksonian]

First issue (most important to me):

Are you trying to win or are you trying to teach baseball regardlees of W-L record?

Imo, if you answer "win," let someone else do it.

The biggest reason I agreed to coach is because the coach of the team he was on last year (and would have been this year) is a win guy.  There was very little instruction last year.  The focus was on hitting, hitting, hitting, and more hitting because "at 8U that's how you win."  Whatever my son learned about baseball he got from me outside of practices and games.

My first philosophy is if the kids didn't have fun learning baseball, and don't know at least a little more about baseball after the season than before the season, I failed.

I don't see winning games as fun unless it's in the context of seeing the kids improving over time.  If we win despite the kids not showing at least a little improvement then it's hollow to me.  Winning to me is seeing them smile when they realize they did something today they didn't do yesterday.

[JimR]

I told the parents each year that my definition of a successful season was if every one of them believed that their son improved during the year. I played every player at least half the game by the clock because we played on a time limit.

[Jacksonian]

That ain't no lie.  However, be prepared to deal with parents who know so much more.

What's funny to me is that on my son's team last year the know-it-all parents were complaining that the coach was too much about winning and not enough about teaching.  The coaches insisted on playing the same kid at 3b every game.  It was disheartening to see the kid get a grounder and either hold it or lob it to 1b with no chance of an out because his arm was too weak.  The coaches would hope he'd only get grounders when there were runners on 1b and 2b so he could get grab and go step on the bag.  The kid could catch.  I thought given the strengths and weaknesses of the other kids he was best suited for 1b.

Too, they complained about the politics.  Coaches' kids played, in every game, 1B, 2B and SS.  No other kids played those positions.  That's where most of the balls were hit.

[matadorph]

The best way to keep the kids interested is organized, fun practices with as little of standing around as possible. Idle hands, yada yada. Split the kids up as much as you can into smaller groups utilizing station work to focus on certain areas. Have a plan going in to practice, what drills to run, what stations to set up and how much time to spend on each one.

Brad Mills thinks you might be on to something.

[Lurch]

I told the parents each year that my definition of a successful season was if every one of them believed that their son improved during the year. I played every player at least half the game by the clock because we played on a time limit.

You, sir, need to write a book.

[Taras Bulba]

[The best way to keep the kids interested is organized, fun practices with as little of standing around as possible. Idle hands, yada yada. Split the kids up as much as you can into smaller groups utilizing station work to focus on certain areas. Have a plan going in to practice, what drills to run, what stations to set up and how much time to spend on each one. I can get into the specifics of the drills and stations if you would like? I can talk all day about this stuff.

I disagree with this.  Standing around, along with shooting the shit is an integral part of the game.  For kids, this means perfecting cuss words and sharing disinformation about female private parts.  Oh, those were the days.

[HudsonHawk]

I disagree with this.  Standing around, along with shooting the shit is an integral part of the game.  For kids, this means perfecting cuss words and sharing disinformation about female private parts.  Oh, those were the days.

I agree that shooting the shit and mindless bullpen chatter are an integral part of the game, but at the higher levels.  And I would NEVER teach the fundementals of beaver shooting until a kid was at least 12.

[MusicMan]

And I would NEVER teach the fundementals of beaver shooting until a kid was at least 12.

Signed,
Rick Perry

[Alkie]

I agree that shooting the shit and mindless bullpen chatter are an integral part of the game, but at the higher levels.  And I would NEVER teach the fundementals of beaver shooting until a kid was at least 12.

That's just insane.   If it wasn't for the other 9 year olds on the team teaching me about how a vagina is just like a penis, but larger, full of milk, and smelling oddly like a Korean butcher shop, I would have never known that shit.

I just wish they would have done it while I was 9 and playing with them and not 23 and coaching them.

[Ebby Calvin]

Brett Myers has a different approach:

"I'll do anything it takes to win. I think losing [stinks]. I've always felt that way. The one thing I've tried to do is to tell the four- and five-year olds [he coaches] that 'It's not OK to lose, guys.' You don't have fun when you lose."

Link

Shocker.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Brett Myers has a different approach:

Link

Shocker.

Oh boy... I read that yesterday.  Anyone with any perspective in life, you should ignore this poor soul's view on life.  Just watch him play baseball.  Ignore his comments.  He is compelled to show his ass so people understand him, appreciate him, and want to be like him.  Personally, I am already bored with his attempts to share his personality.  Shut up and pitch, Myers.  No one cares how you choose to screw up your kid. 

For the record, I refrained from commenting on the early discussion because Myer's mentality is EXACTLY what I encountered helping coach T-Ball last year.  They not only had an All Star team, they had TWO All Star teams, from our league.  Requiring the kids to play thru middle of July, multiple games a weekend.  I know the parents of a couple of the kids who made the team, half way thru the "second season" the kid was asking to not play baseball any more.  Good JOB Coaches!  You just burned out your 6 yr old All Star.  Friggin' genius.   

I nearly did the same to my son.  But I backed off before it was too late.  He decided organized baseball is not for him at this point, maybe later.  We still play 1 on 1 (w/ ghost runners, of course!) in the back yard, and he even hits with dad pitching (over-hand - thanks to those who explained the importance of that vs under hand).  We're still working on catching and he's finally not stepping to the side ... as much.  But we have far more fun doing that when he wants to play, while encouraging him to play his preferred sport (soccer). 

[Limey]

Brett Myers has a different approach:

Link

Shocker.

If you're not first, you're last.

[Ron Brand]

Wow. That's an entire article full of red flags.

[Andyzipp]

It's an entire article of hubris.  I wouldn't read too much into it.

[Ty in Tampa]

It's an entire article of hubris.  I wouldn't read too much into it.