Coaching difficult players U14

[NBECoach]

I am a HS coach, and I volunteer from time to time to help instruct technique with an organization I coached with for many years. This is a U14 team with 4 returning members and 6 new kids.

I try and keep it simple so that they don’t immediately tune me out. But it seems like these kids don’t care, with no hustle unless I remind them. There are only 10 kids so playing time is just about guaranteed. I show them how to field a ground ball properly (rolled ball) but they just continue to do it wrong. I stop practice to break it down further but that lasts one time around if I’m lucky. It seems as though they feel that all is well when they happen to have fielded the ball and make a throw. They must have done it right. The kids technique needs help yet I am told one of the Father’s thinks all is well and can’t understand why we haven’t moved on to more challenging activities. Geez it’s only December.

The HC is new but is aware of this but he gets the same results. None of these kids will attend the HS where I coach so no leverage there. What would you suggest I do (if anything)?

Thanks.

 

[Shiloh]

Gotta play the hand you're dealt.

Players don't want to follow your instructions right now, and since you're not the HC there's really nothing you can do.

So just keep going, find a W somewhere for yourself and for them, then circle back.

 

[Bonesaw]

Maybe give them some tough love and explain that by not having good fundamentals they are letting anyone who knows anything and watches them, that not only they themselves suck, but their coaches suck. And their organization sucks. And theyre wasting their time(and yours). "Eye test".

 

[CrazyNani]

Some kids just don't take it seriously, like they just play for fun and only want it to be that. I think they play because a friend plays or their parent suggests it might be fun to do, (this prob. happens more on high school teams), but the serious ones will work on their fundamentals. The ones who play for fun will probably not play after 14u.

 

[kennykozman!!]

What is the competitive goal of this team? Has this been shared with the parents and players? This team has 6 new players with a new HC. If there was a time for change it is now.

The developmental side of me says to find more ways to communicate with the girls to motivate them and improve. If my DD was on the team or they were feeding my HS program maybe there would be a great reason to do this.

I had a mentor who told me "don't waste time on the bums." The definition of bums would be lazy, no hustle, not coachable or a terrible skill set. This can happen at the REC level or LL and we are stuck with the team. In this case why are we volunteering to coach kids that really don't want to get better or play at a higher level. I don't know the answer to this for you other than you love the game.

If the players don't want to be coached and don't want to hustle IDK why they are on a travel team honestly. Maybe this team just wants to have fun and play low B/C tournaments. Nothing wrong with that but it appears that doesn't match your coaching goals.





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[_MIA_]

You cannot force kids to want to improve. Keep doing what you think is correct and perhaps you will make an impact on 1 or 2 players...

 

[Bonesaw]

You cannot force kids to want to improve. Keep doing what you think is correct and perhaps you will make an impact on 1 or 2 players...

I think thats kind of the coach's job. Maybe not force, but convince. Inspire. Motivate.

Not always easy.

Maybe if NBE has a stud 16u or 18u player or 2 he could bringem in for a practice. Make them feel inadequate and explain why. Tellem their joining the team before haha. Undercover type "prank".

 

[Lemond]

Find out what their individual goals are for softball, and try to help them achieve those goals. For some, it will only be to have fun. Hope that’s an easy goal to shoot for! For any who truly want to improve their game, ask them if they understand how to achieve that goal, or ask what is holding them back from accomplishing them.

 

[YOCOACH]

What level of SB is this organization you're helping out; Rec or TB? My answer would depend on the level.

 

[Lance Steckler]

if the head coach doesn't see the problem, even after having it pointed out, not much you can do. they are certainly not going to punish lack of compliance for anything they don't believe.

offer your help and advice. And then don't when they won't follow. Tough love can work wonders.