Coaching Styles

I'm not real sure where I fit in. I guess it depends on whom you ask. The other coaches will all say I am too intense and am all about winning. The kids on my team will say I'm a great guy that likes to have fun. This is for house league.

Here's why the differences are there. I make it a point to know all the kids (I do the tournament teams and this helps me make more informed choices)and all the team's weaknesses. I am at the diamonds 3-4 nights/wk. and will always watch the weekday opponent's game on Sat. and the weekend opponent's game during the week. I know this sounds yucky, but I usually sit behind the dugout for at least a few innings. Like I learned in the Army, "A successful recon. leads to a successful mission". Thus, the other coaches think I am too competitive because I am willing to scout all the teams and pick up on their tendencies.

My practices go something like this. The league gives us 2 diamond times/wk. in the preseason. I start my team indoors and get extra diamond time outdoors when the weather breaks. If we have a month of preseason, I will schedule 20-25 practices/scrimmages as we will lose some for the weather. Pre-season is lots of hitting, fielding drills, pitcher's workouts, basic FUNdamentals interspersed with good times. Sometimes we'll play kickball to end the practice or something goofy like that. Once the season starts, we play 2 games/wk. and I schedule practices on Thursdays (league off-day) and either Sun., Mon, or Tues-depending on which day we play our game. During that time, we run through our basic drills and BP, but also, and here's the catch, practice specifically for the next opponent. If the team steals alot, we game plan for it. If they have "trick Plays" we learn to defend them, etc. These practices run about 1 1/2 hrs. and the kids seem to like it. I encourage lots of feedback and let the kids come up with some ideas.

I also allow the kids to try-out for their positions at the start of the year. After warm-ups at the first practice I tell the kids to go where they want to play. I figure if they want to play the position, they will try harder. If the kid is unsuitable for a certain spot, I finesse them into accepting another position (like my 1B last year who yelled at the SS's not to throw so hard!!) When hitting fungoes, I usually ask the shagger for lots of feedback on where he thinks kids should play, etc. I like getting all the kids involved so we become much more a team rather than a coach and players.

During games, I like the kids to have fun, but also come ready to play. I will usually exploit a weakness, but never directly at an opposing player. For example, I am
(in)famous for the delayed steal, especially with my son as he is very quick. If I see we can pull it off, we will go for it, as it is a weakness derived from (lack of) coaching. However, if a kid really wants to catch (but shouldn't be)and the other guy is letting him, I will not steal all day on the kid ond make him feel bad. As bad as this sounds, I've told my son to get thrown out on purpose during a blowout when a weak catcher was behind the dish.

Our league does not require players to coach 1B, but I have my players do it sometimes-I want to go to that full time next year. I have also allowed players to coach 3B while I sit in the dugout. Every year I throw away 1 game and allow everyone to pitch who wants to. The kids really seem to enjoy that.

I judge my house coaching success not by won-loss record, but rather by how many kids return to play next year. I think my system works as our teams have never finished below 12-4 and I have only had 3-4 not play again in 6 years.

For travel and tournament, I try and be more businesslike as those players are putting in the extra time to practice and I feel I owe it to them to be prepared.