Lack of "teaching" the game

[darpfal]

My son is a sophmore in HS. Through his and his friend's grade school years, I always helped coach. He was one of the better players and was always the team leader. When they got to middle school, their skills started to slip. They had a good coach but they didn't work on anything but the basics. And after a frustrating freshman year with a first year "non-baseball" coach, I'm concerned for him and his teammates.
I've spoken to other parents and they tell me I should coach at the high school level. I've also had kids I coached, and some I didn't, 7-8 years ago, ask to coach them again.

I have concerns.
1) It's a big jump from 7-12 year olds to HS.
2) How do I re-develop them?
3) We live in a small town in the upper Midwest. The season is short and the school only allows two coaches for baseball and there isn't much for training facilities in the area.
4) My sons have gone to some camps/clinics and I realize that I'm not up to date with all of the "steps" to hitting and some in the pitching aspect. It's been 20 years since I played baseball and coaching as changed quite a bit.

These kids have a lot of potential and I have the desire to help them reach their potential. Am I crazy? I love the game and it makes me mad when I see these kids giving up on the American past time because of poor coaching. How can I prepare myself for this challenge?

[APPpitch]

Sounds like you are already better prepared than your local competition for the job.

Coaching doesn't change. Teach them what you learned 20 years ago. It'll probably do them all some good.

Read: Baseball Strategies, Heads Up Baseball, and The Mental Game.

That'll cover you through an entire season.

Passion is half the battle. And you won.

Good Luck.

I'll be doing the same when I'm 55 and tired of my current profession.

-scott

ps. Keep Long Toss to a once a week 15 minute exercise. Get your pitchers into 1-2 full 1 hour bullpens a week and teach your hitters Rotation swinging after you've done a million defensive situational exercises. You'll be state champs in a few short years.

[TG Coach]

Be careful. While your intentions are good, you may become perceived by the high school coaching staff as an interferring parent. Your son could pay the price in the future. The best thing you could do is assemble a competent coaching staff and start a summer travel team. When my son was thirteen I assembled a team with a coaching staff of all former college and/or pro players. I found quality players with passion for baseball, provided quality coaching and placed them against the best competition I could find.

[Jake Patterson]

My son is a sophmore in HS. Through his and his friend's grade school years, I always helped coach. He was one of the better players and was always the team leader. When they got to middle school, their skills started to slip. They had a good coach but they didn't work on anything but the basics. And after a frustrating freshman year with a first year "non-baseball" coach, I'm concerned for him and his teammates.
I've spoken to other parents and they tell me I should coach at the high school level. I've also had kids I coached, and some I didn't, 7-8 years ago, ask to coach them again.
My journey started with LL and took me through tourney teams, MS and then HS. I will have to say MS helped to prepare me for HS ball and after I left HS I returned to MS as I enjoy this age group the most. Moving to HS can be a difficult step especially in a leugue with good programs.

Some thoughts:

If you think you are capable, are willing to learn, get what ever certifications the school requires and are willing to give the program 4-5 years then I would suggest it. It was a great experience. I suggest 4-5 years because you should go into the program with the intent of leaving it better than you found it. Coaching solely because your son is going to the school will have ramifications for both you and your son.


I have concerns.
1) It's a big jump from 7-12 year olds to HS.
It is a huge jump, but not impossible.

2) How do I re-develop them?
Start with the fundementals and work from there. I start every season as if we are training brand new players. The speed in which we get through the basics will depend upon the players ability to re-learn or get up to speed.

3) We live in a small town in the upper Midwest. The season is short and the school only allows two coaches for baseball and there isn't much for training facilities in the area.
We can help you here. Most small town coaches, especially those of us who live in New England or other cold weather areas are faced with this every season. It's amazing how much you can get done with a little imagination.

4) My sons have gone to some camps/clinics and I realize that I'm not up to date with all of the "steps" to hitting and some in the pitching aspect. It's been 20 years since I played baseball and coaching as changed quite a bit. Again there are those here who can help. I can suggest several resources that can get you up to speed quickly. Again, I will have to warn you it will take a great deal of time and effort.

These kids have a lot of potential and I have the desire to help them reach their potential. Am I crazy? I love the game and it makes me mad when I see these kids giving up on the American past time because of poor coaching. How can I prepare myself for this challenge?

No you are not crazy. You just need to carefully assess whether or not you are capable and have the available time to do the job effectively. You've already taken steps in the right direction.

[BallCoach06]

A great book that might help out is The Baseball Playbook from Ron Polk. Anything and everything is covered in it. Some things are catered more to the college level, but most of the book is certainly pertains to the HS level. Highly recommended.

Also, if there is a local high school coaches association in your state, be sure to join that. Most state coaches associations have yearly clinics, etc. It is a great opportunity to learn more from your peers and also network.

There are also national organizations and clinics like ABCA and the World Baseball Coaches Convention. I have never been to the WBCC, but I go to the ABCA Convention every year. Great stuff! The 2008 convention is in two weeks and being held in Philly.