I may have added a bit since you responded.

I may have added a bit since you responded.
by tdiddy07 (2026-07-15 10:42:20)
Edited on 2026-07-15 10:53:32

In reply to: To me.......... posted by Ty Webb

Which is largely to say that yes development should still be priority here. And snark isn't coaching and developing. My primary job is to teach. Most of the big mistakes kids make at that age are because they're in situations they haven't faced before or haven't gotten enough practice at. Those are opportunities to pull aside and reinforce mechanics, mental approach, explain the rules with the understanding that there's no reason the kid should've done that yet, etc. You only have so much time to practice. Game mistakes should largely be dealt with the same way you'd teach in practice. There should be non-rhetorical questions. You should explain "you did x. We want you to do y. remember this is what y looks like. Why don't you show me that so you'll be ready next time."

Often times they're actually trying to do something they've been taught but they pick the wrong situation to do it in. Because they have a tiny fraction of the game experience I and the other coaches. That should be recognized, appreciated, and explained.

If we're talking Midland Baseball's A team, maybe I'd change my view a bit on the push for tournament competitiveness for 11 year olds. But the job priority to develop and teach is the same.