confidence and the big inning

Question
I coach a boys 11u tournament team. We have an above average talent level, which we have told the boys, but our problem is a lack of confidence. We also have a tendency to allow 1 big inning which tends to deflate and defeat us. I realize most baseball games are lost not won and we don't seem to know how to win, we beat ourselves. We have focused on concentration and zooming in and the thought process involved. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer
Hi Coach Robert,

this is a tough question.  To instill confidence is a slow and gradual process, usually developed within practice sessions.  

I have to state the obvious: you should never "inflate" the players by telling them they are "above average talent".  Whether its true or not, children will try to live up to this expectation and with every failure, confidence in themselves and their team will suffer.  Furthermore, they'll feel like they are letting down their coach, parents....well, you get the idea.

Remember the old saying:  "Practice like you play and play like you practice"?  Well, the only time you have to work on confidence is during your practices.  Sure there are situations in games that can influence a team's confidence, but practice sessions is where you can stop the play, step in and really have an impact.

You'll have to look at how you acknowledge the players ability in practices. During practices, keep the morale high.  Always be positive and realistic.  If you have to correct, use the "sandwich" method:  positive + correction + positive.

For example:

Matthew has a problem trapping ground balls in left field.

You have to identify the problem, "Matt, I see you have trouble with ground balls".

(using the sandwich method of instruction)

"Matt, you approach the ball correctly," (positive)
"BUT you need to use your body to help trap the ball" (correction)
"You can do this and you'll stop more ground balls" (positive)

Its a simplified version but the point is that confidence can be cultivated in practices.

Smile as often as you can. Your players look to you to see if they are doing the exercise correctly.

Don't allow parents to critic players during practice.  This is very important.  Once the kids are on your "side of the fence", you are the only one to instruct and correct.

How many practices do you have?  Can you find the time to take weaker players aside and practice with them on a special night?  

Do you have assistant coaches you can trust?  They must be as positive as you are.

Assign homework:  have weaker kids practice a technique to improve a weakness.  Ask at next practice if they performed the homework assignment.  Keep notes so kids see you are serious about this.  Those who don't take homework assignments seriously are often problem players who need to be addressed individually and in private.  Keep the assignments simple and within 20 minutes.  

You'll have to really study your games and see where the weakness is.  You mention that you always have one inning that really drags down the team.  Analyze these innings and see where the problem is.  Is it pitching, fielding, batting?  Organize practice sessions to focus JUST on one of these areas.

Are your problem innings early or late in the game? Could be a problem with endurance.  Baseball is not an aerobic sport but conditioning may be necessary to maintain the level of energy throughout the game.  

If your team is lacking confidence, you have to take the time to analyze practice and game sessions to see where the weakness begins.  

Statements like "we don't seem to know how to win" indicate to me that you are lack endurance, technical discipline and, perhaps, team spirit.  Work on these factors in your practices.

Do you review the games played with your team?  IF so, only do this right after the game.  Yes, its harder if you just lost a game BUT it has to be done.  Talk only about the positive aspects of the game.  For those kids who have struggled with something and show signs of improvement, acknowledge this in front of the team.  

NEVER critic bad behaviour after a loss.  The team is suffering enough as it is.  Don't allow players to 'dis' each other.  Focus on lifting their spirits not dashing their hopes.  

I have yet to have a team that is "above average", so my work has always been difficult.  If you have talented players, get them to work together.  Seems like the team is too individual and less "esprit d'equipe" (team spirit).

I wish you luck with this.  You have your work 'cut out', but I can see you are open to suggestion and willing to change.

Regards,

Coach John