How do we get our girls to perform in a game like they do in practice?

Question
Our girls usually perform very well in practice,come game time though there seems to be a break down at times. Particularly with our outfielders. We drill and drill then they revert right back to the same bad habits when the pressure is on. I understand that the players are go to make mistakes at times but after making a mistake they should know that they made a mistake and that they need to correct the problem the next time. I keep telling my other coaches that it all comes down to us (the coaches). The team is only as good as the coaching around them. Am I missing something? I appreciate any help that some is willing to give. Thanks again.  Joe

Answer
Joe,

The big difference from practice and games is that there is no pressure to perform in practice.  In games the pressure to perform, I believe causes the girls to revert back to the, "I hope I don't screw up" mentality instead of "This play is easy".  

Add pressure to your practices.  Take your drills that you use and reconfigure them to give the girls less time to prepare for the drill, keep them moving.  Add compitition between groups of girls.  Minor punishments like 10 push-ups for the groups that lose help to add the pressure to perform.

Tom