by coachjwb » Tue Apr 15, 2014 12:03 pm
Again, I respect your opinion and don't intend to keep this going, but just a quick response to your points ...
* I first tried this with a 12-U team ... we worked with getting them used to them maybe an hour total over two practices, and by the second game we used them, they had it down pat. If the 3 number signal they get from the coach says "BUNT" on the card, there's no thinking they have to do vs. wondering whether the coach was touching his nose, or just itching himself
* Most teams have (or would like to have) anywhere from 10-18 different signal combinations ... most common for offense are take, bunt, steal, decoy (i.e., no sign on), squeeze, drag, delay steal, hit and run, fake bunt and steal, take and steal, slap, fake bunt, "sneaky" bunt, green light, etc. ... for pitch-calling and defense, there's each of the different pitches, pitchouts, pickoffs, and the various first and third options
* In MLB, the guys coaching 3B are absolutely masters at giving signs no doubt and the adult players are used to it ... in youth ball, most coaches and players aren't