Tryout Question

[HoosierCoach]

We will be running our tryouts in a few weeks, and I was wondering what other coaches do to assess skills. In particular "hustle" or aggressiveness. Every kid at a tryout is going to try hard and hustle for the most part, but does anyone have a certain drill or "test" to find if thats thier norm or just giving extra effort to make the team?

Thanks!

Bill

[artomatic]

I make a note about which kids are talking, chattering, and supporting the other girls during tryouts..those kids usually are leaders.

I also like to see which parents sit relaxed in the bleachers and just let their kids tryout, and which parents follow their kids around to each station like the first day of kindergarten, and coach them through the fence...
a good indicator of how those parents will act if they are on your team...

there is a basic throwing drill we use where the girls throw to each base and follow their throw. then we reverse direction. a very simple drill, but you can immediately see which kids have catching and throwing skills...

if you have a kid that is rolling her eyes when you give her instructions, she doesnt want to be there...

[Sftbll4ever]

if you have a kid that is rolling her eyes when you give her instructions, she doesnt want to be there...

They may want to be there, but they may think that you have no idea what you are talking about. I know girls that will do that and then say that is not what they were taught before or what their dad has taught them!!!

[artomatic]

if you have a kid that is rolling her eyes when you give her instructions, she doesnt want to be there...

They may want to be there, but they may think that you have no idea what you are talking about. I know girls that will do that and then say that is not what they were taught before or what their dad has taught them!!!

well, i guess i should have said when i see them rolling their eyes on the first day when you would think they are trying to make a good impression, i dont want them to be there...

[Tucson]

I time them down the line.

I check to see how far they can throw.

I shoot them some fly balls.

I check out the dads.

And then I ask , if anyone has a pole barn.

[SSdad]

I time them down the line.

I check to see how far they can throw.

I shoot them some fly balls.

I check out the dads.

And then I ask , if anyone has a pole barn.

had to go there, didn't you??? lol

don't forget to ask what their number is?

[TulsaEliteGold]

IMO: The most important thing to do, as long as they are older then T-Ball or Machine pitch, is MAKE THEM HIT OFF LIVE PITCHING. I can't tell you how many kids I have watched at tryouts who could just kill the ball off soft-toss, tees or machines, but you make them face pitchers you know and you figure out real quick who can hit and who can't. Also vice versa, I have had kids who couldn't hit off a machine very well, but just killed live pitching.

[NoNothin]

Most important in my opinion is to watch how respectful they are. Do they talk back to thier parents? Do they look you in the eye when you talk to them? Do they say ya or yes sir or yes coach? Secondly, hustle. Are they last out of the dugout from a water break? Did they show up early? That usually narrows it down to a few. They I look at mechanics. Do they step too high on first base running through? Do they look athletic throwing or running? Lets be honest, if they have most of these traits, you should be able to teach them the rest. JMHWO

NoNo

[weekend4trvl]

We will be running our tryouts in a few weeks, and I was wondering what other coaches do to assess skills. In particular "hustle" or aggressiveness. Every kid at a tryout is going to try hard and hustle for the most part, but does anyone have a certain drill or "test" to find if thats thier norm or just giving extra effort to make the team?

Thanks!

Bill

If you have the time to scout ...big help . Wait as long as possible to choose your players. For every three that look great in practice only one is a gamer. You won't know until she's in uniform and putting it in the next gear.

[wadeintothem]

Lets see.. you coach 8 year olds.

I'm thinking check out the moms and look for the lonely divorcee's or single moms. The kids of those parents are your starting infielders. It goes without saying that your DD should get be pitcher, catcher, or shortstop and should get the lions share of the starting time, but dont neglect the kids of the hot single lonely moms.

After that, if they can tie their own shoe, that's a real bonus and less wear and tear on the ole back.

If they show up with a real softball bat from walmart and not their brothers little league baseball bat, thats a good sign.

Time them to 1st base... if they know where first base is and cant get there is under 7.5 seconds, thats really good... I'm not sure thats a deal breaker .. but a good start.

I would find the ones that sing real quiet. All that noise is so irritating.