Coaching Through Statistics

[almosthuman]

Stats are important for coaches. A player that focuses on stats can ruin their focus, confidence and willingness to perform for the benefit of the team. Players should stay focused on performing the fundamental skills of the game that contribute to a team win... period. Leave the stats to the coaches.

[GIMNEPIWO]

Stats are important for coaches. A player that focuses on stats can ruin their focus, confidence and willingness to perform for the benefit of the team. Players should stay focused on performing the fundamental skills of the game that contribute to a team win... period. Leave the stats to the coaches.

LMAO ! Yep ... years ago as a player/coach ... had this guy who had his average computed by the time he would get to first ... lead the team in batting and getting thrown out on the bases ...

[ocdad]

I keep stats on our girls, but coach doesn't use averages so much. I provide basic details like F8, L-4, KL, etc. and pitcher/team faced on a spreadsheet. Also, Avg, OBP, slugging %, fielding % and calulate walk% and Stikeout %.

We do the same, except for fielding % (just track the errors), too many players rotating positions during a game, expect for tournaments, I think I would drive my parents even more crazy if I asked for that.

I use the stats to help with getting an overall picture of the players & team as a whole. Sometimes, you think a player is doing ok, because of past history, but then look at the stats & realize she is struggling a bit & vice versa - lets me know I need to get her more practice time in a particular area or reward a player for all her hard work. Also use it when you have 2 players that have different strengths but are overall equal players, do I select the better SLP or OBP depending on the team & pitcher we are facing.

But usually as a coach you should know your players and know who can do what. So stats are not that important in that regard, but I can tell you it comes in real handy when the parent of a marginal player is telling you that their DD deserves more time over one of your stud players that is when stats are critical.

[AM Softball]

Stats are important for coaches. A player that focuses on stats can ruin their focus, confidence and willingness to perform for the benefit of the team. Players should stay focused on performing the fundamental skills of the game that contribute to a team win... period. Leave the stats to the coaches.

I agee if they don't use them correctly and on;y look at stats...but used correctly, stats help you get a "fine focus" of the things you need to work on.

You can be the best fundamental player in the country but if you hit .150, you won't be playing in college...or on a top travel team...

[almosthuman]

Stats are important for coaches. A player that focuses on stats can ruin their focus, confidence and willingness to perform for the benefit of the team. Players should stay focused on performing the fundamental skills of the game that contribute to a team win... period. Leave the stats to the coaches.

I agee if they don't use them correctly and on;y look at stats...but used correctly, stats help you get a "fine focus" of the things you need to work on.

You can be the best fundamental player in the country but if you hit .150, you won't be playing in college...or on a top travel team...

If you are the best fundamental player in the country you would not be hitting .150! You would be htting .400 to .500 at the elite levels. Knowing and focusing on your average doesn't make you a better hitter. Often times, a player begins to press and to die an agonizing death with every at-bat not resulting in a hit which results in fewer and fewer hits.

Furthermore, if I wanted to have a fielding percentage of close to 1.000, I would not ever attempt to make the difficult play... it could ruin my fielding perecentage! You wouldn't win many games with players focusing on their "stats".

[AM Softball]

Stats are important for coaches. A player that focuses on stats can ruin their focus, confidence and willingness to perform for the benefit of the team. Players should stay focused on performing the fundamental skills of the game that contribute to a team win... period. Leave the stats to the coaches.

I agee if they don't use them correctly and on;y look at stats...but used correctly, stats help you get a "fine focus" of the things you need to work on.

You can be the best fundamental player in the country but if you hit .150, you won't be playing in college...or on a top travel team...

If you are the best fundamental player in the country you would not be hitting .150! You would be htting .400 to .500 at the elite levels. Knowing and focusing on your average doesn't make you a better hitter. Often times, a player begins to press and to die an agonizing death with every at-bat not resulting in a hit which results in fewer and fewer hits.

Furthermore, if I wanted to have a fielding percentage of close to 1.000, I would not ever attempt to make the difficult play... it could ruin my fielding perecentage! You wouldn't win many games with players focusing on their "stats".

I think you are overexaggerating the use of them. They are simply a tool: one of your best tools when it comes to learning. Data analysis is huge.

There are many girls with good mechanics that don't have aggressive play, philosophy, dedication, heart, metal strength, an understanding of the game, etc. and won't make it to college in they don't compete so they need to see that competition.

Hitting is based on timing, not fundamentals. I think the weak players may live and die on every at bat or not go for a ball because of their stats but the smart players understand the game and recognize what needs to be done. Stats are only a part of the whole.

There is a reason every coach uses them so why wouldn't you teach the players to use them as well? They will get stronger and understand the game even more, on a deeper level.

There is also a reason why they are used (with the players) in college and in the pros and not just the coaches; they are effective. We use them for goals, priorities, and even incentives when you sign your contracts so why not learn now?

[GIMNEPIWO]

You wouldn't win many games with players focusing on their "stats".

That is the point I was trying to make above ...the player that lead the team in batting was so all consumed with his BA that he hurt the team with his base running and defense ... he was benched and we won out the remainder of the year ...