How Sideline Coaching CAN Weaken Game IQ

If you’re a college coach wondering why you have to revisit some of the most basic fundamentals of the game in practice, you’re not alone.

At a recent travel ball doubleheader, in which a single umpire safely occupied the imaginary catcher’s box throughout the entire duration of the time-limited game, focus was constantly drawn to the 4 grown men outside the opposing team’s dugout who were continuously pointing and shouting out commands to the defense before every pitch.

I stood and watched in horror as plays unfolded and looks of uncertainty stole each player’s identity. No doubt these men had played some form of organized sports “back in the day” and felt confident enough to attempt to control the outcome of each play by planting seeds of direction into the little brains of rising hopeful athletes.

Sadly, what they were doing was not coaching, however.

Gone are the days of “street ball”, volunteer captains, the picking of teams without an adult present, and variations of whiffle ball with games within a game such as Pickle! The art of reading balls off a bat and defenders confidently taking chances to get the lead out…. are near extinct.

“Move up,” shouted one of the coaches to the shortstop set up in the baseline.

“Throw home if you get a ground ball!” he exclaimed as the pitch was being released.

The batter caught the tip of the barrel on the next pitch sending a small flare just over the first basemen’s head bouncing several feet in front of the right fielder. Had the first basemen dropped step after contact, turning her shoulders towards second base, keeping her head on a swivel and eyes on the ball, the 3rd out would have successfully landed in her glove. Inning over.

But that was not the case. Did the coaches fail to yell at the other side of the infield with that exact scenario? Or in the one practice held earlier that week did the 4 men with egos attached to the team banner hanging by a bungee to the dugout not cover the basics of catching a fly ball?

Often during the recruiting process and evaluation of prospective student-athletes, college coaches sit in the stands and watch countless hours of games and hundreds of teams. Many times, athletes will pass a coach’s “eye test” solely based on their size, athleticism, and even the outcome of a play. So often, what doesn’t get uncovered in tournaments that restrict games by time limits and courtesy runners, is an athlete’s overall game IQ.

It’s a lost art. Just like playing pickle during recess. A college coach must now make daily decisions in their practice plan on how much time should be spent on fundamentals that were never fostered because of the knee-jerk reaction of so many travel ball coaches that took away the thought process of their players in hopes for better team outcomes. But the reality is they are taking away their player’s reaction times, in-game decision-making, leadership skills, and worst of all, coping skills if their decision yielded a failed outcome.

To our youth travel ball coaches and high school coaches, teach the fundamentals in practice. Also, consider:

• Creating in-game scenarios that lead to better decision-making by players.

• Supporting your team or individual player(s) if they fail.

• Creating an environment in which players can come to you with questions before, during, and after a game or practice.

• Recreating past game situations in practice.

• Watching live and/or televised games together as a team and talking through each play.

• Supporting and encouraging aggressive base running.

• Letting your catchers call a game, or inning to start.

• Ask your players what skills they are confident in and which ones make them uncomfortable in a game.

A good rule of thumb is always to practice in practice and play in a game. No coach will ever put their fall doubleheader record on their resume so check your ego at the door and let your players play.

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