goingbatty

  Most of my kids showed up late, I told them to be on time because they hold up everyone else, and my stupid assistant coach, who I can't stand, got in my face yelling at me and pushing me.

What was I supose to do?  I told her I wasn't going to argue with her on the field in front of the kids, that she could call me, and not to touch me again, so she pushed me again and left.  I wanted and would have hauled of and decked her had it not been in front of the kids.  WHAT WAS I SUPOSE TO DO?

She in return called a board member who came and called me off the field during practice.  He took her side telling me that it was Tball and they should just come when they can come.  That's right it is just TBALL, not a fighting ring?!  So, I threw in the towel.  

Hello,

I was looking for some links or advice for proper body position for throwing, mostly the feet, weight, and movement. I coach Tball for young kids 6-8.

Thanks!

Hello,

I am new to Tball and I have unwittingly signed up to be a coach. Anyhow, I have had a lot of problem with the parents (see my post in coaching softball) and because of the complexity of the sport I have asked for help. Finally someone signed up to be the assistant coach.

I don't really know what to have her doing. Because I am already having problems with the parents I don't want to seem inferior and make matters worse. Also, she has experience and I don't. Our ideas right now are not blending, am I am not sure what to do. I want advice but I like the drills, for the most part, as they are now. I don't need anyone else second guessing what I am doing. I just don't know where she best can help.

Any suggestions?

UGH! This is my first year coaching Tball. My daughter 6, has never played before either. I just moved to the area and registration had already passed, I called and they let me know they are one coach short, so I volunteered. I coach soccer, so didn't think it would be too difficult. BOY, was I WRONG!

To begin with, because I registered late, I missed the coaches meeting. So, I feel left out in the dark. I have tried to contact the coordinators and get advice as much as possible, but they really had little to offer.

First off, for small kids there are a lot of difficult skills to learn! I had no idea! So, I went on the net and got as prepared as I could and decided I would ask for as much help as we could get. We have only had three practices so far. The first practice was a nightmare. The kids were completely rude and obnoxious! I went home and cried I was so upset, but I was more upset at the lack of concern from the parents! I told the parents to cheer the kids on, nothing. I asked for volunteers and had a sign up sheet for certain tasks, nothing.

There are some parents that I have ONLY talked to through their answering machines! They don't bother to call me back. I have heard every excuse possible, including, "I AM a single mom," "I have another son I have to run around," "I am divorced," and "I didn't want to pass on problems to my family, you know?"

The second practice I brung a hula hoop and my soccer whistle. I told the kids if they put their hands on anyone else, they called names, or other poor sportsmanship behavior, or if I had to tell them anything more than twice they would stand in the hula hoop on time out. I have not had a problem since, the kids have completely turn around!

For our drills I do skill building. First I started them out without gloves to get used to the ball. I have them run the bases, touch them with their foot, and yell out the base name, to get them familiar with the field. I teach them how to hold the ball and then we practice throwing by linning up by the pitcher's mound and hitting an upside down bucket on the tee. Next I have them line up behind 2nd base and I set two buckets out, one between 1st and 2nd and one between 2nd and 3rd. I quickly call out "3rd base!" and they have to try and throw the ball in the bucket, (eventually they should be able to throw all the way to the third baseman.) I also have them practice throwing/catching in pairs. We are starting to work on form for throwing and catching grounders. (I have some trouble with form for throwing because I am unclear exactly how it is done.)

I asked my coordinator what we should be learning and he said everything we are already doing?! So, I don't think it is my coaching? Some other coaches warned me that the parents were not involved, but this is ridiculous.

It is an extremely negative vibe going in. I don't hear much of what they are saying but I know they have made some remarks. There are a couple of parents who are involved that have too said how "cruddy" the parents are this year. I know that part of the problem is I am a female, I had one dad who expressed as loud as possible after practice, "Let's do some real practicing- with a glove." I try and explain what we are doing and why, and to encourage them to practice with their kids at home, but they look at me like I am a nut!

I have several complain about the time, and some who don't even show up. We only practice for one hour, twice a week, while there are other teams that are practicing 2 hours, three times a week. We have to sign up for times at the field and because we registered last, we had the option of 3:30 or 6:00. I chose 3:30 and this works out well for a few, but a lot complain and want me to rearrange the entire schedule for them.

We have raffle tickets we are suppose to sell, well I already have parents that have lost them, and none of them have started to sell them. I remind them at every practice how important it is.

Now, I have three children all under six. I coach soccer, my other daughter has dance, and I have an infant, all of whom come with me to practices and games. My partner is in NM while I am in WA and I have no family or friends here. I home school my children (because of the lack of involvement and behavior problems in the school district here) and I am also a girl scout leader, and I own my own business, which I spent most of last week in a grant-writing marathon! So, I know busy. I can't stand these excuses! They knew what they signed up for in the first place! You can't just half-@$$ it, their kids are going to pick up the same attititude. Tball isn't suppose to be a babysitting service! It makes me so sad to think that parents can't even return a phone call concerning thier kid!

If this continues I don't think I can coach Tball. It is almost to the point I dread going.

ALL of my soccer parents come to every practice (mom & dad) and cheer and ask questions and are just excellent in showing support and being involved. How do I turn my Tball parents around?

I read someone suggested a parent meeting, I think that is a good idea, but I don't want to be attacked all at once, and I don't know how I could get them together for a meeting when I can't get a hold of them and they complain about the practices alone?

Please help!

Thanks for listening to me vent, I am just so frustrated!