When to Give Signals ?

When to Give Signals

Whether you are in a practice, or playing a game on the field, you want to make sure that every game of baseball has effective communication between you as the coach and the players.

If there is confusion, it could cause one of the players to make the wrong moves and strike instead of making a home run.  Figuring out the best way to communicate effectively with your team is an important step for everyone walking away happy with the results of the game.

If you are teaching younger children, you should decide on whether you want to use signals for plays or not.  Generally, it is not recommended.  Often times, younger players will be confused about what the signals mean and can easily get them mixed up with something else.

This will have the wrong effect on their plays, as well as their ability to make the right moves at the right time.  

Because most of the children are not going to pay attention to the opposing teams coach, you can easily talk to the players while they are up to bat or waiting to move bases.  This is easy to do and is effective in helping the kids to make the right moves.

Unlike a professional game, you will most likely not have to worry about the lack of signals causing the opposing team to get ahead in the game.

As the children grow older, and become more comfortable with the game, you can begin to add in obvious signals to help them develop their ability to watch what you think is best.

You will want to make sure that the signs are easy and obvious, and that the players understand when they should be looking at you for the signs.  By slowly coaching them into watching you and into the signals that you might use, it will be easier to keep them ahead and on base.

If you want to keep your team and players on track, you will want to make sure that you are effective in the signs that you give them for this.  Having the proper communication through your speech, and adding in the signs as needed, can help you to develop a strong link between your coaching insights and what the little leagues will need you to tell them.