nice kid to aggressive...

[red_white_my_view]

Any ideas on how to take an excellent player, thats fundamentaly sound and nice to everyone and make her more aggressive? Would an aggressive coach help? Would making her run help? How do you find that thing that ticks your DD off? Does it just come with time? Any thoughts?

[Lefty's Dad]

... How do you find that thing that ticks your DD off? Does it just come with time? Any thoughts?

Telling her to clean her room always makes DD agressive

[GSB]

Can't be taught, either she is aggressive or she is not. Have dealt with this issue for years. In various sports.

[Coach11]

Any ideas on how to take an excellent player, thats fundamentaly sound and nice to everyone and make her more aggressive? Would an aggressive coach help? Would making her run help? How do you find that thing that ticks your DD off? Does it just come with time? Any thoughts?

You talkin' about yer own DD? Or from a coaching standpoint?

For the most part, I agree with GSB. It's either "in her" or it's not.

As a Dad;
Going through a somewhat similar situation with my own daughter. She's an aggressive ball player.....but shy's away from a leadership role. Trying to make her understand, that her ability already puts her in the spotlight amongst her team mates....but until she can step up and take control, she'll never make captain. Fine if that's not what she wants.....but she's constantly competing with the older girls (often team leaders) for that starting position.

As a coach;
I aproach the player with honesty. If she's got the ability and know how, the only thing keeping her from starting in the position of her choice is her lack of aggressiveness. Dealing with a player like that now. Knows the game inside and out. During practice and drills she does everything she's supposed to. Gametime rolls around, she's suddenly a shrinking violet. Almost looks afraid of the ball....or at least afraid to make a mistake. This may be her last season of TB if she can't find that fire in her belly. I'll bet she's one of the best on her JV team....but she won't likely get much further than that if things don't change.

[0005]

What about the kid that is so aggressive that they over play the ball? Some kids are so aggressive it is their greatest down fall. Plays seem to be all or nothing. Example: a young player goes for the outfield do or die - with bases loaded and two outs - over runsthe ball and the whole thing tumbled in. Do you want a less aggressive player to stand still and calming stop the balls - but never attacked it like the first player. Who would you want on your team - super aggressive or calm and controlled. I know I would always take the player that attacks the ball and just plan on a few errors because of aggressive play.

[Cannonball]

My child is the same. It's both a blessing and a curse from a parent's viewpoint. However, the child doesn't know any different and won't unless it is constantly thrown in her face. We've come to let my child play on her own terms. We like having a very nice child to be around. Hey, we haven't given up on the possibility that when she matures, she'll have a little more fire. Till then, she does better than most and laughs on and off the field. Enjoy it. It doesn't mean that your child can't play at a very high level.

[GSB]

What about the kid that is so aggressive that they over play the ball? Some kids are so aggressive it is their greatest down fall. Plays seem to be all or nothing. Example: a young player goes for the outfield do or die - with bases loaded and two outs - over runsthe ball and the whole thing tumbled in. Do you want a less aggressive player to stand still and calming stop the balls - but never attacked it like the first player. Who would you want on your team - super aggressive or calm and controlled. I know I would always take the player that attacks the ball and just plan on a few errors because of aggressive play.

True enough, you can teach the skill but not the aggressiveness. Skill alone will only take you so far. Without the fire you can't be great. This is the case in every sport. I have seen it in karate, basketball, football, softball, volleyball and even horseshoes. You show me a good looser and I will show you a looser. LOL...

[Joe]

You show me a good looser and I will show you a looser. LOL...

I don't think anyone can disagree with that...

[Lunatic Fringe]

What is the risk, or downside to aggressive play?

Could be fear of failure or making mistakes

Looking stupid in front of her teammate and or family

Getting yelled at

Losing playing time for making mistakes

Whatever the reason, I think you need to try to identify the hangup and address it with her repeatedly until she understands and trust you not to use her failure to make the play against her.

Or use a shock collar to reinforce the behaivior modification you are after.

Your call.

[red_white_my_view]

My child is the same. It's both a blessing and a curse from a parent's viewpoint. However, the child doesn't know any different and won't unless it is constantly thrown in her face. We've come to let my child play on her own terms. We like having a very nice child to be around. Hey, we haven't given up on the possibility that when she matures, she'll have a little more fire. Till then, she does better than most and laughs on and off the field. Enjoy it. It doesn't mean that your child can't play at a very high level.

Agreed!! 14u plays high level ball on an above average team. Is a great athlete. Her dad and I have discussed, along with cussed on how to get the best out of her. Issue is, she plays at the level that she plays against. If its an average team.... she plays average......if its a strong team...she plays strong. Get the picture? How do you get a player to play at her potentual no matter what the compitition is like. Does a little light just finally go off like it did for my DD in basketball? After the season ended she committed " that now its over I think I get it ." Wow its all interesting!