Should laps and push-ups be used to discipline young baseball players for making mistakes?

The expert advises against using laps or push-ups for correcting player mistakes. These methods are suggested only for getting a player's attention. The primary focus for mistakes should be on teaching proper technique and using drills.

What is the recommended approach for correcting player mistakes in youth baseball?

The most effective way to correct player mistakes is through repetition and showing proper technique. Coaches should teach specific techniques and implement drills that allow players to practice and reinforce correct actions.

How should coaches address a lack of effort or hustle from young baseball players?

For a lack of hustle or effort, the expert suggests making players sit against the fence to watch. This approach aims to remove them from bothering others and encourages them to participate when they are ready to put in the effort.

Should You Use Laps & Push-Ups for Discipline in Youth Baseball?

I am coaching a 9 year old baseball team and have been discussing coaching techniques with my assistants. My assistants think we should make players run laps and do push up when they constantly make the same mistake. I am of the opinion that repetition and showing proper technique is the proper way to break habits and correct mistakes. What is your opinion and when should discipline such as laps and push ups be used on the baseball field? Should lack of effort or hustle result in laps and/or push ups and if not what is your recommendation? Additionally, it’s important to foster a positive learning environment where players can feel supported and encouraged to improve. By incorporating personal training benefits and insights, we can focus on cultivating their skills while motivating them to put forth maximum effort. Ultimately, discipline should be geared towards enhancing their love for the game rather than instilling fear or dread associated with physical punishment.

Quick Answer

Coach Arnald Swift, an expert featured on BaseballTips.com, advises that laps in youth baseball should be used solely to gain players' attention, not to correct skill-based mistakes. For issues like lack of hustle or effort, Coach Swift recommends isolating players by having them sit against the fence to observe, rather than employing physical punishments like laps or push-ups. This method ensures discipline supports a positive learning environment focused on technique and love for the game.

Thank you,

Mark

Dear Mark

I coached nine-year-olds and laps or out to the fence and back does have its place but in my opinion that places only to get their attention not in any way shape or form for mistakes. Your coaches along with yourself need to teach technique and do the drills that allow the techniques to be used, and reinforce what’s correct in what you’re trying to teach and running laps and doing push-ups does not do that. Now the separate question is lack of hustle or lack of effort I found that setting against the fence is the worst punishment of all if you don’t want to hustle you don’t want to try then we don’t need you bothering the other people make them sit up against the fence and just watch. So I can answer your question in three ways yes you can make them run to get their attention, but you don’t make them run or do push-ups for mistakes in skill technique work, then isolate them if they don’t want to pay attention or hustle they’re just taking away from your time and the players that are trying to work and learn .

Best of luck.

Coach Arnald Swift