How to Pick Your Starting Line Up

Video Highlights

0:08 What the coaches need to know about setting their lineup.
0:24 Basic things to look for in a starter.
1:02 Specific things to look for in practices and on game day.
3:27 Inspiring your players to improve.
4:06 The importance of your bench players.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

What THE COACHES NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SETTING THEIR LINEUP

Setting a lineup seems like a simple task, but when you add some strategy to it, you can inspire some athletes to work extra hard to get into that lineup. Coaches should create a new lineup every week, because setting the same lineup every week featuring the "star" players discourages other players from putting in the extra effort during the week to try to make the starting lineup on the weekends.

basic things to look for in a starter

1. Is the player on time for games and practices?
2. Is your player mentally and physically prepared for the practices and games?
3. Does your player have all his equipment:

• Cleats
• Gloves
• Pants
• Caps
• Jerseys

Specific things to look for in practice and on game day

• Are they playing a good game of catch? Are they making the throws, and doing the small things right? What are they doing during batting practice? Do they have a specific approach, are they working on certain things?
• Are they focused? Are they talking about what they did last night, or are they talking about what they're going to do during the game? Are they focusing on opposing pitchers and hitters?
• How are they handling ground balls and fly balls? Are they "bodying up"? How's their footwork? How's their throwing?
• Are they showing good attitude and effort?
• Do they show up early for practices and games?
• Are they following instructions?

Inspiring your players to improve

Inspire them to show up early. Inspire them to be mentally and physically prepared, and show up with an approach at the plate and play a good game of catch. If they know they have an honest chance to start, you will notice small improvements. This approach makes them want to try harder.

the importance of your bench players

Are the players on the bench helping out? Are they picking up the hat and gloves for the runners stranded on base? Are they cheerleading from the bench? Are they picking up bats or grabbing foul balls? These are the kinds of players you want replacing the starters if they are not performing. Even the best players will make mistakes or get fatigued so the bench players may come in and perform better if they are motivated.