The Huddle - Edition 45

Intro
This Week’s Focus: What to Know About “Daddyball” and How to Avoid It

Let’s talk about something that pops up often in youth sports—sometimes whispered on the sidelines, sometimes posted in group chats: “Daddyball.” It’s a term used when people feel a parent-coach is giving their own child an unfair advantage—more playing time, top positions, or a longer leash during games and practices. Whether the perception is accurate or not, it can create tension within the team and leave other kids feeling discouraged.

Being a volunteer coach is one of the most generous things you can do for your child and your community, but it’s also one of the hardest. You wear multiple hats: mentor, teacher, leader—and yes, parent. That’s a tricky balance. The challenge is making decisions that are best for everyone on the team, while keeping the experience positive and developmental across the board.

This week’s newsletter explores how to identify the traps of “Daddyball,” what you can do to lead with fairness and clarity, and how small planning strategies can make a big difference in how your team—and your role—is viewed. Let’s build a season where every player feels valued, supported, and excited to show up.

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Lets go!

Insight of the week
When Perception Becomes Reality

Stat to Know: A survey conducted by the National Alliance for Youth Sports revealed that more than 60% of parents believe favoritism exists when coaches have their own children on the team—even when no bias is intended.

That’s the tricky part—perception is powerful. You might be making honest decisions based on what’s best for the team, but if it looks like you’re favoring your child, you’ll quickly lose the trust of other parents and players. That loss of trust can lead to friction, low morale, and even kids dropping out.

So, what’s the answer?

Be Transparent and Proactive

• Before the season, have a parent meeting. Let them know you’re aware of the “Daddyball” stigma and you’re committed to fairness.

• Explain your coaching philosophy. Let them know that decisions about positions and playing time are based on effort, practice performance, and team needs—not last names.

Evaluate All Players—Including Your Own—With Objectivity

• Consider using a basic evaluation sheet during practices or tryouts.

• Ask an assistant coach to run drills or give feedback so it doesn’t all come from you.

• Better yet—give another coach or trusted parent input on your own child’s role to help keep things balanced.

And For Parents Who Are Concerned?

Get involved. Assistant coach. Help with drills. Run the clock. The more visibility you have into how things are being done, the easier it is to see that the coach may be doing their best under tough circumstances.

Being a parent-coach is tough—but it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll have. Keep your intentions clear, your communication open, and always check yourself by asking: “Would I be making this decision if it wasn’t my kid?”

Drill of the week
Base Running Awareness (Pop Flies)

Sport: Baseball / Softball
Skill Focus: Tagging Up and Advancing

Here’s a classic but often overlooked drill that helps base runners learn what to do when a pop fly is hit—especially when they’re already on base.

Setup:

• Use bases one through three with runners on first and/or second.

• Place a few fielders in the outfield (left, center, right).

• Coach stands at home plate with a bucket of balls and a fungo bat (or underhand toss if needed).

Basic Version:

1. Coach hits a fly ball to the outfield (or even infield).

2. Runners must read the ball and decide whether to tag up or advance.

3. Outfielders catch (or field) the ball and throw to the nearest base.

4. Emphasize correct footwork, awareness, and listening for base coaches.

Coach Talking Points:

• Teach runners to “go halfway” if unsure on a shallow fly.

• Review when and how to tag up.

• Reinforce watching the ball and reading the outfielder’s body language.

Advanced Version:

• Add multiple runners at different bases.

• Mix in ground balls or line drives to create decision-making pressure.

• Time the runner’s tag and compare it with the outfielder’s throw—build a sense of risk vs. reward.

This drill improves base running IQ and helps players learn to stay alert and smart on every pitch.

Coaching tip of the week
Planning Playing Time the Right Way

The fastest way to avoid “Daddyball” accusations? Have a clear plan for playing time and rotations—and stick to it.

Whether your league is competitive or recreational, fairness in opportunity is key. Here’s how to plan ahead so everyone gets a chance to shine:

1. Create a Game-Day Rotation Chart

• Use a whiteboard, app, or printable grid to pre-set lineups and subs.

• Include position rotation if league rules allow it.

• Update it each game so parents can see you’re working to be equitable.

2. Make Bench Time Meaningful

• If a kid is sitting out, give them something to do: chart plays, watch an opponent, or help track stats.

• Use these moments for coaching. Ask them questions. Keep them engaged.

3. Rotate “Prime” Positions

• If your child (or any player) is always at shortstop, center, or quarterback, be intentional about giving others a shot—even if it’s just for an inning or quarter.

4. Talk to Your Own Kid

• Let them know they’ll earn their time like everyone else—and sometimes that means sitting, rotating, or playing a new role.

• Kids respect that. Parents respect it even more.

Fairness isn’t about making everyone the star. It’s about making everyone feel like they’re part of the team. With some planning and thought, you can avoid favoritism and give every player a reason to come back next season.

Blog highlight
”Daddyball” Dilemma: How to Coach Fairly and Build Trust in Youth Sports

Coaching your kid’s team is one of the most generous things a parent can do. It’s time-consuming, emotionally demanding, and often thankless. But when done right, it’s also one of the most rewarding ways to invest in your child’s growth and the development of an entire team.

That said, there’s one word that can derail even the most well-intentioned parent-coach: “Daddyball.”

Equipment highlight
Footwork Frenzy

Kids are visual learners for the most part…and sometimes they need help with that visualization. This mat is perfect for working on the directional footwork needed by young soccer players. I love this thing. Give it a look.

Friends of The Coaching Dad
A Refreshing Look at Fundraising

How many of you have teams that use fundraisers to help support the teams activities for the year. I don’t know about you, but I get tired of selling pizzas and other things that seem to be played out. These are customizable and so big! You’ll love them, I have no doubt.

Give our friends over at Fundraiser Blankets a look. Here’s a little bit about them: Fundraiser Blankets offer a unique and profitable fundraising opportunity for K-12 schools, sports teams and community groups. These $12.50, custom logo, full-color blankets are provided by a veteran teacher’s, women-owned small business and are printed in the USA.

Content
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You might be new to coaching a team or sport. You may be a grizzled coaching veteran. Either way, check out the content section of thecoachingdad.com. You’ll find resources that cover a large number of sports, including game refreshers, position breakdowns, injury management, practice ideas and more.

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