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Dec 6, 2010
139
0
Florida
Getting the opportunity to possibly coach a travel team in the upcoming spring season. It will be an 8u coach pitch team. I have some basic principles that I like to work on every practice.
Curious to see what some of yalls principles that u try to work on every practice.
Thanks for the responses.
 
Apr 7, 2013
54
8
I have 8u TB team and SoAZDad is right, very basic stuff correct the really bad swings and throwing motions. You'll see when there of capable of more. I'd say the biggest single thing we work on is moving to the ball and keeping the ball in front. LOTS of hitting, to be competitive in 8u have to hit well. Where about in FL are you?
 
Dec 6, 2010
139
0
Florida
I have 8u TB team and SoAZDad is right, very basic stuff correct the really bad swings and throwing motions. You'll see when there of capable of more. I'd say the biggest single thing we work on is moving to the ball and keeping the ball in front. LOTS of hitting, to be competitive in 8u have to hit well. Where about in FL are you?
Notth Florida. I agree hitting is priority. I am coaching8u rec now and we focus a lot on hitting. Fielding mechanics and throwing mechanics I think are not worked on enough the older they get. Have another DD playing 16u TB and see its not worked on much in it.
 
Oct 25, 2009
3,345
48
I would make throwing a high priority IF you teach it correctly. Not the way many teach it. Search Austin Wasserman on throwing.
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
I would make throwing a high priority IF you teach it correctly. Not the way many teach it. Search Austin Wasserman on throwing.

Yes. That the point of my post, as well. The priorities in 8U are the correct way to throw and hit, IMO.

But before that, make sure you know how to teach it. I didn't know how to teach it when I coached 8U, and I'm confident that most 8U coaches today don't know how to teach it. It's not that hard once you get it, but well-intentioned ignorance at 8U can do damage that will need fixing later on.
 
Nov 29, 2009
2,975
83
The first thing to teach them is how to catch a ball that is thrown or hit at them. They need to know to use the glove correctly and with confidence so they are not shying away from it. Then work on the throwing mechanics. It helps with their confidence throwing the ball when they don't feel like they are going to hurt a teammate if they throw the ball too hard.

Then work on the hitting. All of the skills are equally important. However, I found when working with very young kids the catch, throw and hit progression works the best.
 

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