New to coaching bases. I need help
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Hopefully during practice you've worked on base running...at 10U, stealing 2B on every pitch is almost a given...girls should be working on good hard leadoffs and not having to be told to run if the catcher misses the pitch...
Don't get caught ball watching.
- So when they ball gets hit into the outfield and there is a double in the hit, you need to be sending the runner or communicating - you will find yourself just watching the play way too often.
- So you can help the runner properly position themselves on a tag up - often you will realize the ball will drop before the runner so you can get them moving (as at 10U they'll be ball watching as well)
Discuss driving hard on leads off the base, remind runners of outs/situational running, signs, etc
At first, position yourself as deep as you can so the batter-runner can easily see you as they come up the line.
At third you own the runners heading to second so you have the 'down' sign as well as the go sign especially if the ball is behind or not in the sight line of the runner (i.e. anything not to the left side).
Again, you position yourself as best you can to easily get into the runners sight line for second and third. DO not forget to get half way down the third base line if you expect to hold a runner turning third and heading home. Once the runner is past you, good luck getting them to come back.
And lots of high 5's for making it on base... no matter how they got there.
Oh, and expect to be a scapegoat on a player who does something stupid and expect to make the occasional dumb mistake which leads to an easy out (or sometimes a loss).
- So when they ball gets hit into the outfield and there is a double in the hit, you need to be sending the runner or communicating - you will find yourself just watching the play way too often.
- So you can help the runner properly position themselves on a tag up - often you will realize the ball will drop before the runner so you can get them moving (as at 10U they'll be ball watching as well)
Discuss driving hard on leads off the base, remind runners of outs/situational running, signs, etc
At first, position yourself as deep as you can so the batter-runner can easily see you as they come up the line.
At third you own the runners heading to second so you have the 'down' sign as well as the go sign especially if the ball is behind or not in the sight line of the runner (i.e. anything not to the left side).
Again, you position yourself as best you can to easily get into the runners sight line for second and third. DO not forget to get half way down the third base line if you expect to hold a runner turning third and heading home. Once the runner is past you, good luck getting them to come back.
And lots of high 5's for making it on base... no matter how they got there.
Oh, and expect to be a scapegoat on a player who does something stupid and expect to make the occasional dumb mistake which leads to an easy out (or sometimes a loss).
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Certainly it depends on the age of the team, but for a first base coach, generally I'd start with:
Be loud and decisive. If you see a bobble in the OF and you think the player has a good shot at second - the runner may not see it and may need to be "jolted" back up to speed. A loud "GO" will usually do the trick.
Be sure to review the situation with a runner on 1st, but do as quickly and clearly as you can. "One out - go 2 on the ground, go as far you you can on a flyball"
Watch the right fielder. Does she have a good arm? Does she back up first aggressively? All important when bad throws get by 1B
Don't forget about foul ball scenarios. Have the runner tag up on all foul fly balls with less than two outs. You never know when you will catch a fielder sleeping and take an extra base.
Speaking of tag ups. The runner can leave the base as soon as the ball is touched by a fielder. Not when the ball is caught.
If you see a 2B positioned in the path between 1st and 2nd and a steal is on. Be sure to remind the runner to take the direct path to second base. Do not go around the fielder unless she is playing the ball.
Remind the runner to look at the 3b coach when they get to second base, especially in a Bunt - Steal situation.
Know the look back rule. A runner does not need to "start" to return to first until the pitcher has control of the ball in the circle. Especially important if you play a team that likes to throw long from the OF to the P.
Foul balls, 3rd strikes - put up a stop sign for the batter-runner if it's clearly foul or the catcher cleanly caught the ball.
Don't yell "Foul Ball"! Blue would not appreciate it.
Speaking of foul balls. While the coaches box in considered a "safe" place to stand in case of a shallow fly ball to the 1b side, I will usually run very quickly away from any foul fly ball. You don't want to get in the way of a 10 year old trying to make a play - even if you are "allowed" to be there. Young players will often take strange paths to the ball.
Don't touch the runner. No fist bumps, no high fives unless the ball is dead. You never know when a ball will get away from the pitcher and you don't want to give blue a reason to call assisting the runner.
Get to know your players. Some may need encouragement to leg out a ground ball, some won't. Some will try to stretch EVERYTHING to outfield into a double, some will need to be pushed to leave the safety of the base at all.
Sorry, this list got longer that I thought it would. Hope at least some of it is useful to you...
Be loud and decisive. If you see a bobble in the OF and you think the player has a good shot at second - the runner may not see it and may need to be "jolted" back up to speed. A loud "GO" will usually do the trick.
Be sure to review the situation with a runner on 1st, but do as quickly and clearly as you can. "One out - go 2 on the ground, go as far you you can on a flyball"
Watch the right fielder. Does she have a good arm? Does she back up first aggressively? All important when bad throws get by 1B
Don't forget about foul ball scenarios. Have the runner tag up on all foul fly balls with less than two outs. You never know when you will catch a fielder sleeping and take an extra base.
Speaking of tag ups. The runner can leave the base as soon as the ball is touched by a fielder. Not when the ball is caught.
If you see a 2B positioned in the path between 1st and 2nd and a steal is on. Be sure to remind the runner to take the direct path to second base. Do not go around the fielder unless she is playing the ball.
Remind the runner to look at the 3b coach when they get to second base, especially in a Bunt - Steal situation.
Know the look back rule. A runner does not need to "start" to return to first until the pitcher has control of the ball in the circle. Especially important if you play a team that likes to throw long from the OF to the P.
Foul balls, 3rd strikes - put up a stop sign for the batter-runner if it's clearly foul or the catcher cleanly caught the ball.
Don't yell "Foul Ball"! Blue would not appreciate it.
Speaking of foul balls. While the coaches box in considered a "safe" place to stand in case of a shallow fly ball to the 1b side, I will usually run very quickly away from any foul fly ball. You don't want to get in the way of a 10 year old trying to make a play - even if you are "allowed" to be there. Young players will often take strange paths to the ball.
Don't touch the runner. No fist bumps, no high fives unless the ball is dead. You never know when a ball will get away from the pitcher and you don't want to give blue a reason to call assisting the runner.
Get to know your players. Some may need encouragement to leg out a ground ball, some won't. Some will try to stretch EVERYTHING to outfield into a double, some will need to be pushed to leave the safety of the base at all.
Sorry, this list got longer that I thought it would. Hope at least some of it is useful to you...
- Feb 12, 2014
- 648
- 43
When I coached first, I always reminded the girls what to do on a ball on the ground vs a ball in the air and how many outs there are in the inning. At that level, they sometimes just freeze on any hit ball. Also, you have to help them get the signs from the 3B coach. They will miss signs a bunch.
I imagine that it might also fall to the 1B coach to make the go or no-go decision on a passed ball if, like SoCal mentioned, it's not a automatic go situation.
I imagine that it might also fall to the 1B coach to make the go or no-go decision on a passed ball if, like SoCal mentioned, it's not a automatic go situation.
I'm coaching a new team in 12U this year, it amazes me how often I find myself reminding runners not to turn their back to the ball. One thing I've learned is that no matter the level you are coaching never assume the girls know anything. Do everyone a favor and review the simple things.
A little off the question but do not be afraid to get out of the Coach’s Box. You just need to be there until the ball is released then you can move to get a little better angle on the field or for the runner to see you better. This would mostly apply to coaching 3rd.
ALWAYS LOOK TO ADVANCE!!!! Don't be satisfied with the minimum play. At 10u there will be a ton of dropped balls, over throws, and wild pitches. Its safe to assume that every play is going to be an opportunity to advance a base. Secondly, have very clear communication with the 3rd base coach on specific offensive plays. Practice base running just as much as you practice batting.
That's a good one. I tell the players they should always look at the ball and the next base. It's surprising how often a defense will leave a base open, especially if there is an overthrow or misplay. An aggressive and savvy baserunner can wreak havoc on a defense.
Please please please, don't tell them to not look at the ball after they hit it. That myth has been around baserunning for years and keeps kids from learning how to go for 2 out of the box. All good baserunners take a peak at the ball after they hit it. No they shouldn't stare at the ball, but don't hamper their development by telling them to never look at the ball and that you will tell them what to do. A first base coach's #1 job for the batter/runner, its to stop her at first. She should already know if she needs to run through the bag, or if she needs to round. Of course at 10u they are still learning, but try to teach them that, not to be the joy stick controller coach that doesn't allow the kids to run on their own.
