8U First-Timers

quincy said:

Sorry:



I like the tennis ball idea.

You are probably going to have players all over the place, try to pair them with someone with their same ability. If someone cannot catch put them with an adult so you do not penalize the players that can throw. You are going to have more parents then players at practice.

DD can throw the ball, I credit it all to our Dog. If we started over Dog would come to practice.

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RichK said:

I like the suggestions above with just one tweak. With young ones it definitely helps to have them throw and catch with a coach rather than each other. But don't just bring parents out, even at that age the girls need to break from their parents at practice (and probably more importantly, the parents need to let their kids get out on their own a bit). Have at least two regular assistant coaches. Work in small groups with throwing back to the coach and catching ground balls, throws and pop-ups from the coaches. Don't let them do things "wrong" ie, basket catch everything. That means starting with no-glove whiffles, tennis balls with gloves and eventually softie softballs. Group better players and lesser players together so no one gets bored and everyone gets the level of instruction and challenge they need.

In my mind, games are great but in my experience young players don't get "bored" with repetition on the basics as long as you are having fun with them. Really get the basics of catch and throw down. When they have a baseline down, start to work on a few common infield and outfield plays. Find a few girls that can play first base with confidence and go from there.

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Dabears17 said:

Big Al Baseball is a good resource for working with young kids:
For Coaches

A little simple, but I used some ideas from Canada's learn to play material:
What is Learn to Play? - Softball Canada

I also used playsporttv for ideas
How to Play Softball: Girls' Softball Drills and Coaching Tips

I've had several coaches say teaching hitting is easy if they can throw right... teaching proper throwing is hard. Lots of good blog posts on Austin Wasserman's website and consider getting his softball HLT e-book. This video is important to watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuzlVU_3CgA&index=4&list=PLztqOsXdOinvJtZlb8rjOYOY-0MI57MFk

I teach sliding near the end of the season in 8u.... they think its a blast and you need to teach to them before they grow and get nervous.

I emphasis the importance of playing catcher and its actually the first skills position I taught in 8u. Look at the New England Catching Camp material.

Lots of good material on pitching on DFP, but I would start with Bill Hillhouse's clinics on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlYLTMlhyNs

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Dabears17 said:

I teach sliding near the end of the season in 8u.... they think its a blast and you need to teach to them before they grow and get nervous.

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Dabears17 said:

our league doesn't allow sliding in 8u games because they don't think the coaches know how to safely teach it.

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Rocketech1 said:

Curious to know how these coaches know how to teach it at 10U but not be able to teach it at 8U? In fact, I would argue that the earlier you teach sliding the better. Glad you are the exception to the rule in your league.

I get the feeling that there is still a big divide in parents expectations of what girls can do vs. what the boys can do. I have coached both rec fastpitch and baseball from 6u - 12u and can honestly say that I don't really treat the players any differently. The girls are just as capable of playing "high level ball" as the boys if the parents would let them.

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