The Official " First Time Coaching I need help" Thread -Practice Drills Only

[Cannonball]

You put runners in the box, pitcher in the circle, and defensive players in their positions. You hit balls with situational runners. For example, you can have no one on base, runner on 1st or any base ... You have the pitcher simulate a pitch and then, you hit the ball. You coach from there. You can coach both defense and base running.

 

[Rocketech1]

^^^^to add to what CB said. You put them in game situations as much as possible (the above drill, scrimmages, friendlies, etc.) AND you correct them if they are throwing to the wrong base, not backing up the correct bases (remember the 3 B's - ball, base, or back-up), etc.. Every player has an assignment on every play. If someone is standing around once the ball is put in play, there is something wrong. Repetition and correction, repetition and correction. After a while (a long while) the game becomes easier and the player will know where they need to be and what play they need to make. An important concept is that each and every player needs to know the situation and ask themselves "if the ball is hit to me, what do I need to do"?

 

[CoachJD]

Situation defense/base running where I'd hit infield was something we did quite a bit, but I think "a long while" is key. It's good to know that in time, what we did should help.

Sometimes I would even ask a player before the play what she was going to do if it was hit to her (and then I would maybe or maybe not hit it to her to keep everybody on their toes). They don't always like being put on the spot, but it helps to find out if they actually understand the situation.

I've been reading a lot about how you don't want to do one drill for too long or they'll zone out. Is this the type of drill I should maybe do for 10-15 minutes every practice instead of longer sessions (but not every practice)?

 

[WARRIORMIKE]

lots of good stuff on here for sure