Drills - Where to start?

shaker1 said:

Here's 3 drills I like to use
https://youtu.be/JG0HKOTh7MY
https://youtu.be/YnDR_SjxqBQ
https://youtu.be/XDwFdR4gluQ

Click to expand...

The bottom link (the Mike Candrea multi-ground ball drill) is something I'm going to try using this coming season (provided I can find ample-enough softballs to use). I found doing basic infield hitting practice did nothing for the girls' overall ability to field ground balls. SO that drill and really hammering technique, power, and form should do much better. Plus more reps = the best for my 16U motley crue.

What is great about the 3 drills he posted is they work for a 6 year old or an 18 year old.

gdc03120 said:

The bottom link (the Mike Candrea multi-ground ball drill) is something I'm going to try using this coming season (provided I can find ample-enough softballs to use). I found doing basic infield hitting practice did nothing for the girls' overall ability to field ground balls. SO that drill and really hammering technique, power, and form should do much better. Plus more reps = the best for my 16U motley crue.

Click to expand...

Great drill. We'll usually go through several buckets, different positions, different catches, making throws to all bases. Keeps them moving, works up a good sweat fairly quickly.

Drill and Practice

All the drills and or coaches listed are great. The main thing that separates a good practice from a bad practice is time management. Run through individual drills that allow for the most touches with some feedback... then group work...team work....hitting or whatever you schedule. Having a practice plan written out with all the coaches understanding their job is important. Be flexible but try to stick to the schedule. After practice evaluate what worked and what didn't.

Also I can't stand to see one coach with a bat and 3 more watching while kids stand in line board to death.

J

Agreed! I'm currently coaching 8U. One thing that I make sure of, is that the only time there is standing around is during a water break.
I like to break them up into 3-4 groups. We'll work drills, and rotate the groups every 10 minutes or so. After the rotations, we'll have a water break, then a fun game/competition related to the drills. Then we'll do some separate drills in the same manner, and finish with another fun game.

Key is to keep the girls moving constantly. It's hard sometimes, but a necessity. If they're standing around for more than 60 seconds, they'll be doing cartwheels, picking grass, climbing the fence, or some other thing that's more fun than standing (which is pretty much anything!)

Having several coaches to help is a must, especially at the younger ages.