How do you run your practices?

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Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Condition is a slow lap around field after stretching.

90% of practice is same, always try to throw something new each practice. Some of it works, some of it does not. Kick ball game works so do it sometimessage.

Not a fan of scrimmage, do it very infrequently. Seems like most the team isn't doing anything.

If you want to have some fun play a scrimmage were the batter tosses it up and hits it. Our players are surprisingly bad doing this. :)
 
Last edited:
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Not sure how old your team is but I have learned it is bad to make assumptions.

We had a player that played for 4 or 5 years, asked her to bunt in practice. I do not know how to bunt no one ever showed me.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
Team is 14U.
Practices have been the same for 2 years...

That is pretty bad. My DD wouldn't want to go after awhile (I know from previous teams that it is about 4 practices in a row the same before she get bored of it)

We may practice some of the same things if we are working on it, but each practice is different in many, many ways every time out and we often try to make it different ways to practice the same thing when we are doing that.
 
Jun 1, 2015
500
43
For my 16U team (where most of my girls are 12-13 or so), we are on the field throwing for 15 minutes or so before our designated starting time. We stretch where I chat about the plans for the practice. Conditioning is either a.) A sprinted "interval" lap around the bases OR b.) A timed lap around the far outside of the field (team has to meet a goal together). Then we do basic infield practice (everyone involved) - fielding ground balls, flies, one-hops, etc. From there, things vary. Could be base-running work (leads and steals), could be outfield work, could be split-up group hitting. Then we generally try to put everything together at the end in some kind of simulation (not a scrimmage, but more a game-like drill) before recapping and leaving.

What hurts me the most is that I'm a one-man-band. The AC I was supposed to have at the start of the season took on 2 jobs to save up money for a college apartment instead. So all my plans of having more group work to get more reps. in went to Hell in a hand-basket, and while all of my parents are good supporters, hardly any of them are coaches who could step in to help as I need. So we do what we can do.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
We start in staggered groups - catchers only, pitchers and catcher, then whole team. Once the whole team is there, and everyone is warmed up with throwing, we start our standard routine of fielding fundamentals. This lasts about 30 minutes. After that, we get into specific issues that we need to work on - either problem areas or introducing something new. Typically, the team will be divided into IF and OF groups at some point, with each working on specific skills related to their positions. We are fortunate that we have a good staff of coaches and willing helpers.
 
May 6, 2015
2,397
113
For my 16U team (where most of my girls are 12-13 or so), we are on the field throwing for 15 minutes or so before our designated starting time. We stretch where I chat about the plans for the practice. Conditioning is either a.) A sprinted "interval" lap around the bases OR b.) A timed lap around the far outside of the field (team has to meet a goal together). Then we do basic infield practice (everyone involved) - fielding ground balls, flies, one-hops, etc. From there, things vary. Could be base-running work (leads and steals), could be outfield work, could be split-up group hitting. Then we generally try to put everything together at the end in some kind of simulation (not a scrimmage, but more a game-like drill) before recapping and leaving.

What hurts me the most is that I'm a one-man-band. The AC I was supposed to have at the start of the season took on 2 jobs to save up money for a college apartment instead. So all my plans of having more group work to get more reps. in went to Hell in a hand-basket, and while all of my parents are good supporters, hardly any of them are coaches who could step in to help as I need. So we do what we can do.

at that age you should be able to maybe set them up in small groups on some set drills (must explain and demonstrate to them so they all understand). ie pair of girls doing side/soft toss, another pair tee work (with one setting), a pair in cage/machine if you have access, then the rest of team working with HC on defensive things, pick one batting station that when they run out of balls everyone rotates.
 
Jun 1, 2015
500
43
I've done this from time to time. 3 girls doing tee-work (place, field, hit), 2 or 3 pairs doing side-toss hitting, etc. I don't do it often because I'd have it planned out in groups, then someone doesn't show or something, so I have to adjust everything. Keep in mind, I said most of my girls are 12-13, so explaining only goes so far. Then they start goofing while I'm not looking/working with another group, and it's not as positive/focused as I'd like it to be.
 
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
Same practices over 2 years is a sign of a lazy coach who isn't learning each season like he/she expects his players to do. This is another example of why I think it's important, every year, to look at possible other teams and organizations, attend tryouts, teams that cut players, and learn from more experienced, paid coaches who are students of the game. Complacency is a team killer....You only have a finite number of years in this sport, get the most out of it.
 

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