Practice Plans

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Jun 1, 2015
500
43
This coming softball season will be my first season in 5 years of coaching where I (legitimately) have an assistant coach - a former player of mine is volunteering to be an assistant coach for my team. Previously I've run practices all on my own, but now that I have someone willing to step in, I was curious how coaches on the DFP forum run practices with two available coaches.

My thoughts were (for a 2 hour practice) were something like the following:
> First 15 minutes: Cardio and ground ball work
> 30-40 minutes: Group Work #1 - Split the girls into 2 groups (1 per coach). Each group would spend 15 minutes or so with a coach in different spots of the field before switching - each coach with a different skill/drill (perhaps infield working on getting leads/stealing and outfield hitting off of tees)
> 30-40 minutes: Group Work #2 - Same idea as before, working on 2 different skills (perhaps infield working on situational plays and outfield working on backing up fly balls/ground balls)
> Last 15 minutes: Game-scenario work/mini-"Scrimmage" type activity

Having an assistant will open up more drills and work to me, but as weird as it sounds, I'm not used to having someone to help, so I'm looking for more plans I can have that will optimize our time. It's likely for the first 2/3rds of the preseason I'll only practice once a week, so I want to maximize the experience/practice. Any thoughts/ideas would be GREATLY appreciated.
 
Apr 13, 2015
179
28
gdc; great ideas for the start of your practices, except you might want to shorten the length of time for your stations....how many girls are you talking about? Keep them engaged and when you have some teaching going on there might be some standing involved but keep explanations short. Would start practices with warm up/dynamic stretches then agilities.....usually into progression throwing and then you can get into your drill or station work you mentioned...good luck!
 
Jun 1, 2015
500
43
My numbers always vary year-to-year. The most I've had at one time is either 10-11, but there are times I've had anywhere from 4-all of my girls at practices - which makes it suck trying to plan for everyone then get hardly anyone. I used to do 2 practices a week (Wednesday and Sunday), but the school I teach at will almost guaranteed have openings for Modified/JV Softball that I will apply for (and possibly get, they struggle to get coaches). So I'll likely only have Sundays until HS ball is done, so I plan to stress attendance at practices. I do have my girls show up 15 minutes early to practices to get loosened up/stretched/throw so I don't have to do that during my 2 hours with them. Once we hit 12pm (or the start), we jump head first into things. Usually a big lap around our field for cardio, a couple of short sprints, then ground ball work, etc.
 
Sep 29, 2010
1,082
83
Knoxville, TN
I always liked dividing into two groups and doing the same thing at the same time. Twice the reps while working on the same skill. It also allows coach to address entire group regarding that particular skill. Ideally, you should find another Dad to at least hit or throw for you. Two groups working simultaneously that you can oversee will allow you to catch more mistakes that need to be addressed.

As far as cardio goes, I like that worked into practice. Last skill was always base running. H-1B, 1B-3B and 1B-H will get their blood pumping while working on tight turns and taking stutter steps out while advancing bases. After that we ended most practices with the dog drill. One person at a base and the line at SS. SS throws to 1B and runs to follow throw. 1B throws to 2B and follows throw, 2B to 3B and 3B to H. After catching ball at home run to back of line at SS. With an older well skilled team you can get three balls going at one time. It’s a great workout and teaches the girls to focus and make good throws when they are tired. I always felt like if the girls left practice wore out, it gave them more of a sense of accomplishment.
 
Jun 1, 2015
500
43
I always liked dividing into two groups and doing the same thing at the same time. Twice the reps while working on the same skill. It also allows coach to address entire group regarding that particular skill. Ideally, you should find another Dad to at least hit or throw for you. Two groups working simultaneously that you can oversee will allow you to catch more mistakes that need to be addressed.

Unfortunately that's the one drawback I have with this team - the parents are not very active with helping out. Most weren't athletes themselves or are "too busy" - just need a "time to be there" and "time to be back". Luckily (and hopefully this stays) my new AC has a boyfriend who I believe is/was a baseball player, and he could probably step in to help out (if his g/f asks him to) for hitting, etc. I do like the idea of doing the same drill split up for the reasons you stated. I tend to have a very young team (in a 16U league, my average age last year was right around 14), so there's a lot to be corrected more often than not.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Bf can be good and bad. :)

We recruit anyone we can to help at practice. You can not catch or throw and know nothing about softball, here this is your station make sure no one gets hurt is your only job. Or this station I want them to do this specific thing, watch and tell them if they do not.

I have run many practices by myself, it is pretty lousy. Even having 1 consistent helper is a big leap forward.

I like an hour and a 1/2 practices but if only have 1 a week 2 hours sounds good. Every practice you should do something different for a 1/2 an hour. If it works make it part of your plan, if it doesn't do no do it again.

Good luck.
 
Jun 1, 2015
500
43
I know the b/f and g/f (my AC) have been together for...I think 2 or so years? So there should not be any issues, but I'm always vigilant - I cut off things that'll be detrimental to my team before it gets there. Depending on who I have this year might dictate things. Traditionally I only try out new players at the start of the season just because I'm always lacking numbers. This year, my AC and I decided we're trying out ANYONE who wants to play (including the returning players). It's something I should've done previously, and the reason is just to evaluate ALL prospective talent regardless of previous years or experience. I haven't had to make cuts in going on 5 years of this team, and I don't anticipate doing so this year, but I'd rather have data/evidence in case I have to.

In past seasons, my Achilles' heel isn't ability - it's commitment to the game/team. There's not a ton of interest in summer sports in this town/area. I invest a LOT of personal time to this program/team (fundraising, designing t-shirt logos, reserving fields, lining fields, you name it), and I've been 7-26 in the past 4 seasons, record-wise, so obviously it's not about wins and losses to me. What I want to establish is an environment that this team is about bettering yourself as an athlete through practice, hard-work, and competition, EVEN THOUGH it's a summer league (not school-sanctioned). Hopefully by having an AC as dedicated as I am and really changing around my practices to focus on more action, less standing around, etc, then I can get the girls learning, staying engaged, and that'll translate when we play games during our season.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
I do not care why someone does not come to practice, I just want to be informed. Go to birthday party, I do not care.

My job is to make them want to come to practice be late to party.
 
Last edited:
Jun 1, 2015
500
43
I'm somewhat of the opposite - I DO care if someone isn't at practice because it hurts the other girls who give their time to bond with teammates through practice and to get better as a team. If it's legitimate (sickness, family emergency, etc) then I'm fine - if it's something ridiculous (amusement park, concert - especially when my practice schedule is known weeks in advance), then I get annoyed. I don't care if someone shows up late or has to leave early because of a legitimate reason, no-shows piss me off entirely. I do want to make my practices engaging and something to look forward to - hence my looking for drills/plans that can make practice that weekly engagement for ALL players to come together for and have fun.
 

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