I have a team of 14U girls that would probably be rated a 4 or 5 on a scale of 1-10. 1 girl has never played fastpitch before and 2 girls have only played one season of fall ball (2 years ago). The rest of the team is made up of various skill level. I want these girls to enjoy their short season(5 weekends) and come back next summer and play. I need help in designing practices and game plans to allow them to be successful. I do not think I need to have everyone play every position (especially at 14u) and besides I really don't have the time to work on this. Some of the girls still have difficulty catching a ball and fielding grounders. To me at this age, practices should be on based on defense and offense situations.
Unfortunately only a few on the team should really be playing infield, but I just don't feel right puttting the rest of them in the outfield. Have had 4 practices already and spent a great deal of time just on basics, and hardly even touched on game situations. I am in my 4th year of coaching and have coached all levels of teams. Do I have each girl learn a couple of positions and practice that way or just put them where they should be. Most of the girls I have coached at some point over the past 4 years and they are happy to be on my team. Any help would be appreciated.
Unfortunately only a few on the team should really be playing infield, but I just don't feel right puttting the rest of them in the outfield. Have had 4 practices already and spent a great deal of time just on basics, and hardly even touched on game situations. I am in my 4th year of coaching and have coached all levels of teams. Do I have each girl learn a couple of positions and practice that way or just put them where they should be. Most of the girls I have coached at some point over the past 4 years and they are happy to be on my team. Any help would be appreciated.