Coaching 101
Hitting
Fielding
Catching & Throwing
Theory
Concepts and drills to help players become better batters
Hitting Drills
Confidence
Stance
Bat Hold
Get Loaded
1st Pitch Drill
Handle It
Contact
Soft Toss
Fence Drill
Failing means Winning
A passing grade in baseball is only 30%. That would never succeed in a typical classroom. But in this sport, it's an "A" grade.
Open or closed?
Which stance is better for young players?
Get a Grip!
Some grips are better than others. How should a young player learn to hold the bat?
Loading is not Fluid
When the pitch is coming in, how should players prepare to hit the ball? The way they "load" in preparation to swing matters. Help them find their set up and learn about their "starting position."
Keep your eyes on the ball
Top batters watch the pitch all the way in, even to the catcher's mitt. Keeping eyes on the ball improves chances of making contact and getting on base. Have batters watch the trajectory of the pitch until it lands.
Bat handle travel path
Pulling the handle of the bat to the ball allows for the best swing plane for a batter.
Bat to ball
At what point should the bat meet the ball? Over the plate, behind the plate, or in front of the plate? Where the player makes contact determines the direction of travel for the ball.
Quick pitches for focus
The Soft Toss drill keeps players focused on the ball and making solid contact.
Arms in for success
The Fence Drill improves swing plane by teaching players to keep their arms tight to their body until load release. Just don't use the good bats.
Concepts and drills to help players become better fielders
Fielding Drills
Quickness
Boom Boom Drill
Don't Get Played
Shuffle Drill
Shuffle Drill in Action
Soft Landing
Ball Transfer
Catch to Throw
Eat It
Fast, not rushed
Speed is needed in good ball handling, but when a player feels desperate and starts to hurry, errors are the result. Repetition can lower that feeling of anxiety in playmaking.
Get Down to get the ball
Stepping to the ball and lowering into a sitting position helps players dig up grounders. The higher the seat is, the more likely that the player will miss the ball.
Meet the ball out front
When a player is down in the ready position, they can meet the ball in front of them, creating less room for error.
get in front of the ball
Pair up players. Have them roll the ball to each other, but off-centered, simultaneously. As the ball is coming to the player, they should shuffle sideways, lining up with the ball to field it.
Roll to the side
As partners toss the ball to each other, they should roll the ball forward, then shuffle to the side to retrieve the ball their partner rolled to them. They should not be directly aligned.
Cushion the ball
A hard glove can cause the ball to bounce out. Moving with the ball helps it to stay in the pocket.
Getting ball from glove to hand
Transferring the ball from the glove to hand for the throw is a multi-step process.
put it all together
Greet the ball, ball to chest, ball to back of ear with front shoulder pointing to target. Throw should result in fingers pointing at toes and shoulders trading positions.
don't throw it away!
Plays can't always be made in a timely manner. Sometimes, the best thing to do is keep the ball.
Concepts and drills to help players take action on defense
Catching & Throwing Drills
2-Hand Catch
Catching Key
Ball Cushion
Get Close
Back Catch Drill
Back Catch in Action
Throwing Ear
Pitter Pat
Sequence Complete
Pitter Pat in Action
Why catch with two hands
Using two hands helps reduce bobbling the ball. Catching with two hands also speeds up the transfer of the ball from the glove to the throw.
the most effecTIVE WAY TO catch
Repetition with the two-handed catch and grounder is the best way to speed up fielding plays. When both hands go to the ball, the motion of ball to glove, glove to load, and load to release gets faster.
soft like a pillow
When a player is down in the ready position, they can meet the ball in front of them, drawing the ball in & creating less room for error.
ball to the body
Cushioning the ball to the chest creates an automatic load in the arm, preparing it for the coming throw.
Back handed skill
Players soft toss to one another, catching with the back of the glove (not the pocket). This drill teaches players to move their hands to the ball and causes them to use both hands to control it.
Use the back of the glove
Once players get in the rhythm, it's an easy skill that can be used on the field.
BAll to the ear for best throw
Bringing the ball to the back of the ear extends the arm creating load and torque. This positioning also creates shoulder alignment that helps a player aim their throws.
Crucial footwork
It's almost like a dance. The hopping pitter pat process allows for faster ball release.
Full Process
All the steps at once.
Tap Tap Toss
Pair up players so they can work on technique. Remind them to reach to the ball, cushion the ball to their chest, load the ball to their ear, and aim with their shoulders. In the meantime, players' feet should be hopping into position.
Coaching philosophies for self-improvement and team growth
Coaching Style
Critics
Feedback
Why
Positive Parents
Team Building
Delegation
Firm Foundation
Bring Them Back
Choose the high road
Will having critics hurt you? Possibly. But you control your reaction.
It's all about delivery
We all come from different backgrounds. Be aware of that when working with players. Your calm consistency may be life changing.
why is a learning tool
Tell the player "why" when instructing them in a new skill. Ask them why when the skill needs to be reiterated. But be careful how it's asked because embarrassment can lead to a player pulling away.
Parents are part of the team
Parents can be the hardest piece of the teamwork. Choose not to be offended by bad behavior. As Christian coaches, we are called to draw them in and have a team building conversation with them. Don't make the child choose sides. (If you need help with a conversation, reach out to the League.)
build each other up
Relationship building is the biggest part of coaching. For teams to succeed, mutual respect and trust are of utmost importance.
Everyone needs to help
Parents can be a help when it comes to managing the team. Delegate responsibilities so your only focus is teaching the players the game. Take parents up on their offer to support you.
They remember the love
What a player remembers 30 years from now won't be the win loss record. It will be the community that this team shared and the feeling that they got from being a part of the community that you, as coach, built around them.
The effect
Thank you for being the face of our program.
