TIPS FROM THE COACH

“Back, Back”, “Third, Third”,  “Back up”, “Come on Johnny, You've got to make that play”, “Hold the ball”!

AHH, the sounds of the Youth League ballpark, coaches yelling instructions during games.

I like to think of games as like a Broadway play being previewed in Boston. The performers perform and the director/coach, makes notes as to changes and things to be worked on. He doesn't stand in the wings and shout instructions. Tomorrow in rehearsals/practice, he will work on weaknesses, make cast/lineup changes and introduce new elements.

 Organize your practices to correct mistakes and allocate extra reps to solidify skills. But one of the best practice routines is what I call “Defensive Situational Practice”. Place players at their positions. You tell them the situation, number of outs etc. The pitcher simulates delivering a pitch. The coach using his FUNGO, puts a ball in play. Your not still using your son's 28” bat, swinging with one hand to hit balls to your defense are you? If so, you look like a dork. Get a FUNGO! A baserunner, wearing a helmet, runs the bases. They execute the defensive play. Everyone has a place to go and job to do. When the play is over, you can yell in many different directions correcting mistakes and then do it again. THIS is where they learn to execute correctly. This is where players learn to play their positions. You can move players around to different positions. This is where kids learn to play multiple positions.

It drives me crazy to hear people say “How's Johnny going to learn to play a particular position if he doesn't play it in the game.” Well, he learns to play another position by working at that position in “Defensive Situational Practice”. Games are for competing at positions where he can help the TEAM perform best. That is called teamwork!

 A really fun way for the kids to learn situational baseball is to have a “Mommas' Game.” Have the Mommas play their son's position during a “Defensive Situational Practice”. The players are to point out the mistakes made by their mothers. The players maybe didn't even realize how much they know but they have great fun telling Mom, “You've got to hit the cut off”. The Moms come to realize how difficult the skills of baseball are and work off a few pounds.

 For other great drills to allow you to fill your practices with multiple fun learning experiences, get the BASEBALL SKILLS AND DRILLS video series. With my Tips From The Coach-HOW TO CONDUCT A PRACTICE video you will learn how to conduct an organized and systematic practice that is FUN! It is everything you will need to do a quality job coaching your team. You will also want a HANDS BACK HITTER for a drill station. It is acclaimed as the single finest molder of quality hitters ever invented and the kids love it. With some Pickleballs you can get one group around a coach in the outfield and get a tremendous amount of cuts.