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HOME
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League Documents Take a look at these sample documents. Tailor to fit your league's needs.
Tournament Brackets
(single & double elimination)
Coach's Corner
info for coaches and parents & other volunteers
Practice Plans
- Feel free to print and use to help organize your next practice!
Coaching Tips
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Teach / Coach
- Teach in practice, coach during the game. Players have enough to think
about at the plate without extra instructions from a parent or coach.
Pitchers can’t learn new pitches on the mound during the game. During the
game you want your players to focus on the task at hand. No instruction
during the game - instead, make mental notes for post-game talk or a
specific skills work during the next practice. |
| Practice for games - Put your emphasis during
practice on situations you actually face in games. Pitchers who throw
knuckleballs in practice but never in games, or infield pre-games with
throws from first to third - those are two examples. You might as well
practice triple plays. |
| Want it to happen? TEACH IT - You can't ask players
to do something in the game that they've never practiced. If you expect a
player to bunt, you need to have taught him how. Same with basics like base
running, backhand fielding, and whatever else. No one wants to try something
for the very first time in a pressure situation with an audience. |
| Don't say "Don't" - If you want a batter to keep his
head on the ball, the instruction is not "don't look up". The worst offense:
coaches who say, "whatever you do, don't strike out." Keep your
comments positive. |
| Be Open - Be willing to try new drills, switch player
positions, call steals, and so on. Young players like to challenge
themselves. Coaches need to share that enthusiasm. Practice with intensity.
Players need to leave practice pumped with desire to test what they've
learned in a game. Plan every practice allocating time for each drill or
skill station. Keep practice moving and keep the players focused. It’s the
best way to build a team that wants to excel. |
| A
Little Praise, Please - Every improvement, however small, deserves a
compliment. One of the best things about coaching is seeing your players do
better - individually and as a team. Let them know it - praise even minor
accomplishments because they may only be minor to you, but major to them! |
Liability Issues
- Do not be with a child and not have another adult
present
- Walk the field before practice and games to check
for sprinkler heads, glass and potholes, etc…
- During practice make sure batters and runners wear
helmets including areas such as the “on deck” area.
- Make sure water and water breaks are provided.
- Send out information to parents about expectations,
team rules and team responsibilities.
- Use common sense when planning practice and dealing
with children.
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Goals
for Coaches Here are
5 fundamental areas a volunteer coach should focus on
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Fun -
Since when was a baseball game supposed to be fun? If your players aren’t
making 2 million a year, then why do they play? For 4 to 8 year olds, they
play completely for fun. For players’ 10 to 12 years olds, they play for
competitive fun, and beyond that, it is mostly for the competition and
camaraderie. |
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Fitness
- There is a problem with declining fitness of America’s Youth. Always
include warm-up and conditioning exercises in your practice sessions.
Challenge your players to work on agility and strength drills at home.
Anytime you are faster and stronger you'll be a better player. |
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Teamwork
- Young players are very "me" oriented and have very little awareness of the
team or "us". Balance your team by equalizing skills, sizes and abilities.
Having strong players help less skilled players can help the less-skilled
player greatly. |
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Skills
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Depending on the
age of your team, you will have to modify the information you teach slightly
or at least lower your expectations. Be sure to
prepare your practice
sessions in advance. Practice and review previously taught skills, then
introduce and practice new skills. Encourage other skills in your "Team
Talks", such as communication and decision-making skills.
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Respect
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Your leadership and
example will instill most of these points. For them to respect themselves,
they must feel good about themselves. So, a little praise for minor or major
accomplishments goes a long way, and guarantees their respect for you.
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Respect for the
game.
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Respect for
them.
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Respect for you,
the coach. You will foster this by listening and respecting them.
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Respect for the
other players and other teams.
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Respect for the
rules.
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Respect for the
officials.
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Respect for the
volunteers that make our youth leagues possible.
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And while you’re
in the neighborhood, how about respect for their parents!
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Baseball
Training videos and DVDs
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