Within this section you will find various tips and drills suitable for all the different age groups. General coaching tips are listed on this page while information for the different levels of baseball or softball are accessible by clicking the links below. We are always looking for new items to add. If you have an idea please go to the Coaches Corner main page and submit your tip or drill.
Tip All Age Groups
Practice Plans
A practice plan can be a single sheet or many sheets of paper that break down all of the activities that will go on in that days practice session. It allows you, the coach, to pre plan what you hope to accomplish during practice. Setting a goal and having a list of drills and activities that move you towards the goal allows you to work with the kids instead of thinking "what should we do next". It also allows you to move on from one activity to the next which keeps the players interest for an entire session. Practice plans for older players are most effective when each drill or skill builds on one another and ends with some kind of game or activity. Practice plans for younger players are best when based on learning many different skills. Sample practice plans are in our documents section.
A sample 1 hour practice plan on stealing would be something like this: 1) Stretch (10 minutes) 2) Explain and show how to slide correctly to avoid injury (5 minutes) 3) Have the players practice sliding and correct as necessary (15 minutes) 4) Explain the importance of getting a good "jump" (5 minutes) 5) Have the players practice stealing by getting a good jump (10 minutes) 6) Run a contest on stealing bases. A player gets 1 point for each of the following: if they get a good jump, slide correctly and succesfully steal the base. Each player steals 5 times and the winner is decided by point total (15 minutes)
Tip All Age Groups
More parental help equals better practices
There are number of different types of parents on any given team. The first group is just happy to register their child and have someone else coach them. The second type really wants to be a coach and will probably approach you about helping out as an assistant. The third type is the parent is the one who doesn't have the time to give as a full time coach but enjoys the game and working with the kids. About 25%-40% of the parents on your team are the third type. They usually stay for the full practice, they will watch intently and they will help to retrieve lost balls. These parents are ready and willing to be an unofficial coach and a huge asset to your team...please ask them to help out!
Over the last few years we have always asked the parents to help out at practices. The more the merrier has been our motto. Because of this we usually have about 5-6 adults at each and every practice. Some parents come to some practices and other parents to other practices. The key is the ability to break kids down into much smaller groups. Smaller groups equals more activity and more activity equals practices that are more fun. If you don't have drills planned that can be broken down into smaller groups then you can have the parents run the drills. This frees up the coaches to work with the kids individually and correct mistakes.
Remember that any parent that helps out must have a signed CORI form on file. Ask you commissioner if you have any questions.
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