It’s easy to slip into unproductive thought traps while planning youth baseball practices, whether you’re in your sixth season and coaching your third child or taking on the position for the first time. Having a lot of experience can lead to the belief that some things are “necessary.” The Overlooked Basics of a Great Youth Baseball Drill.
In the beginning, you may begin to think that there are certain things you “must” do. Both of them are missing the point. Consider the fact that you’re putting in the effort to teach your students and that you’ve got a moral and legal obligation to be inventive.
There are only five essential components to baseball, and those five components alone must be the center of your attention. My favorite term for this is the “Mental Approach,” which includes everything from hitting to defense to baserunning. Alternatively, it’s referred to as a mental game.
You’re good to go if you complete all five of your practices. Run the bases a little, play defense a little more, and pitch and hit a little more often. It’s done. Have you grasped the gist? We’ve finished our work here.
Seriously, there are a plethora of drills can be found on YouTube or by performing a simple Google search. There are drills and more drills to be done in order to get the job done. Everywhere you look, they’re there.
And I’ll put out a superb practice for you. Many of these can be found online as well.
Empowerment, on the other hand, can’t be found elsewhere. The belief that if you trust yourself and remember what factors create effective practice, you can do an outstanding job for your players and offer them a memorable experience in the game.
As a result, your gamers will never forget you and your ultimate goal of making them fall in love with the game and stick around is far more likely.
In any of your child baseball practice plans, I recommend that you include the following elements:
Playing a video game on a computer.
The event at which cash and other valuables are awarded
Work that is more concerned with the successful execution of individual tasks than it is with the final outcome
Rapidity and Immediacy
Rapid shifts in a wide range of
What I’m saying is that it’s not about the what, but rather how. Think outside of the box and take risks.
Variations for different age groups and equipment recommendations are in the works, so stay tuned!
The Pre-Warm-Up Phase.
Coaches are often content to let things play out as they are. However, this is your chance to make a statement. Every moment is important, and every moment will be spent preparing for the actual game of baseball.
Do not put a time limit on this. It’s important to give your first hitter a place to concentrate on his or her footwork. Catchers should use a catcher’s glove and practice their throwing motion. A group of infielders. All-out fielders’ pitching.
Throwing from the hips is not permitted! In games, this does not happen. What’s the point? The only defensive drill is a catch. However, they must play catch at a fast tempo with good footwork. Catch, turn, chop, and drive are some of the techniques you can use. Make it easier to read and more fluid. Then more quickly. In the following stages, things will get even faster. Two hands are necessary so that the player can quickly reach the ball and quickly release it.
After that, partner them up and have them work on a fundamental skill. Infielders should practice back-and-forth grounders. Consider learning how to throw and tag.
You want them to be drenched in sweat, sputtering and gasping for air.
Then, towards the very end, include a competition. Everyone enjoys a good game of rivalry. It’s time to give it points.
It should be subjected to scrutiny. Let the team know what you liked and what you didn’t like about the product. Let them know why you’re emphasizing particular aspects of your message. A botched throw can be salvaged if you are ready to throw, have your feet turned toward the goal, and move your feet when you catch.
Make it clear to the participants that everything you do and prepare is aimed at preparing you for the game.
As a result, the team will be more energized and ready to take on the challenge. You identify yourself as a distinct individual from any other coach right away. As a result, your training sessions will be a whole new experience.
Pitching and Defensively
Because it sets the tone, I prefer to start with defense. We know you like to hit, but defense is crucial. And you have to earn the right to do the enjoyable part.
Rapid-fire repeats are what you’re going for. “I want the players to feel baseball,” I say. If they’re not moving, you don’t want them to be exercising their lungs. Make this fast-paced work a little more mentally stimulating. When things are moving quickly and they aren’t in the best of moods, are they able to focus?
Defending in a baseball game demands total focus for more than 100 pitches. Require players to be in good ready postures, moving forward to the spot where they want to be when the ball is pitched, light on their balls of their feet.
Introduce competition. Divide the infield and outfield into two groups is one of my personal favorites. See who can commit the most mistakes. When you finally go on offensive, let the victors get the first crack at it. Everyone loves to hit first since they know they’ll hit less if they wait until the last minute to practice.
The defense is going to be a lot of fun and competitive. It is the competitive nature of a game that creates urgency.
When it comes to pitching, you have two options. Pitchers can be moved to a separate area to concentrate on accuracy and arm endurance if an experienced assistant coach or catcher is available.
Aim for roughly 20 pitches in your first practice, and gradually increase the number by 5 per session. For every two games in a row that the pitchers play, give them at least one day off. Make sure they have two days off after a practice where they throw more than 40 pitches.
Maintaining Honesty in All Things
As a last resort, you can have the pitcher toss to live batters in the absence of skilled catcher or assistance with pitching history. That way, you may do both pitching and hitting at the same time. At the same time, you’re running live defense. Everything is the same as it would be in a typical game.
Playing baseball will help you improve your skills. An important yet sometimes ignored idea.
Player-on-player pitching and hitting is a great option when you don’t have any assistant coaches. As a coach, you must take excellent notes. Because each player’s flaws will be exposed to you. After that, you’ll know how to organize future practice sessions for each player.
And it’s a crucial piece of the coaching puzzle. Make the effort to personalize your strategy to each individual player.
In the Little League and Tee Ball levels, I recommend using the following equipment.
Rawlings 2019 5150 USA Youth Baseball Bat
A fantastic bat for young baseball players. With a complete aluminum alloy design, there’s a large sweet spot. As a result of this, the ball does not vibrate excessively in the player’s hands when it is struck but not on the sweet spot. Favorite of the players!
Rawlings 2019 Threat USA Youth Baseball Bat
Little Leaguers can use the 2019 Threat, a composite bat marked with the USA stamp. Many gamers enjoy playing this game. Many people enjoy the tactile sensation of composite when they touch it.
Rawlings Raptor USA Youth Baseball Bat
The Raptor bat is in the same price range as USA stamp Little League bats. It’s a great value for the money. My players are pleased with the bat’s longevity, as well as its performance. An excellent deal for the money.
EASTON Beast Pro -5 (2 5/8″) USA Youth Baseball Bat
My gamers love Easton’s Beast model the most.
EASTON Beast Hyperlite -12 (2 1/4″) USA Youth Baseball Bat
One piece of metal makes up the Beast Hyperlite. Reviewers have given this a positive rating. It has a large sweet spot despite its low weight. It packs a punch.
EASTON Ghost X Hyperlite -11 (2 5/8″) USA Youth Baseball Bat
The Ghost is the Beast’s Easton relative and a composite creature. It’s a big deal. One of the game’s most popular power hitters.
EASTON TYPHOON -12 USA Youth Baseball Bat
The Typhoon falls under the umbrella of good value. The prices are really reasonable. Exceptionally long-lasting, according to independent testing. A bat marked “USA” may only be used for one or two seasons in Little League before being retired. This is a wise investment. A standout performer. Not a lot to write home about. Rather, it’s about the hitter’s technique that’s the problem.
EASTON Beast Speed -11 (2 5/8″) USA Youth / Kids Tee Ball Baseball Bat
The Beast Speed is an excellent short-term bat for younger players playing Tee Ball. I’d look for a deal under $50 if possible. For the tee-ball level, this is definitely a high-quality bat.
USA Youth/Kids Tee Ball Baseball Bat: EASTON Beast -10 (2 1/4′′)
The Beast Tee Ball bat is my favorite. It’s really reasonably priced. For Tee Ball bats, this is huge. Early in their career. In two years, they could not be playing at all. Spend your money wisely. You get a lot of bang for your buck.
Rawlings 2019 Velo Tball Youth Baseball Bat (-13)
The Velo costs less than $50. It’s incredibly light. Easy to use and swing for the Tee Ball level golfer.