Practice Plan for Thursday

(From April 1)

This is a practice outline for Thursday, although the weather doesn't appear to be cooperating. If we rain out, we'll just use this plan for Saturday's practice. If we do get lucky and get tomorrow's practice in, I'll put together another plan for Saturday and Sunday.

First, I think it is important to have a solid outline for our practices because we have limited time and need to make every minute count. Additionally, I don't want any down time for the boys -- we need to keep them busy, busy, busy learning the fundamentals.

There is nothing sadder than watching a practice in which 11 kids are standing around while one kid swings and misses -- and misses, and misses, and misses -- at pitches. It is the surest way to extinguish any interest a kid may have in this beautiful game.

The most effective practices I've seen incorporate multiple stations with preferably two coaches or volunteers at each station.

So, with that in mind, here is what I have planned for our first practice:

Practice Plan

5 minutes: Running (jogging, backward jogging, high-knee skipping, high-knee jogging)

5 minutes: Stretching (standard leg, arm and back stretches)

Note: I realize these youngsters roll out of bed loose and ready to roll, but stretching is a good habit I think they should develop.

10 minutes: Throwing and catching (this needs to be tightly controlled -- we need to avoid having the kids "chucking and chasing." It's counter-productive, so if necessary, let's have coaches throw and catch with the kids who need more help. Meanwhile, we probably have a few kids who can throw and catch consistently. Let's pair those up.)

45 minutes: Stations, 15 minutes each

• Hitting: Soft toss, cage work (Dave, Bill)
  
• Outfield: Thrown fly balls (Amy, Tab)
  
• Infield: Fielding grounders and throwing to first base (James, Walt)
  

10 minutes: Baserunning (running through first base; legging out a double; scoring from second; finish off with a home run, sliding into home)

That's 75 minutes. As the season progresses we can adjust to 90 minutes.

This should be a relatively fast-paced practice that minimizes standing around.

On the hitting drill, we need to focus on:

• Making sure their stance is correct;
• Their grip (door-knocking knuckles) is correct and loose;
• That they are "coiling" (shifting the weight back and then forward) and stepping toward the pitcher;
• Making short, quick swings using their hands, wrists and forearms;
• Following through.

Note: I have a hitting stick and a "quick stick" -- long, skinny bat that is used to hit golf ball-sized wiffle balls. It is great for improving bat speed. So batters not in the cage can practice at soft toss, hitting stick or quick stick.

The outfield drill will enable us to really focus on catching and throwing -- and I know several of the boys really need some instruction in this area.

• On catching fly balls, we really want to get them moving quickly to the spot where the ball will land, watching the ball into the glove, catching it above the head, using two hands and moving slightly forward as you make the catch.
• On throwing, we need to make sure they are using the four-seam grip, keeping their elbows above their shoulders and stepping toward the target for a strong, accurate throw.

For the infield drills, we will focus on:

• Creating a wide base with their feet;
• Keeping their butt down (not just bending at the waist);
• Keeping their hands out front;
• Watching the ball into the glove.

I want to keep the same basic structure on the practices for the first couple of weeks, but we'll mix it up with some fun drills -- I've got some really good ones that the boys should have a blast with.

As we make progress, we'll incorporate situational fielding, where we field a team, incorporate baserunners and have a coach bat the ball in play.

And, eventually, we'll schedule scrimmages with Huber's team.

Thanks,
James