T-BALL BLAST COACH S NOTEBOOK. YOUR COMPLETE T-BALL COACHING GUIDE. baseball lessons and skills tips

Transcription

1 COACH S NOTEBOOK 2011

2 Copyright 2011 KMS Productions LLC All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, or the facilitation thereof, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher. Any members of educational institutions wishing to photocopy part or all of the work for classroom use, or publishers who would like to obtain permission to include the work in an anthology, should send their inquiries to: KMS Productions LLC th St NE, # 1106 Atlanta, GA Produced in the United States of America

3 table of contents GETTING STARTED PRACTICE GAMES contact information (players & parents) 4 schedule 5 coaching guide 6 coaching tips 8 equipment 9 o coaches 9 o players 10 o at the plate 11 practice 1 12 practice 2 19 practice 3 26 practice 4 32 practice 5 38 practice 6 45 batting practice 48 homework 52 game day guide 53 games sheets 54

4 CONTACT INFORMATION PLAYER PARENT PHONE

5 SCHEDULE Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

6 SCHEDULE Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

7 COACHING GUIDE get more out of your season We have a coaching staff with over 10 years of youth baseball coaching experience, which has allowed us to put together this step-by-step coaching package. By following our guide, you will save time, be more organized and your players will learn more and have fun while they are doing it. Coaches Whether you are the only dedicated coach or you have an assistant, the best advice we can give is to recruit as much help as you can. Ask parents to volunteer for one or two practices, trust us it will make a big difference. Our drill write-ups were written with this in mind. A quick glance at the drill sheet and any parent will instantly turn into a knowledgeable coach. Equipment Buying Guide Our equipment buying guides are a detailed list of everything you need for the season. While we do not indorse specific companies, we have given you a product and a price you should expect to pay for a new quality item. To reduce your expenses look for used equipment or borrow it from previous coaches. Drills Using our coaching experience, we have selected the best drills from basic fundamentals to advanced t-ball skill sets. Each drill has a video instruction demonstrating coaches in action, players in action and a simple breakdown of the coaching points for the drill. Preplanned Practices By following our preplanned practices you will be able to focus on the important parts of coaching: teaching young players how to play the game the right way. Each practice consists of a practice overview and drill sheets. The practice overview allows you to quickly see which drills you will be coaching, the order and time for each drill, necessary equipment and the number of coaches needed. The drill sheets are a simple outline of each drill. These were written with the parent helper in mind. Give a parent the drill sheet and let them help you out by participating in practice, not just watching from the fence. Game Day Our game day routine has everything you need to run a stress-free game. We have included pregame warm-up, game sheets to track batting order and positions and postgame ceremonies to include passing out the game ball. Let our experience work for you

8 COACHING TIPS tricks of the trade Tee Ball coaches often forget the point of t-ball. Most coaches get lost in trying to develop a great seasons and forget that the attitudes and work ethics instilled in young kids may impact them the rest of their life. You are not just a coach; you re a role model. Players often look up to you, pick up your attitude and model your behavior. Many kids loose the desire to play baseball simply because one coach did a poor job of coaching. T-Ball should be fun for you and the players. Coaching T-Ball isn t easy for every coach. The T-BALL BLAST coaching guide, practice schedules, drills and game day routine will relieve your stress and help you maintain a good attitude throughout the season. Here are some tips to get you started.

9 EQUIPMENT Finding the right T-Ball equipment for coaching can be hard. The following is a list of all the equipment you will need for practices and games in your T-BALL BLAST T-Ball season. Look for used equipment in good condition to reduce cost. EQUIPMENT FOR THE T-BALL COACH

10 Finding the right T-Ball equipment for your child can be hard. There are so many choices these days; and how much equipment does a child this young need? The T-BALL BLAST coaching staff put together this simple guide to make getting the right equipment for your young baseball player easier for you. Choosing the right equipment can make a big difference in how well your child performs and enjoys his time playing the game. We have taken into account the speed at which your child grows, how many seasons you will get out of each piece of equipment and most importantly what is best for your child. Your child will out-grow most of the equipment before it wears out. Look for used equipment in good condition to reduce cost. Gloves: $20 Size and Quality are the two main factors to consider when selecting a glove. Expect to get 2 seasons out of a T-Ball glove. Size: Make sure the glove fits now! When the glove fits it is easier to control and the better your child will play and feel. Do not opt for a glove that can be grown into. Ages 4-6 should use a 9.0 to 9.5 inch glove. Quality: Don t opt for the toy gloves, which are often made of plastic. These gloves don t break in like the leather gloves and children don t have the hand strength to open and close the gloves during catches. The glove should remain open when it s put down! Apply Linseed oil or glove oil to preserve the leather and help break the glove in. Ages 4-6 years old: inch leather glove that fits now Bats: $30 Look at size and material when buying bats. You will get at least two seasons out of your T-Ball bat. Materials: Aluminum! Wooden bats are too heavy for children this young. Size: Size is broken down into length and weight. Length - 24 to 26 inches is the appropriate length. Weight - the lighter the better; A bigger bat (heaver and longer) will be difficult to swing and will force bad batting habits. You should be able to find one in the oz range. Ages 4-6 years old: the lightest inch aluminum bat you can find Cleats: $20 Cleats are recommended for practice and games even at this age. Choose a pair in your price range. Expect to replace these every year. Ages 4-6 years old: cleats that fit your child s foot EQUIPMENT FOR THE YARD Batting Tee: $15 Get a regulation batting tee. A tee is essential for teaching fundamental batting skills. A regulation tee will last longer and is fully adjustable. This is a one-time purchase. Ages 4-6 years old: a regulation T-Ball batting tee Toilet Plunger: $2 Purchase the cheapest bathroom plunger you can find. This will be used in conjunction with the tee and a basketball for the T-BALL BLAST fundamental batting drill: The Follow Through. Ages 4-6 years old: the cheapest toilet plunger you can find Basketball: $10 Purchase a cheap basketball for the T-BALL BLAST fundamental batting drill: The Follow Through. Any basketball will do. Ages 4-6 years old: a basketball; if buying, get the cheapest one you can find

11 AT THE PLATE Batting Basics: Grip, Stance & Position Purpose: Proper batting basics Location: Home Plate Equipment: Stance & Plate Position Feet shoulder width apart off the plate Back foot on back corner of plate Both feet squared to the plate Bat properly sized for the batter Grip: Hands together dominate hand on top Hands at butt of bat Knuckles aligned door knocking knuckles form a straight line Bat Position: At back shoulder Slightly away from body Pointed straight up Coaching Points: Grip, Stance & Position o Check prior to each swing

12 Coaches 3-4 PRACTICE 1 basic fielding & throwing Duration 50 min Equipment Tee Balls Tennis Balls Cones Target Tape Learning the Bases 5 min ALL PLAYERS Basic Base Running 10 min Learning the Positions 5 min SPLIT TEAM INTO 3 GROUPS rotate groups through each drill Throwing 10 min Grounders 10 min Catching With A Glove 10min

13 LEARNING THE BASES Players run to base coach calls out 5 MIN All Players Purpose: Teach players the bases Location: Infield: on the base path Equipment Bases Setup: Coaches: 1-2 Players: all Position players on pitcher s mound Player In Action: Run from pitcher s mound to base - coach calls out base Run back to pitcher s mound Coaching Points: Touch the base o Make sure each player actually steps on the base Split into smaller groups if necessary Coach In Action: Walk the bases identifying each Call out a base for players to run to Make players return to pitcher s mound after each base Repeat until you have gone through all bases at least once

14 BASIC BASE RUNNING Players run to first base 10 MIN All Players, 4 cycles Purpose: Base running fundamentals Location: Infield: on the base path Equipment Setup: Bases Coaches: 1-2 Players: all o Lined up behind home plate Player In Action: Run from home plate through first base o Go signals player to start running Coach In Action: Release the players one at a time Go o Encourage runner all the way to the base Coaching Points: Run through the bag o Player runs to the base and all the way to the grass (5 past base) Touch the base o Make sure each player actually steps on the base Runner should turn right and circle back to base

15 LEARNING THE POSITIONS Players run to position coach calls out 5 MIN All Players Purpose: Teach players the positions Location: Ball Field Equipment Setup: Ball Field Coaches: 1-2 Players: all Group players on pitcher s mound Player In Action: Run from pitcher s mound to position - coach calls out position Run back to pitcher s mound Coaching Points: Split into smaller groups if necessary Coach In Action: Walk the positions identifying each Call out a position for players to run to Make players return to pitcher s mound after each position Repeat until you have gone through all positions at least once

16 THROWING Players throw balls at target on fence 10 MIN 5 Players, 3 cycles Purpose: Improve throwing accuracy &distance by developing throwing fundamentals Location: Tall fence: Players throw balls into fence Equipment: Setup: Tee Balls as many tennis balls you can hold Glove proper sized glove for player Cones (5)- use as a position marker for players Target- colored tape Coaches: 1-2 Players: 5 Place cones in a line 8 feet apart Line players on the cones throwing into the fence Coach set up behind the players Place target on fence for each player Player In Action: Point shoulders at the target o Straight line between both shoulders & target Throwing Elbow at least as high as shoulder Grip ball across horseshoe (seams on the ball) o Use as many fingers as needed Ball is pointed backward Step - front foot toward target Throw and release looking at target Coach In Action: Walk behind the players during drill o Check and correct improper techniques Have as many players throwing as you can observe Coaching Points: Work at each kids skill level o Some players will not be able to hit the target Always give positive encouragement

17 GROUNDERS Roll a tee-ball on the ground to the players 10 MIN 5 Players, 3 cycles Purpose: Basic fielding fundamentals Location: Anywhere: line players up in open area Equipment Glove proper size leather glove Setup: Cone (5) use as position markers for players Tennis Balls as many as you can hold Tee Balls as many as you can hold Coaches: 1-2 Players: 5 Place cones in a line 6 feet apart Position a player at each cone Coach set up feet in front of players Coach In Action: Start in front on the 1 st player Roll tennis balls to the player o Correct improper technique Roll 5 balls to each player then go through the cycle again Player In Action: Players should move into proper position to catch the ball o Feet spread shoulder width apart o Glove down - Tip of the glove on the ground o Butt down squat to get body in front of ball o Catch the ball between their feet o Alligator mouth use throwing hand to trap ball in glove Catch the ball Throw the ball back to coach Coaching Points: Work at each kids skill level o Determines how hard you can throw the ball Start out using tennis balls o Helps players overcome fear of getting hit with the ball Use tee balls when players are ready Always use positive encouragement/reinforcement

18 CATCHING WITH A GLOVE Toss tennis balls to players to catch with glove 10 MIN 5 players, 3 cycles Purpose: Develop glove positioning & catching fundamentals Location: Outfield Equipment Glove proper size leather glove Cones (5) use as a position marker for the players Tennis Balls as many tennis balls you can Setup: hold Coaches: 1-2 Players: 5 Place your cone 6 feet apart on the foul line Align the players on the cones, toward the field. Coach In Action: Underhand toss ball to players o Throw the balls high, low and to the sides o Tell the player where to expect the ball o Throw several balls to each player before moving to the next Player In Action: Players should move the glove to the ball o Above the belly button - fingers up o Below the belly button - Fingers down o Glove side of their body - Thumb up o Throwing side - Thumb down Catch the ball with 2 hands Alligator Mouth o Player may not be able to use both hands for balls thrown to the side o Start out throwing to the player s glove side Coaching Points: Work at each kids skill level o Determines how hard and how far away from the body you can throw the ball Stay close enough to be accurate with your throws Encourage players even if they don t catch the ball in the air

19 GAME: GAME 1 INNING: 1 P12 P11 1 P10 P9 P13 P5 P4 P8 P6 P3 P6 P2 P1 BATTING ORDER 1 Player 1 (P1) 2 Player 2 (P2) 3 Player 3 (P3) 4 Player 4 (P4) 5 Player 5 (P5) 6 Player 6 (P6) 7 Player 7 (P7) 8 Player 8 (P8) 9 Player 9 (P9) 10 Player 10 (P10) 11 Player 11 (P11) 12 Player 12 (P12) 13 Player 13 (P13) NOTES:

20 GAME: GAME 1 INNING: 2 P5 P4 P6 P3 P7 P11 P10 P1 P12 P9 P13 P8 P2 BATTING ORDER 1 Player 1 (P1) 2 Player 2 (P2) 3 Player 3 (P3) 4 Player 4 (P4) 5 Player 5 (P5) 6 Player 6 (P6) 7 Player 7 (P7) 8 Player 8 (P8) 9 Player 9 (P9) 10 Player 10 (P10) 11 Player 11 (P11) 12 Player 12 (P12) 13 Player 13 (P13) NOTES: