Using Games in Practice to Develop Baseball Sense. Tom O Connell International Sports Group EBCA Convention 2013

Transcription

1 Using Games in Practice to Develop Baseball Sense Tom O Connell International Sports Group EBCA Convention 2013

2 Criticisms Europeans don t play enough games Europeans don t get enough at bats Europeans don t see good pitching Europeans just don t understand the game Europeans don t have enough experience Etc., etc., etc.

3 Traditional Practice Doesn t Address the Criticisms What is traditional practice? Teaching of a basic or advanced skill Repeated practice of this skill through one or more drills BP Also, some physical training

4 Why tradition method doesn t address the problem? Overemphasis on technical skills.at the expense of decision-making skills Overemphasis on direct instruction; too much command style teaching Mindless drills out of context of the game; these skills are hard to apply to game skills Example: BP 20 swings/5 swings Risk of Boredom

5 AN ALTERNATIVE There is a different way to teach the game one that allows players to learn the game through game-like practices that create realistic and enjoyable learning activities and address the criticisms That is the Games Approach

6 The Games Approach This method of practice allows players to become effective performers by letting them practice under conditions as similar as possible to the environment in which new learning will be applied. Game speed Game conditions

7 The Games Approach Is Athlete centered Gives ownership for improvement to the player Is Holistic Gives players decision making experience!

8 How to Use Games Approach Three elements SHAPING FOCUSING ENHANCING

9 How can a coach practice? SHAPE Change rules Change # of players Change size of the field Modify the goal of the game and scoring Modify the equipment In other words: Redesign the Game!

10 How can a coach Explaining Stop Play and correct Question Use Freeze Replay FOCUS play?

11 How can a coach play? Enhance Present Challenges Handicap the drill helps keep results competitive Narrow the area Speed up

12 How to Make GA Work for You Begin practice with a game Redesign drills to make them more game-like Try freeze replays and let the players come up with the answers Design drills to help players grasp tactical principles

13 Some Sample Games Running Games Cat and Mouse Take Three Read and Run Double Steal Challenge

14 Cat and Mouse A line of runners at 1B Pitchers on the mound Catchers behind the plate Infielder at 2B P throws to C; runner must go on one of the first 3 pitches, or Any ball in the dirt

15 Take Three Line of runners at 2B P on mound; c behind the plate IF at 2B & 3B Again, run on one of 1 st three pitches; Ball in dirt has to be outside the circle

16 Read and Run Line of runners at first (2 lines) C behind plate; IF at 2B Coach or volunteer throws pitches to catcher from 10 m. Scoring: 1 point for block; 2 pts. for a throw out. Runners get two pts. for steal. No sliding

17 Double Steal Coach whatever methods you use for double steal or 1-3 defense. Defense vs. offense Award more points for defensive plays

18 Hitting Games Long Tee Long Pepper Through the Line

19 Long Tee Need hitters paired; each one has a tee Each tee hitter has a partner with glove Tees 50m apart Use cones to define an area Players hit to the other tee Forces concentration and keeping hands in Devise your own point system.

20 Long Pepper OF are straight away; 60m from home plate (these are the targets) Each batter receives 25 pts. to use in BP. Scoring can vary, but criteria should be to reward hard ground balls and line drives and penalize pop ups and flies. Award points for fair and foul balls. Hard grounder 1 pt., chopper 3 pts,

21 Through the Line Divide team into three groups One group between 1 st and 2 nd ; another group between 2 nd and 3 rd ; third group at bat Use coach pitch or soft toss Fly balls 0 points (***) Ground balls 0 pts. unless they get between fielders or are mishandled(1 pt.) Line drives 2 pts. coach must determine beforehand what constitutes a line drive; no hump backs Teaches focus and hitting the top of the ball

22 Team Games 21 Outs The Bunt Game Move Up Situations Over the Line Combat Scrimmage

23 21 Outs 9 players in field Rest of players bat Change players occasionally No walks, no steals Pitchers can only throw fast ball/changeup Clear bases after 3 outs Use stop watch; time for 21 outs No bunting

24 Bunt Game Divide team in half 4 infielders, catcher, pitcher on one team Other team bats No strikeouts, no walks, no steals Pitchers must throw fast balls Infielders must stay on dirt until ball hits home plate

25 Move Up Great fun game; everyone plays every position Coach pitch or use machine 7 fielders; switch catchers occassionally All gloves not being used in pile on foul ground beyond first base The remaining players are hitters When player makes an out, runs to get his glove and goes to RF. RF moves to CF; CF moves to LF; LF moves to 3B, etc. 1B goes to hit. Players remain on hitting team until they make out or commit a base running mistake. Any error by a fielder sentence the fielder to RF. Players have to hustle

26 Situations 9 players in field adjust to # at training. Coach hits, remaining players run bases. Clear bases after 3 outs. Play as many innings as necessary. Coach determines what needs to be worked on and sets up defensive & offensive situations. ALTERNATIVE: Combat Scrimmage

27 Over the Line