North Wake County Baseball Association

Coaching

Practice PlanCome prepared with a plan (samples provided), account for every minute, utilize parents, develop assistant coaches, groups of 3-4 and rotate through multiple stations. Reps 50-50-50.

ThrowingAthletic stance. Separate–thumbs down and away (bird). Fangs away. Look across watch. Elbow above shoulder. Shuffle/box step. Tuck glove. Finish through target. Minimum reps-50.

InfieldPerfect Fielding Position. Heel to toe, spread, elbows to knees, reach, cradle, separate & pop. Glide to the ball. Be on time every time with soft hands when you get there. We are not charging bulls. Grounders without gloves (use paddles as well). Do not smash ground balls at players (creates bad habits). Create proper technique & muscle memory. Minimum reps-50 ground balls and/or fly balls.

OutfieldDrop step and determine ball flight. Work from behind the ball. Make sure that “catching with 2 hands” is not obstructing sight of ball. Do not run with glove up. Teach proper ground ball technique and proper approach to “cut-off man.” Minimum reps-50 fly balls and/or ground balls.

HittingAthletic Stance. Feet wider than shoulders. Hands in front (can be slightly above) back shoulder. Elbows in. Hands and bottom load (slight weight shift). Front foot closed. Back foot pivot. Belly button to pitcher. Eyes at contact. Hands/knobdirectly to ball (A to C). Extend. Stay balanced throughout swing.

Base RunningThrough the bag and “chop down”. Do not peel off to fence. Look right for ball. Lead off- both feet on bag with toes in the dirt. Step with left, over with right and shuffle, shuffle. Do not bounce, jump or cross feet. Dive back with right hand to left corner of bag looking toward right field. Teach proper secondary lead (shuffle, shuffle, land when pitch crosses plate). Dedicate time each practice for situational base running (picking up coaches, fly balls with less than two outs, jumps on pitchers first move, etc). Use base running as conditioning at beginning or end of practice.

PitchingEmphasize small movements. Eyes to mitt. Eyes, lead elbow, shoulder, hip and knee. Separate down, out of glove. Stride should be longer than length of pitcher’s body (minimum 5 feet). Shoulders & chest out over lead leg. Trail foot (heal) to sky. Back side replaces front side. Finish in proper fielding position.

ClosingMake it fun

Reps, reps, reps

Multiple stations-80% of practice rotating through stations in small groups. 20% team/situational (see attached samples for suggestions)

Use drills to warm up. Base running, around the horn, relay drills, run down drills, etc.

Examples of Drills/Stations

Fielding/Throwing:

Figure 8

PFP

Toss –both directions

Run down

Relay

Elimination

WR drill

Do or Die

Around the horn

Bucket of balls with runners

Hitting:

Tee

Soft Toss (one hand or both)

Front Toss

Back Toss

Fence

Golf Wiffle Balls

Dry Swings

Hit Stick

Heavy Balls