• Recently I was preparing for another season of coaching, and I wanted to find some additional ideas for new drills and how to improve the players. So, I decided to grab this book for a quick read. (Unfortunately my coaching opportunity was a bit squandered, but it was still a good read.)
  • “Keep it simple; make it fun” Kids don’t object to frequent practices if you make it fun.
  • Start the mental part of the game early
  • Bat speed makes a good hitter… not the size of the bat
  • Full count… typically you don’t swing
  • Play the ball, don’t let it play you
  • Look the ball into your glove
  • Cover the ball in your glove with your bare hand
  • On every hit ball, cover the ball or a base
  • When practicing individually … hit hit hit. Team practices don’t give enough time for hitting.
  • Always keep kids active when practicing
  • When slumping, review the three components in order – Legs, head, timing
    • Ready – Chin on shoulder, shoulders are level, fingers are loose, knees bent slowly, weight starts to shift to rear foot
    • Aim – Eyes on ball, knees turn inward,
    • Fire – Eyes watch ball hit bat, weight shifts to front foot, torso turns with bat
  • Step toward the picture (Nixon!)
  • Push off with rear foot when hitting
  • It’s okay to fear the ball. Normal for kids. Human reflexes should let them avoid it.
  • Pitching
    • Pick the big kids
    • Extend and raise the throwing arm… Long arming is key
    • Do the flamingo – Pivot leg up
  • Fielding
    • Alligator arms
    • Dive drills are fun
  • Baserunning
    • Eyes always on first base
  • Always make it fun – e.g. playing catch (10 points)
    • one point for each throw to the chest
    • two points to the head… who can win