COACHES GUIDE Castr Valley Girls Sftball League Authr: CVGSL Bard, Current and Past Caches
INTRODUCTION WELCOME! Thank yu fr vlunteering and cmmitting yurself t the yung wmen f the Castr Valley Girls Sftball League. CVGSL Inc. is dedicated t the develpment f maturity and the achievement f success thrugh a prgram f actin fr the yuth f Castr Valley and the surrunding areas. This gal will be attained by recruitment and training f qualified adults at the cmmunity level. The building f character and mlding f persnality transcends the acquisitin f athletic skills r the winning f the games. The primary cncern f CVGSL is t help prepare tday's yuth fr active leadership rles as the citizens f tmrrw. One f the paramunt gals f CVGSL is t cntribute psitively t the quality f life f the yuth in the prgram. T achieve this, the attitudes and cnduct f everyne invlved must be exemplary. This includes psitive attitudes and practices f integrity, lyalty and sprtsmanship. It als includes prhibitins against such things as prfanity, use f tbacc and drinking f alchlic beverages n the playing field r while acting in any fficial capacity in the presence f the yuth. Any spectatr, cach r manager drinking alchlic beverages r engaging in abusive language r cnduct will be ejected frm the premises by the umpire r by any authrized Bard member. In additin, the umpire may penalize a team whse spectatrs are abusive tward an umpire. 1
Where d Yu Start? What can yu reasnably expect t teach yur players? Start with the fundamentals and build frm there. And dn t underestimate them! Yu will be amazed at what these kids can learn! Basics: By the end f the seasn, we wuld expect that all yur players wuld have learned sme basic fundamentals. The fllwing skills are a gd starting pint: The ability t thrw the ball prperly. The ability t field and catch the ball prperly; (a thrwn ball, grunders and fly balls). The ability t hit the ball using prper mechanics. A basic understanding f the rules. Psitins: Yu cannt reasnably expect t teach all yur players all psitins. If yu attempt t let all players play every psitin, they will nt learn any psitin. Each player shuld be taught 2 r 3 psitins. Place them in psitins where they have a chance t succeed. Fr example, a player with gd catching skills is a gd candidate t play 1B; a player with a gd arm might play SS r 3B. At least 1 f these psitins shuld be infield psitin and strive t play each player in the infield at least ne inning in every game. Yu shuld develp apprximately 3 pitchers, s that thse pitchers get enugh repetitins t becme reasnably effective. (This is imprtant t maximize everyne s enjyment f the game). Sprtsmanship: Abve all, teach yur kids sprtsmanship: Teach yur kids t cheer fr and t supprt their team mates. Teach yur kids never t cheer against the ther team. Negative cheers that mck, humiliate, r attempt t distract the players n the ppsing team are nt what CVGSL is abut, (and will nt be tlerated). 2
Hw? S hw can yu teach them these things? Be Patient with them, they may nt get it the first time. Cnsistency they will learn best if yu and yur assistants keep teaching the skills in a cnsistent manner. Reverse Chaining is a technique that wrks well when teaching new techniques r reinfrcing thse skills they are develping. Basically break dwn the end result int a few steps that can be dne in sequences at different cadences. Repetitin, repetitin, repetitin! Organize yur practices s that every player gets lts f repetitins and everyne is kept busy. Have a plan, fr every practice and every game. And abve all, Psitive Reinfrcement! Shw them the right way, tell them what they are ding right; nt what they are ding wrng. It is much mre effective! Hw t use this bk: This bk is designed fr all ages and skill levels. Skills presented in this manual are divided int 3 Levels f experience: Level 1: Basic Fundamentals: This is prbably the mst imprtant, because if yur players can t d the mst fundamental skills cnsistently and with cnfidence, then they are nt ging t be able t mve t smething mre challenging. These skills and drills are labeled Level 1 r just L1 in this bk. Make sure yur players can perfrm these skills befre yu attempt t teach them anything else. Mike Candrea, frmer cach f the US Natinal Team says, Yu can t win at this game if yu can t play catch. Level 2: Intermediate Skills: Once players have built a sund fundatin in the fundamentals, then they are ready t develp further. Thse skills and drills labeled Level 2 r L2 are sme things t try next with yur kids, but nt until they are ready. Level 3: Advanced Skills: There are a few skills, but nt many labeled Level 3 r L3. These are skills yu prbably shuldn t attempt with yur players unless yu 3
are caching a truly mre advanced team. This bk was nt intended t cver advanced skills, s there are nt many here. 4
Defense Rule 1: G fr every ball. Rule 2: When the ball is just ut f reach, see Rule 1. DEFENSIVE SKILLS: READY POSITION Basic Ready Psitin (Level 1) Player assumes ready psitin as the pitcher starts her wind-up, (Every pitch). Player assumes an athletic psitin: Sme flex r bend in the knees and at the waist Squared up t Hme Plate. Hands ut frnt abut waist high Palms facing in, (thumbs f bth hands t the sky). Frm this psitin, a player nly needs t: Turn her glve a quarter turn t fingers up t catch a ball abve the waist, r Turn her glve a quarter turn t fingers dwn t catch a ball belw the waist r a grund ball. Mre Intermediate Ready Psitin (Level 2) Ready psitin is as abve, but the player walks int this psitin r creeps int this psitin. As the pitcher is in her wind-up, the player takes a cuple f shrt, steps in and then a very small hp, (Right, Left, Hp) * ending up in the psitin described abve. This gets the player mving frward and n the balls f her feet in a psitin t mve quickly in any directin. Cach yur players t time this s their ending little hp is timed with the ball entering the strike zne. They need t be mving n every pitch. Mre Advanced Ready Psitin (Level 3) Mre advanced players will vary the abve based n psitin. Infielders will bend at the knees and waist t get lw mre than utfielders. Crner infielders (1st & 3rd) will get even lwer than middle infielders. Als, in advanced play the crner infielders are already pretty far in tward hme, s, they will nt creep in further t a ready psitin, but rather will get light n their feet in place as they adpt ready psitin. I infield Outfield * Assumes right handed player 5
Drills: 1.0 Mirrr: Tw lines f players facing each ther 6 ft. apart. Get int Infield ready psitin while cach crrects ne line, the Mirrr crrects their wn psitin n what they see. Hld fr 10-15 secnds. Repeat and nw cach crrects ther line and the mirrr crrects their wn psitin. Hld fr 10-15 secnds. Repeat this quick drill a few times. 1.1 Shadw: Same cncept nw the players are nw facing the same directin but in shrter lines. 12 player team, 3 rws f 4 abut 10-12 feet between rws. On Caches whistle r G players walk int ready psitin. Hld 10-15 secnds r enugh time fr cach t crrect. Repeat as necessary 3-4 reps. Right handed players Right ft left ft Left handed players Left ft right ft Defensive Skills: Receiving a Ball Receiving a Thrwn Ball Basic Mechanics (L1): Player starts in a ready psitin (see preceding sectin). The arms are extended slightly tward the thrwer with the elbws slightly bent. As the ball cmes, the glve psitin is adjusted t the directin f the thrw. Thumbs t Thumbs bth glve hand and thrwing hand Fingers dwn fr lw thrws. Fingers pint t the ball As she catches the ball, she shuld flex her arms t lessen the impact, ( sft hands ). The bare hand secures the ball in the glve. Find the seams and cver the C seams. Receiving a Ball (L2): Once players are reasnably cmfrtable with the abve, cach yur players t mve t the ball. On a thrw right t them, step frward tward the ball, dn t wait fr it. On thrws ff t the side, cach players t mve t get in frnt f it and catch it in frnt f their bdy. They can start the ftwrk f transitining t a thrw while they are catching it; start t step frward planting the thrwing side ft ut at 45 degrees t begin turning the hips and shulders t a thrwing psitin. 6
Pints f Emphasis: Fr beginners f all ages, the biggest bstacle t prper technique is fear f the ball. Remember that fear f the ball is nt a lack f curage but a lack f cnfidence. Cnfidence can nly cme frm experience. Repetitin, repetitin, repetitin! (But encurage them t use prper mechanics every time). A cmmn mistake is fr players t catch the ball ff t the side. Emphasize that players shuld get in frnt f the ball every time. Anther cmmn mistake is incrrect glve psitin. This is nt nly less effective, but can als increase chance f injury. Encurage players t use prper glve psitin every time. (See Tracking drill). Drills: 1. Tracking r Quadrants - t teach prper glve psitin (L1) Cach stands directly in frnt f player, hlding a ball. Cach mves the ball t a variety f psitins, high, lw, left, right Player mves glve t prper psitin as if t catch the ball where the cach is hlding it, and wherever the cach mves it. 2. Playing Catch with a Cach - t reinfrce prper mechanics while the player is learning. (L1) T get players t use prper glve psitins and t get in frnt f the ball, break the players up int as many grups as yu have caches. Have each cach stand in frnt f each player in line at a shrt distance. Tss the ball easily t the player at a variety f heights and psitins. Encurage the player t mve t the ball and use the crrect glve psitin. The use f a shrt distance is designed t get past the natural fear f the ball in an inexperienced player. Mve back t a greater distance as the player gains cnfidence. 3. Simply Have yur Players Play Catch (All Levels) Shuld be dne at every practice when warming up arms. Yu can t win at this game if yu can t play catch. 4. Fur Crners Thrwing 60 ft. (L2) Divide the team as equally at each base. It des nt matter what psitin they play. Start the ball hme plate thrwing t 3rd base, cunter clckwise. Player at third base thrws t 2 nd, t 1 st, t hme. Each player at the base will catch and thrw the ball accurately 7
t the next bag. The player then rtates t the back f the line f the same base. The gal here is t have great ftwrk, quickness and accuracy. Once yu make it thrugh all fur bags withut a drpped r verthrwn ball, then.. REVERSE Directins Clckwise which adds the glve side turn. When catching the ball n the glve side, the player turns the same directin as their glve hand (quarter spin) t maximize the thrws efficiency. This adds a level f fcus t all players. Thse wh are waiting in line MUST keep an eye n the ball at all times as t prtect themselves frm ver thrwn r missed balls. NOTE: If a ball gets verthrwn r missed. Have cach with extra balls thrw the ball int play vs. having players chase the ball. This speeds up the drill tremendusly. 5. Rapid Fire (L3) Divide team int tw single file lines facing each ther abut 30 feet apart. Player at frnt f each line will thrw t the first player f the ther line as fast as she pssibly can with gd technique, fcusing n grip, ball transfer and quick release, fllwing the thrw rtating t the ppsite line at the end. Player receiving the ball in athletic psitin, stepping t the ball, replacing the feet as quickly as pssible. Gal is t g thrugh entire rtatin nce withut a drp r miss thrwn ball. As the players advance with this drill yu can add side arm thrw rtatin and ppsite ft thrws. NOTE: If a ball gets verthrwn r missed. Have cach with extra balls thrw the ball int play vs. having players chase the ball. This speeds up the drill tremendusly. 8
Defensive Skills: Thrwing The Grip: 4-Seam Mst imprtant aspect f being an accurate, gd thrwer. Girls hands are smaller, thrwing a much bigger ball than a baseball. Having cntrl f the ball and creating velcity cmes frm the grip. 4-Seam, player hlds the ball and lcates the C n the ball. Cvering the tp f the C with the fur finger tips (cmfrtably spread) and the thumb wrapped underneath n the ppsite seam. If yu turn the ball the thumb and index finger frm a backwards C. IMPORTANT NOTE: DO NOT have the ball cupped int the palm f the hand. There shuld be a gap in between the ball and the palm. As the player s hands grw they can start remving the pinky finger frm the grip r even bth ring and pinky. Less fingers, less frictin = mre velcity. 9
Thrwing: Prgressin Yu must create resistance in a thrw t create velcity. - Austin Wasserman 1. Arm (scapula) lad - 1-2-3: Players facing each ther 15 apart start in a ne knee psitin facing target with glve hand at chest. (thrwing leg up, glve leg kneeling) squared up facing frward, ball behind head, elbw up and pinted t side (1) reach elbw back feeling stretch in armpit (2) Ball hand rtates ball away frm target release keeping elbw up (3) Tuck glve t glve side shulder, thrw hand fllw thrw t ppsite hip, thrw side shulder cming thrugh target. 2. Facing Frward Duble Thrw Infinity Mtin: Players facing each ther 20 apart start in athletic psitin facing target with hands tgether at chest full separatin and arm lad and release withut hesitatin twice (first time n release) Trque trunk and cre. use legs but n stepping Tuck glve t glve side shulder, thrw hand fllw thrugh t ppsite hip, thrw side shulder cming thrugh target. 3. Scarecrw Sideways Full Thrw: Players facing each ther 25 apart Scarecrw, scapulae laded, sideways, athletic psitin same as 4 with slide step Fllw thrugh with back side leg past frnt side leg. Tuck glve t glve side shulder, thrw hand fllw thrugh t ppsite hip, thrw side shulder cming thrugh target. Back leg cmes frward landing past frnt side leg. 4. Backwards Full Thrw: Players facing each ther 40 apart Squared up with back facing target, hands at chest Step back ne step with thrwing side ft, ging int scarecrw and lading scapula s. Versin 2 take multiple shrt chp steps. lk and reach with glve hand (behind) fr target and thrw Fllw thrugh with back side leg past frnt side leg. Tuck glve t glve side shulder, thrw hand fllw thrugh t ppsite hip, thrw side shulder cming thrugh target. Back leg cmes frward landing past frnt side leg 5. Nrmal Thrw: Players facing each ther 45 apart start with hands at chest, facing frward at target include stepping int thrw with thrwing side ft Tuck glve t glve side shulder, thrw hand fllw thrugh t ppsite hip, thrw side shulder cming thrugh target. Back leg cmes frward landing past frnt side leg 10
6. Crw Hp: Players facing each ther 60 apart Start 3-4 feet befre yu launching pint. Start yur step prgressin Rt. Handed players. Rt. Lt. Lt. Handed Players, Lt. Rt. On the third step, player tries t create as much lateral distance/mmentum twards target. Driving ff glve hand ft, thrw hand ft big step frward, clsing hips. Landing n thrw hand ft, lw thrw pulling dwn n the seams. Fllw thrw! back leg thrugh the target, thrwing hand t ppsite hip. Hips shuld be clsed, with back hip facing target. 7. Lng Tss Players full mtin start at 70 apart and n each rund f thrw, takes 3 steps back. Players start crrecting the angle f their release pint t prvide maximum distance t the strength f their arms. Pulling dwn n the seams is smething that shuld be reinfrced with these thrws. 5-10 reps. NOTE: It des nt matter if the ball bunces 1-3 times t get there if its in-line with the target. Sticking with the lng tss is the best way t strengthen player s arms. And in a shrt perid, yu will see the difference in pwer, accuracy and cnfidence. ***N time fr full prgressin - Quick warmup 2,3,5 nly*** Drills Thrwing t Net r back stp: (L1) Divide team int tw grups - Players lined up at 3 rd and 2 nd base. All players have a ball in glve. Set targets ball buckets r nets at 1 st and hme. 1 Player get in third and secnd psitins in ready psitin as if they had just fielded a ball. On caches whistle the players thrw trying t hit target. NOTE: players after release fllw thrw with at least tw steps twards target. Once player has thrwn and taken steps hustle t back f line and nt disrupting the drill. Next player shuld be in psitin when the thrw is released. Rtate lines after a few reps. This is a fast drill. Have ne cach at each line crrecting AFTER the thrw is cmpleted. One cach r manager running drill with whistle r n his/her g. 11
Crw hp frm Outfield: (L2) Same cncept f drill abve. Have buckets f balls at the end f each line. Tw lines in Centerfield abut 10-12 feet apart. Target at hme plate. Net r stacked buckets n third base side f plate. Starting psitin Ball in glve, fielded n utside f glve side ft. Caches whistle, players simulate cming ut f fielded ball and take crwhp technique t hit target. Fast drill, nce the player has cmpleted the thrw, next player in line shuld be in ready psitin. VARIATIONS Placing Targets at cut-ff psitins r at 2 nd and 3 rd bases. Mve t left and right fields. Evlutin: replacing targets with players. Thrwing Relay: Fcus n prper mechanics and Game Speed (L2) Players are divided int 2 grups. Players in each grup are placed in a straight line with players 20-30 ft. apart. The grups f players must be in parallel lines with players equally spaced. The player at ne end f each line starts with the ball, and n the cach s signal, thrws t the next player in line. Each player in line catches the ball and then thrws t the next player in line, fcusing n prper psitining t receive the ball and then turning quickly int a prper thrwing psitin. When the ball reaches the player at the end f the line, she thrws back t the player she received it frm t start the ball back dwn the line. The first team t successfully thrw the ball dwn the line and back wins. 12 Sidearm Thrw (L3) Often a mre advanced player will use a sidearm mtin when fielding a slwly hit infield grund ball where there is insufficient time t cme upright t thrw. The player fields the grund ball n the run. Then withut rising, swings the arm int an L psitin. Pulls the glve side shulder back ut f the way, turning the shulders fr the thrw. Nte: this is nt truly a sidearm thrw, as the relatinship f the arm and shulder is maintained almst as if it were verhand; upper bdy is just bent frward. Nte: With the turning f the shulders, the player is nt thrwing acrss the bdy. Tips n Teaching:
Break the thrwing mtin int its cmpnent parts and wrk n 1 cmpnent at a time with beginners. Wrk backwards. start the girls in the bdy sideways / arm in the L psitin, and have them step and thrw. Lastly wrk n getting t the abve psitin Encurage players t d it right every time. Mst caches have the girls start practice by playing catch t warm up their arms. This is fine, but make sure they are using prper thrwing (& catching) technique. Start with shrter thrws and then gradually mve back t greater distances t develp strength. Defensive Skills: Fielding Fielding a Ball - Basic Skills L1: (Assumes right-handed player) The fllwing techniques assume that the ball is hit in the directin f the player fielding r clse enugh that the player can get in frnt f the ball easily. 1. Apprach t the ball First get in frnt f the ball whenever pssible. Get int psitin t field the ball inside the line f feet whenever pssible, slightly ff-center f the bdy t the glve side. Always field balls mving frward, ( charge the ball) Gradually get lw when appraching the ball, (like an airplane cming int land) 2. Field the ball: As the ball appraches, Square-up t the ball using Right-Left-Field ftwrk, with the glve side ft slightly frward. Get lw. Bend at the knees, Butt dwn, Head up (D nt bend at the waist) Hands ut in frnt f tes. The pint where the ball is fielded and the 2 feet shuld frm an ffset triangle. (Off set slightly t the glve side) The glve side arm shuld maintain a slight bend at the elbw t absrb the ball. Back f glve, (nt tip) is n the grund. Bare hand is abve the glve. ( Alligatr hands ) Watch the ball all the way in t the glve. (Persn standing in frnt shuld see the tp f the player s head). 13
3. Transitin t Thrw: After securing the ball, step with thrwing side ft n a line t the target, but with the ft angled ut at 45 degrees, (starts the hips t turn t thrw). As the arm swings up int a thrwing psitin, the hips and shulders turn s that the glve side shulder pints tward the target. Step tward the target with the glve side ft and thrw, (fr mre detail, see Thrwing a Ball sectin. Fr a right hander, the entire ftwrk is: Right Left Field Right Left Thrw. 14 Fielding a Ball Intermediate Skills - L2: 1. Apprach t the ball (Add t the abve) Rund the ball. That is, instead f appraching the ball directly, bend yur apprach ut slightly away frm yur target, s that. Yu field the ball mving mre in the directin f yur target, facilitating the transitin t thrw. 2. Field the ball: (Add t the abve) As the ball appraches, pick yur hp: Shrt Hp (just as it cmes ff the grund) r Lng Hp, (near it s highest pint) When fielding n the shrt hp, field mving the glve frward int the ball. When fielding n the lng hp, absrb the ball with yur hands int yur bdy as yu secure it. 3. Transitin t Thrw: Variatins n ftwrk, fr balls hit t the player s left r right. The fllwing assumes right handed player, transitining t thrw t 1st, (2B) and 2nd r 1st (SS, 3B). (Obviusly, there are ther variatins fr thrws t ther bases). Fr balls hit t the player s left: Use the replace the feet technique. Pivt t the left and take a crss ver step with the right ft, and run t the ball. Get in frnt f it if pssible and square up n it, and field nrmally. Stretch ut t field nly if necessary. After securing the ball, take a quick shuffle step where the Right ft hps t the place the left ft just was as the left ft begins t stride tward the target, thus replacing the feet With this ftwrk, turn the hips and shulders in line with the target and thrw. 14
Fr balls hit t the player s right: Use the plant & thrw technique Pivt t the right and take a crss ver step with the left ft, and run t the ball. Get in frnt f it if pssible and square up n it, and field nrmally. (Backhand plays discussed later) After securing the ball, just plant the right ft t stp yur mmentum, turn yur hips and shulders in line with the target, step with the left tward the target and thrw. Take special precautin t pull dwn with the glve side shulder as yu thrw, as there is a tendency t thrw high as the mmentum is taking yu away frm the target. Fielding a Ball - Advanced Skills L3: Backhand Plays (Assumes right-handed player) Cach yur players t attempt t field a ball with a backhand mtin nly if there is n ther chice. If pssible they shuld always get in frnt f the ball. The fllwing assumes the ball is hit sufficiently t the player s right, that a backhand attempt is the nly ptin. 1. 1. Apprach t the ball Take a crss ver step with the left ft and angle back tward the utfield grass. As yu apprach the ball, get as lw as pssible. 2. Field the ball: As the ball appraches, field the ball with the glve ut in frnt, backhand, with fingers dwn. The glve side arm shuld maintain a slight bend at the elbw t absrb the ball. 3. Transitin t Thrw: Yu can t always cntrl whether yu will need t field the ball ff yur left r right ft. 15 If yu field it ff yur left ft, step thrugh right ft, plant and thrw. Take special precautin t pull dwn with the glve side shulder as yu thrw, as there will be a tendency t thrw high. If yu field it ff yur right ft, simply plant and thrw. Again, take special precautin t pull dwn with the glve side shulder as yu thrw, as there will be a tendency t thrw high. D r Die Plays (Assumes right-handed player) On a slwly hit ball, yur player may nt always have t the time t stp and set themselves t make the thrw. The fllwing technique is nly fr that situatin. 1. Apprach t the ball
16 Apprach the ball n the run Get as lw as pssible. 2. Field the ball: As yu apprach the ball simply attempt t field the ball ff the glve side ft withut stpping. The glve side arm shuld maintain a slight bend at the elbw t absrb the ball. 3. Transitin t Thrw: As yu secure the ball, swing the arm int nrmal L thrwing mtin, but withut cming up. T clear a path fr the thrw, pull back n yur glve side shulder t pen the shulders as yu thrw. Tips n Teaching: As with catching a thrwn ball, the biggest bstacle t players using prper technique is fear f the ball. Break the whle actin f fielding a ball int cmpnent parts and practice thse until the player gets cmfrtable. Start by picking up statinary balls using prper mechanics and then mve t sftly rlled balls. Encurage players t fcus n prper mechanics in an envirnment where they dn t need t be afraid f a sharply hit ball. Repetitin, repetitin, repetitin! The nly way players will becme skilled at this is by ding it. Practice f this skill shuld be part f every practice and pregame warm up. Pints f Emphasis: The clear majrity f grund balls that are missed are because the balls went under the glve r ff the fingertips f the glve. Encurage yur players t get lw and get the back f the glve dirty. The next mst cmmn prblem area is players attempting t field the ball ff t the side r by their ft. Encurage yur players t square up t the ball and catch it ut frnt and in the center f their bdy. Anther cmmn prblem is players bend at the waist instead f bending the knees and getting their hips dwn and head up. Als, make sure that the bare hand is abve the glve with the palm up facing the ncming ball. If the hand is palm-dwn, then the fingers are in a psitin vulnerable t getting jammed. The bare hand is there t prtect the face n bad hps as much as it is t trap the ball in the glve. Back-hand attempts and fre-hand attempts shuld nly be if the player cannt get in frnt f the ball.
Drills: 1. Sft Hands (T develp sft hands) L1 Partners stand abut 6-8 ft. apart withut glves Partners rll the ball back and frth underhanded. They field the ball with bare hands in prper psitin, and gather the ball int their belly. The hips are dwn and the arms create a triangle. 2. Rllers (T fcus n mechanics) All Levels Cach has a bucket f balls t the 3rd base side f the mund, and anther empty bucket at 1st base. A line f players will be at shrtstp, and a player at 1st base. The cach just rlls a ball t the 1st player at shrtstp, wh fields the ball and thrws t 1st, using prper mechanics. The player at 1st catches the ball and just puts the ball in her bucket. The cach can vary the path and speed f the ball in a vary cntrlled way and get thrugh many reps with the players very quickly. 3. Crss-Fire (Develp skills in a game-like situatin) All Levels Players are in 2 lines, 1 at shrtstp and the ther at 2nd base psitin. One cach is between hme and 1st, (utside the ful line), and anther cach is between 3rd and hme. The caches hit grund balls t the players ppsite them, 3 balls t each player in turn. The player fields the ball and thrws it back t the cach. (A Player can be used as a receiver t catch the ball, and wuld be psitined near (ut frnt) f the cach. After each player cmpletes her turn, she mves t the back f the ther line. Variatin: A game can be made f this, by having the caches hit the grund balls at precisely the same time. The players field the ball and get the ball back t the persn receiving the ball as quickly as pssible, cmpeting t see which player can get the ball fielded and back in first, (scring 1 pt fr their team each time they succeed in beating the ther team). 17
Defensive Skills: Fielding Fly Balls & Pp-Ups Fielding a Fly Ball Basic Skills L1: (Assumes right-handed player) 18 Mve t the ball. First step shuld be back (drp step) t the side f the expected ball flight. As the player takes the drp step, hips shuld als turn. Players shuld run t the ball. Get in frnt f it. Then put yur glve up. Players shuld catch the ball at nse r eye level lking ver the tp f the glve t track the ball. Ball is caught in fingers-up psitin (whenever pssible), abut head high, in frnt f the bdy. Tw hands t the ball. Transitin t thrw using left right- left Crw Hp (see Thrwing a ball sectin). Fielding a Fly Ball Intermediate t Advanced Skills L2-3: Mre advanced players will learn t mve under the ball intentinally taking a psitin 2-3 steps in back f where they intend t catch it, then. Catch the ball mving frward at the last instant, and transitining int their thrwing psitin all in ne mtin. Tips n Teaching: Only cnfidence gained thrugh practice will eliminate natural fear f the ball. Start easy with shrt sft tssed flies. Gradually increase distance as players develp cnfidence. Again, repetitin, repetitin, repetitin! Cnfidence in the ability t catch a fly nly cmes with experience. The ability t judge a ball s flight nly cmes with experience. Pints f Emphasis: Inexperienced players ften run t the ball with the glve extended. They can t run as fast that way and shuld be cached t run t the spt and then put their glve up. Emphasize prper glve psitin. New players ften try t catch all balls with a basket catch. Emphasize a fingers up glve psitin.
Drills: 1. Drp Step (Fcus n that initial drp step) L1-2 Player stands facing cach abut 3-4 ft. away. Cach pints left r right and player immediately drp steps and starts running in that directin angling away frm the cach. The cach tsses a ball in that directin, and the player runs under it and catches it, thrws the ball back t the cach and returns t the end f the line. As the players get prficient at this, gradually increase the distance players must run t the ball. Train yur players t be able t run fr the ball at tp speed. 2. Wide Receiver (Fcus n finding and tracking the ball) L1-2 Each player has a ball and frms a line with the cach at the head f the line. The 1st player hands her ball t the cach and starts running away frm the cach. The cach calls left r right and at the same time tsses a ball in that directin. The player finds the ball, tracks it, runs under it and catches. Player keeps that ball and returns t line. 19
Basic Defensive Psitin Respnsibilities There are three types f baseball players: thse wh make it happen, thse wh watch it happen, and thse wh wnder what happens. - Tmmy Lasrda Nte: The respnsibilities utlined belw are very basic. Obviusly there many pssible game situatins that wuld require variatins f these, and they can t all be cvered here. But teach yur players, that there are n spectatrs. everyne has smewhere t g n every play. Cach them t think f their respnsibilities in a sequence f Ball, Base, Backup. Their first respnsibility is always field the ball; if nt hit t them, d they need t cver a base? Lastly if neither f thse, then where d they need t back up? Infielders: 1st Base Primary respnsibility is t field any balls hit in her directin. In bunt situatins, her respnsibility is t charge the bunt. If the ball is nt hit t her, and it is nt a bunt, she immediately mves t cver 1st base (every time) 2nd Base Primary respnsibility is t field any balls hit in her directin If a ball is hit t the left side f the field the player mves t cver 2nd base. If the ball is hit tward the 1st baseman, the player mves t cver 1st base r t back up the 1st baseman. In bunt situatins, her respnsibility is t cver 1st If the ball is hit t right field, the player mves t a psitin t act as a cut-ff and receive a thrw frm the utfielder. 3rd Base Primary respnsibility is t field any balls hit in her directin In bunt situatins, her respnsibility is t charge the bunt. If ball is nt hit t her, she immediately mves t cver 3rd base (every time) Shrt-Stp Primary respnsibility is t field any balls hit in her directin 20
Outfielders: 21 If a ball is hit t the right side f the field the player mves t cver 2nd base. If the ball is hit tward the 3rd baseman, the player mves t cver 3rd base r t back up the 3rd baseman. On steals f 3rd r 2nd, the Shrtstp cvers either 3rd r 2nd. On bunt situatins, the shrtstp cvers 3rd if there is a runner n 2nd base. She cvers 2nd in all ther situatins. If the ball is hit t left r center field, the player mves t a psitin t act as a cut-ff and receive a thrw frm the utfielder Left Field Primary respnsibility is t field any balls hit in her directin Backup balls hit t SS r 3rd base. Backup balls hit t the Center fielder. Backup pickff thrws frm the Catcher t 3rd base. If nne f the abve, mve t backup thrws t 2nd base r 3rd base, (anticipating where there will mst likely be a play). Center Field Primary respnsibility is t field any balls hit in her directin Backup balls hit t the Left r Right fielder. Backup the shrtstp n steals t 2nd base. If nne f the abve, mve t backup thrws t 2nd base, (anticipating where there will mst likely be a play). Right Field Primary respnsibility is t field any balls hit in her directin Backup balls hit t 1st base. Backup balls hit t the Center fielder. Backup pickff thrws frm the Catcher t 1st base. Backup thrws t 1st base. Backup thrws t 2nd base n singles t Left. Pitchers & Catchers: Pitcher Primary respnsibility is t pitch. Field balls hit back t her r dribbled in frnt f hme plate Field bunts if back t her. Must keep 1 ft in the circle in a cach-pitch situatin.
Catcher Primary respnsibility is t catch. Field shrt balls dribbled in frnt f the plate. Field bunts if right in frnt f the plate. Tips n Teaching: The respnsibilities at shrtstp r 2nd base can be verwhelming. Simplify by telling the player that they basically mve in the directin the ball is hit every time. Pints f Emphasis: Emphasize t all players that everyne has sme place t g n every play. N spectatrs! Drills: 1. Situatins Depending n hw many players yu have at practice, psitin players at mst r all psitins. Have 2 r 3 players act as runners and psitin thse players near hme plate, but ff t the side. Have the pitcher pitch the ball t the catcher. (This is a timing mechanism fr bth runners and fielders) The cach is standing near hme and hits anther ball, in the air r n the grund anywhere n the field, and simultaneusly a runner leaves hme fr 1st base. The defensive players in the field try t get the runner ut. Yu are simulating a game, s everything shuld be at game speed. Yu can set up any game situatin. 0, 1, r 2 uts; runners n any bases, etc. If yu have enugh caches, have a cach at 1st and 3rd t cach the runners as well. Yu are practicing bth defense and base running. 22
Hitting I think withut questin the hardest single thing t d in sprt is t hit a baseball - Ted Williams Key Elements: 1. The Grip: Hands tgether n the bat Grip the bat n the pads at the base f the fingers Line up middle rw f knuckles (dr kncking) n tp hand with the midpint between 2 rws f big knuckles f bttm hand. (Index fingers shuld be pinting in the same directin frward. Firm and relaxed (nt t tight) Wrists are flexible. 2. Stepping up t the Plate Check yur distance frm the plate Hld bat at the knb with the bttm hand Reach ut with the bat and tuch the far side f the plate 3. 3. The Bx A bx frmed by player s chest, triceps, frearm and bat simulate a bx. The bx will be referred t numerus times. The bx must be maintained until cntact. The lead arm shuld maintain elbw abve hand, hand abve barrel f the bat thrughut swing. 4. Lading: Lading just means that the player gets dynamic muscular tensin in the legs and cre muscles f the abdmen by getting int an athletic stance. sme bend in the knees and at the waist ( vertical lad ). Frm stance, bdy mves in fur directins (nrth, suth, east, west) i.e. stride, bx back abut three inches, trs tilted at waist and butt back) Negative Mve: Bx lads straight back weight shifts slightly back t inside f back leg fr pwer at stride. Stride ft may r may nt mve frward. Stride shuld be less than six inches; Tilt at waist. Weight shuld be n the balls f feet and evenly distributed; Butt back. Butt back will put player in athletic stance and lad up quads. 23
Level eyes; Player shuld lad n EVERY pitch. Swing Cmpnents (PCR): 1. Psture Knees inside f feet; Weight equally distributed n the balls f each ft; Tilted at waist; Butt back; Large muscles f the legs and cre with dynamic muscular tensin ( vertical lad ); Bx maintained in prper psitin. 2. Cnnectin Start with a slight negative mve away frm the pitcher; Weight shifts (slightly) t inside f back leg as arms (bx) mve slightly back. The stride r te tap is a slight frward mvement, returning the weight t a balanced psitin. Start turn by pushing ff inner te f back ft. Knee f back leg & back hip will mve t middle f stance. While turning, frnt leg will becme firm immediately befre cntact; Weight shifted t inside f frnt leg right befre cntact while remaining n balance. Turn trs int ball s that barrel rtates in same plane as bdy cre; The bx must stay tgether until released thrugh cntact t keep barrel cnnected t rtatin. Frnt elbw is slightly lwer than frnt shulder, hands belw elbw, barrel belw hands at cntact. 3. Rtatin Using dynamic tensin built in large muscle grups f legs and trs, cre is turned int and thrugh the pitch. The bdy rtates n the inside f the frnt leg. After cntact, keep pwerful rtatin with full finish (tp hand may cme ff the bat after cntact) and finishing at frnt shulder as bat finishes high abve back. Frnt ft shuld remain smewhere between a fully clsed psitin (perpendicular t the pitcher) r slightly pen (never mre than 45 degrees). 25 Hitting (Cnt d) 24
Tips n Teaching: Basic Skills - L1 The mst essential cncept is that the swing itself is a rtatinal mve. With new r yung players, get them in the crrect psture at stance and just teach them t turn int the swing. Yu might stay away frm the negative mve and stride aspects until they have learned t swing rtatinally and in balance. Thrugh the swing, the head shuld stay statinary. The tee drills are essential t teaching this swing (at all ages). Intermediate Skills L2 After a player gets cmfrtable with the basic rtatinal swing and can swing cnsistently in balance, then add the negative mve and stride aspects f the verall swing. These mves are essential timing mechanisms that will becme imprtant as the player advances t mre cmpetitive levels. Hwever, there is a certain linear mtin with these parts which can thrw a new player ff track. The Negative Mve and Stride are slightly linear, but as sn as the stride ft lands any linear mtin stps against a firm frnt side and the swing itself is purely rtatinal. Advanced Skills L3 At mre advanced levels, a player can use the swing described here and hit the ball with pwer anywhere. The utside pitch is driven t right as the cntact pint is mre tward the back f the plate, a pitch dwn the middle is driven up the center, and an inside pitch is driven t left, as the cntact pint is mre in frnt f the plate. All Levels: Dn t rush t sn t hitting ff live pitching r even a machine. Hitting frm a tee is invaluable t getting these swing mechanics driven int muscle memry. Then mve t sft tss r whiffle balls, etc. Wrk yur way up t hitting a pitched ball. Kids will lse their mechanics as sn as they see a pitched ball if the mechanics have nt been drilled in. Repetitin, repetitin, repetitin will be needed fr muscle memry. Pints f Emphasis: The mst cmmn mistake new and yung players make is drpping their hands as they begin the swing. Stressing keeping the bx intact helps vercme this tendency. 25 cmmn mistake 2; is mving t far frward during a stride and getting the weight shifted ut t far ver the frnt ft at, and even befre cntact. This lses all pwer. Therefre, it is
26 critical that a stride is nly a stride t a balanced psitin against a firm frnt side, and the swing is rtatinal. cmmn mistake 3; is ver r under tilting at the waist. The barrel shuld be belw the bx upn cntact. Anther cmmn mistake is rising ut f their vertical lad r tilt. The player must maintain a tilt at the waist thrughut the swing rtatin. cmmn mistake 4; is the hands pushing frward ut f the bx befre cntact. The player must maintain the bx thrugh cntact. The frearm and bat shuld be parallel t the shulders upn cntact. cmmn mistake 5; is the backside cllapsing r weight n the back ft and heels. Push ff inner big te f back ft at the beginning f rtatin. Drills: 3. Hit Stick L1 Using T, lad with hit stick behind neck and hit whiffle ff Tee. Tee shuld be placed at the middle f batter s stance. Using T, lad with hit stick acrss chest and hit whiffle ff Tee. Tee shuld be placed at frnt ft f lad. This is a great starting pint t learn the rtatinal cncept. Key is t tilt, rtate trs int ball with frnt knee straightening immediately befre stick cntacts whiffle. Helps with shulder plane and learning t turn cre. 2. One Handed Drills: L1-2 Whiffle Bat Using Tee, swing with nly bttm hand n the bat, rest tp hand n tp f wrist, maintaining bx t cntact and finishing high. Use whiffle balls and a net. T- Ball Bat Using Tee, swing with nly bttm hand n the bat, rest tp hand n tp f wrist, maintaining bx t cntact and finishing high. (T-Ball bat shuld be n mre than 16 17 z.) Yu can als d this drill with whiffle balls and a sft tss methd hitting int a net. Bth bats create a sense f hw the player is really hitting the ball, especially with the shrt bat. T-ball bat strengthens arm. Helps with maintaining the bx and turning with bx tgether while striking the ball. 3. Psture and Swing Plane Recgnitin L1-2 Lad, Tilt & Turn using tape strips n wall fr crrect psture and swing plane.
First Tape Mark = Tilt Secnd Tape Mark = Tricep t Frearm; Als, signifies target pint 3. Third Tape Mark = Swing plane r barrel at cntact Tape strips may be placed n wall. Als, may use bungi crds n nets r fence duguts, etc. Repetitin, repetitin, repetitin! 4. Chair Drills: L1-2 Using a Tee - Sit n chair (r bucket) with bat n shulder, rise int laded psitin and hit whiffle. Sft Tss - Same as abve, but with whiffle being tssed frm a 45-degree angle. Key is t keep in tilted psitin with butt back t lad majr muscles fr frceful turn. 27 Hitting (Cnt d) 5. Stp Swing w/ Tee: L1-2 Using Tee Hlding bat with bx psitin, turn bat and cre int ball and stp as quickly as pssible fllwing cntact. Assess bx- barrel relatinship, weight shift nt frnt ft immediately befre cntact. 6. Lng Tee Drill w/ Tee: L2-3 Use a tee and real sftballs f apprpriate size t age grup. D nt use a net. Have players use prper mechanics and just drive the ball ut int pen space, (use ther players as shaggers. Fcus n driving line drives with backspin. Reinfrces swinging level and n plane. 4. Walk int Swing: L3 Again, use a tee and real sftballs, with r withut a net. Have the player take a stance apprx. 1 stride tward the catcher side f where they wuld nrmally line up t the tee. (Fr a right hander), have the player slide their right ft against their left, and then stride with their left and swing. (this may take a time r 2 t get lined up right). This drill reinfrces a prper weight transfer while remaining balanced. 27
Bunting Nte: Bunting is a Level 2 skill Bunting is a next lgical prgressin fr players wh have learned hw t hit. Bunting Intermediate Skill L2 The fllwing describes the basics f a sacrifice bunt, the mst basic f several frms f bunting skills. Stance: The player first takes her nrmal batting stance., but mre t the frnt f the bx. Frm that stance, as the pitcher begins her mtin, the player turns int a bunting stance. There are 2 basic bunting stances: The player can mve bth feet s as t turn mstly square tward the pitcher, r The player can simply pivt bth feet s that they pint generally in the directin f the 2nd baseman (right hander) r in the directin f the shrtstp, (left hander). In either case, the player cruches slightly, with hips and shulders turned generally tward the pitcher and leans smewhat frward. Eyes are just ver the tp f the bat The player slides her tp hand part way up the bat and hlds the bat ut in frnt f her, (tward the pitcher), elbws slightly bent. The bat is held at an angle thrughut the bunt with the barrel held slightly higher at the tp f the strike zne/chest. The tp hand shuld be placed at abut the place n the bat where the bat changes dimensin. The fingers f the tp hand shuld nt wrap arund the bat, but rather curl 28
back t nly be hlding the bat n the side away frm the ball. Bunt: As the ball appraches, the player psitins the bat t let the ball hit the bat and drp t the grund ut frnt. (The player shuld nt make a mtin t hit the ball with the bat. mving it int the ball). The actin is like catching the ball with the bat. The player shuld start with the bat at the tp f the strike zne, and nly adjust dwn fr pitches. Adjusting t the height f the pitch is dne entirely with the knees, t lwer the bdy in ne piece, withut dipping r changing the angle f the bat. The gal is t deaden the ball s that des nt rll t far. Nte: The lgic f a sacrifice bunt is nt t necessarily attempt t deceive r surprise the ther team, s the player squares arund early t be already in psitin when the pitch cmes. Drag Bunting Advanced Skill L3 Unlike the Sacrifice bunt, the drag bunt is intended t surprise the ppnent and t catch them ff guard and ut f psitin. The sacrifice is designed t mve a runner; the drag bunt is an attempt by the batter t reach base. Drag bunting is dne frm the left side. Stance: The player first takes her nrmal batting stance, and in her custmary psitin in the bx. Frm that stance, as the pitcher begins her mtin, the player turns t drag bunt the ball. Als unlike the sacrifice bunt, when drag bunting, the player waits as lng as pssible befre initiating the actin. 29
There are 2 variatins f ftwrk t get int psitin t drag bunt. Either is acceptable. The player can use whichever wrks best fr her. The player can merely turn t place her left ft in the frnt crner f the batter s bx. The player can, 1st drp the right ft back slightly, and then make a crss ver step with the left ft. In either case, the gal is t have the left ft land at abut the instant she is making cntact with the ball, in a starting t run mtin. Bunt: The bat as held much as it is in a sacrifice hand slides up the barrel, the barrel f the bat is held high. Since as the player is bunting the ball, she is als mving frward, the player must make a special effrt t nt hit at the ball, but rather give with the ball t deaden it. Cach yur player t try t make cntact using the last 6 inches at the end f the bat. This will help deaden the ball. This is ne time; yu d nt want t use the sweet spt f the bat. Cach yur player t just tuch the ball with the bat t knck it n the grund, hpefully nt t far, drp the bat and take ff running all in ne mtin. Cach her nt t wait arund t see where the ball ges. Pints f Emphasis: The mst cmmn mistake players make when attempting either kind f bunt is t drp the head f the bat. This tends t result in ppping the ball up r fuling it ff. cmmn mistake 2; is hitting the ball t hard. The farther the ball ges frm hme plate, the easier it is n the defense. Just catch the ball with the bat. 30
Als, in mst cases, well executed bunts are 4-6 feet frm the plate, twards the crners. Bunting twards the pitcher is the easiest play as the ball is typically bunted t hard and the sacrifice is in jepardy as there might be a play fr the lead runner. Drills: 1. Target Bunt Draw several cncentric arcs ful line t ful line in the dirt ut frm hme plate, abut 3 ft. apart. (1st arc 3 ft. ut, 2nd arc 6 ft. ut, etc.) Then assign pint values t the space between the arcs. The 1st 3 ft. may be 1 pt., the next 3 ft. may be 3 pts, the next might be 1 pt., and beynd that is 0. Als, any ful ball is 0. Then either bunting ff a machine, r with a cach pitching, players take turns seeing hw many pints they can get say ff 10 pitches. Yu can vary this even further by dividing the arcs with 2 pie shaped cuts frm hme plate, and giving different pint values t different sectins. 31
Base Running Basic Running Mechanics: Arm Actin: Elbws are bent at 90-degrees Arms drive vigrusly frm chest dwn past hips Arms pump straight ahead, (nt acrss chest) Knees: lifted high t frm 90-degree hip angle Feet: pinted straight ahead; running n balls f the feet Bdy Lean: is frm the ankles nt frm the waist Hme t First: The player runs hard ut f the batter s bx every time she hits the ball. As she gets abut half way t 1st, she needs t pick up the 1st base cach wh will give her 1 f 3 ptins: 1. Thrugh the Bag (anytime a play at 1st is expected) Player runs as fast as she can directly t 1st staying in the running lane. Player tuches the nearest part f the range base and cntinues running fr a cuple f steps. After running past the base, the player stps quickly and listens fr instructins frm the cach, (in case there is pprtunity t advance). 2. Rund the Bag (ball is in play, n play at 1st is expected, but it is unclear whether the player will be able t advance t 2nd) As the Player nears 1st, she swings ut slightly int ful territry. S that she can make a sharp turn (withut swinging wide) tuching the inside crner f the white base. 32
She cntinues abut 10 ft. tward first, cming t a stp in a cruched, balanced psitin ready t advance r g back and waiting fr instructin frm her cach. 3. G Tw (The pprtunity is there t g all the way t 2nd) Similar t abve, player swings ut slightly making a tight turn, tuching the inside crner f the white bag and cntinues hard tward 2nd Ging 1st t 2nd; r 2nd t 3rd: Like running t 1st, when the player is abut half way t 2nd r 3rd, she shuld lk t the 3rd base cach wh will give her ne f 3 ptins: 1. Slide (Discussed in next sectin) 2. Rund the Bag (Same as abve) 3. G Three, r G Hme Ging Hme: The nly ptin is whether r nt t slide. Player shuld slide t avid a tag r t avid a cllisin. She can listen t her 3rd base cach, but she is mstly n her wn t make that decisin. Leading Off: Players shuld place their left ft n the edge f the base facing the next base, and t the right crner f that edge. Their right ft shuld be alngside the base (fr example t the right field side at 1 st base). As the pitch is released, r as it nears hme, (depending n divisin specific rule), they shuld push ff aggressively with their left ft, using the base t push frm. Take several aggressive steps, and stp nly if the ball is nt hit, r if instructed by the cach. 33
Players shuld get in the habit f leading ff aggressively n every pitch. Tips n Teaching: Make sure yur players understand the rules cncerning when they can advance and when they cannt. Use cmmn clear cmmands frm the base caches, supprted by clear, cnsistent signals, (they may nt be able t hear yu in the pandemnium f a game. Pints f Emphasis: Emphasize fr yur players t be aggressive n the base paths. D nt assume that n a hit that they will nly advance 1 base. D nt play statin t statin. Drills: 2. Hme t First (fcus n base running mechanics, ptins at first, and cach s cmmands) Players line up at hme. A cach takes up the first base caching psitin. On the cach s cmmand t G each player in turn starts sprinting tward first. As the player gets half way t first, the cach gives ne f 3 cmmands, Thrugh the Bag, Rund the Bag r G Tw The player respnds t that cmmand using prper technique. 3. Rund the Bases Relay Players are divided int 2 equal teams, ne in a line at hme, and ne in a line at 2nd. Caches psitin themselves utside the base line, just past each base, (fr example 1 cach wuld be psitined t the utfield side and t the 2nd base side f 1st, abut 10 ft. frm the bag.) 34