Facilitator Guide Context: Competition Development Module: Hitting
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Facilitator Guide Hitting Topic: Introduction Time: 15 min Intent Introduce yourself and reflect on your experiences in the program. Review the structure of the NCCP program briefly and where the Intermediate Hitting Module fits in as far as the Coaching Pathway model. Then open with an exercise to introduce coaches to one another and to create a comfortable atmosphere. Emphasize that the processes of facilitation are to help guide the participants in a direction of self learning while understanding the processes of critical thinking in an adult learning atmosphere. Relay that the workshop has been developed to have participants be active. Expected Outcomes Coaches will Be able to analyze hitters to identify areas to be improved considering the Inside- Out theory presented Be able to recommend drills to improve identified areas Be able to execute the drills and provide a hitter with a quality hitting practice situation Contents 1. Introduction Facilitator and Coaches 2. Program Purpose and Process 3. Outcomes & Evaluation Criteria
Facilitator Guide Hitting INTRODUCTION Section & Time Facilitator s Notes & Key Points Resources Section and Time Facilitator s Notes and Key Points Resources Needed Introduction 5 minutes Welcome coaches; introduce program, facilitator and coaches Program ID Large Group Discussion Background of coaches and confirm context appropriate material Presentation 5 minutes Provincial Coach Outcomes, Evaluation Refer the Coaches to their Workbook, review the Module and the listed outcomes PowerPoint slides #2, #3, #4, #5 Wrap-up Questions and answers Needed
Facilitator Guide Hitting Section 1 Time: 35 minutes Intent Coach participants should be organized into small groups in order to work together and to better process the information presented. Demonstration, discussion, analysis, and synthesis are accomplished better in a small group setting. Coach participants are expected to participate in the exercises and drills to maximize the experiential process. Expected Outcomes Isolating Areas of the Swing Mechanics Understanding the stages of skill development: Initiation Acquisition Consolidation Refinement Using knowledge of swing mechanics to identify area(s) needing work
Section 1 Section and Time Facilitator s Notes and Key Points Resources Needed Review Module 1 Review of Hitting Objectives Coaches need to be aware of their orientation and to speak a similar language when discussing hitting ideas. 1. A strong, athletic base 2. Rear foot pivots and pushes against a firm, closed front side 3. Power position - hands 90 o to the barrel of the bat at contact 4. Focus up-the-middle Workbook page 1 Points 1, 2, 3, 4 Review Large Group Have the group generate ideas about their experiences and the usefulness of drills in hitting Facilitator records responses White board and pens PowerPoint slide #8 In small groups, have coaches describe and discuss the stages of skill development: Initiation Acquisition Consolidation Refinement Wrap Up 5 minutes Questions Ask: What experience(s) do coaches have with either inappropriate agelevel drills or instruction (either too advanced or too simple).
Facilitator Guide Hitting Section 2 Time: 90 minutes Intent Coach participants should be organized into small groups in order to work together and to better process the information presented. Demonstration, discussion, analysis, and synthesis are accomplished better in a small group setting. Coach participants are expected to participate in the exercises and drills to maximize the experiential process. Expected Outcomes Coach participants able to set up drills as presented Using knowledge of swing mechanics to identify area(s) needing work Coach participants linking drills to identified area(s) Coach participants able to demonstrate and perform drills properly Coach participants are able to perform proper swing mechanics
Section 2 Tee Drills Section and Time Facilitator s Notes and Key Points Resources Needed Tee Drills Basic Set up to hit the ball through the middle of the field or to a target. Tee is placed in line with front foot after stride Coach participants should work together in small groups assisting each other in the set-up of the Tee Drill. Each coach has a different stance and location in the batter s box. The tee should be placed in the appropriate spot. B = Coach assisting player Rotate roles amongst group members Workbook page 4 Target Tee Drill 15 minutes Target Tee Drill is designed to train the hitter to stay inside the ball and use the middle of the field with minimal supervision. It is a self-trainer. Have coach participants observe, check and provide feedback to each other on number of consecutive hits to target. Coaches are to ensure hitters remain in place in the batter s box and make adjustments to swing mechanics. B = Coach assisting player Rotate roles amongst group members Workbook page 4 Video clip #1
Target and Tee Drill with Wide Stance In same small groups, coaches will perform Tee Drills with a wide stance. Emphasis is on turn the rear foot and using the legs to hit. B = Coach assisting player Rotate roles amongst group members Workbook pages 5, 6 Video clip #2 Fence Drill with Wide Stance In same small groups, coaches will perform Fence Drill. Emphasis is on turn the rear foot and pulling the hands downward and inside so as not to hit the fence. B = Coach assisting player Rotate roles amongst group members It is important that all coach participants become proficient with the swing mechanics. Thus, the facilitator should assist coaches and observers to teach each coach participant a quality swing. Workbook page 7 Video clips #9, #10, #11 High-Low Tee Drill In same small groups, coaches will perform the High/Low Tee Drill. Emphasis is on turning the rear foot, swinging on downward plane and hitting the ball through the middle (to the target). B = Coach assisting player Rotate roles amongst group members It is important that all coach participants become proficient with the swing mechanics. Thus, the Workbook page 11 PowerPoint slide #10
facilitator should assist coaches and observers to teach each coach participant a quality swing. Stop Drill on Tee 15 minutes In the same small groups, coaches will set up and perform the Stop Drill. The drill most often used to emphasize positive hip and shoulder action is the "STOP" drill. We do this initially with the batting tee, and then with a toss. It is easiest to accomplish from the wide stance position. The hitter will stop the stroke (stop the bat) at the point of contact. B = Coach assisting player Rotate roles amongst group members Workbook page 14 Video clip #12 One-handed Tee Drill 15 minutes In the same small groups, coaches will set up and perform the One-handed Tee Drills. Emphasis is on shortness of stroke in the initial approach Practicing with one hand at a time, pulling the bat in a downward direction through the hitting zone B = Coach assisting player Rotate roles amongst group members Workbook page 13 Video clips #5, #6, #7, #8 Wrap up Tee Drills 5 minutes Ask coaches for any feedback about the drills and the work done to this point. Ask coaches how they feel about teaching and/or using the drills. Ask coaches about their own development and swing mechanics.
Facilitator Guide Hitting Section 3 Time: 60 minutes Intent Coach participants should be organized into small groups in order to work together and to better process the information presented. Demonstration, discussion, analysis, and synthesis are accomplished better in a small group setting. Coach participants are expected to participate in the exercises and drills to maximize the experiential process. Expected Outcomes Coach participants able to set up drills as presented Using knowledge of swing mechanics to identify area(s) needing work Coach participants linking drills to identified area(s) Coach participants able to demonstrate and perform drills properly Coach participants are able to perform proper swing mechanics
Section 4 Toss Drills Section and Time Facilitator s Notes and Key Points Resources Needed Toss Drills Minimal Effort More Effort 15 minutes Basic Set up to hit the ball through the middle of the field or to the screen in front of the tosser. Coach participants should work together in small groups assisting each other in the set-up of the Toss Drill. Each coach must learn to toss correctly. B = Coach tossing player Workbook pages 16, 17, 18 Video clip #13, #14 Stop Toss Drill 15 minutes In the same small groups, coaches will set up and perform the Stop Toss Drill. The hitter will stop the swing, the stroke (stop the bat) at the point of contact. It is sometimes called a Check swing Drill. The hitter becomes more familiar with the drill; he starts to utilize the hips and the back shoulder in the stroke and application of power. Have coach participants observe, check and provide feedback to each other on the quality of toss and make adjustments to swing mechanics. B = Coach tossing player Workbook page 19 Video clip #15 In same small groups, coaches will perform Inside Toss Drill. Emphasis is on turn the rear foot and using the legs to Workbook page 20
Inside Toss Drill hit. The hands will take a downward, inside path to the pitch. Have coach participants observe, check and provide feedback to each other on the quality of toss and make adjustments to swing mechanics. B = Coach tossing player PowerPoint slide #16 Outside Toss Drill In same small groups, coaches will perform Outside Toss Drill. Emphasis is on letting the ball travel deeper to the hitting zone and on the hands taking a downward path to the pitch. Have coach participants observe, check and provide feedback to each other on the quality of toss and make adjustments to swing mechanics. B = Coach tossing player Workbook page 21 Video clips #16