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Cappy
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 Posted: 03/26/05 - 16:44 Post subject: Little League Coaching
I am making my official debut as a little league coach. Sign ups are today and this week. I am coaching my daughter's softball team. I helped out the coach last year, and he asked me if I could be the head coach this year. I was hesitant at first, due to my prevailing health issues. I talked to the coach who is also the AA president about my concerns and he was very supportive.
Kim and I were out practicing a little bit today. Tentatively we have our first practice next Saturday.
Any pointers would be great at this point.
Coach Cappy
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copteacher
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Posted: 03/26/05 - 16:50 Post subject:
set the tone right away with parents. they are going to try to coach too. Let them know that you tell the kids where to position and stuff. Otherwise you will tell the kid to cheat in and the dad/mom will tell the kid to move over and the kid will be confused. Let the parents know that the kids will get real upset. And remind them it is just fun. This is not the majors.
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Floridaboiler
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Posted: 03/26/05 - 17:15 Post subject:
From what I have seen at Jason's baseball practices encourage the dad's or mom's to help you with the drills. The more parents that can work with the kids catching and throwing the better.
Remind the parents that the kids are there to have fun and learn the basic skills. Most normal parents should know this but you ever know who you might run into.
Good Luck.
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JACKED UP
PRESIDENT
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Posted: 03/26/05 - 17:39 Post subject:
I have no clue but it sounds as difficult as running your own business. I think you will do a fantastic job though. Good Luck! 
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rolling rock
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Posted: 03/26/05 - 20:06 Post subject:
i manage a soccer team and don't know a red card from a goal kick...
i fake it 
alot of coaches really stress the play for fun philosohpy...it kinda defuses the hardcore parents before they even have a chance to go wiggedy whack on you.
no parental coaching from the sidelines or else. i'd make that kinda clear at the outset too. kids do not need mixed signals during a game; they should listen to the coach and only the coach. parents must keep their traps shut! have fun with this one. 
good luck. i think you'll make a great coach cappy!
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andydp
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Posted: 03/26/05 - 20:23 Post subject: Re: Little League Coaching
| Cappy wrote: | Any pointers would be great at this point.
Cappy |
Wear Kevlar, Flack Jacket and a cup (Preferrably in alluminum)
Aside from the parents you should have a great time
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Maddies Wench
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Posted: 03/26/05 - 20:28 Post subject:
Ummm...if you have a kid who just isn't getting it...right field. Right field is the very best place for him or her. Not that I would know..or anything.
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Cappy
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Posted: 03/26/05 - 20:33 Post subject:
| Maddie's Wench wrote: | | Ummm...if you have a kid who just isn't getting it...right field. Right field is the very best place for him or her. Not that I would know..or anything. |
My daughter already suggested a player for right field 
I have already got three spreadsheets going to track different things.
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JACKED UP
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Posted: 03/26/05 - 20:35 Post subject:
| Cappy wrote: |
My daughter already suggested a player for right field
I have already got three spreadsheets going to track different things. |
Huh??? Just 3??? 
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AlexFilides
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Posted: 03/26/05 - 21:10 Post subject:
Hmm, maybe I could offer some advice here. I've been a Little League Baseball coach for 10 years. In Little League, some leagues will only allow you to have a couple of assistant coaches during the season, so it's quite possible you wouldn't be allowed to have several coaches onto the field to help with the children's practice. It's mandatory by Little League rules that each coach must go through a background check, so therefore each coach must be registered through the league. Some L.L. presidents are quite strict regarding this policy, with the league insurance as well as liability issues. If they do allow it, all the better for the kids.
Exactly how old are the kids you'll be coaching? Practice drills will depend on the age level of course. I've seen the most improvement through baserunning and hitting. You're league may "not" permit stealing, again depending on the level.
Make sure your pitchers are practicing off the mound(maybe 10-15 minutes after practice). They only need to throw hard no more than twice a week. The other times, you'll want to coach them on their mechanics, but they should just be playing catch during the other days.
If you have some relatively new players on your team, you may want to try to sell them on left handed hitting. We experimented with this last year and turned out we had two pretty good swtich hitters by the end of the year. There is no dominant side for batting. I usually sell left-handed hitting due to the following:
1. 90% of kids are right-eyed dominant, so they'll see the ball coming in much better.
2. They are 3 steps closer to first and they don't have to worry about tripping over the plate.
3. Their momentum is carrying them towards first base on the swing.
4. 90% of pitchers are right-handed, so they'll pick up the ball easier.
5. In baseball it forces the 1st baseman to play off the bag, with a runner on first.
There are a few more reasons, I thought I would post them in case you were going to ask. 
As far as practicing, you'll probably want 3 stations, you could work on hitting, one coach could set up another station and work on sliding and the third coach could work on going back on flyballs or something to that extent. I will look to see if I can find some good online drill websites if you're interested.
I shake my head sometimes when a coach has 13 players out in the field and he'll hit a groundball to third base, he throws it 10 feet over the first basemans head, it takes him about a minute to fetch the ball etc, while the other 12 kids are waiting for their turn. You don't want to follow that example, always have the kids active.
I'm sorry, I think I went waaaay overboard here I would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about coaching, my email is listed in my profile(I think).
Last edited by AlexFilides on 03/26/05 - 21:12; edited 1 time in total
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AlexFilides
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Posted: 03/26/05 - 21:10 Post subject:
Hmm, maybe I could offer some advice here. I've been a Little League Baseball coach for 10 years. In Little League, some leagues will only allow you to have a couple of assistant coaches during the season, so it's quite possible you wouldn't be allowed to have several coaches onto the field to help with the children's practice. It's mandatory by Little League rules that each coach must go through a background check, so therefore each coach must be registered through the league. Some L.L. presidents are quite strict regarding this policy, with the league insurance as well as liability issues. If they do allow it, all the better for the kids.
Exactly how old are the kids you'll be coaching? Practice drills will depend on the age level of course. I've seen the most improvement through baserunning and hitting. You're league may "not" permit stealing, again depending on the level.
Make sure your pitchers are practicing off the mound(maybe 10-15 minutes after practice). They only need to throw hard no more than twice a week. The other times, you'll want to coach them on their mechanics, but they should just be playing catch during the other days.
If you have some relatively new players on your team, you may want to try to sell them on left handed hitting. We experimented with this last year and turned out we had two pretty good swtich hitters by the end of the year. There is no dominant side for batting. I mention to sell left handed hitting because:
1. 90% of kids are right-eyed dominant, so they'll see the ball coming in much better.
2. They are 3 steps closer to first and they don't have to worry about tripping over the plate.
3. Their momentum is carrying them towards first base on the swing.
4. 90% of pitchers are right-handed, so they'll pick up the ball easier.
5. In baseball is forces the 1st baseman to play off the bag, with a runner on first.
There are a few more reasons, I thought I would post them in case you were going to ask.
As far as practicing, you'll probably want 3 stations, you could work on hitting, one coach could set up another station and work on sliding and the third coach could work on going back on flyballs or something to that extent. I will look to see if I can find some good online drill websites if you're interested.
I shake my head sometimes when a coach has 13 players out in the field and he'll hit a groundball to third base, he throws it 10 feet over the first basemans head, it takes him about a minute to fetch the ball etc, while the other 12 kids are waiting for their turn. You don't want to follow that example, always have the kids active.
I'm sorry, I think I went waaaay overboard here I would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about coaching, my email is listed in my profile(I think).
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Floridaboiler
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Posted: 03/26/05 - 21:12 Post subject:
Dang Alex!!!
You sound organized!
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Cappy
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Posted: 03/26/05 - 21:18 Post subject:
Ages are 7-8-9 year old girls
This is a non-competitive league. Scores are kept but only for coaches use only
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AlexFilides
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Posted: 03/26/05 - 21:25 Post subject:
| Cappy wrote: | Ages are 7-8-9 year old girls
This is a non-competitive league. Scores are kept but only for coaches use only |
Fair enough, I'm assuming there is no stealing then, correct? You certainly want them to create a "fun learning environment" for them, especially at that age.
A lot of coaches will tell them not to teach them too much, they will forget it anyways, or it's just too much information they say. It absolutely crucial that they learn. I certainly wouldn't agree with these coaches. The players will model your efforts, if they see the coach putting the effort in, so will the players. It always amazed me how coaches try to tell the kids to put in their best effort, when that can't be said for some of the coaches.
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Cappy
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Posted: 06/02/05 - 20:53 Post subject: Mid-Season Update
So far we are off to a 5-0 start. Tonight, we actually recorded a 17-0 shut out. Last night we managed two 1-2-3 innings against our opponent.
So far its been a blast coaching these girls. I am very proud of every one of them.
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