My son's league needed a 6th manager due to a big boost in enrollment (a good thing....they have changed management and the new regime GETS it)....
Yesterday at a baseball clinic, they asked me if I would take the team. Last year I assistant coached both of my sons teams, but I have never been the head guy. I'm just wrapping up my inaugural season as a 5th grade basketball head coach, so I am fine with the leadership role, but have never done it for baseball.
I'm feeling a tiny bit overwhelmed when it comes to getting these kids ready. I feel like basketball is SOOOOO much easier in comparison.
What are the most important drills I should be doing at each and every practice? What are the other most important things I need to keep in mind?
Here are my own personal bullet points for the first couple practices
- Identify at least 3 kids who can pitch
- Identify at least 2 kids who can catch
- Run the typical ground ball drills, fly ball drills....determine infield vs. outfield positions (although very important for me that kids rotate)...
- Hitting drills....get them learning how to be patient
- Baserunning with a focus on sliding at home (failure to slide on a close play is, I believe, an auto out this year)
What else would you guys suggest I really hit early on in practices, and what should I add as we go?
As an aside, I may very well be doing practices on a basketball court....at least some drills....until the thaw and dry.
Yesterday at a baseball clinic, they asked me if I would take the team. Last year I assistant coached both of my sons teams, but I have never been the head guy. I'm just wrapping up my inaugural season as a 5th grade basketball head coach, so I am fine with the leadership role, but have never done it for baseball.
I'm feeling a tiny bit overwhelmed when it comes to getting these kids ready. I feel like basketball is SOOOOO much easier in comparison.
What are the most important drills I should be doing at each and every practice? What are the other most important things I need to keep in mind?
Here are my own personal bullet points for the first couple practices
- Identify at least 3 kids who can pitch
- Identify at least 2 kids who can catch
- Run the typical ground ball drills, fly ball drills....determine infield vs. outfield positions (although very important for me that kids rotate)...
- Hitting drills....get them learning how to be patient
- Baserunning with a focus on sliding at home (failure to slide on a close play is, I believe, an auto out this year)
What else would you guys suggest I really hit early on in practices, and what should I add as we go?
As an aside, I may very well be doing practices on a basketball court....at least some drills....until the thaw and dry.