Hawkeye Vince wrote:
So this is my second year coaching 5-7 year olds, here is my general thoughts on what works and what doesn't:
1. Definitely focus on the fun - baseball is not an exciting game so you have to make the fun in it. Have them run bases at the end of practice, do relay races etc. Stuff that adds fun and still teaches them important skills.
2. Scrap the game situation stuff until later in the year. if you are going to teach forceouts, do it after they learn that the primary out is always at first base. I instruct my team to throw to first on every play so they get used and know one thing. In a few weeks, I'll mix in some teaching of force outs, but it wont be stressed. I still want them throwing to first.
3. For throwing, I like to teach them to point the glove towards the player they are throwing to, get their arm in an L behind them, step towards the person and throw the ball (with the elbow high). They won't have much arm strength - the important thing is to have the direction right and the arm strength will come later.
4. For hitting, lot of schools of thought here. Teach them how to stand at the plate - I use the two foot method where the right handed batter will place his right foot at the back coner of the plate, place the left foot behind it in line and then move the right foot back shoulder width apart and choke up on the bat if necessary.
5. Fielding - You will want to teach the right ready position - glove out front and ready to catch the ball. Groundballs I teach them the alligator - watch the ball in and slam the other hand over the top of the ball and funnel to the stomach. Kids like it when you teach them in terms they understand.
6. At this age, it's about fundamentals that they will learn to use better as they get older and teaching them to have fun. if they don't like, they will never play again.
7. Last thought - if you have multiple coaches, it's better to do smaller drills with kids than having one large group. Take 4 kids and do ground balls. Have another 4 hit, rotate.....They will like the quicker pace and stay involved longer mentally.
8. Really final thought: You will have to deal with kids making sandcastles during a game. It's going to happen. Deal with it.
I think this list ought to be passed out to all tee-ball/coach pitch coaches (& parents).
@ 6, unless the kids have been really playing with their dads/uncles/or older brothers, fun is all that will matter. I've been coaching now for seven years & I still don't really get the point of 98% of 5-7 year olds playing...except to run around outside and try to have fun. Baseball is not really the point.
IMO, really good 6-7 yr. olds are already starting to play up, really good 4-5 year olds are already embarrassing the avg. 6-7's and the good 2-3 yr. olds are playing catch & hitting w/parents-siblings off to the side by themselves.
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
