Coaches, let me know what you think about these tips: did you learn something new that you're going to implement in your practices? Or do you have another idea that really works for you? I'd love to hear from you, and I know all coaches watching would appreciate as many ideas for efficiency as possible - we're all here to get better!
Hey Levi, I have three suggestions for this. 1 - you could have the 5 stations set up and both coaches float around between them, helping players when they need it, but allowing the players to operate the stations themselves. 2 - you could have one coach stay at one center and the other float around to the other 4. This is my favorite, I always stayed at the tee center. That way I could give every kid some of my time equally. The kicker is you have to trust your team to operate the other stations properly and get their work in. 3 - both coaches can stay at the two most important centers working with the groups that are there, while the other three centers are operated by the players. I hope this helps! I actually have a whole module on this topic of using stations for maximum efficiency in my Coaching Youth Baseball online course: (www.buildingbetterbaseball.com/coachingyouthbaseball). Let me know if you'd like more information on that and I can get you enrolled!
For my team of 6U, having the kids run the station is not an option. I use parent help. From day 1, I make it clear that parent help is critical. For the last 3 season, I’ve consistently got 3-4 dads that offer to help. This works out great.
You're very welcome Michelle! I only want to help, so it makes me happy that you're finding value in the content. If you need anything else or want me to do a video on a topic, I'm always open to suggestions! Best of luck to you and your husband, you can do it!
1st year as Asst Coach and 1st year of the main coach being coach. We both played in our youth, but it's a whoooole new ball game to transition from player to coach. Thank you for the tips Coach, I've written down all the tips and I am working to begin an in depth practice sheet. Again, thank you Coach for the advice.
You're so welcome Jose, I'm glad you've found the content helpful. That's amazing you're coaching for the first time - best of luck this season! Don't forget to grab the 2 hour practice plan if you need more help, plus the other free guides on my site - I made them for you!
You didn’t cover kid pitching to kid hitters. I find we have to do kid pitching in order to prepare your pitchers (and hitters) for the regular season. But it is a time grabber. Suggestions?
This is a pickle David! I would say that if it's taking too much time - one thing you could do is put a pitch limit on the kids. Maybe say you get one "at-bat" and if they get walked then the coach pitches and the pitcher fields next to the mound. Another option is to have your batters stand in when pitchers have their bullpens. The hitters won't be able to swing, but they'll still be able to see live pitches and the pitchers will be pitching with a hitter in the box. I hope this helps!
Coaches, let me know what you think about these tips: did you learn something new that you're going to implement in your practices? Or do you have another idea that really works for you? I'd love to hear from you, and I know all coaches watching would appreciate as many ideas for efficiency as possible - we're all here to get better!
Going to incorporate before practice pop flys/grounders thanks
Sure thing Manuel, glad I could help!
I love this idea. Thanks for the great tip.
Great video
Great tips coach. Thank you.
Glad you found it helpful John! Let me know if you need anything else 👍
Thank you . I am a new coach and this is very helpful.
Stress hussling in between stations. It keeps them engaged and saves valuable minutes.
How do you do 5 stations with 2 coaches
Hey Levi, I have three suggestions for this.
1 - you could have the 5 stations set up and both coaches float around between them, helping players when they need it, but allowing the players to operate the stations themselves.
2 - you could have one coach stay at one center and the other float around to the other 4.
This is my favorite, I always stayed at the tee center. That way I could give every kid some of my time equally. The kicker is you have to trust your team to operate the other stations properly and get their work in.
3 - both coaches can stay at the two most important centers working with the groups that are there, while the other three centers are operated by the players.
I hope this helps!
I actually have a whole module on this topic of using stations for maximum efficiency in my Coaching Youth Baseball online course: (www.buildingbetterbaseball.com/coachingyouthbaseball).
Let me know if you'd like more information on that and I can get you enrolled!
For my team of 6U, having the kids run the station is not an option. I use parent help. From day 1, I make it clear that parent help is critical. For the last 3 season, I’ve consistently got 3-4 dads that offer to help. This works out great.
Really like the efficiency tips. For my team of 6U kids, we only have 1 hr 15 mins for practice. Efficiency is key!
Thank you!
Thanks Coach
Thank you.
Thank you so much for this video! My husband and I are 1st time volunteer coaches for 11-12 yr olds.. we need all the help we can get!
You're very welcome Michelle! I only want to help, so it makes me happy that you're finding value in the content. If you need anything else or want me to do a video on a topic, I'm always open to suggestions! Best of luck to you and your husband, you can do it!
My husband and I are first time coaches for LL. Same boat!
My husband and I are first time coaches for LL. Same boat!
1st year as Asst Coach and 1st year of the main coach being coach. We both played in our youth, but it's a whoooole new ball game to transition from player to coach. Thank you for the tips Coach, I've written down all the tips and I am working to begin an in depth practice sheet. Again, thank you Coach for the advice.
You're so welcome Jose, I'm glad you've found the content helpful. That's amazing you're coaching for the first time - best of luck this season! Don't forget to grab the 2 hour practice plan if you need more help, plus the other free guides on my site - I made them for you!
You didn’t cover kid pitching to kid hitters. I find we have to do kid pitching in order to prepare your pitchers (and hitters) for the regular season. But it is a time grabber. Suggestions?
This is a pickle David! I would say that if it's taking too much time - one thing you could do is put a pitch limit on the kids.
Maybe say you get one "at-bat" and if they get walked then the coach pitches and the pitcher fields next to the mound.
Another option is to have your batters stand in when pitchers have their bullpens. The hitters won't be able to swing, but they'll still be able to see live pitches and the pitchers will be pitching with a hitter in the box.
I hope this helps!