Coach’s Clinic
Dan Sweet’s –Notes
PurposeEveryone needs fundamentals-as much as kids think they “got it” – need to continually reinforce muscle
memory.
Why do pros have spring training?
Attention span = quick drills – 1 ½ minute per drill
Running:
First thing coaches look at – can the athlete run – how does he/she run (form)
How to run
Knee high
Arm Pumping
Rockette kick
Arm Pumping
Butt Kick (Kick Your Fanny – or “KYF”) Arm Pumping
Karaoke (Right leg over right leg behind)
Sprint
Arm Pumping
(Did I mention Arm Pumping?)
Drill:
Have player swing (no bat) run to first
Cross the bag, as player’s foot hits the bag should be looking to their right-looking for an overthrow.
Run straight through the bag – DO NOT STOP
Double/gap shot – 10’ in front of bag – wide sweep, hit corner of bag preferably with right foot
Throwing:
Proper arm path (tell the youngsters), throwing strength, structure to “catch”, target to throw at
Stripe balls – how they work, why they work, what they reinforce, 12/6–ONLY USE FOR THROWING
Partner – same partner every time – coach pick them – advantage – kids will pay attention/complain if
partner not doing it right
Indian Drill- sitting
Gripping the ball
Ideal hold on ball (egg)
Arm Path
Example of bad arm path – watch how drag the ball on ground – side arm, pie thrower
Two knee/shoulder rotation drill
Wrist flexibility
Follow through – smooth, release ball and hold at finish – don’t stop short, or pull back
Where to keep the glove – tuck and pull
Statue of Liberty-one knee
Glove knee down
Wrist snap drill
Hand behind ball
3 Fingers behind ball – bad finger in the middle
Catch
In throwing stance – step with glove side foot
Throwing palm facing back, elbow shoulder level
“Break” – thumb down elbow should level
Front side closed – front shoulder, hip and thigh all in line
Also called skate board – balls of feet
Do a few times – ready, break
“Release”
Back foot pivot – “squash the bug” – point back foot to person throwing to
Stride – balance on balls of feet
Target
Follow through, follow through, follow through – throwing arm over opposite thigh
All throw @ same time
Ready /Break/ Release
Structure to catch - line up
When they prove they can play catch, they can play catch
Count the # of balls that get by – make it a point get that # down
Move onto catch – give target – if improper – start over – stance/target/break/throw
Fielding:
Ground balls
Athletic Stance to Fielding Stance – keep in running position – 2 steps in – eyers on same plane
Glove position – out in front – need to see the ball
Preparation
Face open – not angled – 2nd shot at bad hop
Alligator – or pinky to pinky
Flat back
Button to button
Rotate to Skateboard (balls of feet, throwing arm high @ 12 o’clock back of wrist forward)
Drill:
Slow roll no glove – field with fingers – one hand (glove hand) back & forth – get out and meet
the ball
Two hands no glove – practice finger fielding, alligator – soft rolls
One hand w/glove – use glove to roll back & forth – glove too big = can’t roll it back.
Two hands – roll it back & forth – practice form – alligator, button to button
Paddle / wood gloves – the true test
Speed of ground balls – coach must Build the athlete’s CONFIDENCE – if you are hitting rockets at the
kids, then you need the HELP
Things to look out for: flip the glove- glove is always face open field with the fingers – popular tool is
cutting the webbing out (old glove)
Fly balls
First drill – toss the ball up – catch over throwing shoulder – judge own fly ball (No Glove)
Tennis racquet with TENNIS BALLS (build confidence) – move up to softies or batting cage balls
Pinky to Pinky
Thumb to Thumb
Drills – one behind another – communication (i.e. shortstop/left field)
Good way to work parents in – make up names (shoot the moon, wiener schnitzel, etc)
Kids get good – take glove off
Move onto fly balls
Hitting
Distance (from plate)
Stance (balance)
Feet shoulder width (toes slightly pointed in)
Hands at top of strike zone – armpit height
Balance – should be able to top
Pigeon toes (keeps them on balls of feet)
Grip – door knock knuckles and NO tension
Hand/elbow position – “elbow up” is a big myth
Bat ideally at 45 – degree angle
Hands 6-8 inches from chest
Both eyes – head still (change sight line – throw off whole field of vision)
Practice this preparation – all that should be on hitters mind is
SEE THE BALL – HIT THE BALL
Increase/improve bat speed – swing, swing, swing – 30 minutes – just like working out
Visual aids –learn your strike zone –back of their bedroom door–rectangle of zone w/tape balls visualize
Bat too big:
Barrel below his/her hands – bat too big
Stance – bottom hand off – bat drops to shoulder – bat too heavy
Hold bat out at shoulder level w/one arm – drops after -8 seconds, too heavy
Batter will be in stance at least 8-10 seconds – must stay comfortable
Improve bat speed – hit them hard, hit them often
Swinging:
Stance, distance, grip
Stride – stepping on thin ice (transfer weight to back leg) = short
Squash the bug with back leg
Chin starts on Mike (front shoulder)
Stay flexed – avoid chopping, casting the fishing pole
Extend – to power V – look at position of bat – FRONT OF PLATE – eyes on bat
Follow through – chin ends up on Ike
Drill:
Bottom hand – chop down – stance, stride, chop (HI-YA)
Top hand – punch and turn palm up
Common issues:
Toe up – break the habit – can’t hop
Hitch – put hands in final position or put back in shoulder
Bar arm – player will “cast” the bat – to fix – put in sling for separated shoulder
Hitting Stride (5s) – Short – Shallow – Slow – Soft – Straight
Hitting Drills
4 Players in circle – coach in center rapid fire (whiffle balls or softies)
Soft toss – not into a screen or do not use baseballs – too dangerous, destructive to property
Hitting off of tee – w/bat or thunder stick – tee out in front, not mid stance
Drill – 2 tees parallel to hitters stance- 2 balls – ideal swing path hits both balls
Pitching – 7 Steps
1. Balance
2. Step back w/glove leg
3. Turn front foot – instep to plate
4. Leg kick – Balance – should be able to hold this position ( leg @ 90 degrees)
5. Stride – break hands, arm position ( skateboard), glove out thumb down, front elbow
shoulder high
6. Throw, tuck glove and follow through
7. Fielding position
Practice set up:
Running – base running, proper running
Throwing
Fielding
Game/Situation Drills
All drills – repetition = muscle memory
Make ‘em quick! Remember the attention span you’re dealing with.