1st Practice (design of)

We started practice three weeks ago. I do the same thing every year. First thing, I go over all team rules and let the boys know what is expected of them. I also go over the schedule and answer any questions they may have. We then go over our stretching and warm-up routines. We then throw for about thirty minutes, then we condition (stadiums, sprints, distance). We do this for almost the whole first week just to get them back in the groove and run off those that aren't serious.

Outside practice

20 minutes to stretch / get loose
5 minutes to explain how to throw / good mechanics
20 minutes of throwing / making corrections
5 minutes to explain fielding
20 minutes break up into groups to work with coaches on groundballs
5 minutes to explain flyballs
20 minutes break up into groups to work with coaches
**on the groups the coaches switch groups so we can see all players - this is much quicker than having the guys move from coach to coach**
5 minutes to explain our IF/OF routine
15 minutes to run and IF / OF where the guys go where they want
15 minutes of running - usually some form of baserunning

If I do my math correctly (which is always a huge gamble) that gives us and two hour and 10 minute practice but it typicallys ends up being two and half hours.

Inside practice is pretty much the same but slightly scaled back.

I like to do 3 days of tryouts with first day being a fundamental day, second day being a hitting day and third day a whole field (or as best we can) type practice. On the fundamental day we want to teach our way of doing things, see who is coachable, see who has some talent and other intangibles.

At the end of the third day we put everyone in the gym and call them into the office to tell them their fate. We either keep them outright, we cut them outright or give them a week's extension. It's a kid who does some good things but we're still not sure about them. At the end of the next week we tell them their fate.

I can share some practice schedules if you'd like. PM me

We always spend the first day inside (usually the first couple of weeks). Last years looked like this:

10 min Form Run/Stretch
15 min How to play catch properly
10 min Throwing Program
10 min H to 1st baserunning (IF hit vs. Base hit)
15 min Groundball fundamentals - IF
15 min Hitting fundamentals (Absolutes)
10 min Bunting fundamentals (SAC ONLY)
20 min Hitting Stations (Teex2/SloTossx3/Bunts/Conditioning)
15 min 3,5-min stations (Front toss/GBS/SloToss)
10 min conditioning

I love the first 3 weeks of practice because we spend so much time teaching the game...when games start we are lucky to practice 2 times a week. The kids would rather play, but I really love this time of the year.