HELP, I'VE BEEN DRAFTED AS A YOUTH COACH

I can remember clearly coaching the 10U years ago. I found it to be the best experience because you could really make an impact on the kids ability and enjoyment of the game. We (I had great help) were very successful with the kids and as a team on the field.

I can attribute the success to spending most of our time with 2 elements of the game. Catching the ball and throwing the ball. We did nothing but catching and throwing up to about 10 days before the first game when we picked up a bat for the first time.

I can still remember a couple of parents complain that the "kids weren't having fun" because they were not getting to hit. By the end of the LL season; when they were "boat racing" the other teams; the reality of "pitching and defense" winning championships had sunk in.

I also made it a point of having every kid on the team pitch at least one inning. Since we spent most of our time working on catching and throwing; it was like a "final exam" for many of the kids when they had to stand on the bump an make it happen.

As you said; "can I remember the intensity of an 8 yr old;" you bet and I can also remember the joy of the same 8 year olds when they have the confidence to go out on the field and be part of a successful team.

It has been some 20 years since I coached LL and I have to be honest as much as I loved the kids , the parents became unbearable--I hope you can handle the agita that is about to come your way

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They only had to make one accommodation for me when I returned to coaching Little League after a 12 year hiatus.

They had to change the base paths from grass to dirt so I could get around on my Rascal® motorized scooter.

My young players were mighty impressed with the hook sliding clinic I put on for them with my Rascal® outfitted with Ground Hawg® Super Muddies.




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Have one of your parents be an assistant coach. Find one that will be involved in all of the games and let him know that he will be doing the head coaching duties during the games. Also find out if there are other parents available that can help out with being base coaches on those other days.

At 10U the biggest responsibilities at gametime are generally making sure all the kids get to play on the field, that they know when to run and when not to and also who brings the juice boxes and snacks after the game. I'm only half joking but the the real teaching goes on at practice so as long as a parent can manage the roster and ensure that kids get in and out on the field and no one sits for any length of time. Any parent with good management skills should be able to do this.

I got roped into this when my son was playing mustang and bronco level in PONY baseball. I knew enough about baseball to be dangerous but I can manage a roster so that worked well.

Don't forget any person working with your kids in LL has to have a background check before coaching.

This is all good advice. Please kep the comments coming!

Congrats Harv...I think.

Go to www.webball.com for all kinds of youth pratice plans and information. Best resource you will find for youth basball and most everything is free.

My only generic advice is to make practices short, fast paced, station oriented, and end with some sort of "game".

Congratulations on coaching 10U

It's just a matter of focus.

Harv,

I sent you a PM.

I'll throw out another site with some usefull youth baseball infomation. http://www.youthbaseballinfo.com/

Good luck!!