infield fundamentals and philosophy

You have a ton of good information on your site. I hope you do not mind, but I have 'borrowed' some of your information. I am sending you another category....It is my coaching philo.....Just thought it fit in with what you are doing.

Philosophy on Coaching Baseball


Player Relations – Just as a teacher’s first commitment is to the students, my first commitment is to the players. If the players learn from me only how to play baseball, then I failed as a coach. We have a tendency to overuse the terms hard work, honesty, commitment to a task, emotional involvement, self-discipline, poise, and many more, but I believe it is my duty as a coach to develop these qualities in my players.

I believe in firmness with my players in various coaching situations. They must understand what is right and what is wrong. Firmness insures fair treatment of all players. Problems result because coaches are not precisely clear on what they expect and what they are teaching.

I try to remember that each player has his own pride, his own ego, his own problems, and his own motives. These have to be understood. Players must be allowed their own dignity and their individuality. A coach must have compassion for his players, or he will overlook these aspects in his quest for team success. Team discipline and direction are essential but do not indicate a coach needs to lose his feelings for his players. In fact, it is the only way that discipline will be accepted.

Modern day athletes need and desire direction. They are not opposed to discipline if compassion is included. They must be given valid reasons; but then, it is a poor and confused coach who does not have valid reasons for what he is doing. When a substitution is made, the player I took out must come and sit beside me. Then I explain why I replaced him and what he will have to do when he goes back into the game.

I also visit in the home of every player that plays for me at least once during the season. I tell the parents how their son is doing and why he will or will not play. This builds relationships with both player and community.

Style of Play – My system is based on the premise that the entire team will be involved in all aspects of play. Everyone from the players on the field to the player on the bench must contribute to the team both offensively and defensively. Experience and observation have proven to me that you do not win championships with players, but with teams.

Listed according to priority are the following areas of teaching baseball:

1. Defense – Offense wins baseball games, but defense wins championships. You cannot win on the road in any good high school league without a strong defense, and you must win on the road if you are to have a championship team.

2. Offense – The offense will fit the tempo and personnel and will be organized to provide consistency and poise; yet, it will be flexible enough to face all defenses with a minimum of preparation.

3. Aggressive Base Running – One of the best ways to control a game is to control the base paths. Technique and the correct frame of mind are as important as speed in controlling the base paths.

4. Conditioning – We will be in better physical condition than any team we play. Conditioning is often over looked in baseball, but it is as important in this sport as in any other sport today. Being physically fit will prevent injuries as well as help to win ball games.

Every drill we run in practice will be related to our offense and defense. I never use any drill that would not complement our style of play.

My philosophy for infield fundamentals was to get a fungo a bucket of balls and have your kids field s many ground balls and turn double plays as possible. Believe t or not sooner or later thy will get the hang of it.

d8 - great stuff that follows what i believe very closely and have had success with - i'll borrow heavily from that if you dont mind.
will - i also believe in your philosophy and we follow it. we spend 10 -15 minutes every day on individual "d" and technique. we spend hours with the fungo just getting the job done. ive said on here before that we have techniques and philosophies that we believe in - but we dont overcoach - bottom line is get the job done. our practices have technique time but a majority of practice time is spent just getting it done.
steve
http://www.leaguelineup.com/raiderbaseball

this site is really a great resource and tool. Both you guys have some great idea's. I have borrowed also from ideas on here.. I think it is obvious that we are a little obsessed with baseball. Success usually follows close behing .

great stuff as usual. keep up the good work. i'll keep on learning and "borrowing" myself