Regardless of the level of play that you may be coaching, it all starts with the basics. There are many terrific drills out there for every skill and every level. Try to select five or six that you really like and that cover the basic areas of play; hitting, running, sliding, stealing, throwing, catching and fielding. (I won't go into detail on my own selection right now, but if anyone would like drill ideas, please e-mail. I'd be glad to help.) Using the same drills over and over helps to enter the moves into muscle-memory. It also helps to keep your practices more organized and productive.

At the start of every practice and every game we begin with a team warm-up. We use the same set of exercises each time. Players who arrive late know to run through these by themselves before joining us in the dugout. At practices, once the players are warmed up we go through our drill selection for 30 - 45 minutes. We use the same drills but for only about 15 minutes before games. It not only keeps them warmed up, but also helps them to keep calm by doing something that they are formiliar and comfortable with.

NOTE: If you find that one drill isn't working for you, replace it.

*** HINTS FOR NEW COACHES! (per your requests)

Here are a few articles that I have found that give some good coaching tips and drills.

PITCHING PRACTICE
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT, PERFECT, PERFECT
SCRAMBLED EGGS MAKE FOR BETTER SLIDING!
SEQUENCING THE HITTING PROCESS
THE FORGOTTEN SKILL: TEACHING TEAM SPEED
PITCHER-CATCHER RELATIONS

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