Building Your Practice Plan
TheSportsCoach.com 5-Minute Practice Planner should be used as an organizational tool for coaches at all levels of competition. Use it as you like because ultimately it is your practice and nobody knows the needs of your club better than you do.
Step 1: Give your practice a unique name. (Do not name two lessons the same)
Step 2: Choosing your Stretching and Warm-up drills. (25 Minutes)
- Discipline must be emphasized in this phase of the practice. Focus and discipline are very difficult to turn on and off.
- We have included stretching exercises that you can utilize in conjunction with your present stretching routine. The entire body needs to be and should be stretched properly. For more information on stretching, check out our Mind & Body section and read the lessons from Dr. Luga Podesta.
- Your warm-up throwing routine should be closely monitored to ensure proper throwing mechanics are being used and that the players are concentrating on hitting their targets.
- Select 1 drill each from the Warm-up and Throwing selections. Drills executed on a knee, a seated position or on the back should be done as an exercise prior to throwing from a standing position.
Step 3: Choosing Defensive Drills (Small Group and Team Drills) (30 Minutes)
- When selecting from these sections, you can choose a maximum of 4 drills. You can choose either 3 Small-Group Drills and 1 Team Drill or 2 Team Drills. The goal is to have the players work on individual skills in a group environment and then take those skills into a team environment. Keep it simple and keep the players moving.
Step 4: Choosing Offensive Drills (Small Group and Team Drills) (30-45 Minutes)
- When selecting from these sections, you can choose a maximum of 4 drills. You can choose either 3 Small-Group Drills and 1 Team Drill or 2 Team Drills. The goal is to have the players work on individual skills in a group environment and then take those skills into a team environment.
- *PITCHERS & CATCHERS: This is also a time when pitchers and catchers can get their work in. One pitcher at a time with one catcher will allow you to get bullpens in while working with your catcher on receiving the ball, blocking, etc. Don't allow your catchers to believe they are "just catching a bullpen." This is also their time to improve.
- *Finding sufficient time for pitchers and catchers in practice is extremely difficult, especially when you have 12 players or more and only two coaches. But it is crucial to set aside enough time for these key positions. If you must, have pitchers and catchers report 15 minutes early or hold a separate one-hour workout just for them each week.
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