by Kevin O'Connell

Created on: October 11, 2008

The following topics are tips for coaching little league baseball. They are intended to provide a structure and an understanding as to the coaching process. They assume that the person for whom they may have interest will do as necessary to improve his own understanding and ability to teach the game, and therefore tend toward the general. However, I am confident that there is enough information to point such a coach in the direction of further research.

Teach the basics.

Baseball has three basic physical skills: catching the ball, throwing the ball, and hitting the ball. The skill sets that provide for these skills may be genetically gifted to some youngsters, but the techniques must be taught and practiced. As a coach you are accountable for understanding these techniques, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of your players, and providing for improved proficiency

Practices must be drill oriented.

Drills are simply physical routines that breakdown the range of any baseball skill to its varied components. Through drills, the young player receives the opportunity to isolate and reinforce these varied components, and then progressively combines them to gain proficiency throughout the full range of motion. There are drills to practice every skill in the game. Coaches with extensive experience and an advanced grasp of the game's concepts can design their own drills to serve the needs of their players. For those who are less advanced, there are commercial videos and DVDs that are available for reasonable cost.

All practices should be drill oriented. Not only is the best strategy for allowing the players to come to the skills through their individual learning styles, but everyone is active at all times which minimizes boredom, distraction, and behavioral issues.

Keep practices to one hour.

Practice usually begins to breakdown and lose intensity as the players tire and their attention span wanes. A well designed, drill oriented practice is fast paced and effective. As long as the drills spiral from the general to the more specific, and move logically from one skill set to the next, the players will continue to develop those skills. Keep in mind, most athletic movement requires muscle memory, and this takes place over time. Each successive practice should incorporate some repetition of drills, with the time dedicated to each becoming more brief as the players increase their proficiency.

Practice must also allow time for the introduction, demonstration, practice, and reinforcement

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