Week Four Practice Plans

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We had our first league games on Thursday evening. We played competitively but lost both games. I saw things that we need to work on and also saw some things that I liked. Our base running looks good and our hitting was fair. Some of the players were solid on defense while others need help with being aware of the game situations. These are the normal challenges with 10U and 12U community softball teams.

Now that league play has started, field availability becomes a challenge also. We will have to drop down to one practice a week. My team practice will still be only an hour and a half long; however, pitchers and catchers will work an extra half hour after the team practice is over. Here is my practice plan this week:

Anyway, here are my practice plans for this week.

Practice #9

6:05 Warm up playing catch

6:10 Defensive Strategies Discussion/Demonstrations

Review the 3 Step Approach to being mentally prepared on defense. 6:20 Split team into three groups (requires 3 coaches)

Station 1

Batting practice off pitching machine

Station 2

Pop Flies Bare handed catching tennis balls (build the catch with two hands habit)

Pop Flies Using gloves and regular softball (Make them go to the left and right)

Over head softball (or sub a mini football) pass over right and left shoulder

Station 3

Infield practice

6:40 Rotate groups

Group at station 1 goes to Station 2, Group at station 2 goes to station 3 and group at station 3 goes to station 1.

7:00 Water Break

7:05 Rotate groups

Group at station 1 goes to Station 2, Group at station 2 goes to station 3 and group at station 3 goes to station 1.

7:25 Team meeting

7:30 Practice is over on time for everyone except pitchers and catchers.

Pitchers start working on Wrist Snaps while catchers get their equipment on.

7:35 Pitchers work on K's

Catchers work on Blocking Drill

7:40 Pitchers Walk Through Drill

Catchers work on the Bunt Drill

Up until now, the pitchers parents have been catching for the pitchers. If we do not have as many catchers as pitchers, the parent will have to continue catching and we will rotate the catchers so they become familiar with the pitchers.

7:45 Distance Pitch Drill

Catchers Developing A Strong Throw To Second Base

7:50 Regular pitching and catching.

7:55 Pass ball drill

8:00 Practice is over


We have another league game this week. I'll let you know how we did in next weeks newsletter. Please, use the Coaches Input Form to let me know how your team is doing. Are you seeing improvement? How are your practices going? How about your games? I really am interested in hearing about your progress.

Until next week, I'll see you on the field.

Dan Knutson