Week Fourteen Practice Plan

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We finished league play with splitting wins and losses. Last weekend we participated in our leagues state qualifying tournament. We qualified for the MMFL (Minnesota Metro Fastpitch League) Rec level state tournament. We had a couple of one run losses that some of the girls took pretty hard. I had to remind them that we win and lose as a team and that no one person can take the blame for a loss. I also had a couple of coaches tell me that we were one of the toughest teams they saw all season. That was nice to hear knowing where we were at the start of the season. I’ll let you know how we do next week in a summer wrap up newsletter. From here, we will be moving into fall softball.

We held two practices last week where we spent time focusing on fielding mechanics, cut off positioning and hitting. We also spent some time focusing on the catcher throwing down to second base. This coming week we will again be practicing two times. Our focus again will be on doing the fundamentals well.

Here is this weeks practice plan.

Practice #18

6:05 Warm up playing catch

6:10 Team discussion about practicing like you play. (quality in, quality out)

6:15 V-Drill ground balls

6:30 Mini Hitting Circuit

One player at each station and the rest of the team is shagging hit balls. Three minutes at each station should keep everything on time.

Station 1 One hand swings

Station 2 Behind the back swings

Station 3 Focus the eyes for the ball

Station 4 On deck batter

Station 5 Hitting off pitching machine

7:25 Team meeting

7:30 Team Practice is over on time except for 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

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

Practice #19

6:05 Warm up playing catch

6:10 Team discussion about tournament preparation.

6:15 Split team into three groups.

Group 1 will be doing a regular infield practice.

Group 2 will be hitting in the batting cage.

Group 3 will be catching fly balls

6:30 Rotate Groups

6:45 Water Break

6:50 Rotate Groups

7:05 Toss Drill

7:10 Throwing relay race

7:20 Base running relay race

7:25 Team meeting

7:30 Team Practice is over on time except for 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

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 are looking forward to the state tournament. This is what we have been working toward all year. For some teams, it may be a national tournament. It all depends on what level your team is at right now. I'll let you know how we do 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