HOPEWELL YOUTH ASSOCIATION
COACHES MANUAL

The Hopewell Youth Association's mission is to teach children the game of baseball in an atmosphere that is both fun and educational.  Since it's inception HYA has made a concerted effort to be exactly what youth sports should be; an organization that can be competitive while at the same time making sure the players, the coaches and the parents are all abundantly aware that having fun and learning are the top priority.  Winning games is secondary.  Words like character, teamwork, leadership and sportsmanship are the words that we want associated with Hopewell Baseball.  If we acheive that goal, we will be teaching our children how to win regardless of what the numbers on the scoreboard say at the end of each game.

With those principles in mind, the board of directors has decided to provide it's coaches with a manual to help them in organizing their practices.  It is our hope that this will help you in your efforts to teach the game of baseball to our children while teaching all of the wonderful principles that the Hopewell Youth Association stands for.

Thank you for volunteering your time to the Hopewell Youth association and to our children.

Sincerely,
HYA Board of Directors

HOPEWELL YOUTH ASSOCIATION 
BASEBALL PRACTICE ROUTINE 
Coach Pitch 
Below is what a typical practice at HYA should look like. The drills and the time can vary somewhat, and each coach is encouraged to insert his own personality, and try new and different things, but the basic outline should be followed as closely as possible. 
You are going to want to meet with your assistant coaches and parent helpers at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of your practice to go over the practice plan with them and let them know what they will be responsible for. The players should be split into different groups and the field or cages should be set up with at least three stations.  With three stations a team of 12 would divide up into three groups of four with each group getting to spend a predetermined amount of time at each station.  For a one hour practice you probably wouldn't want to spend more than ten minutes at any single station. 
 
You’ll also notice in the plan below there is five minutes left out between sessions. That gives you time to split the kids into groups and to let them get a drink or swap out equipment if they need to. 
Here is a shell for a typical coach pitch practice. 
START-00:10     
STRETCHING AND RUNNING/THROWING 
This process can also start before your official practice time. There are plenty of spaces for kids to stretch outside our field fences prior to practice. 
:15-:25 
STATION ONE 
:25-:35 
STATION TWO 
:40-:50 
STATION THREE 
:55-:60 
Relay Race or Obstacle Course.
Try and finish practice with a talk to your team emphasizing the things you worked on and singling out players who did well. 

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF AN ACTUAL COACH PITCH PRACTICE PLANNED LAST SEASON

YANKEES PRACTICE 
FEBRUARY 16, 2007

6:15-6:25 STRETCH/RUN/TALK

6:30-6:45 THROWING AND FIELDING 
THREE GROUPS ROTATING EVERY FIVE MINUTES 
FIVE REPS AT A TIME GIVING POINTERS

-BUTTS DOWN WITH BRETT 
-TENNIS BALL FLIES WITH JOHN/CLIFF 
-STEP AND THROW WITH MARC

6:45-7:00 INFIELD/OUTFIELD 
-POSITIONS BELOW

7:10-7:40 HITTING AT CAGES 
THREE GROUPS ROTATING EVERY TEN MINUTES 
TEN SWINGS AT A TIME GIVING POINTERS

-CAGE ONE/HOCKEY DRILL WITH BRETT 
-CAGE TWO/CATCHER DRILL WITH MARC 
-HITTING NET/TEE WORK WITH JOHN/CLIFF

STATION OPTIONS
-THROWING
-INFIELD
-OUTFIELD
-CAGES
-LIVE HITTING 
-GAME SITUATIONS 
-BASE RUNNING

Kid Pitch

The major differences here are the added skill of pitching, the advanced nature of the players and the shared field time. We strongly suggest spending 45 minutes on the field and another 45 minutes working in the cages with this group. It is also a good idea to let the team in the cages use the bullpen. This allows for more stations for the hitting group. Also keep in mind you want to try and work on cut-off plays and field responsibility with these age groups as well. It’s tempting for coaches to just scrimmage during their practice time since most of the time two teams are sharing the field, but that is really doing the kids a disservice. Baseball is a complicated game, and the players need instruction. Again, try to make it interesting and fun, but use the time wisely to teach.

HERE IS A KID PITCH SAMPLE PRACTICE SCHEDULE 

MARLINS PRACTICE/ AUGUST 20 
ORGANIZATION WITH COACHES PRIOR TO START OF PRACTICE 
8:00	INTRODUCTIONS/NAMES/STRETCH/ 
8:15	FIELDING DRILLS(10 MINUTES EACH) 
         -STATION ONE: INFIELD 
     		SQUAT AND THROW TO COACH(FIVE REPETITION SETS) 
         -STATION TWO: KNEES THROW-PROPER FORM(USE TARGETS ON FENCE)
     	-STATION THREE: SHUFFLE STEP TO FIRST BASE

8:50	SPLIT INTO HITTING GROUPS(ROTATE PLAYERS THROUGH STATIONS) 
	-HITTING OFF TEE(WIDE STANCE/NO FEET/LOAD AND EXPLODE) 
     	-SOFT TOSS 
          COLOR RECOGNITION 
          NO FEET/QUICK HANDS     
     	-LIVE PITCHING 
     	-PITCHING IN BULLPEN      
9:20     OBSTACLE COURSE

FOCUS ON FUN AND FUNDAMENTALS

For all age groups we really need to focus on keeping the practices lively and fun. Make a contest out of anything and everything. If you’re working on throwing at a target, see who can hit the target the most times. Sometimes it’s fun to make two teams and keep score in your drills and have the losing team run a lap at the end of practice. Or it’s also fun to give the team a challenge that if they meet, you as a coach will have to run laps when practice is over. Suggested drills are on the pages that follow. The thing we really want to stay away from at Hopewell is 11 kids standing in line waiting for a grounder, or ten kids in the field while one kid is hitting. Waiting in line and shagging is not only a waste of time, but boring for the kids. The idea is to keep as many kids active as possible while teaching the fundamentals of the game. 

SUGGESTED DRILLS 
Below are a few drills you can use for your practices. We encourage all coaches to do their own research and use their own wealth of information to put together a fun, well thought out and productive practice. You will also find listed several books, websites and video tapes that we recommend for finding good practice material.

Fun Hitting Drills 
Free Hitting 
This is what we call regular batting practice or live hitting in the cage. Let players hit and have fun. Resist urge to coach. Coaching and tinkering are for drill work. As players get older it’s okay to have them work on bunting, hit-and-runs and moving runners over during free hitting or batting practice. Hitting is supposed to be fun; so let the kids have at it. Notice corrections needed and work on them during drill sessions. Age appropriate: all ages. 
Goalie Game 
Set up a hockey or lacrosse goal as a backstop with a home plate in front of the net. Use a Jugs Lite Flite machine (www.amazon.com/ripken) or a tennis ball machine to pitch. Batter must keep balls from going into the goal. Players work on hitting the ball where it’s pitched, bat control and developing a short swing to make contact. Coach can throw harder than normal if machines not available. Age appropriate: ages 4-9. 
Hitting Contests 
Almost any hitting drill can be turned into a contest using a point system. Award a point for a hard ground ball up the middle, two points for a line drive up the middle and five points for a line drive up the middle that reaches the back wall of a cage or the outfield grass (depending on where you are hitting). Develop your own point systems for whatever concept you are teaching. Make sure proper hitting mechanics are stressed at all times. Age appropriate: all ages. 
Knock Out the Catcher 
Coach dresses in full catcher’s gear and sits on a chair 10-15 feet from home plate. Tosses the ball and tells the hitter to knock him off the chair. Players work on hitting the ball hard up the middle without even knowing it. Age appropriate: ages 4-9. 
Line Drive Home Run Derby 
Use Lite Flite balls (www.ripkenbaseball.com or www.amazon.com/ripken) and set up in the outfield, hitting toward the fence. Pitch overhand or toss balls underhand to players and give points for hard ground balls and line drives. Home runs count five points if they are line drives. Swings and misses, pop-ups and foul balls are outs. Give each player three outs and see that can score the most points. This can be done with Jugs pitching machines (www.amazon.com/ripken) as well. Age appropriate: ages 4-12. 
Tee Hitting for Distance 
Players use proper fundamentals to see how far they can hit a ball off of a tee from home plate. Use weight shift (“go back to go forward”), winding up almost like a pitcher to take the weight to the backside before exploding forward. Head should stay on ball and front shoulder and stride should be directly toward the pitcher until contact. Batters who drop the shoulder and try to hit ball high intentionally are eliminated. Line drives are best, but hard ground balls count. Have players run out and stand next to their best hit or mark them with stakes. Age appropriate: all ages. 
Fun Baserunning Drills 
Baserunning Relays 
Have groups of two or four players compete by running around the bases to see who can finish with the fastest combined time. You will find that the groups that run the bases the best fundamentally can and will beat the groups with the faster players. Cones can be used to show path for the proper turns at each base. Age appropriate: all ages. 
Big League Baserunning 
Players line up at home plate and run home to first — all the way through the bag. Then they shuffle off of first, take a crossover step and run first to third. Jog to home plate. Players line up at home again and run out a double. Then they simulate scoring from second on a hit. Then you can have them run out a triple and a home run if you wish. Emphasis should be on making a proper turn at each base as well as stepping on the inside of the base and using it to push off like a starting block toward the next base. Age appropriate: all ages. 
Head to Head 
One player starts at second and the other starts at home. Coach stands on pitcher’s mound and yells, “Go!” Player from second is simulating scoring on a hit. Player at home simulates running out a double. Whoever gets to destination first wins. Point out players who run bases well fundamentally. 
Age appropriate: all ages. 
Slip and Slide 
Use a slip and slide on a soft, grassy surface to illustrate the proper sliding techniques. This is a fun way to show players how to slide without risking cuts and bruises. Place a base at the end of the slip and slide. A great way to end a hot practice. Age appropriate: ages 4-12. 
Fun Throwing Drills 
Cutoff Relay Race 
Create groups of three, four or five players to race. All groups go at the same time. Outfielder picks up ball laying on warning track next to fence and throws to first teammate. That teammate turns his body, catches, generates momentum and throws to the next teammate. This continues until ball reaches last player. Team that finishes first wins. Age appropriate: all ages. 
Long-toss Golf 
Place a cone or some other target in the outfield, far enough away to challenge the players’ arm strength. Draw, paint or tape a circle around the target, representing a green. Each player tosses a ball toward the target. Points are awarded for landing on the green, hitting the pin, etc. Closest to the pin each round can be awarded bonus points. The same target can be used over and over, new targets can be set up each time, or a “course” can be set up. Limit drill to between 25 and 50 tosses per player and once per week for younger players. Age appropriate: ages 4-12. 
Shoot and Score! 
After players warm arms up, two goals are set up across from each other. One player stands to the side of each goal. Players take turns trying to throw ball into “opponent’s” goal. One point is awarded for each ball that rolls into goal and two for a ball that enters goal in the air. Another variation is to hang, tape or paint a target on the goal. One point is awarded for scoring a goal and two points for hitting target. Targets also can be hung on fences, soccer goals, walls, etc. and a team competition can be held to see who throws the most accurately. 
Age appropriate: ages 4-12. 
Throw for Distance 
If you practice near a football field, have players line up at the goal line one at a time. Stress proper mechanics and have each player throw a ball (or several balls) to see who can set the “world record.” After a few rounds, have players shuffle their feet and follow their throws so they can see the results of generating momentum toward their target. You can disqualify players who don’t use proper mechanics. Celebrate world records as well as throws made using proper mechanics. A fun way to build arm strength through long-tossing and to emphasize the importance of mechanics and footwork. The drill should only be done once per week. For the youngest age groups have players line up on a line (foul line, goal line, etc.) and throw at the same time. They can then run to their ball, see whose ball went farthest, pick it up and run back. 
Age appropriate: ages 4-9. 
Twenty-one 
A game played by baseball players of all levels. Players play catch. One point is awarded to the thrower for a ball caught at chest level. Two points are awarded for a ball caught at head level. First player to 21 wins. Coaches should stress proper mechanics while drill is going on. Set up a team competition where winners move on and losers are eliminated. Play to 15 instead of 21 to speed things up. Age appropriate: all ages. 
Other Throwing Games 
Just about any throwing drill can be turned into a contest by adding a target. Players can throw at a painted, taped or drawn target on a fence, wall or screen. Or they can try to knock a ball off of a batting tee. Anything that makes a player concentrate and try to throw accurately works. Don’t forget to stress proper mechanics at all times: four-seam grip; get the ball down out and up; elbow above shoulder; point front shoulder; step toward target; follow or follow through. Age appropriate: all ages. 
Fun Outfield Drills 
Lite Flite Elimination 
Use Jugs Lite Flite Balls (www.ripkenbaseball.com or www.amazon.com/ripken). Each player is thrown a fly ball or fed a fly ball through a Lite Flite machine. Younger players can use their gloves. Balls are so light that they have to catch with two hands over the head. Older players and more advanced younger players can use bare hands. If player catches the ball he stays in, but if he misses it he’s out. This also can be done utilizing the pass pattern drill described above or with real baseballs (when appropriate). When not using gloves, players should attempt to catch ball with one hand over the head. This makes them focus on proper hand positioning and watching ball into hand. 
Age appropriate: all ages. 
Pass Patterns 
A coach or player (this can be long toss for pitchers) serves as quarterback. Player tosses ball to QB and then uses crossover or drop step in appropriate direction before running a “pass pattern.” QB throws the ball high enough so that the player can run under the ball and make a one-handed, over-the-shoulder catch. Have player start over if initial step is not executed correctly. 
Age appropriate: all ages. 
Fun Infield Drills 
High Five Drill (Underhand Flip) 
The underhand flip is utilized by virtually all infielders at some point, so it should be introduced at a young age and practiced. Players line up opposite coach, about 10 feet away from him. Assume basic ground ball position (wide base, butt down, hands in front). Ball is rolled to player. Player catches ball first, generates momentum toward target, uses an underhand flip and finishes by following the flip toward the coach with the hand held high at head level. When the player gets to the coach he gives him a high five (hand should not drop below head level until high five is completed). Use body’s momentum to carry toss to the target. Wrist remains stiff and arm does not swing. Also avoid letting ball roll off fingers. Age appropriate: ages 7-15+. 
Box Drill – (Underhand Flip) Short to Second 
Create a box with four players standing about 8-10 feet apart from each other. Fifth player stands behind any player at any corner. First toss comes from corner where there are two players. Do not use gloves – increases concentration. Each player faces corner to his right. Tosser shuffles feet or crosses over, flips the ball to player at corner to his left, leaves hand high and follows flip to that corner. After arriving at next corner, turn to face corner to the right and have two hands out in front ready to receive toss as it comes around. Catch the ball first, generate momentum, toss and follow to next corner. Stress stiff wrist, no extra arm motion, leaving hand high and following flip. This can be done with players of any age. For youngest players you may want to use gloves and count to see which group of five can catch the most in a row without missing one. 
Age appropriate: ages 7-15+.

Box Drill – (Underhand Flip) Second to Short 
Create a box with four players standing about 8-10 feet apart from each other. Fifth player stands behind any player at any one of the corners. The first toss comes from corner where there are two players. Do not use gloves – increases concentration. Each player faces corner to his left. Tosser shuffles feet or crosses over, keeps hand with the ball in front of the body, flips the ball to player at corner to his right without turning the body or swinging the arm, leaves hand high and follows flip to that corner. After arriving at the next corner, turn to face corner to the left and have two hands out in front ready to receive toss as it comes around. Catch the ball first, generate momentum, flip and follow to next corner. This is more awkward because the hand stays in front of the body at all times. It is important to keep the wrist stiff and avoid turning body completely toward target so that hand is no longer in front. For youngest players you may want to use gloves and 
count to see which group of five can catch the most in a row without missing one. Age appropriate: ages 7-15+.