12U Softball-Coaching Help/Advice Needed

[MOMomCoach24]

Thank you for taking the time to read this and offer any suggestions! I am a mess!

A little of my backstory... I have dabbed in softball in some fun rec adult leagues, nothing serious. I have coached my daughters tball teams a long time ago. My ex and I coached together for a couple of years as the girls got older, but I was just the gopher assistant and did what I was asked. My ex was always very great at planning practice as he was out there. We signed up to coach together this spring with another friend, as we had a large team. Since we signed up, our friend took a new job out of state and my ex and I have separated, in which he has chosen not to do softball at all. I tried to get out of coaching, but long story short, the league asked me to please stay as no one wants to coach. So I have no assistant coach at this time.

Our practice is 1 hour during the week and 2 hours on the weekends. I have zero idea what I am doing, but I do know I need to have things planned out for practices, because that is who I am. We have coached most of these girls last season and know them, but there are a few new ones.

I really want to develop a pre-practice and pre-game warmup routine. I also have two catchers and two pitchers. (Just FYI, zero idea how to pitch or coach pitchers)

Honestly, I am by no means a softball player but trying to be a decent and confident coach. I catch on pretty quick, but there is SOOOO much out there for softball and I have become overwhelmed. Does anyone have a few practice layouts, pre-game, pre-practice routines that I can use? Any advice would be so helpful. I just sat down to work on this for THURSDAY night and I am stuck!

 

[daboss]

So due to time restraints I'm going to throw at you a quick response in hopes it'll help. Have your REC program put you in touch with some of the other team coaches or possible past coaches. See if they would come help run a practice while you take notes. You can tweak it later. This could give you an immediate hands on fix from a close to home source. Even a coach from an older age group would be beneficial.

Once you have a basic format to follow, you can add or replace your own flavor of drills that we can help you with.

Practices should be structured. Note the purpose of each segment of the practice. Allow time to complete each task as well as time to take breaks (my pitfall) and stay as close to the schedule as possible. Only an hour? You've got a lot to do for only an hour. Next, plead with the parents for help. They don't have to know everything but if each one took control of a station at each practice you can show a united front to teach some obvious skills as you learn them.

Practices should start with stretching/calisthenics, a lil running (I like running the bases), some playing pass, then Segway into a targeted fundamental for the practice. Break up practices to target working on areas you need to improve such as catching fly balls, bunting, sliding, base-running, ground balls......... Don't try to do them all at each practice or the clock will be your enemy.

 

[Stedman00]

WOW, you've got the tiger by the tail.

biggest and quickest point i've got.. 1 hr practice? don't bother. 2 hrs min. By the time they get there, stretch, warm up, throw, your left with 40 mins at best.

 

[M & R Davis]

Where are you located? Maybe someone close would be willing to help you?