Travel Ball Practice

[Doug666]

Curious: After reading the thread reference high school ball practice. How many days a week should a 14/16 u team practice?

 

[SOFTBALLS14]

NONE during HS ball ... Most players are ineligible till School ball is over for that Player whether its JR. High or HS. They have to be released by the coach.
Now, I'd say at least twice a week at minimum. But a lot depends on how long, how many on team, and where they all are coming from.
Each team needs to cover different things through out the season so it will vary.
Its really, the Coaches preference for the team. I have seen teams do one practice a week but it goes for four hrs. Its all about the team you signed up for and how they run it. There is no perfect number of practices for a team. ALL teams are different.

 

[wow]

2-3 to after HS is over.. Then goes to 2 a week after the first 2-3 turneys.... But at least once a week for sure.

 

[Doug666]

Thanks for the response. I know a A travel team that did not hold one practice last summer. The girls finshed high school ball and went to thier first tournoment the first week of June. The team played in six tournaments. Not one practice the whole summer. Their play on the field showed that there was no team chemistry. Before anyone asks, the coach told the team in the fall that they would conduct practices in the summer. Has anyone had this same experience.

 

[rj1026]

We had a pretty good summer and only had one short, optional batting practice all summer. We are an all 01 team.

 

[OH Scrappers]

So here is the problem and I need advice. I have ladies from all over the state of Ohio on my team. With most tournaments starting on Fridays (some even on Thursdays), how do you get your team together during the week for a practice? In the "real" world most people work till 4 or 5 pm and then would need to drive 2 to 3 hours to get to a practice during the week is very tough. Any thoughts on how this can be accomplished? Thanks!

 

[cobb_of_fury]

So here is the problem and I need advice. I have ladies from all over the state of Ohio on my team. With most tournaments starting on Fridays (some even on Thursdays), how do you get your team together during the week for a practice? In the "real" world most people work till 4 or 5 pm and then would need to drive 2 to 3 hours to get to a practice during the week is very tough. Any thoughts on how this can be accomplished? Thanks!

What age group?

A lot of the older teams with girls spread out like yours have the girls practice on their own or in small groups in their home area - THe coach may give them specifics to work on - If the girls arn't taking care of the practice them selves it would show quickly.
Not sure I'd want to do this with younger age groups maybe 14u but not 12's or 10's

 

[CARDS]

As Cobb of Fury stated the age is a factor.
14U we practiced 2x a week in the evenings. At 16 and above most of mine could drive or would car pool so I would practice 2X a week in a central location (Sharonville) that was right off I75 in the mornings 9-noon.

That way the ladies that had jobs could still work in the afternoon/evenings. The place had a small fenced park right by the fields so those that watched younger brothers/sisters had a secure place for them to play while we practiced. My ladies traveled as much as hour plus from Cincinnati from SE Indiana, NKY Maysville and Mt Orb / Felicity areas.
Most of these families understand the effort needed to play for a out of area team. I will say from my experience, these families that travel these distances especially the pitchers/catchers that practiced additional times had true dedication to the team and game.

At 18U I did have a girl from Toledo and one from WV that just practiced with a local travel team in their area. The lady from WV had a 2 hour drive to Columbus OH for pitching instruction so they were use to travel

Over the years I also had some ladies from other travel teams that worked out with us.

 

[OH Scrappers]

Thanks I have a 15U/16U team. I have a few ladies that are 2 1/2 hours away, so I know it could be a haul on a weeknight to get to a practice.

 

[Lester]

I say hours... more so than times.
4-8 with their team, 3-5 alone. Do that... and many pieces will fall into place. School schedules, mom and dad time to drive them, distance to practice, and probably 10 other influences push me to hours vs physical times/events together. Younger teams, even more time together vs hours due to the fundamentals, drills, and chemistry are to be developed.

 

[Honor&Glory]

We live in Cincinnati. Our team practices in Columbus on Tuesday nights at 6. I work til 5. Some nights I can leave at 4:30 and get to the practice at 6:30 or 7. It's a sacrifice for sure. This year there are two other cincy area girls on the team so a car pool may be in order. The team also includes girls from the akron area so we are not alone. My advice is do what you can once a week and understand when not all can make it every week.