Baseball Drills |
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"You gotta have fun. Regardless of how you look at it, we're playing a game. It's a business, it's our job, but I don't think you can do well unless you're having fun."
--- Derek Jeter
I wanted to let you know about a few items on the web site that you may be interested in.
First, I've had numerous requests about adding an rss feed from users who keep coming to the site to see what's new.
So based on their great idea, I've added an RSS feed where I will post information about updates and changes to the
web site. If you've used RSS to have information delivered to your computer ,then you know what a great tool it is
to inform you about new content. If you have no idea what an RSS feed is then you're missing out on a great tool that
is being used all over the web. You can find out about RSS feeds by searching "What is RSS" in Google.
Second, I added an embedded movie to the QCBaseball home page to an ESPN
video segment. I see these inspirational stories occasionally on ESPN and I've found a place on the ESPN web site
where I can embed them on my site. I hope you enjoy the videos as they are added. Hint: If you sign-up for my new
RSS feed you'll be informed when a new video has been added.
Third, the "Turning Two - Youth Second Baseman" article below features a video that I uploaded to You Tube.
I would like to get your feedback on the format. Take a look at the video and then
let me know if this type of content would be something you'd be interested in. If the response is positive, I will try to add video content for many of the instruction and drills section of the site.
Until next time,
Don Edlin
QCBaseball.com
Select teams have winter workouts, hitting coaches, many practices and many games. For the most part players are provided with great instruction and given time to practice and improve before the season starts. For many players that don't play at the select level, the opportunity to learn and improve just isn't there. Often these are athletic kids who just need additional instruction and practice in order to take their game to the next level. It's with these kids in mind that I've been developing the backyard hitting lessons.
What players are the lessons designed for?
I'm gearing these lessons for hitters 10-15 years of age, although I believe coaches and parents and older players would still be interested in the video series. For the interactive lessons, (posting video or photos and providing feedback) I'm really looking for the kids that love baseball and had a difficult time at the plate last season and not primarily because they are afraid of the ball, but because their mechanics are preventing them from being successful. My goal is to take a group of those young players and try to turn things around by getting them prepared for the next season.
How will it work?
There will be two types of lessons, standard and interactive. The standard lessons will work the same way it would work to buy a hitting DVD. You watch the different videos and try things out and practice on your own.
The interactive lessons will allow a player and parent to send email questions, upload video, and email pictures for me to provide feedback as the player works through the lessons. This will allow players and parents the ability to ask questions while the lessons are going on and also during the season when problems can arise. The sessions will accept a limited
number of players in order to enable me the opportunity to provide individual attention to each player. The lessons will be a work at your own pace, although I will provide session guidelines to keep kids on track and swinging the bat every day.
The reason I'm so excited about these type of lessons is that I hope it reaches kids that may not take hitting lessons because of the expense associated with in person lessons or they don't have a qualified instructor in the area.
How much does it cost?
The standard lessons are $39 (special offer below), which provides a full year of access. The lessons with feedback, questions, posting of videos and photos are $79 (special newsletter offer below). This will give a parent and player access to ask questions, post videos or photos, and get feedback from the start of the lessons through the spring baseball season.
How can you help?
The kids that these lessons are designed for may not be the kids of coaches and parents that are receiving this newsletter. Think of the kids on your team that aren't hitting as well as they could and probably won't be swinging a bat until that first day of practice. These are the lessons for that player! Get that player swinging at home and developing sound fundamentals along with a new attitude at the plate. If you could pass the informational and signup link on to specific players on your team who would benefit, or other coaches in your league, I think the interactive lessons will fill up rather fast. Any parent who signs up their son from you passing on the special newsletter offer, will receive the special offer below.
Space is limited for the backyard interactive hitting lessons. I'm limiting the number of registrations for start of each session to 30 players. Following sessions may allow for more but I would rather error on the side of being able to provide the best support and feedback that I can. I want this to be a positive experience for everyone who registers. I expect each session to fill up fast, so if you know of a player who would benefit from an extended set of lessons for less than the price of 1 in person lesson, please forward the information right away.
Special offer
I'm opening the registration for the backyard hitting sessions early for anyone who is receiving this newsletter or anyone on your team who would benefit. I will post the availability of the lessons and start advertising on December 15th on the web site. So that gives you a couple weeks to have your players sign-up. In addition I'm going to cut the price in half ($39) as long as one parent of each participant is willing to provide feedback, testimonials, and/or constructive criticism about the lessons.
The following link is the only way to get this special price and the offer is on a first come first serve basis. Backyard Hitting Lessons - Special Offer
There is so much effort and time putting the young player into the proper batting stance but little time looking at where the hitter is as the pitcher starts his motion and as the ball is released. One of the biggest problems with young hitters is not getting to the launch position early enough. They are late to the launch position and as a result, late swinging the bat. Many times what is seen as a slow bat is simply a player that has poor timing. So with young players I try to get them to simplify what they do to get themselves into the launch position and hopefully make it easier for them to get to that position early enough to have good timing on the pitch. I don't believe in molding older players into a specific batting stance or pre-pitch routine but with young players I think it is important to get them into a position that provides them with the best chance of being successful. Young players simply don't have the awareness of what their body is doing in order to successfully incorporate a lot of movement into their stance and pre-pitch routine.
The method that I use with young players who have this problem (not getting to the correct launch position and/or on time) is to come up with a new routine that they can repeat every time they step up to the plate. The key element of this routine that I've found the most helpful is having the player end up with very little hand movement as the pitcher starts his motion. Young players have difficulty with timing and I see young players who have a lot of movement with their hands often have timing problems.
How to correct?
Often these players don't realize what they are doing with their hands when they are standing up at the plate getting ready to
swing and because it is something they are comfortable with it can be difficult to change. A method I've found to works well I took from Don Mattingly who will
place his bat on his shoulder at the
correct angle before the pitcher starts his windup. This puts the hitter in a position where all he has to do is lift his hands and bat as a unit to be in the proper position to
start his coil. It will allow a player to relax in the box and get to the launch position in time because the movement is so minimal compared to a hitter that is moving the bat all over the place.
The player has to want to try it out
As with most instruction you can't force it on the player. If he really doesn't want to do it, then it probably won't work. But if he recognizes that he has a problem with his timing and is willing to
try it out, then he may find:
Timing and practice
The only way a player can get used to this is by using it every time he swings the bat. This can be difficult during batting practice where a coach is throwing pitch after pitch without
much time in between pitches. It can also be difficult against a pitching machine that again doesn't allow much time between pitches. So when you are working with a hitter and having him try
this method, make sure he gets quickly back into his stance after every swing. He shouldn't have to rush to do this during batting practice, but he has to realize that he needs to do it quickly in
order to work on his timing. Remember we want the bat on the shoulder before the pitcher starts the windup. When you are throwing batting practice, make sure you give the player some mechanism for
him to know when to lift the bat. If you are just standing and throwing without a windup, use the stretch position before throwing to help the player develop timing. Hold the stretch for a second and
then throw the ball. This will help your player develop the timing necessary for the game and will also keep him from feeling rushed during batting practice. My feeling is that it's much better to have
15 great swings than 25 rushed swings! Always choose quality over quantity. When using a pitching machine, it's common practice to hold the ball high above the chute before placing the ball in the chute.
When using a pitching machine, wait until the batter is in his stance with his bat on the shoulder before holding the ball up. When the ball is held above the machine this will signify the pitcher beginning
his motion and the hitter should take his bat off his shoulder at this time and be ready to start his coil. Hold it for a second to give the hitter time to do this before placing the ball in the chute.
Pre-pitch routine
The other component is what the player does as he steps into the box to hit and what he does before he puts the bat on his shoulder. We know for the young player using this method
we want the bat on the shoulder before the pitcher starts his windup, so I try to get the player used to getting into this position as quickly as possible after getting in the box and then if
he has more time, he can waggle his bat a time or two depending on the pitcher. The important thing is that he is prepared for the pitcher that works fast. He can't depend on a pre-pitch routine
that includes waggling the bat 4 or 5 times before bringing it up or he won't get there with all pitchers. He needs to be comfortable against a pitcher that works fast and then be able to stay
comfortable and relaxed against a pitcher that works slow.
We've all seen a second baseman in the pros take the ball at second base and without moving his feet make a quick and hard throw to first to complete a double play. For most youth players, this isn't an option as they haven't developed the arm strength and the accuracy to make the throw. The following is video feature on turning the double play for the young second baseman and an associated drill for working on the footwork required. As I mentioned in the Editor's Note above, please take a look and then let me know if this type of content would be something you'd be interested in seeing more of. You can email me at: don@qcbaseball.com
I know it's only November and you may or may not be coaching fall ball or you may or may not be getting ready for winter workouts, but the off-season is a great time to review your previous season and try to make a list of items that you'd like to improve on. Some of these items maybe technical practice or game related items.
Some could be organizational issues
Other items may relate to how you handled the season emotionally.
These are just a few things to think about as you review your season but I think it's essential if you have a goal of improving as a coach. If you are coaching another sport, this review can help you immediately as you can apply some of the items that you want to improve upon right away and hopefully make the upcoming season a better one. Whether you're coaching right now or not, write down your thoughts and what you'd like to improve on and start working on those items in the list. I know I'm as guilty as anyone, thinking I'll get prepared for the season before it starts, only to have it start before I was ready. Learning, planning, and preparation are important aspects of becoming a better coach year in and year out. I know it's helped me improve as a coach year after year. Coaching is a learned skill and just like any skill can always be improved upon. It's not a coincidence that all great coaches are always trying to learn and improve.
What You Did Well
It's also important to acknowledge what you did well this past season, what worked, what you improved on from the season before. No season is going to end up exactly the way we want, but there should always be a bunch of positive things that we did as coaches that we can feel proud of. Coaching is rewarding and fun and although we want to analyze and improve each season we also need to acknowledge our improvement and growth along the way. In addition you don't want to forget to use the things that went well. It may have been a new drill or a way you organized a practice or a new routine to use before games. Whatever it was make sure you write it down and put it with your baseball stuff to make sure you incorporate it into your next season.
Four new drills have been added to the site. If you're coaching a fall ball team you might give these a try and let me know how they work out.
Bucket of Balls with Runners
One-two Infield Drill
First Base Pickoff
Fly Ball Communication
© QCBaseball.com, 2008. All rights reserved.
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