Technique Tuesday Tip Of the Week! Baseball: A Game of Catch.
Teaching the simple task of catching and throwing a baseball is the most challenging concept you will face as a coach. Approach every athlete as if he has never thrown or caught a baseball before. I am convinced that teaching approach to throwing must begin at the most simplistic stage and be developed over the course of a season.
20 MINUTE RULE: Playing high levels of catch is the foundation of a great defense. Coaches of all levels should realize this and place a greater importance on the first 20-30 minutes of practice when players are loosening up arms and getting ready for a practice. Don’t waste this time at the beginning of practice. These first 20 minutes should be used to teach throwing, catching, and footwork fundamentals that develop a sound foundation. If you have an athlete who is having difficult time with a defensive skill and you spend 10-15 minutes a practice with him during warm-ups, you are spending close to two hours with him over the course of week, if you practice daily. Use this time wisely!
I like to pair up my players by position. Pitchers warm up with pitchers, infielders with infielders and outfielders with outfielders. This gives players to opportunity to work on specific skills together. The 20 minute rule, be sure to implement the importance of playing catch and throwing the ball during warm-ups. Baseball is a game of CATCH! Catching the ball is the #1 fundamental needed for a great defense. Check in at www.mannytorres19.com for your latest tips on coaching baseball, playing baseball and your weekly Fun Friday Fitness Tips…Stay healthy
makes sense! i agree that every minute of practice time should be used peoperly and boy does that add up over the course of time. look forward to reading and learning more…
Nice blog Manny. You genuinely seem to have a passion for baseball and teaching. Keep up the good work. I’ll be sure to check back often.
Wesley, thanks…yes baseball is my passion and working with kids in baseball is my calling for sure! I took a look at your website, pretty cool. Have a great Thanksgiving..
Thanks.
Manny
Beneficial post and a wonderful read. You have raised some logical points. Great work, keep it up. I enjoy returning back to this web site and digesting the high quality content you always have available.
It’s not an argument, it’s my opinion on what I feel is the number one fundamental in baseball and the one that gets overlooked at practice. Coaches assume that players can catch the ball. It’s a skill that also need to be worked on. Thanks for the comment.
Great work! keep the posts coming… i’ll keep reading them. Thanks