2019 DCLL Coaching CLINICFor Managers and Coaches

Agenda:• Welcome & Introduction• Coaching and Managing• Coaching Relationships• Green Book• Practices• Game Day• Position Players• Coaching Pool• Coaching Assistance Program• Questions

Coaching and Managing

Ø Volunteering and commitment to coaching

Ø Find your comfort zone

Ø Coaching style

Ø Get familiar with the rule book

Ø Research ways to improve your team

Ø Set time aside for practices

Ø Keep practices balanced with the game schedule

Coaching Relationships

Ø Coach to player

Ø Support your players

Ø Be a good sportsman and respectful

Ø Discuss expected behavior and team rules

Ø Discuss player positions and on-field game time

Ø Challenge your players to play their best

Ø Provide corrections as needed

Ø Have fun!

Coach to Player

Coaching Relationships

Ø Parent Meetingü Set goals and expectationsü Team rulesü Game rulesü Parent rulesü Attendanceü Game limitsü Volunteering opportunitiesü Team parent needsü Gear requirementsü Field status proceduresü Communications options (email vs apps)ü Game/practice show up timesü and more…

Coach to Parents

Coaching Relationships

Ø Volunteering opportunitiesØ PracticesØ GamesØ Team parent(s)Ø Other

Ø Coaching from the side lines expectations

Ø Parent conference time availability

Ø Snacks and end of season party responsibilities

Coach to Parents

Coaching Relationships

Ø Keep a good sportsmanship atmosphere

Ø Let your team know what is good sportsmanship behavior

Ø Winning and losing behavior

Coach to Opponent Teams

Coach to FansØ Be friendly to all fans

Ø Keep fans out of the dugout and the field

Coach to League OfficialsØ Know your League Officials

Coaching Relationships

Ø Read the Green Book

Ø Be respectful

Ø Be ready to deal with bad play calls

Ø Understand that sometimes there is no strike zone

Ø Understand that sometimes everything is a strike

Ø Junior umpires are learning and need everyones support

Ø Express your gratitude to all umpires

Ø They are volunteers too!

Coach to Umpire

Green Book

Ø Read the rule book

Ø Read the rule book again

Ø Seek help if needed to understand rules interpretation

Ø Always have the rule book with you at games and practices

PracticesØ Be Organized and have a plan

Ø Teach ü Fundamentalsü Demonstrationü Scenariosü Repetitionü Encouragement

Ø Break it up into short sessions

Ø Scrimmages (within the team and versus other teams)

Ø Games to practice scenarios

Ø Evaluate your team practice needs to incorporate the proper practice drills

Game Day

Ø Game plan and strategy

Ø Making a Lineup

Ø Selecting Pitchers

Ø Assigning positions and rotations

Ø Be prepared for Chaos

Ø End of game team discussion

Ø Game ball?

Ø Take notes from the game to bring to future practices

Player Positions

Ø Starters vs Relieversü Is there a difference in Little League?

Ø Pitcher capabilities and limits

Ø Pitch count and rest

Ø Pitching practice during rest days

Ø Good days and bad days

Ø Be Supportive!

Pitchers

Player Positions

Ø Identify multiple players

Ø Know the catching and pitching limits

Ø Be aware of the physical demand on players

Ø Be careful with heat exhaustion

Ø Catching experience?

Catchers

Player Positions

Ø Identify multiple players for various positions

Ø Consider player safety when assigning positions

Infield

Outfield

Ø Be mindful of time spend on the outfield (rotate)

Ø Cutoffs and relays

Ø What to do with the ball?

Coaching POOLCHALLENGE

Coaching a team can be demanding on its own but coaches must balance their volunteer commitment with their personal and

work schedules.

WHY?Conflicting schedules could result in game cancellation or a

greater challenges to manage a game.

PROPOSALProvide coaches the option to sign up to a coaching pool. Create coaching pool for coaches willing and able to assist other teams

as needed during scheduled games.

Coach Assistance Program

Ø Allow coaches access to additional assistanceü Gamesü Practices

Ø Create opportunities to allow coaches to experience next league playing levels

Ø Provide assistance during team practicesü An experienced coach will attend a team practice to assist

v New drillsv Practice v Coach Requests

2019 DCLL Coaching CLINICQuestions?