Tips for Coaches

1. As a coach, get organized; develop a plan before for your practices and game situations. Learn as much about tee-ball and baseball as you can.
2. Remember to present your material in kids’ terms. Successful coaches know their audience and use analogies and common visual imagery for their coaching tools. For 5 & 6 year old players, these images are best when they are a bit dramatic.  Think of incorporating games into your practice such as relay races (even get the coaches involved--the kids will like this)
3. Don’t assume anything. Go over all the basics: Where the bases are and the defensive or ready positions, which way to run to first, when to start and stop running, how to hold a bat and glove, number of outs, innings, fouls etc.
4. One of the most difficult things a coach has to do is see the eleven players on the field who are not related to him or her. Remember to be a coach on the field and a parent off the field. If possible have your assistants instruct your son or daughter to avoid conflicts
5. Coaches need the assistance of their players’ parents. Ask for 3-4 volunteer parents for the entire year (move the assistant coaches around so they don’t get bored while you do all of the fun stuff).  Parents are normally willing to help out but are usually reluctant to come forward unless asked to assist. If you give them specific things to do, they will be more comfortable.
6. Ask for a volunteer Mom and lay out what you need help with (snack schedule, end of year party maybe even trophies
7. On the field, you have to be a teacher as well as a coach. Teach them what they need to know, show them what you taught them, practice the things you taught them over and over, then be prepared to do it all over again
8. To make the most of your practice time, break the team up into two or three groups, depending on the number of coaches. This will enable you to keep more kids occupied and less bored. Remember the attention span of a 5-6 year old is measured in minutes.
9. The game: Keep track in a spreadsheet (or something like that) of the positions each kid has played and the batting order so that everyone gets to play each position a few times (except 1st--not all of the kids will be able to catch well enough to play 1st)
10. The game: Sit the players on the bench in the batting order. Only the on-deck batter should have a bat in their hands. Horsing around on the bench will translate into foolish behavior in the field.
11. Keep the parents informed as much as possible with email communications and handouts. Ideal communication will include reminders of practices and games times and location. It is important to include your email and phone number and request that parents call if their child will not be at a game.
12. Dole out Lots of praise
13. Drink caffeine before every event so you are "pumped up" for the kids and they see you are excited
14. HAVE FUN!