Coaches

Congratulations and thank you for volunteering your time and efforts as a coach!! Here are some tips to get your season off on the right foot!

Head Coaches: 
Recruit and contact your assistant coaches. Remember, you are allowed to choose/add 2 new coaches (and their players) to your team as "Rostered Assistants". You may recruit more parents from your assigned team to volunteer as additional coaches, which is highly recommended. "Rostered coaches must attend one of our coaching clinics for league certification. Additional coaches are encouraged to attend, but not required.

How do I get assistant coaches?
1) They can be assigned to your team by the league.
2) After you receive your team roster, you will also have the registration forms of each of the players. On those registration forms, some parents will have indicated that they will assist the team in coaching, umpiring, concession or otherwise. Ask the parents to help.

After you have decided on your coaches, organize a brief coaches meeting. At the meeting, decide as a group what the team coaching philosophies will be. Design a schedule that will work for the coaches. Designate responsibilities as the batting coach, defensive coach, base coaches, dug out coach, outfielder coach, scorekeeper, etc.

Promote, promote, promote!! Let every parent and coach on your team know they are invited to the coaches clinics and umpiring clinics!!

TEAM MEETING
Organize the team meeting before the first practice. You can hold the meeting at your home, or reserve the free meeting rooms at the local library, fire department or park district.

Agenda:
• introduce the coaches to the players and parents.
• discuss the team philosophy
• who will contribute on the team banner
• uniforms, parade and picture info
• team rules
• practice schedule and location (provide maps if needed).
• identify special needs, medical concerns
• set up car pools and phone tree

Practices:
• Average 60 - 90 minutes ,  3 times a week before opening day games start, then twice a week when games begin.
• Have specific goals in mind BEFORE practice.
• In the first week, get to know kids my name and spend time assessing skills.
• Second week begin trying players at positions.
• Always dedicate portions of practice to team drills on fundamentals like base running and fielding
• Break the kids and coaches up into at least 2 squads and never leave kids sitting or standing around too long.
• Always have ice-packs, water and medical release forms at practice and games.
• Stress parent attendance and participation at practices.

Games:
• Begin with a plan!!! The more organized the team is, the more playing time everyone gets!!!
• Assign a team mom or dug-out coach to keep players ready to take the field, sit or to bat.
• Have your batting order ready before the game.
• If players have to sit an inning, know who and when before the game!!
• Hand out a "game ball" (or 2) after each game to recognize players for achievement, effort or improvement!! (And make sure each player receives at least one by season's end!!)

Word to the wise: "Ask for help!!" The more help you receive, the more you and your team will enjoy this experience!!