The 1^st Grade Softball League is a developmental league and coaches are expected to emphasize having fun while teaching players fundamental techniques for throwing a softball, and hitting a softball. The League will play on Saturdays at 3:30pm and have a weekly team practice (in addition to Saturday game day) from April until mid-June. The games are for fun, no score should be kept and coaches should treat the games as an opportunity to reinforce skills within the context of the game (especially infield play, teamwork and game situations.) Coaches should emphasize to each player a goal of “getting better each week” and identify things for each player to work on that are appropriate for each individual player. The league will be structured so that teams will split to form two sub-teams of 6 girls. All infield positions will be played by the girls including catcher. Coaches should also ensure that all players on the team are moving and involved as much as possible. Coaches should structure practice drills and games to insure that players are not standing around or spending too much time watching others, and receive   reinforcement for using proper techniques.

 

 

 

               

                Start throwing motions without ball

1.       Standing square

2.       Step to side point left hip at target

3.       Raise throwing arm back and up, point glove hand at target

4.       Move arm up over head taking a step and rotating hip

5.       Follow through arm comes down toward knee

Start out by calling steps slowly with team in unison, speed up to eventually reach one continuous motion.

 

                Routines with tennis balls and softballs

1.       Wrist snaps, elbow pointing toward target, arm above head, snap the ball with minimal arm movement.

2.       Arm back and up, hips rotated left facing target, glove pointing at target, throw ball without stepping, and finish square to target.

3.       Same as two but with a step in the motion.

4.   Can advance to crow hop for distance once they develop consistency.

 

 

1.       Glove up ready to catch, feet square to the ball direction.

2.       Move the glove to the ball keeping their eye on the ball.

3.       Let the ball go into the glove, don’t stab at it.

4.       Cover with throwing hand after the catch.

5.       Start with underhand throws with tennis balls then to softballs.

6.       Ground ball position, knees bent, butts up, and glove touching the ground.

7.       Fly ball position, square to the direction of the ball, glove around shoulder                               high to start, move glove up to the ball.

 

 

1.       Relaxed grip small knuckles should line up or be close.

2.       Feet should be shoulder width apart, slightly wider is ok, with slight flex at knee.

3.       Arms back and up, no flying elbows, with a slight rotation in torso.

4.       Start swing by releasing hips then arms to a level waist high position.

5.       Finish swing with arms coming through following hips, back shoulder should pick their heads up if they’re keeping their eyes on the ball.

6.       As with the other skills you can start without bats, go to slow motion with a bat, and then hit off the tee.

 

Base Running

1.       Start with over running first base, they should master this first.

2.       Then go to running two bases, with a slight dip in their direction at first base to help them round the base better.

3.       Make sure they understand they can only over run first or home and have to stop at second and third.

 

 

Defensive Play

1.       Plays to second base are the shortest distance and easiest to make. Start with two lines at shortstop and second base.

2.       Throw grounds balls to the shortstop with the second basemean taking the throw. Then switch to grounds balls to second base with the shortstop covering second. Switch the players and repeat.

3.       Next set up lines at first and second base and repeat above.

4.       You can also try third to second and pitcher to first.

5.       To keep their attention make this a team contest with the line with the least dropped balls and or inaccurate throws winning.

 

 

 

All teams should be certain to schedule one independent practice each week in addition to the Saturday practice/game day. Coaches should develop a practice plan in advance, and structure the practice consistently each week. Coaches may recruit parents to assist. This will help to run simultaneous practice stations, with small groups, focusing on specific skill development.    

 

·         On field practice time starts promptly at 3:30pm each Saturday. Practice should last 30 minutes and the game time should fill the balance of the time. You should be off the field and make sure that all equipment and players are removed from the bench areas no later than 5:15pm.

·         Tees should be used for the entire first game – no coach pitch. It is very important to stress the importance of hitting off a tee.

·         Coaches in the field should be behind the players and assisting with loading the tee.

·         Try to limit aggressive base running so the girls can have more defensive situations to coach the girls through.

·         With legitimate hits to the outfield have players take extra bases with emphasis on rounding the basis.

·         Limit six runs per inning.

·         All players should run on and off the field. (A contest of who is first on and off will help.)

·         Coaches in the field make the calls on defensive outs.