Softball Coaches Clinic3.25.12

Welcome…

Coaching Staff

Dan Rattacasa (Head Coach / 2nd season) Lindsay Rattacasa (Assistant Varsity &JV coach / 4th

season) Ray Renshaw (Volunteer Assistant / 1st season) JB Hodges (Volunteer Assistant / 1st season)

Topics… Expectations for U-High School Softball Players

what skill sets should they be familiar with and fluent in when entering 9th grade

The fundamentals Defense

▪ Outfield & Infield Positioning▪ Throwing▪ Catching▪ Receiving

Offense▪ Baserunning▪ Outfield & Infield fielding techniques▪ Hitting Philosophy▪ Small Ball and the Speed Game

“Playing the Game”

Expectations…Fundamental skills that should be practiced daily regardless

of level

1. Throwing2. Catching3. Receiving4. Bunting

5. Baserunning6. Typical Defensive Alignment/Depth

*At the high school level we spend 45-60 minutes each practice on #1-5*

“When on defense SOFTBALL turns into a high level game of THROW & CATCH” starts with the fundamentals!

“Offensively our main goal is to put the ball in play, preferably on the ground” put pressure on the DEFENSE!

Defensive Positioning Regular Depth (fundamental D)

P/C – no worries Middle IF (2nd/SS)

▪ 2-3 steps behind baseline▪ 1-2 steps shaded towards 2B

Corner IF (3rd/1st)▪ 1-2 steps behind baseline▪ The distance away from the foul line of an aggressive secondary lead

Outfield▪ Depth depends on hitter▪ LF directly between 2nd & 3rd

▪ CF directly behind 2nd base▪ RF directly hehind 1st & 2nd

Def. Positioning (cont.)

Bunt D or IF In P/C – the same Middle IF (2nd/SS)

▪ 1 step behind or even with baseline▪ 1-2 steps shaded towards 2B

Corner IF (3rd/1st)▪ 1-2 steps in front of pitching rubber▪ The distance away from the foul line of an aggressive secondary lead

Outfield▪ Depth depends on hitter (creeping in slightly for back-up duties)▪ LF directly between 2nd & 3rd

▪ CF directly behind 2nd base▪ RF directly behind 1st & 2nd

Pre-Pitch Movement

Offense (at bat, on deck, on double deck) Rhythm & Movement develops timing. X STATIC X YES – YES – (YES or NO) Mentality

Defense (on release of pitch) Middle IF and Outfield▪ STEP-STEP (creeping forward and attacking)▪ Balls of your feet (no heel contact)

Corner IF ▪ STEP-STEP (side to side since they are close to the batter)▪ Balls of your feet (no heel contact)

You will be surprised how difficult this is to accomplish each and every pitch of the game

Baserunning Let’s get in the habit of:

Picking up the 1st base coach immediately after contact for a signal (this is our philosophy, especially for young athletes)▪ BOTH HANDS pointing towards the base = Run Through▪ HANDS UP / GOAL POSTS = Go 2 and pick up 3rd base coach

Awareness after running through 1st base (listening to 1st base coach “GO GO GO”

Running Through 1st Base ▪ Making contact (w/o lunging) on the front 1/3 of the base (not middle or back half)

Rounding 1st Base▪ ? Method gets runner in best position to reach 2B/3B as quickly as possible▪ No Deceleration▪ Contact with front left corner of base with foot most comfortable for baserunner

Sure extra base hit picking up the 3rd base coach after touching 1B Tagging UP

▪ Runner on 3rd < 2 Outs▪ Get them trained to get back to 3B, into a strong running position, and wait for the 3B

coaches cue to GO

Baserunning (cont.)

Leading Methods (runners’ preference)

Track Start (2 examples)▪ Leave base at release of pitch▪ Hard 2 steps▪ Recognize pitch REACT

Rocker Start ▪ Practice Timing start rocker during windup and leave base at release of pitch▪ Make sure to not turn your back to the play

Retrieving back to a base▪ RIGHT foot FRONT LEFT corner of base (body as far away from play as

possible)▪ Step – Dive – RIGHT Hand FRONT LEFT corner of base

Baserunning (cont.)

Track Lead #1 Track Lead #2

*Covering less distance is the key*

Small Ball Bunting & The Speed Game

Beats dominate pitching Objective to put the ball in play

Put pressure on “D” Head Dunking

Sacrifice Bunting

Pivot vs. Square-Around Methods▪ Same skills involved

▪ If executed perfectly they accomplish the same job

Bunting PIVOT

Popular in our program

Faster out of box Balanced Plate

Coverage

SQUARE-AROUND Sight of ball may be easier to

track Comfortable for some

Keys to a successful BUNT

• Balance• Control

• Plate Coverage• Knowing your *NEW* strike zone

• Hand Placement• Grip on Bat

Bunting (cont.)

In the Batters Box Stand close enough so that once you pivot/square around the bat covers the

entire place

Hand Placement 1. Slide top hand to the top 1/3 of the bat (where barrel begins to

fatten) 2. Slide top hand to the top 1/3 and bottom hand to bottom

1/3 of bat Grip is Critical! They must grab bat firmly

▪ Thumb on TOP – Pads of fingertips on bottom

Body Positioning Athletic position bending at waist and knees Bat starts at the top of the strike zone

Bunting (cont.)

Bat Position Bat out in front of plate (cancels movement)

▪ Both arms almost completely straight▪ “EYES” of bat on pitcher

Bat is flat or angled slightly upwards It’s easier to lower bat than to raise it

▪ “landing a plane”

Optimal bunt locations… Down 1st base line Bermuda triangle #1 (pitcher-1B-C) Bermuda Triangle #2 (pitcher-3B-C)

Bunting / Dragging Sacrifice Bunt vs. Bunting for a HIT

SAC = show mid windup HIT = show @ release of pitch Pivot Method The Difference is the timing of when to SHOW

Drag Bunt Clear front leg Get into running position Bat extended out in front of plate First practice with bat already in position and have player RUN &

Track Slap

Clear Front Leg Running position Choke up – Chop

Defense has to field these plays without hesitation = Pressure

Throwing

What we have observed

Arm discomfort Tendinitis Inconsistencies in arm strength Inconsistencies in throwing accuracy Little usage of trunk / lower half Smoothness, Rhythm, and Flow ? Stiffness and robotic-like movements

Throwing (cont.)

Every level (T-ball USA Team) breaks throwing down

WHS Softball Throwing ProgressionKneeling Wrist Toss (extension off fingertips)Kneeling Forward Trunk Twists & Extension

Kneeling Side Trunk Twists & ExtensionStanding Cement Feet Trunk Twists & Extension

Standing Side Trunk Twists & ExtensionCarioca Toss

Long TossTowel Drill

Arm Placement, Hand Placement, Glove Tuck & Timing, Trunk Rotation, Linear Movement, Release &

Extension

Receiving1. Never be Static – Always be moving2. Expect an inaccurate throw3. Beat ball to the spot

1. Double Plays2. Cutoffs / Relays3. Home to 2nd / 3rd

4. Rundowns4. Throwing hand close to glove for smooth, fast, & efficient transition

Keys to Success5. Track ball all the way in to glove6. (advanced/older) Position body in the direction/location of your next

throw slightly before the reception of the ball (i.e. DP’s, Cutoffs, relays)

WHS Softball Drills/Games/Contests Our Favorite Thing To Do7. Around The Horn8. “4 Corners” Follow your throw & communicate9. Clockwise / Counterclockwise (w/o and w/ tags) timed

Fielding *Have defenders make THROWS whenever possible*

Outfield Beat ball to Spot Have them practice running w/ their glove on Work on eliminating backpedaling Work on raising glove closer to the moment just before making a catchThrowing “Thumb to Thigh then reach for the Sky” = BIG “C” Demand strong, accurate throws w/ good extension Throw through cutoffs chest▪ We are helpless with a ball over our heads. Keeping it low can

provide a nice short hop or charity hop giving the fielder a chance at a play

Fielding Field like an infielder – practice ground balls with IF

Fielding (cont.)

Outfield (cont.)*Proper progression is vitally important*

Drills3 Hops

Kneeling Pop UpsQB Drop Back

Hussle Drill or “X” DrillBetween the Legs Basket Catch

All in 1 Drill (hops-ground ball-basket-QB)Fence

Fielding (cont.)

Infield The TRIANGLE

▪ Hips / Knees bent evenly▪ Field ball out in front (pre-

pitch position)▪ On balls of our feet▪ Beat ball to spot▪ Count the hops▪ TRACK Ball

Drills 5 Yard Drills (both

directions) Backhands Rake Throughs

(advanced) Short Hops Charging QB Drop Back Fence Drill “Elephant”

Defense / Rundowns Our Defensive Philosophy:

The opposing team may try something fancy on the base path but when a play is on we will dictate the tempo, route, pace of the play.

We make the decisions for the baserunner, we don’t wait for the baserunner to make our decision

Rundowns1. Minimize Throws2. Communicate3. Throwing Path / Lane4. *Shorten distance between throws*

Practice Dart throws & Communication “You must play the game” to get skilled at this situation

Hitting Our Hitting Philosophy:1. Have a solid pre at bat regimen that is repeated consistently2. Visualize

1. To develop confidence and for timing purposes 3. Have some Rhythm & Movement throughout stance and pre pitch (NO

STATIC)4. Stay balanced5. Make contact Put the ball in play & minimize strikeouts

1. Catch – Throw – Catch = Continuous Pressure on the Defense6. Track Ball every pitch7. YES-YES-NO or YES-YES-YES approach8. Palm Up – Palm Down @ CONTACT9. Balance10. Be a situational hitter

1. Have a zone (if the 1st pitch is there smash it)2. Hitting mentality is different with a 0-0, 3-0, or 1-2 count

11. Hit ball well to ALL fields – Hit inside, middle, and outside pitches well 12. Remain Balanced

Tee

How far should you stand from a batting tee?

TeeMiddle of Plate Inside Pitch Outside Pitch

Knob – Belly Button

Sweet Spot on Ball

A ball thrown down the middle of the plate should be

driven up the middle

Same Stance

Have ball set up out in front of plate so the batter can drive the

ball to left field

Same Stance

Have ball set up a little deeper in the zone so the batter can drive it to right

field

X rollover X to 3B/SS

We are not fans of moving up or back in the box. We believe adjusting your rhythm,

movement, and timing will help decrease frustration and allow for better balance and

direct contact with the softball.

Infield / Outfield

Components to a good IF/OF

Everyone moving on every playEveryone talking/communicating

Proper, sensible progression Flow High # of throwing, receiving, backing up repetitions

WHS Softball IF/OF (time permitting roughly 8 min.)

OUTFIELD straight home, RF to 1st , 2nd, 3rd, home, 2 w/ cut, 2 w/o cut, 3 w/ cut, 3 w/o cut, (gappers with SS & 2B as cuts and 1b as trailer or double cut), Home w/ cut, home w/o cut

INFIELD around the horn x2, home, 1st, 1 and cover, double plays, infield charging to 1, bunt defense x4, (slap defense x8), catcher throw downs to 3B, 2B (ss/2b cover), 1B (in/out), home

“Playing the Game”Positive “Chatter”

One of the few sports without a clock as we are free to speak as much or as little as we want

On Offense Always talking, always encouraging, always UP if possible “It’s not WHAT you say it’s HOW you say it”

On Defense Whether it’s a close game, lop-sided, slow moving we are

always:▪ Communicating to our fielders (team-pitcher, IF-IF, OF-OF, IF-OF)▪ Reminding▪ Communicating▪ Encouraging▪ Picking-up▪ Celebrating the big play

Thank You…

Please feel free to contact me at any time and I will answer any questions that you may have about the topics

discussed at today’s clinic or any other questions that may not have

been covered during the presentation.

drattacasa@wwrsd.org