In this episode of the CCA Podcast, you will learn:
How to set up a routine for your players and why it's important
How to make sure their swings count toward their 10,000 hours of "deliberate practice"
How to use batting practice to emphasize your hitting philosophy
Should players get a set number of swings, or a set number of pitches, and why.
How to work bunting into your batting practice routine
What we renamed our batting practice sessions to make them more productive
Resources of the show
Batting practice template - Print out this template, fill in your player's names and you have a great routine to minimize transition time and maximize production.
5 hitting drills that translate to game performance - There are TONS of hitting drills out there that look great in practice, but don't do a darn thing to create better hitters. Here are 5 great ones totally FREE!!!
3 part series on hitting in the Statcast era- In this presentation in our Winter Clinic, I break down what Statcast data means for you and how you can use it to your advantage.
Week long batting practice plans - Elite members have access to week long batting practice plans that include on field drills, cage drills, tee work, and bunting drills all planned out for you.
Chaos hitting drills - Simulate the game the best way we can in practice with these drills.
10 ways to maximize on field batting practice
There is no part of practice that players love more than batting practice, especially on field batting practice. But, from a coach's perspective, this is the part of practice that has a tendency to be the least productive and if you’ve followed me for any period of time, you know there is nothing I hate more than unproductive practice time!
Here a 10 great tips to help you get the MOST out of your on field batting practice sessions.
1. Have a pre-set routine so no time is wasted in set up or rotations.
Start with the same group in the same spot each day. Assign kids the same roles in getting set up and tearing down the field. Whether you are in the cage, or on the field, you will need someone to take care of baseballs, L-screens, nets, your side hitting stations if you set them up. Have players take care of the same stations during tear down.
We have a portable batting cage that needs to be brought from outside the field into the field and around home plate each time we hit on the field. The most prestigious job on our team is “driving” the portable backstop.
You can get our on field batting practice template by going to:
2.) Don’t just let players mindlessly swing. Have a specific goal for each station, round, and swing.
Becoming an expert performer takes 10,000 hours of “deliberate practice.” Taking 10 swings off a tee, or hitting 10 pitches in the cage don’t qualify as deliberate practice.
Coaches can help this process by being organized ahead of time and having a plan for every round, every pitch, and every station. Players will gravitate toward mindless swings if coaches let them, so it is important that you are engaged as your batting practice session goes on and they are redirecting hitters as much for their focus, purpose and intent as they do for their swing.
For some extra ideas, here are 5 great drills to give players focus in batting practice and have them making decisions before swinging: www.cornerstonecoachingacademy.com/5-drills/
3.) Emphasize pitch selection during batting practice. When else do they get to work on it?
Early in my coaching career, I made pitch selection and approach at the plate a point of emphasis in all of my post game talks,
