A Service of TPM Fastpitch
Resource Guide for Coaches
Welcome to the Get Hooked Community Resource Guide tailored for coaches. Leveraging our extensive expertise in the softball industry since 1992, we have meticulously crafted this resource to empower coaches in enhancing their skills. Our seasoned team has curated invaluable insights to steer you towards excellence in coaching. Explore our ebook "Ultimate Resource Guide For Coaches" for comprehensive knowledge. Delve into our online training courses and Resource Guide Companion Course, uniquely crafted for coaches.
Dive into our blog brimming with insightful tips and guidance. Count on our expert team for continuous support and advice, enabling you to maximize your potential on the field. Engage with us via forums or direct contact for personalized guidance to propel your coaching abilities.
Browse through the in-page menu topics of our curated resource guide for coaches:
COACHING PHILOSOPHY AND LEADERSHIP
Embarking on the exciting yet challenging journey of coaching fastpitch softball can be a transformative experience. Whether you're a novice coach or a seasoned veteran seeking improvement, the path ahead is filled with opportunities for growth and learning. At Get Hooked Fastpitch Community, we understand the complexities that come with coaching this dynamic sport, which is why we've curated a comprehensive guide featuring five invaluable tips to enhance your coaching prowess.
Off-the-Field Softball Coaching: Beyond the Diamond
As a coach, your role extends far beyond the confines of the softball field. Embracing managerial responsibilities such as fundraising, coordinating with facility managers, and engaging with parents is integral to fostering a cohesive team environment. Effective communication, organizational skills, and the ability to represent your team with pride are essential in navigating these off-the-field tasks. Consider utilizing project management tools like Trello to streamline your administrative duties, allowing you to focus on player development. One last off-the-field tip is first-aid preparation. Players will get hurt, its inevitable. Be prepared for this or an emergency by planning ahead. Put together a first aid kit that travels with the team and consider taking a first aid or CPR course yourself.
Player Growth Over Wins: Cultivating Champions Off and On the Field
While victories are undoubtedly gratifying, prioritizing the growth and development of your players should be your primary focus. Inspire, challenge, and motivate your team members to excel not only in softball but also in life. By instilling values of hard work, respect, teamwork, and self-improvement, you create a nurturing environment where players can thrive. Emphasize the importance of applying skills learned on the field to excel in future endeavors, fostering a holistic approach to coaching. In addition to keeping a team-first attitude, remember to be honest and fair with your players. If you want their trust and respect, you must give them yours too.
Continuous Learning: The Coach as a Student
Regardless of your coaching experience, there is always room for growth and exploration. Engage with online softball resources, forums, and tutorials to expand your coaching repertoire. Embrace new ideas while critically evaluating their impact on player development. Incorporate innovative drills and techniques into your coaching methodology, striking a balance between tradition and evolution. Remember, being a coach is a journey of perpetual learning and adaptation.
Navigating Challenges: Managing Disrespect and Parental Involvement
Handling disrespectful behavior from players requires patience, empathy, and effective communication. Encourage accountability by assigning responsibilities and maintaining consistent standards for all team members.
If you're coaching teenagers, though, don't be surprised if you encounter it. Typically, when they act out at practice or in games they want attention. Punishing them by making them run laps may not be so effective, then. Instead, try putting the player in charge of a drill or task. Give them some responsibility that forces them to engage and take practice seriously. If this doesn't work, take them aside and talk one-on-one about why their behavior is unacceptable.
Addressing parental concerns with transparency and compassion is crucial in fostering a harmonious coach-parent-player relationship. Establishing clear communication channels and promoting positive sideline behavior contribute to a supportive and inclusive team environment. When speaking with parents, be open about your goals for the team, the strategy to get there, and how it involves their daughter. Parents calm down when they know what's going on. Remind parents also that you take a team-based approach. Unlike them, you cannot simply focus on an individual player. You have to do what's best for everyone, which means making tough decisions sometimes.
Embracing the Coaching Journey: A Rewarding Endeavor
Coaching fastpitch softball is a challenging yet immensely rewarding experience that requires dedication, passion, and resilience. While the road ahead may seem daunting, staying true to your coaching goals and values will pave the way for a fulfilling journey for both you and your team. Remember, every practice, game, and interaction shapes not only your players' skills but also their character and resilience.
Join us at Get Hooked Community to embark on a transformative coaching experience, where you'll gain in-depth training on various aspects of the game, from hitting routines to pitching mechanics and beyond. Together, let's nurture a community of compassionate and dedicated coaches committed to empowering players both on and off the field.
GAME STRATEGY AND TACTICS
In the game of softball there are multiple areas of focus when it comes to game strategy and tactics.
Basic areas of the game include offense and defense, which include pitching, hitting, slapping, bunting and fielding, catching and throwing.
In fastpitch softball, offense can consist of hitting, or swinging away, or bunting from the right or left side of the batter’s box. As well, batter’s working from the left side can be armed with multiple tactics in swinging away, drag bunting, or slap hitting. Batters who are on the left side, or in the left side batter’s box start out closer to first base. If batters have speed, enhancing their offensive game with slapping skills gives the batter the option of dropping a quick bunt down or power slapping, soft or punch slapping, placing the ball where it is difficult for the defense to make the play to beat the batter to first base.
Defense strategies can vary significantly based on the situation at hand as far as how many outs there are and how many runners are on base at the time.
We have outlined various high quality resources for you to expand your knowledge on specific in game tactics and strategies for all levels of play. As well, with the advancement of technology and resources via social media, many coaches have created content for the masses. Please be sure to check out these resources and accounts:
PRACTICE PLANNING AND DRILLS
As a softball coach, your time is often dedicated to crafting tailored softball drills and practice schedules. An essential tip is to infuse a competitive spirit into your practices akin to game scenarios. Practice sessions can become mundane, risking player engagement. Emphasize structuring practices to minimize talk and maximize action.
By integrating elements of competition, intensity, and station rotation into your softball practices, you can elevate your team's performance by simulating game-like conditions. Ultimately, our role as coaches is to positively impact our athletes. The following softball practice plan provides a comprehensive framework suitable for all softball levels, enhancing your team's skills and cohesion.
Tale of Two Halves
This two-hour practice plan divides the session into defensive drills for the first half and offensive drills with a competitive edge for the remaining time. Mastering defensive fundamentals and execution is pivotal for game success, as errors can sway game outcomes significantly. Prioritizing defensive skills will help your team secure victories on the field.
Softball Drills and Practice Plan: Defense
Following warm-up exercises, band work for shoulder stability, and throwing practice, incorporate drills aimed at enhancing your infielders' hand skills. Commencing band exercises around ages 11 or 12 is crucial to maintain balanced shoulder and back muscles, reducing injury risks in the future.
Short Hops Barehanded (5 min)
Regardless of your coaching experience, there is always room for growth and exploration. Engage with online softball resources, forums, and tutorials to expand your coaching repertoire. Embrace new ideas while critically evaluating their impact on player development. Incorporate innovative drills and techniques into your coaching methodology, striking a balance between tradition and evolution. Remember, being a coach is a journey of perpetual learning and adaptation.
This drill focuses on cultivating soft hands and developing a keen sense of ball motion and control. Emphasize the player's active engagement with the ball. Instruct players to keep their fingers pointed downwards, wrist slightly cocked back, beginning with the arm closer to the body and progressing through the softball.
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Facing each other, down the middle x5
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Rotate body 90 degrees for backhand x5
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Switch body direction for forehand x5
After completing 5 reps for forehand, backhand, and straight catches, have them transition to a standing position, repeating the sequence without gloves. Encourage them to move their feet in a "right, left, field" pattern, maintaining bent arms, knees, and hinging at the hips. The final segment involves performing the drill with gloves. These fundamental drills should be a regular part of your warm-up routine. If time allows, increase the number of repetitions. Encourage players to practice against a wall at home using a tennis ball to further enhance their skills.
Infield/Outfield (15-20 min)
A crucial aspect in both baseball and softball is the consistent practice of fielding and throwing from various positions to all bases. This routine not only enhances arm strength but also fosters outfield reads and infield repetitions.
Outfield
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Perform two throws to second base from Left, Center, and Right field.
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Execute two throws to third base from Left, Center, and Right field.
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Complete two throws to home plate from Left, Center, and Right field.
* The initial throw should focus on hitting the cutoff; if it's cut, accept the decision.
* The second throw to home simulates a high-pressure "do or die" play, where the outfielder aims to prevent the winning run; prioritize accuracy without involving the cutoff.
After outfielders practice throws to bases and fielding ground and fly balls, align them in center field (based on the dugout location) for additional fly ball and ground ball drills from the foul line. This drill emphasizes catching through the ball and adopting optimal throwing positions.
Infield
Moving across the infield, hit ground balls to third base, shortstop, second base, and then first base. If possible, have two coaches hitting ground balls simultaneously for efficiency.
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Third baseman, shortstop, and second baseman make throws to first base, while the first baseman throws to third base.
* Repeat this sequence twice, challenging infielders to field balls on their glove side and backhand side.
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Perform two double plays, rotating fielders and testing their fielding range. The first baseman initiates the throw to second base and aims to return to the base swiftly.
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Execute two plays with the infield in:
* In the first scenario, players check runners, look at third base to freeze an imaginary runner, and throw to first base.
* In the second scenario, make a play at home plate to tag out a runner, ensuring quick transitions from receiving to throwing; let the catcher choose whether to play at home or go to first, with clear communication.
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Long/Short
* Position all infielders about six feet behind the baseline, with the first baseman making the throw home, and roll slow rollers for on-the-run throws to first base. Perform one regular throw and one short throw on the move.
Energy is key in a successful infield-outfield practice. Encourage loud communication and high energy levels throughout every play and repetition. This spirited practice sets the tone for game performance, fostering team cohesion and enthusiasm. A dynamic infield-outfield session not only fires up the team but also establishes a formidable presence before each game.
Pitchers Deserve Attention Too
Pitchers should have already followed a designated throwing routine or specific plans outlined by the coaching staff.
It is crucial for pitchers to practice against batters as the season nears or during the season itself. This exposure helps them gain confidence in executing competitive pitches like the backdoor curve or changeup. Facing a batter in the box allows pitchers to gauge the break and movement of their pitches. Conversely, hitters benefit significantly from this drill, enhancing their pitch recognition skills during the pitcher's bullpen sessions.
Ages 10 and Under
For young softball hitters, position them 2 feet from home plate to ensure they have ample time to react accordingly. Encourage hitters to vocalize "yes" or "no" as soon as they decide whether to swing, facilitating mutual understanding between hitter and pitcher.
Ages 10 and Over
Older hitters should assume their regular batting stance in the box and mimic holding a bat by interlocking their top hand's pinky with their bottom hand's pointer finger. As hitters become more comfortable, they can simulate live at-bats, making decisions on swinging or taking pitches. While the sensation of swinging without a bat may differ due to the interlocked fingers, this practice aids in providing feedback to the hitter, refining timing, and supporting the pitcher. This setup enables the pitcher to observe what a real hitter would likely swing at or let pass. If a hitter feels unsafe, they can wear a glove to catch any close pitches.
It is highly recommended that all pitchers utilize a Spin Right Spinner. This tool assists pitchers in mastering various pitches like the rise ball, curveball, screwball, changeup, and more. Incorporating the spinner into daily warm-ups offers immediate feedback to both pitcher and catcher, ensuring correct spin execution. While achieving the desired tight spin for each pitch requires practice, the Spin Right Spinner significantly contributes to developing the ideal spin, whether one is a power pitcher or relies on finesse pitches.
This softball practice drill introduces a competitive edge to the session. Option #1 caters to elite teams, Option #2 suits intermediate teams, and Option #3 is ideal for younger or struggling teams focusing on fundamental plays.
21 Outs (20-25 min)
Option 1
Field your starting 9 players, including the pitcher, aiming to achieve 21 consecutive error-free outs. Restart the count if an error occurs, emphasizing pressure as outs accumulate. Players not in the field simulate game speed by running, fostering a competitive environment and enhancing performance for both fielders and runners.
Involve all team members in fielding, hitting balls into gaps, placing runners, and emphasizing communication on ball direction and game situations. Rotate players after every three outs or as needed. In case of an error, reset the outs to 0, perform 5 burpees, and resume. Consider shortening the drill to 11 outs for time efficiency.
Option 2
Assign players to their primary or secondary positions evenly. Hit balls directly at players as routine plays, including pop-ups, line drives, ground balls, and bunts. Each fielded ball must be thrown to second base, then to first base, and finally to the catcher. Earn a point for each error-free play and revert to 0 for errors. Maintain the count for non-routine plays without altering the score.
Foster a competitive yet confidence-building environment, tracking the time taken to reach 21 outs and celebrating improvements. Consider a shortened version with 11 outs if necessary.
Option 3
Align players in balanced positions and hit balls directly at them, encompassing various play types. Following fielding, each ball must be thrown to second base, then to first base, and finally to the catcher. Earn a point for clean plays and deduct 2 points for errors.
Maintain the count for non-routine plays without score adjustments. Cultivate a competitive atmosphere to enhance defensive skills and confidence while nurturing players' passion for the game. Monitor progress weekly, celebrating advancements in performance. Adjust to 11 outs if required.
The separation drill accentuates the crucial hip and shoulder separation essential for powerful softball hitting. By maintaining stable shoulders while rotating the hips towards the pitcher, this drill enhances swing separation, contributing to increased power generation.
Achieving powerful softball swings might seem challenging, yet the mechanics are straightforward. The Full Turns drill simplifies this process while delivering significant impact. This drill aims to engage the core and lower body, facilitating stronger and more forceful swing rotations.
The drill progression includes:
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Initiate a pause in the launch position before completing the movement.
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Perform the full movement without pausing.
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Execute the full movement without pausing off front toss, emphasizing aggressive rotations.
These progressive drills serve to enhance players' core strength and lower body mechanics, fostering powerful and effective softball swings.
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Softball Hitting Drills for Practice
At Get Hooked Community, we advocate for incorporating four rotating stations to optimize softball hitting practice sessions. This approach ensures active player engagement, eliminating downtime and maximizing practice time efficiency.
Emphasizing quality over quantity is paramount in softball hitting practices. Focusing on quality repetitions and proper swing mechanics during batting practice holds more significance than simply logging numerous swings.
Station One: Movement Station
Generating power in softball hitting hinges on the foundation of strong lower body mechanics, emphasizing rotation and weight transfer to develop hitting strength irrespective of player size. The goal is not solely about hitting mammoth home runs but rather consistently hitting the ball hard into the gaps or off the wall.
The crossover drill is a valuable method for enhancing forward momentum through the ball while emphasizing a strong K posture. This drill benefits hitters struggling with collapsing their backside and maintaining balance during their swing. Beginning in a crossover stance promotes a controlled forward movement, fostering a sense of body alignment towards the tee.
The slow to fast drill focuses on cultivating rhythmic hitting mechanics. It aids in addressing issues where hitters rush their stride excessively or lack control. This concept, also known as slow to explode, has notably boosted hitters' performance, as seen with the transformation of an MLB player from 14 to 50 home runs. Encourage hitters to start slowly and methodically, reaching a solid launch position before explosively accelerating through the swing.
This drill helps hitters establish a smooth load into their back hip, enabling them to control their stride and unleash power effectively. By mastering this controlled approach, hitters can potentially elevate their bat speed significantly.
Concluding the tee drill station, the See Saw into contact drill serves as a transition to the forthcoming front toss drills. This exercise concentrates on refining barrel control leading up to contact, emphasizing correct elbow positioning at the point of impact. Ensure that hands remain positioned above the barrel throughout the drill to reinforce proper swing mechanics.
Station Two: Tee Drills
The Get on Plane drill is designed to prevent hitters from chopping at the ball and encourage the use of torso tilt to adjust to pitches effectively. By mastering this drill, hitters can establish a path to the softball that results in improved launch angles, exit speeds, and ultimately enhances their hitting success. Initiate the drill with hitters facing the pitcher, emphasizing hip rotation and positioning the softball bat behind them during the swing.
Building upon preceding drills, the Bat Path drill accentuates the sensation of the bat dropping into a seesaw position while the heel descends simultaneously. This technique aids hitters in emphasizing the barrel working behind them initially rather than pushing towards the ball. During front toss integration, have hitters practice 3-5 repetitions focusing on synchronizing the heel and bat descent before executing the swing.
Concluding the front toss station, the Finish Your Swing (or Turn) drill concentrates on enhancing post-contact rotation. Encourage hitters to exaggerate their swing finish, pausing briefly to ensure their back faces home plate without prematurely pulling their head. Emphasizing full rotation is vital in unlocking hitting power, making this drill instrumental in helping hitters grasp the significance of complete rotation in a successful swing.
Station Three: Front Toss Drills
It's time to combine the previously practiced drills into more intricate movements, focusing on integrating timing with front toss.
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Execute bunts, hit and runs, and drives to advance or score runners.
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Ensure runners make game-speed decisions, adding competition and speed to drills.
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Hitters take swings while the defense makes plays, working on various pitch locations and types.
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Rotate groups through for multiple repetitions, emphasizing quality over quantity.
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Select captains to draft teams for a competitive conclusion to practice.
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Teams compete for points, with rewards for the winning team, fostering intensity and fun.
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Incorporate consequences for strikeouts or watching strikes, enhancing competitiveness.
Competition Round Breakdown:
Round One:
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Each hit earns a point; any other outcome results in no points awarded.
Round Two:-
Defense can turn double plays within a time limit to deduct points from the hitting team.
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Hits or errors earn points for the hitting team, with outs yielding no points.
Round Three:
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Defense can turn double plays to reduce hitting team points.
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Hitters aim to accumulate points through hits or errors, staying up as long as they score.
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Encourage intensity and competition, making practice more engaging and challenging.
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Live Batting Practice Breakdown
Station 4: Live
At Get Hooked Community, we advocate for a structured softball hitting practice sequence involving tee work, front toss, and live pitching. Tee work and front toss serve as excellent warm-up activities, preparing hitters for the competitive challenge of facing live pitching.
Order of Preference for "Live" Pitching:
1. Live Off an Actual Pitcher:
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Benefits: Enables hitters to refine ball-strike judgement and timing, offering pitchers insights into hitters' preferences. Pitchers can experiment with pitch selection and sequencing.
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Negatives: Care must be taken to avoid overworking pitchers, especially in smaller pitching staffs.
2. Coach Throwing Live Batting Practice:
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Benefits: Coaches can tailor pitches to hitters' needs, working on pitch locations and variety. This conserves pitchers' arms during the season.
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Negatives: Coaches may not replicate the speed or movement of game-level pitching accurately.
3. Pitching Machine:
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Benefits: Replicates pitch velocity and location effectively, providing a consistent practice environment.
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Negatives: T challenges may arise for hitters, as machine pitching differs from live pitching.
At Get Hooked Fastpitch Community to embark on a transformative coaching experience, where you'll gain in-depth training on various aspects of the game, from hitting routines to pitching mechanics and beyond. Together, let's nurture a community of compassionate and dedicated coaches committed to empowering players both on and off the field.
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AND SKILL PROGRESSION
TEAM CULTURE AND DYNAMICS
Our game's growth and longevity face a serious threat due to the shortcomings of our current player development system. This challenge, though daunting, presents a unique opportunity to overhaul how we approach player growth. The existing youth softball setup is complex, with athletes juggling multiple coaches and lacking a unified development strategy. It's time to shift our perspective.
To effectively plan for athletes over several years, we must first understand where each player stands in their physical development journey. By avoiding early specialization and over-training, we can reduce the risk of injuries among young athletes. Elite softball mechanics rely on a series of coordinated fundamental movements. Without prioritizing these foundational skills early on, athletes may hit a developmental plateau prematurely.
A comprehensive development curriculum for young athletes (aged 6-12) should emphasize athleticism and fundamental movement. Allowing for exploration in other sports and providing standardized warm-ups and age-appropriate skill development plans are crucial. Expectations should align with what is developmentally appropriate, avoiding excessive focus on complex mechanics too soon. The emphasis should be on nurturing a love for the game while setting the stage for long-term success.
Our approach to the development of our youngest athletes should include:
1. Emphasis on enhancing athleticism and fundamental movement skills. Softball activities should be scheduled within specific seasons to allow young players to engage in diverse movements from other sports without experiencing over-training. Moreover, a structured curriculum featuring standardized warm-ups and tailored practice plans should be available, focusing on age-appropriate skill progression.
2. Recognition of the intricate nature of softball skills while managing expectations regarding developmental appropriateness. Avoid excessive coaching cues and isolated mechanics. Pressing young athletes to execute complex movements like windmill pitching with pinpoint precision can hinder their progress and limit their ability to naturally master those skills. Instead, this period should concentrate on laying the groundwork for mastering more intricate techniques later on.
3. Upholding the long-term career and overall development of players over short-lived triumphs. To create a developmental framework that retains young athletes in the sport and maximizes their future potential, we must eliminate artificial barriers by not overly prioritizing immediate victories or success. Current practices, such as prematurely cutting players, restricting opportunities for late bloomers, excessive bunting over power hitting, and imposing financial barriers through extensive travel requirements, should be reconsidered to ensure a more inclusive and sustainable developmental pathway.
Individual assessments play a pivotal role in tailoring training plans to each player's unique strengths and weaknesses. These assessments serve as a foundation for integrating various skills like hitting, throwing, strength training, and strategy into a cohesive developmental roadmap. Coaches, parents, and organizational leaders can benefit from embracing these personalized assessments to guide their training methods effectively.
It is imperative that we advocate for these transformative changes within our softball community. Families should seek out long-term development plans, coaches must take the lead in crafting such plans, and organizational leaders should support initiatives that prioritize sustainable and sensible player development practices. Together, we can create a system that not only retains our youngest athletes in the game but also equips older players with the tools to reach their full potential.
ADVISE FROM TPM VETTED COACHES
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It comes as no surprise that coaches who are able to connect with their athletes and foster a competitive, yet close-knit, family style dynamic within their team and program tend to be the most successful on the field and in the wins category. Playing a team sport involves multiple individuals working cohesively together. Leadership is important and the teams' relationship with each other and their leader(s) is crucial in achieving success.
Many successful coaches in the game have shared a glimpse of what they promote within their programs in addition to developing skills, and how they lead their teams to high levels of success. Consistencies in what these coaches implement in their programs are:
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Effective Communication
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Trust
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Mutual Respect
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Create a Positive Competitive Environment
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Care for Athletes (as individual people over players)
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Build Confidence (softball is what we do, not who we are)
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Develop Leaders (instill values and character skills)
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Keep FUN in the game
Resource Guides
Travel Softball
Monica Perry
Pitching Coach, East Cobb Bullets 18U, Atlanta, GA
College Attended: Florida State University
My advice to new softball coaches is to focus on the development of the player. It’s very easy to get wrapped up in wins and losses when hearing all the chatter from other coaches but in reality a failure can be the most pivotal point in a player’s career. If we rob them of that failure by focusing on winning then they may never get to reach their full potential.
High School Level
Jessica Sinclair
Head Coach, Parkview High School, Lilburn, GA
College Attended: Georgia Institute of Technology
1. Take time to get to know and pick out parents that will fill your booster board seats. Those are the parents that will make or break your success in terms of fundraising, program support, and backing in the community.
2. Pick two fundraisers that you believe in and know how to facilitate and get really good at them in order to bring money into your program.
3. Surround yourself with assistants that have knowledge that you don’t. Whether it be pitching, infield, outfield, or hitting.
4. Buy into social media, and get the girls involved. Spread the love to all players.
College Level
Katie Griffith
Pitching Coach, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
College Attended: University of Georgia
1. Advice on communication between coaches and pitchers:
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Coaches, invite pitchers to share as much information as possible every game and every inning. Relying on what you see at practice or what they work on at a lesson is not your best option. It is important to remember that effectiveness can change day to day and, during long travel tournaments, from game to game. An easy way to do this is after the pitcher and catcher warm up, bring them together and ask “Okay, what do we feel confident about throwing this game?”
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Some days they will tell you “Everything!” Some days it will be more limited. But leave it open ended, and when they tell you the answer, be sure to call those pitches more than the others! This will build trust between you and the pitcher and catcher. You will also know that it is more likely that your pitcher will feel confident with every call you make that day.
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Remember to do this every game! It only takes a few moments, and it will make a big difference. The answer to your question will likely change between that 8am game and the 6:30 pm game. Make this question/answer a part of your warm-up routine.
2. Advice on catchers calling pitches:
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Allowing a pitcher and catcher to call their own pitches really allows a new level of understanding the game for both. I encourage this to part of your plan as a coach. Help them develop into players who can call pitches, even if they never have to. They are going to be nervous if they haven’t ever done it before.
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I know there are barriers to this: coaches don’t want to risk players calling the “wrong” pitches, and pitchers absolutely do not want to give up a hit for the team. But you can find less stressful times to let them step into the role.
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Any inning with 2-outs and no runners on: let it switch to pitcher and catcher calling for the last out.
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Any game with a half inning left before a run-rule victory: see what they come up with.
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Any time you do live at bats at practice or any practice game.
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Important: when you do let them dabble in calling pitches, give them some advice. For example, “What are your pitchers two best pitches?” The catcher will know the answer, and if they stick to those two pitches 75% of the pitches, things will go well. Then they can mix in some other calls between. Another one might be “Try to call at least one change-up to each batter.” These parameters help them understand how things come together in an at-bat.
3. Overall blanket advice:
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PLEASE stop telling pitchers that the 0-2 pitch needs to be a crazy outside the zone pitch. This is not how it works at the collegiate level and they come in unprepared to get someone out in three pitches. In fact, many freshman pitchers are almost in a mode of trying to miss the strike zone. Hitters at the top level are never going to swing at these crazy outside/up 0-2 pitches and it is a complete waste of time and energy for your pitcher.
