WYS Coaching Clinic WHS Varsity Softball Coach Jonas Sherr

● Points of Emphasis for Young Players ● Structuring an Effective Practice ● Drills for Improving Player Skills ● Identifying Positional Skills - Pitching ● Strategies for Growing Westwood Softball ● Q/A Organization of this Presentation

● SKILLS over Strategy o Throwing  Progression: ● One knee - Wrist (grip, snap, ball rotation) ● One knee - Arm extension, high elbow, & follow ● Standing no step - rotate hips/shoulders ● Standing step (closed, open, closed) ●d●d Points of Emphasis

● SKILLS over Strategy o Catching  Bend the knees, go to the ball  Turning the glove  Forehand / Backhand Points of Emphasis

● SKILLS over Strategy o Hitting - Free & Easy!  Weight back  Small stride  Hands inside the ball  Barrel through the ball path  Follow through ●d●d Points of Emphasis

An effective practice…. ● emphasizes fundamentals ● involves all players at all times ● has an efficient pace ● is competitive o Make it fun! Practice Structure

● Pancake Drill (stance, hands & footwork) ● Short-hop Drill ● Positional Drills o 1B / 3B footwork o SS / 2B pivots o P / C bunt fielding Infield Drills

● Drop Step o One step (L&R) o Back and In (2 Hands) ● Single Line ● Double Line Communication ● Grounder & Bucket Drills Outfield Drills

● Tee Drills o Small Ball / Large Ball o Happy Gilmore strides ● Soft Toss o Side toss (fence or fielders) o Back toss o Front toss w screen Hitting Drills

Pitching ● Wrist snaps ● “T” Drills ● Arm circles Catching ● Framing ● Blocking ● Pop Time (one leg balance drills) Pitching/Catching Drills

● Good overhand thrower ● Overall athleticism ● Individual work ethic ● Willingness to be in the circle Identifying pitchers - Things to look for:

● Baserunning: H-1B, 1B-3B, 3B-H ● “Last Fielder Standing” ● Relay Drill ● Circle Drill ● “9 Outs” ● Pressure Play / Foul Line Sprint Competitive Team Drills

● WHS / WYS Mentor Program ● Youth Clinics (WYS & WHS) ● Youth Teams at WHS Games ● Watch on TV! Growing Westwood Softball