There is a clear link between player enjoyment and team improvement to how you run your practices. This is true regardless of the experience of the staff.

 

To help run a great practice:

1. Be excited. It shows :)

2. Plan ahead and be prepared. Make sure you practice has: A) Purpose - what you're trying to accomplish, B) Plan - how you are going to accomplish the purpose, and C) Details - coaches' roles, minimize inactivity, what equipment is needed to be ready

3. Have players help setup and take down equipment. You're a team

4. Talk less, more reps. Demonstrate the drill / key concepts, then get players moving!

5. Building their confidence is key. Be encouraging, not discouraging.

6. Keep the players interested, engaged, and consistently moving! Probably the most important factor is dividing the team members into groups, so that each player has a higher ratio of activity (to inactivity). Practices should be as fast-paced as possible. Nothing sends them to other sports faster than standing around for 2 minutes waiting to get a ground ball.

7. Know your drills. Come prepared to know how to explain and run the planned drills.

8. Get down on their level. Physically get to eye level with your players when you can. Be aware of your body language

9. Simplify whenever possible.

10. Relentlessly positive attitude. Of course you can give feedback and deliver firm feedback when needed. Offer your critique around positve comments.

11. When use stations as much as possible. When hitting: one coach works tee drill #1, another does front toss, and another works another tee drill. When fielding, do IF & OF at same time then groups switch.