Maximizing preparation through time management and organization for a quality practice

1. Maximizing preparation through time management and organization for a quality practice Josh Matheny Martinsburg High School Head Baseball Coach

2. Today’s Challenges • The age we live in • Players feel a sense of entitlement • Camps/Private Lessons/Travel Teams • A lot to cloud a young players mind • Parents • Other sports/other interests

3. Practice What You Believe • Who are you? • Can’t be someone else • What do you want your players and team to look like? • Toughness? • Hustle? • Accountability? • No excuses • What do you want to define your team?

5. Practice What You Believe What are you going to do today to make your team better? • Fundamentals • Set Goals • Daily attainable goals • Coaching people not machines • Develop mechanics of the sport • Assist in developing their character

6. Practice Atmosphere • Businesslike • Relaxed • Not fearful • Loose • Be consistent with practice demeanor • Stay off the roller coaster • Do not ignore unacceptable behavior • Common language

14. Game Like Training • Have confidence in your plan • Make a strong effort to stay within your plan • Give the players an outline of your plan • Keep on time • Make your plan ahead of time • Coach as hard as you expect the players to train • Train at a high level • High Expectations

15. Playing Catch at a High Level • Coach must be present and supervise • If you want production you have to police it • No talking- “concentration time” • Exchange places on a “non-catch” • Throw for a purpose • Have a purpose for each position • Pitcher: pick offs, mechanics, hit spots, work change up • Infield: quick feet, quick hands, relays • Outfield: long back side, hit cut off, crow hop, long toss, sunball • Catcher: quick feet, quick hands, get to throwing position, exchange, long toss

16. Playing Catch at a High Level • Quick Catch • Hands close to body • Arm Swing is never below glove • 2 Hands- Catch with the palm • Right foot should hit before the ball hits glove, or at the latest, the same time • Play without moving feet at 30 feet • Play with moving feet at 45 feet • Compete! Play in a box at 60 feet- first team to go around the box 5 times wins.

17. Game Like Training Defensive Skills Drills (every day) • Infield • Pick drills • On knees • Standing up • Box drills • Flips right • Flips left • Throws right • Throws left • Move around the ball • Ground Balls • Pitchers • Mechanic drills • Band work • Towel drill • Outfield • Turns • Straight Back • Glove side • Throwing side • Do or die and crow hop • Star drill/Priority • Catchers • Footwork drills • Receiving balls with and without glove • Block balls with and without glove • Bunt drill/Drop 3rd strike • Pop up drill

20. It’s What You Do To Be Complete Martinsburg Baseball

21. Good Reads • The Baseball Coaching Bible • by Jerry Kindall and John Winkin • Heads-Up Baseball • by Ken Ravizza and Tom Hanson • Think Better Baseball • by Bob Cluck • The Mental Game of Baseball • by H.A.Dorfman and Karl Kuehl

22. Contact me at: coachmatheny46@gmail.com Cell 540-931-1721 www.dogsbaseball.com The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. -Bryant Gumbel