630 likes | 787 Views
Developing Infielders. Areas of Development. Physical Aspects Leadership Aspects Mental Aspects. Baseball is …. A Game Failure …. Coached by Negative People …. Played in a Hostile Environment. Played in a Hostile Environment. Mental Skills.
E N D
Areas of Development • Physical Aspects • Leadership Aspects • Mental Aspects
Mental Skills • Ability to perform a skill correctly under intense pressure (“Mental Toughness”) • “Bear down!”--“Concentrate!”--“Get it done!” • Instead, give them something to go to! • Heads Up Baseball by Ken Ravizza • The Mental Game of Baseball by H.A. Dorfman
Distractions • Previous error • Struck out last AB • Hitting/Fielding slump • Umpire • Newspaper/TV • Opponent dugout • Noisy crowd • Idiot fan • Coach is on me • Will I start • Field conditions • Dad • Fielding streak • Bad exam • Girlfriend • Inconsistent pitcher
Live BR vs. Live Defense Drill • Two teams • Coach at home plate with a fungo • Pitchers rotate quickly to mound from sideline • Begin with runner on 1B, no outs • Extra runners form line at home – wait 1 count • Play 9 innings before switching • Players communicate out and inning • Coach controls pressure with score/fungo
H.A. Dorfman’s Mental Approach to Fielding • Anticipation and Attentiveness • Goals – Process-oriented/action/short-term • Expectations – yours, not those of others • Dedication – focused on the goals you set • Responsibility – no bad hops, no excuses • Attitude – is fielding important? (Manny vs. Ozzie) • Confidence – state of mind formed by achievement of daily goals • Preparation – practice the way you want to play
Defensive Goals Result Goals Process/Action Goals Arrive for early work at least four times this week Get infielders together to work on rundowns today Start 20 DPs to my backhand side Be aware of my thought before each pitch in scrimmage • Fielding % = .985 • Defensive MVP of League • Set a record for assists/putouts • Start every game at 3B
Development Stages • Unconscious Incompetence – Player can't catch a cold and doesn't have a clue why. (Is there sufficient talent? Is the player “teachable”?) • Conscious Incompetence – Player still can't catch a cold, but now knows what he is doing wrong. (You're teaching and he is learning.) • Conscious Competence - Goes out to the infield telling himself what he has to do to succeed and then executes the plan. (Teaching and discipline lead to success.) • Unconscious Competence – Player expects every pitch will be hit to him. See the ball; catch the ball. (If you're at this level and start thinking about how to do it, you're taking a step backward. If you're at this level coming out of high school, you might skip college and go to Class A.)
Infield Objectives • Prepare mentally • Play high level game of catch • Consistently utilize efficient movement of upper and lower body
Pre-Contact • Know the hitter • Know the pitch • Read location • Read the swing
Bad Triangle Narrow Base Deep Hands
4 Ways to Avoid a Car Accident • Turn Right • Turn Left • Slow Down • Speed Up
4 Places to Field a Ground Ball The Difference Maker 2 4 3 1
Ground Ball Drills • Shorthops with partner • At him • Forehand • Backhand • Pick-a-hop • One-hand fungo • Rounding
Direction • Throwing leg under • Headlights • Elbows up and on line • Eyes level • Stay in the legs