facilitator guide - baseball canada coaches - home dev - base...8 facilitator guide time task...

1

Facilitator Guide

Context:

Competition Development

Module: Baserunning

3

“The National Coaching Certification Program is a collaborative program of the Government of

Canada, the provincial/territorial governments, the national/provincial/territorial sport organizations, and the Coaching Association of Canada.”

Unless otherwise indicated, images and pictures contained in this document are the property of BASEBALL CANADA. They are used under license and are copyrighted.

Some images contained in this document have been obtained through Major League Baseball and are copyrighted.

This document is copyrighted by Coaching Association of Canada and Baseball Canada

(2011) and its licensors. All rights reserved.

6

Table of Contents

TASK #1 – Home to First Base ............................................................................................. 3

TASK #2 – First Base to Second Base................................................................................... 4

TASK #3 – Second Base to Third Base ................................................................................ 5

TASK #4 – Third Base to Home ............................................................................................ 6

TASK #5 – Taking an Extra Base .......................................................................................... 7

TASK #6 – Receiving and Giving Signals.............................................................................. 7

TASK #7 – Reading the Ball .................................................................................................. 8

TASK #8 – Drill Creation....................................................................................................... 8

PRACTICE PLAN TEMPLATES .......................................................................................... 9

7

NOTES:

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

8

FACILITATOR GUIDE

Time Task Comments

15 min Introductions

Have each coach stand up, identify their name, where they are

from, identify the age of the players they are coaching, and

recount their favourite “baseball moment”

Place coaches in four groups.

Explain the theme of this session as

“station to station” base running;

the focus will be the base runner’s

responsibilities at home plate and

each of the bases.

Explain that for each of the tasks in

this module, the group will have to

appointment a different “head coach”

to present back to the larger group

30 min TASK #1

Home to First Base

Running Through First Base

Focus on contact at the front of the base

Do not slow down before contacting the base

Upon contacting the base, immediately look to the

right for an errant throw

Break down with short, choppy steps

Drop step and return directly to the base

Find the baseball

On an over throw, ensure that runner can proceed to

second base safely

Listen for verbal commands from first base coach

Rounding First Base

Be aggressive, proceed three to five steps past the

base

Land with weight on front foot and find the baseball

Read the return of the baseball to the infield

If an opportunity to advance occurs, proceed to

second and be prepared to slide

Coaches will collaborate in their

groups and brainstorm the key

performance requirements for

going Home to First Base.

Consider:

Running Through First Base

Rounding First Base

Allow 20 minutes for group work; 10

minutes for presentation back to full

group.

Ask head coach from each group to

provide two or three key points that

have not yet been mentioned.

Have coaches record key points in

their Workbook.

9

45 min TASK #2

First Base to Second Base

Lead Off at First Base

Take the signs from the third base coach while

standing on the base

Understand the situation; number of outs, time of the

game, pitcher’s tendencies, hitter’s tendencies

Ensure proper lead off mechanics

Focus on the pitcher

One-way lead at first

Used to expose pitcher’s moves to first base

Add extra step to primary lead off in order to entice

pitcher to throw over

Runner will return to the base without executing a

secondary lead

Stealing Second Base

Ensure proper lead off mechanics

Read the position of the defensive player at second

base and be prepared to slide away from a tag

General

Runner must advance on a ground ball

On a fly ball to left field, runner advances toward

second base to a safe-return spot, based on the depth

of the fly ball, runner stays open to the ball and

advances if it drops or retreats if caught

On a fly ball to right field, runner advances toward

second base but not as far to ensure a safe return to

the base if the ball is caught

On balls in the outfield gaps, runner must know the

strength of the fielder’s arm and their own speed in

order to determine whether to advance

Runner should look at the third base coach about 2/3

of the way to second base




going First Base to Second Base.

Consider:

Before Taking a Lead Off

Lead Off at First Base

One-way Lead at First Base

Stealing Second Base

General Considerations



group.





their Workbook.

10

45 min TASK #3

Second Base to Third Base

Lead Off at Second Base

Three steps, plus two shuffles

No one out: directly in line with third base, object is

to be standing on third base with less than two out

One out: slightly back toward left field, in order to

get a direct route or rounded route to third,

Two out: off the back corner of the base toward left

field, to allow a rounding of third base and score on

a base hit.

When pitcher comes to the set position, the runner

should begin to creep toward the infield, this will

begin momentum and distract the pitcher

When the pitcher’s hands separate, the runner can

move into a secondary lead off

Secondary lead off: runner walks or shuffles toward

third to create momentum, lands on right foot as

pitch is received by catcher

Stealing Third Base

Know the situation

o ideal situation: one out, one run game or tied,

right hand batter at plate, breaking pitch count

o casual, walking lead

o know the pitcher’s tendencies: length of pause,

number of looks, leg kick, etc.

Slide to the outside (left field side) of the base

Listen for coach’s command on overthrow, be

prepared to pop up and break for home

Tagging Up

Look for ball deep to centre, or mid-depth or deep to

right field

Know the fielder’s arm

Stand with one foot on the bag and open up to the

fielder receiving the baseball

Leave the base when the ball contacts the fielder’s

glove

Runner can get help from coach but must be able to

see the ball contact the fielder and decide when, and

whether, to run

Get assistance from the third base coach when

approaching third base; slide or stand up, which side

of the bag to approach




going Second Base to Third Base.

Consider:

Leads Off at Second Base

Stealing Third Base

Tagging Up



group.





their Workbook.

15 min BREAK

11

45 min TASK #4

Third Base to Home

Lead Off at Third Base

Primary lead should be equal to the distance that the

third baseman is away from third base

In foul territory

Secondary lead is a shuffle forward, similar as at

first base, land with weight on right foot as ball

enters strike zone

Remain in foul territory

Returning to Third Base

Crossover step into fair territory

Proceed straight back to third base, making it

difficult for the catcher to make a direct throw

Stealing Home

Runner must have exceptional speed, and employ

element of surprise

Pitcher is pitching from full windup

Breaking ball count; less than two strikes

Batter remains in box until last second and avoids

interference

Tagging Up

Look for ball deep to outfield

Know the fielder’s arm

Stand with one foot on the bag and open up to the

fielder receiving the baseball

Leave the base when the ball contacts the fielder’s

glove

Runner can get help from coach but must be able to

see the ball contact the fielder and decide when, and

whether, to run

Get assistance from the on deck batter when

approaching home plate; slide or stand up, which

side of the plate to approach




going Third Base to Home.

Consider:

Lead Off at Third Base

Stealing Home

Tagging Up



group.





their Workbook.

12

30 min TASK #5

Taking an extra base

Going first to third

Look for a ball in the gap or over a fielder’s head

Know fielder’s foot speed and arm strength

Know your own speed

For ball hit between right centre and the left field

foul line, read the fielders and ball position just prior

to reaching second base, determine whether to

proceed to third

For ball hit to right field, pick up the third base

coach about 5 steps from second base

Going second to home

Balls hit into gaps or over fielders heads provide the

best chance to score from second

Balls hit directly in front of an outfielder provide

less chance to score but runner must aggressively

round third and force the throw to the plate, look for

an overthrow

When rounding third base, look for the third base

coach for assistance because the ball is now behind

the runner

Pick up the on deck batter when approaching the

plate for help at the plate




Taking an Extra Base.

Consider:

Going first to third

Going second to home



group.





their Workbook.

15 min TASK #6

Receiving and Giving Signals

Receiving Signals from the Third Base Coach

o Be standing on the base at all times

o Give the acknowledgment sign

o Know where the ball is before stepping off the

base

Assisting Base Runners at Home Plate

o Position in alignment with the path of the runner

and home plate; be sure to not interference with

defence

o Hands up means stand up

o Downward waving motion means slide

o Direct runner to slide to either side of the base

by emphasizing the downward waving motion

toward the desired side of the base

Acknowledging Receipt of Signals

o Establish a signal that indicates to the coach that

the runner has received and understands the

sign; for example, touch the bill of the cap

Facilitator to lead group in discussion

about coach/player interaction during

signals. Also touch on on-deck

batter’s responsibilities at home

plate. Record answers on white

board.

13

20 min TASK #7

Reading the Ball

Fly Balls

o Know the game situation; when to tag, when to

advance, when to go part way (and advance or

retreat)

o Observe the fielder’s effort when trying to field

the ball; this will help the runner determine how

far to get off the base

Line Drives

o Runner must freeze on a line drive to determine

whether it will be caught; advance when ball

clears the infield

Ground Balls

o Runner must advance aggressively when forced

to do so

o When not forced at second base, advance on

ground ball that is hit behind the runner; retreat

to second on balls hit in front of runner

o Balls hit to the outfield: know the situation/time

of the game, the fielder’s abilities, advance

accordingly

Balls Thrown from the Outfield

o Read the defence, particular the cut off position

and location of fielder at next base

o Watch for the lead runner to advance; proceed

when runner is sure lead runner has committed

to go

o Listen for the catcher’s command

o Be sure throw cannot be cut and throw to base

in front of runner

GROUP DISCUSSION:

Facilitator leads a full group

discussion about Reading the Ball.

Outline the various game situations

and record the participant’s answers

on the white board. Focus on:

Fly Balls

Line Drives

Ground Balls

Balls Thrown from the Outfield

30 min TASK #8

DRILL CREATION

Design a drill, with at least one progression, that

shows how you would coach your players at these

stations.

Facilitator to spend 5 minutes

outlining this task, assign each group

one of the following stations:

Home to First (through &

rounding)

First to Third

Second to Home

Sliding

15 minutes to collaborate in groups

to develop drills; 10 minutes for

presentation back to the full group.

290 min TOTAL TIME

14

Drill # Time Skill Element Drill Teaching Points

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

NOTES/VARIATIONS:

Practice Plan Date: ____________

Location:__________

Objectives: ________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

Coach Assignments:

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

15

Drill # Time Skill Element Drill Teaching Points

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

NOTES/VARIATIONS:

Practice Plan Date: ____________

Location:__________

Objectives: ________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

Coach Assignments:

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

_________________

facilitator guide - baseball canada coaches - home dev - base...8 facilitator guide time task...

Documents