What if it is only you coaching? Or maybe one other assistant. How do you give individual instruction or set up stations for practicing with little to no assistance? Colleges usually have it easier in this area of coaching since they have a variety of different coaches. Just wondering everyone's opinion on this...

I got 42 kids grades 7 - 12 and there are 4 of us coaches. At that rate you got 10 players to each coach - impossible to see everything.

What I have done is throw some leadership on older guys and force maturity on the younger guys. I start each year saying that the older guys have been through our stuff for several years and they know it and how to do it. I give them the freedom to make corrections of the younger players if they see it.

It helps the older guys take some ownership in the team and program and it shows the younger guys that if they do things right they can get the approval of the guys they look up to. They also see that one day they can be in that leadership position.

So now I have about 12 - 15 coaches with my staff, Seniors, Juniors and mature Sophomores. You have to have good kids to make this work and if you don't then you are going to have trouble. If you can get a good group and put it in then it will typically lead to each class becoming good kids because of what they saw with older guys and then becoming the leader themselves.

coach2709,
That is a lot of ball players, but you are blessed in that you get to get to teach kids in 7th through 12th grade your philosophy of baseball. We get nothing from our middle school (7th and 8th) feeder program. You do not have to worry about that. Are there not any solid baseball men in your community, perhaps former players, who would love to assist you with your baseball program?

watts1931, you have to be better organized if you have so many. I used to run basketball practice in a gym that had 2 baskets and I coached two teams at the same time. 24+ kids. You have to write out explainations of the drills you want to do. You have to create player folders. You have to identify player weaknesses. Then they work on what you've identified. Also, you have to have a day where you go over "cues," drills, your philosophy, discipline and every other thing you can think of. That day should end with players doing their work and you being the coach moving around. I'd recommend that for each drill or station that you identify those players that really understand what you want and have them help. Don't make them captains etc. However, give them a pat on the back to let them know how much you appreciate their efforts. (Note, I'm not a person that believes in Captains. If you do then fine.) When you're done with practice never let them leave without going ovre some of the things you saw. That way they'll know you are watching. If someone is messing up, generalize that mess up the first day. Talk to them privately. If they keep messing up. Get after them. It is do-able. You're going to want to pull your hair out sometimes. Good luck.

I have to laugh. yes I am one of those old timers who remembers when. My first 8 years it was me with the varsity and my JV coach with the JV. I then had an assistant help me and one for my JV. How did we survive. I went to a web site of one of the schools in the league I was affiliated with and they had 14 coaches. a pitching instructor a catching instructor an infield guy etc etc etc Give me a break.

Too many cooks in the kitchen can be an utter disaster