As I do my end of season review of my coaching staff and mostly myself, there is one major problem I/we had this year that I would like to get addressed for next season. Because we have just myself and another coach at the varsity level (I'm sure I am in the same boat as many of you and possibly even luckier) I feel like I had a hard time spending time with individual players (especially hitters) working hitting and fielding mechanics.

Our practices for the most part had good tempo, but that up-tempo pace coupled with me essentially having to teach all positions, made it difficult to spend time with individual players. My assistant is a very good coach, but he doesn't know a lot about any aspect of the game to the point where I can leave him in charge of a specific aspect of the team (he does do a nice job with the catchers though).

My question is, for coaches in a similar situation, what do you suggest to be able to coach players more on a one-on-one basis while not losing the tempo and pace of practice.

BC, I agree that with just two coaches it's difficult to get the most out of practice time. Here's my 2 cents worth.

For my youth team we only had myself and one assistant as 'official' coaches, but I always had at least one and usually two or three dads lined up to help at every practice. Where I really needed their help was the part of every practice where we do drill 'stations'. I'd always give each volunteer a printed page explaining the drill they were going to be running, then go over it with them so they understand how the drill is supposed to function. If possible I tried to set it up so a dad didn't run a drill where his son would be.

I would think that even at the varsity level you could find a few knowledgeable dads who can help out.

Coach,

Is it possible to have individual players report to practice 15-30 minutes early? Just one or two each day. Makes more work for you...but sounds like you care more about the individual development of your players, than whether or not you have some free time. Or are you more concerned with how to address individual needs during the context of your team practice?

Good suggestion Larry. You can separate your team into groups and try having a few sat morn or early or late workouts for the groups. Another suggestion is to find a volunteer assistant for next year. Possibly one with experience and no relatives on the team. Many programs here in Florida have volunteer assistants and it can take a load off the head coach.

I'm thinking along the same lines as Larry. If spending individual time is a place for improvement next year then I would call some practices for a limited group of players so you could work on the things you want to do individually. Chances are, especially in hitting, there are several players who could benefit from a small group setting such as this where you'll cover ground beneficial to that target group. Have a different group report another day and go over the things that that group may have needs for.

If you can identify players with similar needs (for example: guys that need to improve bunting, or hitters who need to improve in going the other way) then you can conduct several small group 'clinics' and get results.

If you don't want to give up a practice day to do this then you can always have your assistant do rounds of fungo fly balls or ground balls to the infield for the other players while you do your 'clinics'. Players can never have too much of this.

If you have 2 practices per week then one could be structured this way and the other a full team practice.

Alternatively, you could see what you have in your budget and set up some small group lessons with a nearby facility that may (or may not) have a hitting instructor who you respect. This would be scheduled apart from team practices. And you could be there to monitor it (or conduct it if you choose to or there was no instructor).

Good luck.

Bringing them in by position, depending on numbers works well. 3b/ Mid infielders, whatever. You can get good defensive work in that way and have them hit some as well.

Larry-
That's what we do. Each day, one group (as Ironhorse describes above) would stay a few minutes after practice to do some "position-specific" work. Only usually once or twice a week (depending on the versatility of the player!), but it helped.

Thanks for the input. All great ideas. I am looking into the volunteer assistant for next year and may have one lined up (former head coach luckily). I like the idea of having players come in on a more individual basis and getting to spend more time with them.

Thanks again