Ten Reasons to Prepare a Practice Plan

The Practice Plan Series

Baseball and Fastpitch Softball

 

This Ten Reasons to Prepare a Practice Plan article has been excerpted from The Ultimate Hitting Training Guide (click the link to learn more about our new drills book).

 

New coaches soon understand “winging it,” with no prepared plan, rarely leads to a confident and prepared team. So here are Building Rome Series top ten reasons to prepare a practice plan. We hope the reader can pick up a few tips to improve their planning process further.

 

Why Prepare a Practice Plan Reason #1 – Promote the Identification of Team and Individual Goals

 

The process of designing the stations included in each practice plan and selecting appropriate drills for each station requires the coaching staff to set goals. A great practice plan reflects long-term team goals and short-term individual goals.

 

 

Reason #2 – Efficient Accomplishment of Goals

 

A step-by-step, structured, and organized practice promotes quick improvement.

Intelligent training is critical to the rate of improvement.

 

 

Reason #3 – Generates Pride and Confidence

 

A smoothly run practice, where players leave feeling they have accomplished a lot, creates pride in themselves and their team.

 

 

Why Prepare a Practice Plan Reason #4 – Teaches Youth About the Important of Process

 

All athletes are more successful when they believe in and “trust the process.” Learning to goal set, identify the objectives necessary to meet the goal, and then follow through are valuable life skills.

 

 

Reason #5 – Sets the Tone

 

We have often heard that teams take on the coach’s character in how they train and play the game. For example, a well-thought-out practice plan published the day before practice to all participants creates a professional impression with players, parents, assistants, and athletic directors. They understand that the coach is serious about player development and is doing their best to make the experience as rewarding as possible for all involved.

 

Reason #6 – Gear Preparation

 

When the practice plan is published ahead of the practice date, coaches, players, and parents can set aside the necessary gear.

 

 

Why Prepare a Practice Plan Reason #7 – Mental Preparation

 

 When the practice plan is published ahead of the practice date, players can prepare mentally for the challenges ahead.

 

 

Reason #8 – Field Preparation

 

Preparing the practice plan identifies what type of field maintenance and setup is needed and the time required. A smoother running practice is ensured when coaches, helpers, and a select (and rotating) group of players have the field ready before the official practice start time.

 

 

Reason #9 – Identify Coaches and Helpers Needed

 

The practice plan should designate stations and the coach in charge of each station. Having appropriate personnel identified, contacted, and station responsibilities discussed before practice starts “wins the day.”

 

 

Why Prepare a Practice Plan Reason #10 – Identify Drills Dependent on Specific Players

 

To avoid a time-wasting “reset” during practice, the practice plan can include a backup drill for when a player in key position(s) is required for a particular drill, misses practice.

 

 

The Practice Plan Series

Using a top-down approach, the coach formulates their training plan step-by-step. The outcome is practice plans which fit the team’s priorities. Click each of the links below to build your practice plans for the upcoming year systematically.

Hitting Training Methods (Step 1)

Ten Reasons to Prepare a Practice Plan (Step 2)

Build Baseball Training Plan (and Softball) (Step 3)

How to Prioritize Baseball Practice (Step 4)

Hitting Practice Plan – Types of Stations and Tips (Step 5)

 

Building Rome Series Books: Building the High-Level Swing Series

Click Building the High-Level Swing Series for a detailed and comprehensive description of 100 hitting fundamentals and 140 step-by-step drills that efficiently construct the batting swing from the ground up.

In the Building Rome Series of books, the construction of skills are in functional order, providing a “roadmap” to becoming a great hitter.

All baseball and fastpitch softball players can “climb the Roman Coliseum steps” to become a powerful and productive hitter.

Enjoy the quest!