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Life Lessons Life Lesson #63: Game Day Operations An Overview of a Coach's Role on Game Day For coaches, game day means that the fields must be prepped and the players must be prepared. Your responsibilities are most heavily weighed before the first pitch is thrown. And the simple structure established during your practices carries over well to days with games. Following is a typical schedule for game days: 1. Pre-Game Responsibilities 2. Run / Stretch / Throw 3. Team Time 4. Pre-Game Warm Up 5. Pitcher Warm Up / Team Sprints 6. Game Time 7. Post-Game Pre-Game Responsibilities Because there’s a game to play, the foul lines and batters boxes are to be chalked, the mound needs to be prepped and the infield dirt raked or dragged. Your team will need an official scorekeeper, someone to count the pitches, and a rotating family responsible for snacks (put the Team Mom in charge of organizing snacks). NEVER forget the snacks! And keep an extra supply of non-perishable snacks in your car just in case that does happen. Run / Stretch / Throw Use the team warm up time to make sure that the fields are game-ready, that umpires have been assigned to your game and that you have the necessary game-balls for play. With the help of an assistant coach, the players are to get loose with some sort of run, a thorough stretch and a game of controlled catch. A good time to start R/S/T is one hour prior to game time. Even though the field may not be available, begin your jog and stretching off of the playing field. Team Time This part of game day is extremely broad in definition. Use Team Time to hit players ground balls and fly balls, take batting practice, or go over signs and dugout etiquette. Review specific team goals, and make sure that all players have the chance to communicate important facts before the game begins: like what they ate, who slept over last night, and where they will be going after the game. Pre-Game Warm Up By age 9-10, teams take what is called Pre-Game Infield/Outfield prior to the game. This is a scripted routine of defensive plays moving from position to position, intended both to warm up athletes and also to remind them of simple fundamentals. While there are no rules specifying what must be covered in a Pre-Game Routine, most coaches start with a series of ground balls and fly balls to the outfield positions before moving to the infield. Outfielders at each position are hit balls with assignments of throwing to 2nd base, 3rd base and then home plate. Involve infielders and work cuts and relays with the right positions serving their relay responsibilities. Next, bring the outfielders in and work around the infield positions. Hit ground balls instructing athletes to make throws to 1st, 2nd and home plate. Add a twist here and a fun play there, keep the energy high and get the kids ready to play. Pitcher Warm Up / Team Sprints After clearing the field from warm up, it’s time for the starting pitcher to get loose. Skip this step if playing tee-ball or coach pitch, unless your designated parent pitcher needs to work through game day jitters. A coach can start warming the pitcher up, but bring in the starting catcher as soon as possible. Have the pitcher warm up his arm and work through any specific drills or rituals that have proven successful. Limit the number of pitches thrown to 15-25 to make sure that the starter is well warm but not worn out. The rest of the team can walk down the outfield foul line and run 4-6 warm up sprints. If old enough to lead off and steal bases, another coach can act as pitcher and simulate pick offs moves and pitches to home plate. Players like this short ritual as it is often observed when they go to the big league park. In fact, make a point to explain the similarity with their routine and those of the major leaguers. Game Time: In-Game Responsibilities There are many moving parts once the first ball is hit, so leverage assistant coaches well to keep stress levels low. The Game Day Coaching Plan and the Lineup and Positions Sheet should be clearly posted in the dugout. Following are roles during the game that need to be filled:
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