TRAINING
Students learn more and retain knowledge better when enjoying the activity. This common sense approach is how our program applies the teaching of baseball. Players have more fun when participating with their peers, so all our programs are divided into appropriate age groupings. Instructional content is adjusted for each particular age group. Student and player safety is stressed at all times.
INSTRUCTION We instruct in every important offensive and defensive aspect of baseball including the proper responses to game situations. Each student arrives with a set of baseball habits, some are good and others need change or adjustment in order to become a better player. The method we use in assisting players takes into consideration their stage of development and focuses on a few key elements of a skill that are most critical to that player's success. We do not try to make all players fit the exact same mold but rather adjust our instruction to accommodate for each player's unique anatomy and style. During instruction, specialized drills are used to help reinforce correct techniques and to advance skill levels.
The specific areas of baseball we teach include: hitting, pitching, catching, infield play at 1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base, shortstop and the three outfield positions. Additionally, we teach throwing, fielding, base running, sliding, bunting, rundowns, cutoffs, team defenses, the rules of baseball and more.
PRACTICE A daily regimen in offensive and defensive workouts stress the importance and value of practice. The exercises we employ help sharpen a player's abilities and instill good habits that will be part of them for as long as they play baseball. Organized practices on batting, fielding, catching, pitching, team defenses and other skill areas are part of the school routine. Each day, students practice hitting, fielding ground balls and catching fly balls. Usually, at least six hours per week are set aside for intensive instruction and workouts in a player's defensive position choice.
GAMES Sufficient time is allotted so each student can play many games during a session. Games are supervised by our instructors who review correct techniques both during games and in post game critiques. This allows our players to transform daily instruction, and practices into practical experience and baseball savvy. Since everyone has an equal opportunity to play, any student who has attended our school can tell you that game play is great fun and an indispensable component to improving their performance.
POSITIONS AND SKILLS
Our students work hard on their primary defensive positions and hitting to improve their fundamentals, develop their game performance and to learn more. Since all players have a position they like or one for which they are best suited, we assist with both. We teach all defensive positions and hitting.
HITTING The specific mechanics we teach include: stance, grip, swing, timing, follow through, and how they're all integrated for maximum effectiveness. Other skills we cultivate in order to make a good hitter involve mental aspects such as confidence, concentration, ball visualization, knowing the strike zone, anticipating pitches and managing the count. Students, in learning more effective ways to hit, get more swings in a session than most players get in an entire season.
PITCHING Pitchers learn that pitching strategy and control are as important to success on the mound as is their mechanics. Our instruction stresses arm care, proper arm motion, various finger grips of the ball, how to use and address the rubber, pitching rhythm, the stretch and much more. Pitchers work diligently to increase their confidence and to develop good habits which will minimize arm strain and maximize mound success.
CATCHING Catcher's instruction is rigorous and thorough. We attend to all catching requirements, including: stances, receiving the ball, throwing, blocking pitches, ball transfer, tagging runners, calling pitches, catching pop-ups, fielding bunts, setting team defenses and how to manage pitchers.
INFIELD Fielding and throwing are taught generally, and also by individual infield and outfield positions. Infielders receive complete instruction in their specific infield position choice as well as in the basics which include: relaxed and ready position stances, footwork, glove work, ball transfer, tagging runners, positioning on the field, pop-ups, etc. We also cover infield team play for put-outs, rundowns, double plays and individual responsibilities for taking outfield throws.
OUTFIELD Outfielders are systematically schooled in catching ground balls and fly balls, in the cross over and drop step footwork, sighting of a hit ball, communication, throwing skills and throwing accurately to the correct cutoff man. |
