1st Timer All-Star coach

[Marc]

My son was just picked to our 7yo coach pitch all-star team. And, I was tabbed as the head coach since my regular season team was the highest ranking of a team whose coach's son was 7.

So, I'm kinda overwhelmed by everything that has to be done in a short amount of time. We play Dizzy Dean, and our state tournament starts the 26th of June. The kicker is that we're not finished with the regular season tournament. That won't finish till Friday. So, I'll only have like three weeks until our State tournament.

I'm looking for any advice or direction that any of you seasoned youth coaching veterans could give me.

[ohboy]

they are all stars. Should be the best in their age catergory. Keep practices simple and efficient to keep the skills sharp. You may wind up with 4 catchers, 4 shortstops, 2 third basemen and 2 first basemen, etc. So run them through drills to find where they should be positioned to best help the team.
At this point I would not bother with trying to go to deep into any teaching mode. More than likely they have summer on the mind and are getting to the point where the swimming pool sounds better than the ball park. Let them have fun and enjoy the week or two of tournament ball as a reward for making the team.

[APPpitch]

they are all stars. Should be the best in their age catergory. Keep practices simple and efficient to keep the skills sharp. You may wind up with 4 catchers, 4 shortstops, 2 third basemen and 2 first basemen, etc. So run them through drills to find where they should be positioned to best help the team.
At this point I would not bother with trying to go to deep into any teaching mode. More than likely they have summer on the mind and are getting to the point where the swimming pool sounds better than the ball park. Let them have fun and enjoy the week or two of tournament ball as a reward for making the team.

Completely. At 7 years old, still shaking head that an All-Star team is even considered, but by all means, make this the most fun possible. The moment you start worrying about strategy, winning, and training, you've lost your focus.

I'm sure you won't, but the temptation never goes away.

7. All Stars. Tournament. Egads.

-scott

[LAball]

Work on some long fly ball for the outfielders because they probably played the infield during the regular season.

Pitching is the most important concern. You may play 2-3 games a day so you will need stratagy on playing pitchers and catcher. Catcher gets a lot of wear and tear on there arm and body. And you will have the heat of summer to deal with. :gt

[TG Coach]

7. All Stars. Tournament. Egads.

I coach 16U. I get contacted by parents who tell me their kid has been an all-star since 7U. 7U all-stars is for parents egos. It doesn't mean a thing. I only care how good the kid is now. Last year's success has some relevance. When my kids were seven and eight we passed on all-stars and went on vacation. I didn't see the relevance off 7U/8U all-stars.

[TG Coach]

Pitching is the most important concern.

It's machine or coach pitch.

[LAball]

Pitching is the most important concern.

It's machine or coach pitch.

doh!.........