Age-Specific Goals

There are certain Age-Specific Goals that should be attained in all the ballplayers.  Since, I am currently working with 9-11 year olds, I will highlight these goals.  The goals for children that are earlier than 9 years or older than 11 years will certainly need to be modified from these list of goals.  Remember, all children have to be approached in an individual manner.

Goals for the 9-11 year olds:

1. Learn basic rules such as force outs, tagging up, ball and strikes, infield fly rule, balks, and stealing home
2. Throwing mechanics- four seam grip, point front shoulder, generating momentum toward the target and follow through
3. Catching and fielding mechanics- thrown and hit balls, fingers up versus down, coordination of glove and hands, two hands versus one, forehands and backhands, underhand flip, first base fundamentals, crossover and drop steps.
4. Hitting- choosing the right bat, proper grip, footwork, load, weight transfer, hitting pitched balls, drill work (stickball, soft toss, tee, batting machine, short toss, hitting ball where it is pitched), repetitions and bunting
5. Positional play including covering the nearest base when the ball is not hit to you, cut-offs and relays
6. Baserunning-steals, extra-base hits and sliding properly
7. Pitching and throwing mechanics- wind-up versus stretching, covering first base and backing up third base or home plate on relay throws
8. Team fundamentals- good positive attitude, defensive play, situational readiness, communication and priorities