How to Coach High School Baseball

For generations, baseball has been known as the Great American Pastime. A wonderful way to pay tribute to the sport is by introducing kids to it as a coach at the high school level.

Instructions

  1. Learn Coaching Basics

    • 1

      Catch as many baseball games on television and in person as possible. The fundamentals remain the same among all levels of play, so concentrate on learning them.

    • 2

      Make connections. Many high schools and colleges run coaching camps to acclimate new and prospective coaches to the game of baseball.

    • 3

      Read about coaching strategies. "Baseball Strategies: American Baseball Coaches Association," available at Amazon, is a listing of most of the strategies and situations that a high school baseball coach will face (see Resources below).

    Get Hired for a Coaching Position

    • 4

      Check local newspapers and high school websites for coach openings. As openings are often difficult to come by, you may have to broaden your scope and/or relocate to a new area.

    • 5

      Display not only a love for the game, but also for teaching children. The most important thing a high school coach does is teach. When dealing with prospective employers, be sure to represent yourself as a person who loves educating children.

    Prepare Your Team for Winning

    • 6

      Teach your team common baseball situations. If every player and coach on your team is prepared to recognize a hit-and-run or a double play, successful plays are much more likely to be executed during a game.

    • 7

      Use your practice time to make your team proficient in baseball mechanics, such as fielding and batting. Getting your players into their routines, long before the games begin, will make them easier to maintain and execute during the season.

    • 8

      Take care to set your starting lineup and pitching rotation before the season begins. If players know their roles before the season begins, the coach faces a much lower chance of dealing with dissension and unhappy players.

    • 9

      Scout opposing pitchers and hitters. Much of baseball is about being mentally ready. By knowing the pitches and hot zones of opposing players, you'll be in a much better position to win.

    Coach on Game Day

    • 10

      Rely on the fundamentals. Most successful high school baseball teams rely on the basics for success. Don't take any unnecessary risks.

    • 11

      Stay in tune with your players. As a coach, you'll need to know when your players are fatigued and struggling, substituting them if necessary.