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LTP - Birth Years 2004-2006

If sufficient numbers of 2006 players, a separate division of LTP 1 will be set up for them.  Last season, they were integrated with the older girls.  Since this is not a game format (i.e., parity is not an issue) and it makes coaching much easier, we may try to form teams by birth year.  We usually have few registrants in Kindergarten, but are happy to take them if they are interested.

Schedule:

• 2 days per week every Wednesday at 6:00pm (6:30 after long weekend) and Saturday at 1:00pm.
• no practices
• typically one hour for LTP1 (if enough 2005 kids)
• up to 1-1/2hr for LTP2
• if LTP1 numbers are low, they will be merged with LTP2, with corresponding adjustments
• Season starts April 16, ends June 18.  No play on the long weekends.
• No rain makeups.
• We will try to add an outside clinician to run a 20 minute pitching session after the May long weekend for the 2003 birth year kids as an introduction what will happen next year.

Format:

This is not a drop-off program, parents participate.  The capacity of the program is often dictated by the number of parents who volunteer to coach.

Coaching:

VWMSA bases our LTP program on Softball Canada's Learn to Play program.

No coaching experience or knowledge of softball required, and minimal preparation because of highly structured supporting materials.  Preparation for play days can be done in as little as 10 minutes (review the CD on a computer).  The program is geared to what the kids can do and enjoy at a given age. Lesson plans for the entire season are in a booklet provided by VWMSA, with a CD with videos of everything.  The following printable pages can be referred to until all teams receive booklets.

VWMSA LTP Suggestions

Introduction to Coaching

LTP Lesson Plan 1

LTP Lesson Plans 2 - 4

Brad Johnston Black Belt Program and Black Belt Book Template

Equipment

Participants must have: glove, batting helmet, running shoes.

LTP Level 1 - 2005

• ideal team size 5-6 (teams selected based principally on their school)
• coach, assistant coach, manager needed for each team
• coach or assistant coach organizes the activities based on the Softball Canada Learn To Play lesson plans (not intended to be rigid, it just means a lot less prep time)
• manager organizes the snacks, holds the uniform deposit checks
• one parent expected to attend with each child
• activities are a variety of softball related drills and games
• location: likely Trimble (north diamond, east of school) unless numbers are large in which case McBride and Braemar may be used.

LTP Level 2/3 - 2004/2003

• ideal team size about 8 (teams principally selected based on their school)
• coach, assistant coach, manager needed for each team
• adult:child ratio not less than 2:1 (so plan to have one parent there most days)
• coach or assistant coach organizes the activities based on the Learn to Play lesson plans
• manager organizes the snacks, holds the uniform deposit checks
• a variety of softball related drills and games (45 minutes) followed by 30 minute scrimmage between teams followed by a relay
• Scrimmage will typically be:

1. One inning
2. 7 machine pitches, if they don't hit a fair ball, they go to first base if they swung at least once in the last four pitches
3. All players field, max 7 in the infield
4. All players bat each inning
5. No advances on overthrows

• Location: McBride East and McBride West unless numbers are large, in which case Braemar and Trimble may be used

Participation Award to all participants (plus certificate at coach's discretion).