The best technique we used to encourage [tag]teamwork in baseball[/tag] and to bring all twelve kids together to practice as one team quickly was to tell them that “we win as a team and we lose as a team”.
To make sure they understood this concept completely we decided for the fourth practice we would implement what we call the “GUTS” drill.
Before practice we explained exactly what we expected out of each player and the team as a whole. When a team player was not giving 100% hustle and focusing on the task at hand we would stop the drills and call the entire team to the 3rd base foul line.
We have the team line up finger tips apart and one of the coaches would call out “down”. All players would do push ups, then the [tag]baseball coach[/tag] would call out “over” and the kids would do sit ups and finally the coach would call out “up” and the kids would run in place.
After this drill was complete we would talk to the kids about team work how everyone has to give their best for the team to succeed. We emphasized that it’s not about winning every game and being perfect but it’s about giving your best effort every time.
I was amazed at how quickly the players came together as one team. They immediately started encouraging each other and communicating during practices to hustle and stay focused. Even at the following practice I overheard a couple of the kids telling each other we have to give 100% hustle and stay focused today because I don’t want to do the “GUTS” drill again.