COACHING

Introduction

Brick Little League teams are managed and coached by volunteers, typically parents of players. Every team, from Coach Pitch through Big League, needs 1 manager and at least 1 assistant coach.

The BLL Board of Directors review candidates and establishes a list of potential appointees. All managers and coaches are subject to ratification by the BLL Board of Directors. There is no seniority or tenure in serving as a manager or coach year to year.

If you are interested in coaching or managing a team, please fill out the forms located in our VOLUNTEER SECTION of the website.

All applications will be reviewed prior to the season. Be sure to also complete the Little League ® International Volunteer Application Form also located on our VOLUNTEER SECTION of the website.

Managers and coaches must provide a positive role model for all players. Please become familiar with the BLL's local rules for your division, codes of conduct and safety codes.

ALL MANAGERS MUST BE RUTGERS CERTIFIED. IT IS ADVISED THAT ALL COACHES, TEAM MOMS, AND LEAGUE VOLUNTEERS GET CERTIFIED. THE CERTIFICATE IS GOOD FOR LIFE AND IS GOOD IF YOU COACH ANY SPORT THAT REQUIRES RUTGERS CERTIFICATION ANY WHERE IN THE STATE OF NJ.

Visit the Rutgers website http://youthsports.rutgers.edu/ click on the schedule tab on the right to view the class schedules around the state. You can attend any class to get certified. Check the site daily as new classes are added all the time.

Coaching:

Little League International has a site loaded with helpful training videos to help all coaches regardless of experience level

LITTLE LEAGUE COACH RESOURCE CENTER



Coaches Code of Conduct

Every coach / manager should know and understand the BLL Coaches Code of Conduct.
CODES OF CONDUCT SECTION

Coaching Background Checks

All local Little Leagues are required to conduct background checks on managers, coaches, board of directors members and any other persons, volunteers or hired workers, who provide regular service to the league and/or have repetitive access to, or contact with, players or teams.

Individuals are also required to complete and submit a Little League Volunteer Application to their local league.

Team Administration

Managing a Little League ® team typically begins with a parent meeting. It is recommended that every manager hold a parent meeting prior to your first practice to set proper expectations and cover logistics.

Pitching

It is the coach's responsibilty to protect their pitcher from harm. BLL encouraged that each manager keep track of how many pitches are thrown by each pitcher.

Please keep in mind that your pitcher may be playing on other teams [school, travel, etc] and he/she may be pitching there as well. Please ask that your player be honest with you as a coach and they should advise you if they have or will be pitching for that other team. You may want to consult the players parents as well to advise you on how mush he/she has pitched.
PROTECTING YOUNG PITCHERS ARM


Little League ® International has adapted new pitching Rules for the 2010 Season.
LITTLE LEAGUE ® PITCHING RULES - 2010


Brick Little League has also adapted a set of pitching rules starting from the 2010 season that will protect young arms even further.
BRICK LITTLE LEAGUE PITCHING RULES - 2010

Tools and Tips

Managing a Little League ® team requires organization. Field practices, batting cage time, and game preparation are all part of delivering a quality experience to the kids. Below are some resources that may help you in managing or coaching your BLL team.

Communications
Setting up a phone tree or other form of communication branch helps keep your parents informed of any changes in practice or games schedules. Ask one of the parents of your players to step up and volunteer as a TEAM MOM [or DAD]. This person would be the person you [as a manager or coach] would contact and they in turn would contact the rest of the team member. If you can get more than one, that’s even better.

Coaching Clinics
Each year, Brick Little League will coordinate clinics for coaches of all levels. These clinics cover the development of players on both mental and physical levels.
For more information on the clinics, check with the division player agent

Practice Planning
Practice time is when skills, knowledge and sportsmanship are taught. Practices should be well planned and efficient. The League suggest that practices are broken up into individual drill stations versus conducting a one hour scrimmage. Limit stations to small, manageable groups and rotate stations every 8-10 minutes.