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Create a progressive
training program that starts simple & builds step by step
towards the mastery of the two-man system.
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Work towards
matching teaching material to the learning level of
members. |
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Inform, demonstrate,
practice, critique, test and promote members through various
levels of instruction.
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Create a rating &
testing system for the newer half of the group that
emphasizes learning, participation & mastering of skills
within each instruction level.
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Create instruction
levels with detailed requirements for advancement.
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Encourage umpires to
not only participate in the high school level but work
beyond it as well as give back to the youth programs that
feed our high school program. |
Create a
multi-year instruction program designed for newer members:
(Examples Below)
Year 1 (spring only for now) Teaching Content:
Have the
members complete proficiency exams for rules, mechanics and game
management skills. Have students perform through a combination
of evaluated “shadow” drill, “fungo” drill or live fall
scrimmage. When students pass requirements, they are promoted
to the next instruction level.
The 1st
year instruction could comprise of
basic baseball rules &
HS rules differences, developing
signals presentation, one-umpire mechanics system, basic plate
work, and strike zone history, evolution, usage &
philosophies and game management survival skills.
Year 2 (Fall & Spring) “Text Book” Teaching Content – 2-Man
Basics:
The 2nd year
could be comprehensive plate mechanics, basics of the two-umpire
system - concentrating on responsibilities & individual skills
of the two-umpire system (angle/distance at first base, “working
area”, foul fly ball coverage, single runner run-down coverage,
etc.), "team" approach to handing arguments and other situation
management skills. Develop an intermediate level of rules
instruction. Have students perform either an evaluated “shadow”
drill, “fungo” drill or live fall scrimmage. Again, when
students pass requirements, then they are promoted to the next
level.
Year 3 (fall & spring) Expanding on “Text Book” Teaching Content
– Mainstream with Good Foundation of 2-Man Knowledge:
More
advanced two-man coverage – “Trouble” fly ball coverage,
multiple runner coverage & rundowns, R1 to 3rd, R2 &
R1 fly ball with R2 tagging, double plays positioning, etc.
Develop a rules package that prepares students for main
streaming to the 1-3 rated officials.
Have students perform
either an evaluated “fungo” drill or live scrimmage during
fall. If they pass requirements, then promote them to the next
level.
Program
would entail instruction materials, homework, quizzes, tests,
classroom & field evaluation (probably “shadow” drill, “fungo”
drill or live scrimmage. Do evaluations periodically – maybe at
president’s day clinic, before or after play-offs in May or
maybe a couple of times during fall training at SCC.
Tenured
members would focus on skill maintenance/enhancement and
refining knowledge:
Move
members to a “conceptual” level – encourage more dynamic
thinking. Create program to more hone skills, develop more
advanced and in-depth knowledge of basic “textbook” methods
taught to newer members. Teach umpires to handle 5% of plays
that aren’t in the textbook. Teach umpires how to think the
game and adjust to rapidly changing game action based on
fundamental concepts instead of memorizing the text book.
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