Monique V.

I have a heart to coach young kids and teenagers. I have worked with younger athletes. I am currently working to get a coaching certificate.

My experience playing has been since I was 3 years old. I started being able to hit at the age of 3 and being able to throw and catch by the age of 4. I grew up playing little league baseball and became a softball player at the age of 13. I played 1 year on the jr varsity team and played the next years on varsity. Throughout high school I played mostly the infield at shortstop, 3rd and 1st base. I have also played catcher but had to give up due to knee injuries. I played one year of college softball at PCC where we were Golden West Tournament Champions. I had to give up the sport due to things in my home life. In total I played baseball from 5-12 and softball I played from the age of 13-20. I played all 4 years in high school and 1 year at Pasadena City College

I do a lot of field drills just because I currently do not have access to a pitching machine. There is a focus on glove movement, how to read the ball off the bat, hand eye coordination, footwork, and back hand field drills. When it comes to hitting I do a lot of drills that focus with seeing the ball at all times, timing, foot placement, and finding a comfortable position for the athlete. I have a focus on the mental part of the game I will constantly encourage the athlete and give them confidence that they can carry into a game situation. I also am an experienced catcher and will do drills with catching, blocking, and throwing. I will start with a light run warm up and stretching. From there do some hitting drills with small wiffle balls, tee practice, and live pitching. Then for fielding whether Infield or outfield practice on ground balls focus on foot, hand, and eye coordination. Diving practices on the grass and dirt with wiffles at first then lead into regular size softballs. Practice throwing to each bag in the infield. Back hand fielding drills for infielders. Use small wiffles with bare hands for eye concentration purposes for fielding. Outfielders will practice back handed catches, footwork in running backwards and changing direction, running in for a ball, footwork on catching, and learning where to throw the ball in different situations. Catchers will do drill for blocking and throwing down to each base. Catchers will also learn foot work behind the plate on setting up for throws and drills on keeping their eye on the ball.