The Youth Softball Coaching Clinic Blog is your free online source for youth softball and little league softball coaching tips and drills. Our articles and daily post covers all aspects of coaching girls softball and girls softball teams.
Showing posts with label free softball articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free softball articles. Show all posts
Fastpitch Softball Tips - Building Your Endurance By guest author: Marc Dagenais
When you think about sports and endurance, the sports that will come to mind might include marathon and triathlon. But somehow, you never ever associate softball with sports that require players to have a good amount of endurance.
That's perfectly understandable because when you look at it, it seems that the only job of players are to stand up, run occasionally, and throw or hit the ball.
But endurance also plays an important role on softball. That's especially the case if we're talking about long stretches of games or games under the heat of the sun.
If you're a softball player wanting to increase your endurance on the field, here are some tips I have for you:
1. Condition your body. Building up your endurance takes time. If you don't live an active lifestyle, it may take several weeks of intense training before you can build up your endurance. Jogging, interval training and other cardio exercises will help you do that.
This part of your training could be boring if you do it alone. So try working out with your team or with a partner.
2. Keep your body well-hydrated. Dehydration and heat are the enemies of any type of athlete. When it's hot, your body tends to sweat more to keep your body cool. While it's good, it's downside is that you lose important fluids in your body in the process.
And don't just rely on thirst to tell you already need to drink fluids. Once you feel thirsty, it's already a signal from your body that its supply of fluids is already severely depleted. So don't wait until you get thirsty. Take sips of water or sports before and during the game to keep your fluid levels normal.
3. Get enough rest. It's easy to succumb to all-night partying when you're young because you feel that you never seem to run out of energy. But the lack of rest can lead to a deterioration in your performance. When you lack sleep, you deprive your body of the time to recover from the day's work and to repair or replace any damaged cells in your body. So keep your partying to a minimum, or avoid it altogether if you can do that.
4. Eat healthy. You might not like eating healthy, but it sure can do wonders to your body and your endurance. That's because eating healthy means you get enough supply of the necessary nutrients that your body needs to function well. And when you're healthy, you'll be able to stay longer in the game even if it stretches to several innings or you're playing under the heat of the sun.
So in fastpitch softball, if you want to last longer than your teammates and the competition during long or exceptionally hot games, you must work on building your endurance.
Again, here's how you do it: condition your body, keep your body well-hydrated, get enough rest and eat healthy. Try them out today and see how they positively affect your game.
Marc Dagneais is Softball Peak Performance Coach that helps softball players turn their athletic talent into extraordinary performances and help coaches get more out of their players, turn their struggling team around or get an edge over their opponents. Visit us to access our directory of FREE softball drills!
Fastpitch Softball - Shortstop Positioning By guest author: Jim Moyer
Situational positioning of the Shortstop may be the most common coaching oversight in Fastpitch Softball. My guess would be 95% of the teams put the shortstop in the middle of 2nd and 3rd and never move her. Okay, that's great with no runners on base, but what about all the other situations.
Runner on 1st Base
In 10U & 12U it's almost a given the runner is going to steal. In 14U and up, the odds are still pretty strong that at some point the runner will try to advance, either on a straight steal or on a bobbled pitch. We KNOW this is going to happen a very high percentage of the time.
So why is your shortstop still in the hole? How many times have you seen the shortstop have to cut the corner to get to the throw in time, and therefore be two or three feet in front of 2B and unable to make a tag? Aaaaggghhh!!! I hate that! And there is no reason for it to happen.
When there is a runner on 1st base, move your shortstop about 5 feet towards 2B. More if need be. Depending on your age group, the odds are probably between 50% up to 95% that there will be a play at 2B. On the other hand, the odds of the ball being hit to SS are much lower. You might even get lucky and have a ball hit up the middle which the SS can field and tag 2B or even turn a double play.
Lead Runner on 2nd Base
If you use SS to cover 3B on steals, the same philosophy applies. Move her about 5 feet from the hole towards 3B. It's a very tough play for SS to cover 3B on steals. She has to get their, find the base, catch the ball, and make a tag. How many throws to 3B have you seen wind up in the outfield because the runner and SS got tangled up at 3B? Too many. Take the precision timing out of the play by getting her in a better position before the play starts.
By placing her in the optimal position before the pitch is thrown, you also avoid her breaking to the bag while the pitch is on the way. Huh? I'm sure you have seen shortstops break to the base as soon as the pitch is thrown, and then have a ball hit right where she should have been standing. Since she is breaking on the pitch, her momentum increases the size of the hole immensely. Whereas, if she is positioned correctly before the pitch, she can hold her position longer before making her break to cover the steal.
The Hardest Play for a Shortstop Runner on 1st and the batter shows bunt
I will cover this play based on age in more detail at a later date, but for now lets get the basics down. This play requires extreme discipline by the shortstop. First, you need to understand that if the player does bunt the out should be made at 1B. Don't even think about going to 2B to get the lead runner! So if the ball is bunted where does your shortstop go? Third base. Otherwise, the base is uncovered and the runner on 1B can make the turn at second and keep going to third. Oh, how you are going to hate that when it happens to you. So if the ball is bunted, make the out at one, be looking to throw across the field to third, and cover 3B.
What if the batter misses the bunt or fake bunts and takes the pitch? Here is where the extreme discipline comes in. Shortstop has to cover 2B on the steal. Therefore, the correct positioning is the same as protecting against a straight steal. Before the pitch, move her approximately 5 feet towards 2B. This puts her in position to cover 2B on a steal and should the ball be bunted successfully, she should have ample time to beat the runner coming from 1B to 3B.
Make a mental note to yourself, after each batter look at your shortstops positioning. This is a chess game. Think about what you expect your opponent to do in this given situation, and position your shortstop appropriately.
Jim Moyer is the author of http://www.mysoftballcoach.com. Having coached over 600 youth fastpitch softball games, Jim decided to put his knowledge online to allow parent/coaches to draw on his unique experience.
Youth Fastpitch Softball Bunt Coverage By guest author: Jim Moyer
To be a solid fastpitch softball defensive team, your team must be well-drilled in fastpitch softball bunt coverage. This article will discuss the standard scheme that works best for your base defense. Moreso than other softball skills, practice and repetition will be paramount in executing bunt coverage, as this play requires an inordinate amount of team chemistry.
The typical layout of your defensive unit should have the 1st baseman playing in towards home about 3-5 feet. The 2nd baseman and Shortstop should be positioned somewhere behind the baseline (depending on the age and level of competition). The 3rd baseman should be positioned about 10-12 feet inside the bag towards home plate. This base positioning dictates that the 3rd baseman, 1st baseman, pitcher and catcher are the four players in position to field the ball. The ideal player to field the ball is the 3rd baseman. She needs to be the General on the field on bunt coverage plays as she is the player moving towards the play at 1st base and she should have the best vision of the entire play. As she is charging the ball, she needs to make the call as to who will field the ball. How many times have we seen 2 or more players converge on the ball and think the other player will make the play only to make no play at all? Too many! The 3rd baseman should be charging the ball and call the position of the player that is in the best position to make the play.
Probably the hardest bunt to field is the ball placed about 6 feet in front of home plate and down the 1st baseline. This is a prime example where team chemistry will come in to play. The 3rd baseman will have to quickly assess who has the best play on the ball. Typically, the catcher would be the preferred choice since her momentum is headed towards 1st base; however, she may have been slow getting out of her position.
Softball Bunt Coverage - No Runners on Base
With no runners on base, 1st, Pitcher, Catcher, and 3rd are going to crash the ball. The 2nd baseman has the responsibility to cover 1st base and receive the throw. The rightfielder should take an angle to about 20 - 30 feet behind 1st base and near the foul line to cut off any errant throws. It's critical for the rightfielder to maintain a safe distance behind 1st base otherwise the errant throw to 1st base could well end up in the right field corner for a homerun. The centerfielder should take an angle to be positioned behind the rightfielder to help with retrieving an errant throw. The shortstop should head to 2nd base in case of an error at 1st base. The leftfielder should take an angle to position herself behind the shortstop.
Softball Bunt Coverage - Runner on 1st Base
TAKE THE OUT AT 1ST BASE!!! Don't even consider going for the lead runner and trying to get the out at 2nd base. It's fools gold and you would be lucky to make that play 10% of the time. All of the player's positioning is the same except for the shortstop and leftfielder. This is the MOST DISCIPLINED PLAY the shortstop will have to make. Her instinct is to cover 2nd base for a steal, however, if she does that and the bunt is put in play, it will turn into a foot race between her and the runner to get to 3rd base (If the runner on 1st sees the shortstop at 2nd, she just continues running to 3rd knowing it's going to be a very difficult play for shortstop to run from 2nd to 3rd and be in position to make a catch and tag). To play this correctly, position the shortstop 5 feet closer to 2nd base so she is in position to cover the steal without having to break to the base prior to knowing if the ball is successfully bunted. If the ball is not bunted, she covers 2nd base for the steal. If the ball is successfully bunted she covers 3rd base. She can't cheat to cover 3rd base either, or if the runner on 1st is stealing the shortstop will be out of position to take the throw. The leftfielder will take an angle to be about 20 - 30 feet behind 3rd base and on the left field foul line to back up an errant throw.
Softball Bunt Coverage - Runners on 1st and 2nd Base
Again, TAKE THE OUT AT 1ST BASE!!! Depending on the age and skill level of your team, it may be possible to get the lead runner at 3rd base. If the bunt is very short so the catcher can make a quick play, of if the bunt is too hard and the pitcher or 1st baseman can make a quick play, it COULD be possible to get the runner out at 3rd base. However, the odds are certainly not in your favor, and if the play is unsuccessful the result is having the bases loaded. Coverage on this play is the same as the coverage for a runner on 1st base coverage. The noted exception is the rightfielder needs to know on an overthrow she should be prepared to throw the ball home. Also, the leftfielder needs to take her backup position behind 3rd base in case the play is attempted at 3rd base.
Softball Bunt Coverage - Bases Loaded
The unique thing about this play is that either 1st base or Catcher needs to make the call as to where to throw the ball. The 3rd baseman and pitcher have a much more difficult time knowing how close the runner is to home plate. Also unique for this play, is that the catcher needs more discipline. She must immediately determine if another fielder can play the ball and toss it to her for the force out at home. If this is the case, she needs to take a 1st baseman's stance at the plate and be prepared to receive the throw and then throw to 1st base for a double play. She must also determine if she is the only player that can make a play on the ball and get the out at either home or 1st base. This is a pressure play on the defense, but with a fair amount of practice should be able to make the play at home on a fairly routine basis. If there is ever ANY DOUBT about making the out at home, the fielders must take the out at 1st base.
Softball Bunt Coverage - Look for the Double Play
When runners are on base and the bunt play is on, this is an ideal time to look for the double play. Typically the runners, especially a trailing runner, will take sizeable leadoffs on when the bunt is on. Train your players to react to a bunt that is popped up in the air. The easiest runner to double up is generally a runner on 1st base. Catch the pop up and fire the ball to 1st base for the force out. The lead runner is usually in a good enough position to be able to return to her base safely, however she probably is out of position to be able to advance when you throw to 1st for the double play.
Softball Bunt Coverage - Take the Out
Almost without exception, your team is far better off taking the out at 1st base. Considering the difficulty of getting the lead runner and the position you leave yourself in if the play is not successful, it's hardly ever worth the risk of going for the lead runner. I would submit the only time when it is imperative to get the lead runner is when the game-winning run is on 3rd base. Even if it is the game tying run on 3rd base, I would strongly consider taking the out at 1st base and allowing the runner on 3rd to score. If you go for the out at home and are unsuccessful, you have allowed the game to be tied and allowed the winning run on base or advance on the bases without getting an out. As a coach, you are finding a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, and that's not a good thing.
Remember that the key to having a successful fastpitch defense is to make a very high percentage of easy outs. You must avoid giving up big innings to your opponent. In fastpitch softball, one big offensive inning can very easily decide the game. If you repeatedly play for the lead runner, you will consistently give up big innings. Further, if you can NOT shut down your opponents bunting game, you don't have much of a chance to win. In another article on this site, I tell the story of bunting 10 batters in a row one inning. Trust me, you don't want to be the team that sees 10 bunts in a row. That means your team can't cover the bunt, and you can't win the game. For the best way to practice your softball bunt coverage scheme please refer to the article The Bunting Game located at http://www.mysoftballcoach.com/bunting.html
Now, Go get 'em coach!
Jim Moyer is the author of http://www.mysoftballcoach.com Having coached over 500 youth fastpitch softball games, Jim decided to put the information online to allow parent/coaches to draw on his unique experience.
Softball Coaching - 5 Tips By guest author: Marc Dagenais
To be a good softball coach, you have to understand what type of team you have in front of you and how you need to approach them, speak to them, and act with them. Once they get comfortable around you, you can use your own coaching style to shape the team into the type of group you want to have as a coach. The following tips are for softball coaching and give you some heads up into how you can better yourself as a coach and as a result make your team better.
Tip 1 - Play Smart
Playing smart wins ball games. Players need to think ahead and not only want the ball but also know where to go with it once they have it. If you outsmart your opponent you can win a lot of games. It's as easy as your hitters not swinging at bad pitches but drawing a walk instead, or faking a throw with an aggressive runner on second and just holding onto the ball. It's about judgment and thinking ahead.In order to play smart, you and your players have to communicate with each other and make sure you see the same things. Try to give input and ask for input from them. If you communicate, think ahead, and trust your instincts, then you are playing smart and will come out ahead.
Tip 2 - Play Hard
A coach should never have to tell her players to "Play Hard." As a coach, you need to instill in your athletes the concept of playing hard, but then it should be something every player does without having to be told. That is what sports are all about. If a player is out on the field and does not play hard or give it her best, someone else who wants to play and seize the moment will give what it takes to be on the field and will pass her by. Playing hard is giving 100 percent of what you've got. That is what you should tell your players you want from them and not only from the starting nine but from the whole team. Everyone plays a role on the team and needs to be 100 percent when opportunity knocks.
Tip 3 - Communicating With the Media
Give the members of the news media your time and patience. This is probably easier said than done, but it's very important if your athletes are to get the exposure they deserve. You should want the media to talk to the players to better understand what it takes to be a softball player. Don't keep the media waiting either. Right after the game, if there is anyone present from the media, you should tell them that you'll be right with them. Gather your thoughts and meet them for the interview. At the same time the players are packing their equipment prior to the team meeting. If you have a unique story, try to let the media know first. They enjoy getting a "scoop." Encourage the reporters to call you at home as well, and if they would like to call you on the road let them know where you are staying.
Tip 4 - Communicating With Players
The main objective you should have with your athletes is to let them know that you respect them and the efforts they make, and that you care about the things that impact their ability to play to their best. When the coach is on the field she is visible to all who watch the game or watch the practice, so try not to overreact or embarrass the athletes - as they play their positions with poise and technique, so should you. The image that you project on the field is seen by many and it's so important to conduct yourself at the highest level of professionalism.
Tip 5 - Team Praise
There are crucial times when you want to make sure you verbalize the team's strengths both as a whole and individually. It can be before a big game, after a tough loss, or if the season seems to be a roller coaster of ups and downs. These times represent crucial moments when the group needs to be reminded of its talent and effort. You can sometimes take the time to pull out each individuals strengths for display. When you've touched upon everyone, combine all those attributes and talk about the team as a whole. This technique helps the team members respect each other for their own individual strengths and illustrates how they all make up the team they are a part of. Hopefully, with this in mind, they can find a comfort zone on the field and can begin performing at an optimal level. Verbal reinforcement is the quick and easy high that an athlete or a team needs. As coaches, you need to be the provider. You will also see other athletes picking up on it and using it daily to support their teammates. This helps but should not take place of the coach's verbal reinforcement.
Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at http://www.softballperformance.com/blog
He also helps softball players and coaches improves their game by sharing with them the tips and strategies used by the world's best softball players and coaches to achieve extraordinary performances. You can sign-up to get his FREE Softball Tips at http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html
Softball Overview : How to Run a Youth Softball Practice Uploaded by expertvillage Running a youth softball practice involves understanding the competitive level of the team, constantly changing things up and offering frequent water breaks. Coach a youth softball practice with tips from a former collegiate All-American softball player in this free video on softball.
Expert: Jill Weiss Contact: www.ShowtimeSportsAcademy.com Bio: Jill Weiss was a Division 1 All American Softball player at Indiana State University. She is currently coaching softball and soccer athletes at Showtime Sports Academy in Franklin, Tenn. Filmmaker: Tim Brown
============================ Thanks to our sponsors:
Five Qualities For Coaching Youth Softball By guest author: Trevor Sumner
Coaching youth softball requires talent, patience, understanding, and, above all, a commitment to those players entrusted to your care. Coaching youth softball is so much more than giving signs from the third base coaching box, or making decisions on personnel.
Today, youth sports demand that the youth softball coach possess qualities that are essential to the position. It won't guarantee a winning season, or even that all players and their parents will be grateful for your efforts on their behalf. However, if you don't possess these qualities and fulfill certain roles, you will not succeed in your mission - to help the youngsters continue their development into mature and responsible adults.
Coaching youth softball requires that your play these five key roles:
•Mentor - Coaching requires you to understand two things - the game and rules of youth softball as well as the goal of your job, which is to help the youngsters grow as individuals. You'll never be able to be effective in your position if you are not clear yourself on these issues. If you're not clear on your responsibilities to the team you will not convey the message that your players need to receive. •Manager - You must be able to manage a number of variables and multi-task, as well. Your team will have players with different personalities and different needs, and your task as a softball coach is to take the best elements and talents of each of your players and to mold them into one functioning unit for the benefit of the team. •Teacher - Coaching youth softball involves teaching your players a number of lessons - how to work together and perform as a team; how to sublimate personal goals for the team's goals; how to improve their softball acumen, teach them age appropriate softball drills, and help them become better players. In this manner, your team will also improve. •Motivator - You can not overestimate the importance of the mental aspects of the game. Coaching youth softball is just not teaching hitting, fielding and throwing skills. It involves raising the level of your team's play though inspiration and your personal example. Don't hesitate to draw on examples that your players can relate to for support and inspiration, especially from pros they admire. •Role Model - Coaching youth softball means that you serve as a positive example for your players to emulate. This includes rendering fair and equitable treatment for all players, regardless of talent.
If you hone these qualities, you will be able to fulfill your goal of coaching youth softball in a manner that both improves the lives of your athletes, parents and families, and also ultimately enriches your own coaching experience.
By Trevor Sumner who works for Weplay, a youth softball community dedicated to providing parents, coaches and athletes the tools and information they need to celebrate the love of the game. Weplay has one of the most comprehensive softball drill libraries in its active softball community.
How to Choose the Best Softball Clinic
By guest author: Monica Martinez
When looking for the best softball clinic to attend there are a couple of important things to consider. First would be the knowledge of the coaching staff. Then you would need to consider the experience of the coaching staff. Then ask yourself, "How much one on one coaching am I going to get?" "Will I be seen by elite college coaches?" and "Will I be getting my money's worth in such a camp?"
When considering knowledgeable clinicians, one must expect that the clinician has played or coached at the highest levels. These levels would include the PFX (Professional Fast pitch Extreme), the USA National team, and the top college programs. One would also expect the clinician to have good communication skills, a great attitude and a lot of information to provide. Clinicians should be able to humanize and personalize the road to success in softball. The clinician must also be able to access a players skill level and approach it in a way that every player in learning.
Obviously the ideal number of campers per instructor would be one to one, however that is unrealistic. Realistically a good number would be one to ten. A great number would be one to five. In such a group, players can not only get information that matches their specific needs, but are also able to improve their skills with teamwork.
Besides getting top level information, a quality softball clinic should also allow the campers to showcase their abilities to college coaches of varying levels in a fun environment. This will allow campers of all skill levels to show off what they have learned, what they can provide to possible college teams, and quite possibly could gain rewards from their hard work such as recognition by top notch college coaches.
Most people when looking for a softball camp, look for a facility that they feel will be worth their money. These types of camps obviously would include a camp that provides knowledge that can be learned at that specific time and place and also information the players can use then they get back to their team. The clinicians of the camp would also be expected to teach the player in a positive and fun environment so the player can feel like they enjoyed learning. Players should also be expected to hear from the clinicians what softball life is like after high school.
In looking for a knowledgeable and experienced coaching staff remember to find one with a small coach to player ratio, a camp worth your time and money, and quality time to showcase the campers to top notch colleges.
Tired of looking for a softball clinic [http://www.RockyMountainSoftballClinic.com] and only finding ones taught by mediocre coaches? Want to attend softball pitching clinics [http://www.RockyMountainSoftballClinic.com] taught by Cat Osterman and other Olympic athletes? Go to RockyMountainSoftballClinic.com.
Coaching Youth Softball - How to Teach Softball Skills Quickly and Efficiently
By guest author: Marc Dagenais
Coaching youth softball is no easy task. Coaching involves multiple responsibilities and one of them is to teach the fundamentals of the game - hitting, pitching, throwing, fielding, and so on.
However, teaching is itself a skill and not as easy as most people would like to believe. Knowing the game is the easy part; teaching it is the hard part. Coaching youth softball involves a lot of teaching.
To make practices fun and enjoyable, youth softball coaches must be able to teach softball skills quickly and effectively using a sound pedagogical approach that takes into account the various types of learners.
Here is a sound approach that involves 6 steps:
Step #1 - What and Why
Kids today need to know why you are doing things. They are critical thinkers. So, when you introduce the new technical element (the ''what''), explain them why it is important. No need for a long speech or justification, just give a reason why so that they can more easily buy into it.
Step #2 - Demonstrate without instruction
This is crucial yet 95% of those coaching youth softball don't it. Most kids have no idea what the skill looks like. So, even before you start giving instructions, you must give them a visual picture or visual reference of what you are talking about. Someone once said that a picture is worth a thousand words and they were right.
Step #3 - Demonstrate with instruction using simple cues
Once the kids have a clear picture of what you are talking about, then you can provide instructions using only a few simple cues to emphasize key technical elements. Don't overload them with technical information, you will lose them.
Step #4 - Get them to try the skill
At this point, you get them to try what you just demonstrated so that they can ''feel'' what you are talking about. By nature, most athletes love to learn by doing.
Step #5 - Give them feedback
At this point, you want to give constructive feedback on what needs to be improved and what they should focus on.
Step #6 - Verify learning and let them ask questions
The worst question to ask to a kid is whether or not they understand. They will always say ''yes'' either because they think they understand (even if they might not) or they don't want to look like they are stupid. So, you want to quiz them asking them questions like what are the key points to verify their learning. Also provide them with a chance to ask their own questions so that they can make sure they clearly understand what was taught.
This 6-step approach is quick and efficient as it respects the fundamental principles of pedagogy. I strongly encourage you to use it with your athletes.
Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at http://www.softballperformance.com/blog
He also helps softball players and coaches improves their game by sharing with them the tips and strategies used by the world's best softball players and coaches to achieve extraordinary performances. You can sign-up to get his FREE Softball Tips at http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html Go Sign-up Now!
The Three I's in Softball Coaching By guest author: Marc Dagenais
The most comprehensive softball coaching can be found in an article that features not only the usual and the most basic coaching styles and techniques. It also comes in small packages like this one. This article is all about softball coaching. But what makes this article different is that it underscores only three of the most needed softball coaching elements. These are interest, improvement and importance.
Interest. In any softball coaching plan, awareness and concentration on the hustles and bustles of the game is important. The power and quality of the game depends upon the curiosity or concern displayed by all of the members of the softball team. But how can a player achieve his winning goal if the coach himself doesn't know what to do? There is really a great need of the incorporation of interest in any softball game because this serves as the link of involvement with something that makes the softball performance leads its way to progress or success.
Improvement. After you have carefully laid down your softball plans and priorities, you have to keep on advancing. As a coach, you must set continuous modifications of the plans and techniques that you have already done. There is much intensive change in the softball field every now and then. The softball coach should cope up with the great changes that the game of softball brings. He must also have the ability to become better and make his players better by constant practice and softball training. The involvement of changes adds value to the softball coaching of every person.
Importance. There is a much need to give value to the softball game itself. This means that the magnitude of your strength should be at least given to the softball coaching. When you give importance to the game, you have to set aside your extra-curricular activities and focus first on the development of your plans for the improvement of the team. In one way or another, you have to give a high interest to the different news happening around the softball world.
Softball coaching is not an easy task and it will never become easy. It will always become a big sacrifice. But the feeling of satisfaction and contentment once you are in the softball field become the energy that will bring more positive actions and more outstanding idea that you will share with the team. Yes, the job is not easy yet it will always be happy task.
Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that helps softball players and coaches improves their game by sharing with them the tips and strategies used by the world's best softball players and coaches to achieve extraordinary performances. Visit his site and sign-up to get his FREE softball hitting tips!
Youth Softball - Things You Should Know By guest author: Blaine F Johnston
People who love softball often take their family to play this sport, including their children. This activity can enhance their skills, especially if the parents want the children to be professional players. However, there are several things that parents should know before starting to do efforts to make the children like softball superstars.
For you who do not have any idea about this sport, you can try to understand that softball is sport game played by nine players in a team. The game needs two teams that alternate between offense and defense. The team who makes more runs than the opponent team will be the winner. In addition, it can be played for both girls and boys, so it eliminates your worries that your kids will be rejected.
This game requires several skills that include strength, teamwork and craftsmanship, eye-hand coordination, and also some position-specific skills like running, pitching, and fielding. That is why the minimum age to play this game is 4 or 5 for tee ball and 7 or 8 for player-pitch teams. A kid needs to be patient and attentive enough to deal with the slower pace of baseball. In addition, the kid should be team-oriented, as the game requires team coordination to win.
If you put your kids to a softball course, you will find that they spend a lot of time lingering in the outfield. Physical activities are not done too often, but the play will become more athletic and aggressive depending on their growth. You should provide the suitable equipment that fit their body well. You can go to stores and ask the shopkeepers or even go there with your kids to know which ones that fit them perfectly. Things you must buy are uniform, gloves, cleats, batting gloves, and batting helmets. The price may vary, but the equipment for beginning players is mostly cheap.
Then, you need to consider the potential injuries that possibly happen during the game. That is why you should know the tricks to prevent injuries, such as using softer balls to reduce injury factors. This kind of ball is often used by younger places as it is well known for the ability to reduce the risk and severity of head injuries. Then, you can also reduce the risk of ankle sprains and other injuries by giving your kids breakaway bases, or also called safety-release bases.
There are several conditions you may find after certain periods of play. If your kids throw too many pitches, they can experience an overuse injury. In a response to this, you can make sure that the kids get plenty of rest for their arms. The coach may even ask you to do this. Further, you can get some tips to prevent the injuries by contacting the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.
You can buy a baseball softball pitching machine to enhance your kids' skill of hitting. However, there are also other types of softball pitching machines available on markets that you can choose base on the kids' needs.
These softball drills are all great to use during practice and are free! If you play softball you may want to take the time to practice these drills during practice or on your own time because they can help you out tremendously.
Drill 1 - Merry-Go-Round (Softball Infield)
Purpose: To warm up or work on conditioning while fielding ground balls.
Procedure: Players form two fielding lines at opposite corners of the infield - one to the left of second base and one at home. Be careful that the players in line at second do not trip over the base. Two hitters hit or throw from the pitching-circle area, one to each line. Players field and run to the end of the opposite line. Hitters hit ground balls, fly balls, range balls, line drives, and scoops. Players return the ball to their hitter or place it in a bucket at the line they are running to. Hitters should have a bucket of extra balls to replace balls that fielders miss so the drill can be done at a steady pace.
Drill 2 - Knee Dives (Softball Catching)
Purpose: To learn how to dive to catch the ball.
Procedure: The tosser is six feet in front of the diver, who is on her knees. Using soft safety balls, the thrower tosses balls to the side just out of reach so that the diver must dive to catch them. Players progress to starting in a squat position and then to a full standing start. When using a mat have one tosser and never more than six fielders in a line so players don't waste too much time waiting for their turn but still have time to get ready for their next attempt. When bad weather forces you inside, this is an excellent drill if you have access to tumbling or wrestling mats.
Drill 3 - Sequence Throwing (Softball Throwing)
Purpose: To force concentration so that players can work on accuracy.
Procedure: Players use this sequence when throwing to a partner. Because the numbers are not in a logical sequence, the thrower must concentrate on each throw.
1. left shoulder 3.right shoulder
3. right hip 4. left hip
Drill 4 - Watch and Take Advantage (Softball Baserunning)
Purpose: To practice holding the leadoff until the pitcher has the ball.
Procedure: A pitcher with a bucket of balls on the mound throws to a catcher. Runners form a line behind first base. The runner works on getting a good jump on her leadoff and then maintaining a balanced position until the ball is successfully returned to the pitcher. The catcher occasionally overthrows the pitcher or the pitcher drops the ball. The runners looks for the error and reacts by going to second.
Drill 5 - Air Drill (Softball Bunting)
Purpose: To evaluate and practice bunting technique.
Procedure: The coach calls a particular bunt, and the batter then assumes position in an imaginary batter's box. On the command "Ball" the batter executes the basic movement. The emphasis is on proper bat angle and contact spot, good balance, and using the legs to lower the body for low pitches.
Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at http://www.softballperformance.com/blog
He also helps softball players and coaches improves their game by sharing with them the tips and strategies used by the world's best softball players and coaches to achieve extraordinary performances. You can sign-up to get his FREE Softball Tips at http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html. Go Sign-up Now!
Softball Drills - Easy Steps to Create Top Softball Pitchers By Guest Author Geoff James
Movement, Tempo and Control are all important parts of throwing a great pitch. Here are a few drills to help you perfect all aspects of your throw:
Drills to be done inside:
Practice control by using a rubber ball and your mitt. Stand facing a wall in your stride position. Using only your wrist, flick the ball at the wall. The ball should come straight back to you if you are using proper form and control. Once you have mastered control at that level, repeat but from 8 ft away. When throwing from such a distance use your windmill.
Field Drills:
Ball Juggling can be done with two pitchers or a pitcher and a catcher. Give the girl on the mound two balls and the player at home one. The pitcher throws the ball to home, and after the release but before catching it the catcher returns a pitch with her ball. The goal is to keep balls constantly rotating so the players can throw as many pitches in one minute as possible.
Making sure that pitchers have proper form is important especially in their early stages of learning. Have pitchers stand just a few feet from the pitching coach and slowly go through the windmill motions, trying to pull their arm far behind them and touch the sky before releasing. Focus on weight distribution and proper rotation through the windmill but especially at the point of release. Once the pitchers have proper form in close range, move them back 25 feet. Go through the cycle again, then have them pitch full speed from the mound.
Get the girls who try their hardest in practice and during games softball medals as a thank you for all their work each season.
