Youth Softball Coaching Clinic

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Coaching Youth Softball - How to Teach Softball Skills Quickly and Efficiently

Coaching Youth Fastpitch 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!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_Dagenais

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Wednesday, September 1, 2010

EASTON SOFTBALL: CATCHING TIPS: THROW TO SECOND

EASTON FASTPITCH SOFTBALL: CATCHING TIPS: THROW TO SECOND
Posted on YouTube by eastonbbsb

Ashley Holcombe, Easton brand ambassador and catcher for the USA Softball National Team, demonstrates the basics for a good throw down to second base.

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Monday, August 30, 2010

Infield Drills: Ground Balls, Back Hands: Softball

Infield Drills: Ground Balls, Back Hands: Softball
Posted on Youtube by almarksports

Great Hands Fastpitch Softball Training Glove www.greathandsglove.com

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Friday, August 27, 2010

Fastpitch Softball Quick Tip # 337

Fastpitch Softball Quick Tip: The Stride in Hitting
Posted on YouTube by mavenvideo

www.mavenvideo.com

This quick video shows the common incorrect strides taken when hitting. It also goes into the way to fix it. This section is featured in its entirety on, The Secrets & Fundamentals For Hitting The Rise VHS.

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SoftballrUs.com/FastpitchSoftballSupply.com is the ultimate online fastpitch softball online store. SoftballrUs.com has Batting Trainers,Pitching Training, Training Bats,Defensive Training Equipment,Coaching DVDs & Books, Softball Pitching Machines, Softball Complete Net & Frame Batting Cage Packages, Batting Cage Nets, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, and BatAction Hitting Machines, and much, much more. Visit Softballrus.com now!

Check out these coaching articles at the Softball Coaching Digest:
SoftballCoachingDigest.com
• Articles from the Youth Softball Coaching Clinic Blog
• Articles from the Coaching Fastpitch Softball Pitchers Blog
• Articles from the Coaching Fastpitch Softball Hitters Blog
• Articles from the Tips for Fastpitch Softball Coaches Blog
• The Fastpitch Softball Training Equipment Blog

Check out these video demos of some of the most popular baseball training products on today's market. Click below and see the Advanced Skills Tee, Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer, and the Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine.

--Video of the Advanced Skills Tee is used by a college hitter during a hitting drill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M30Ti00ZaOk

--Baseball Batting Tee - The Advanced Skills Tee - Baseball Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkvPoPWa7NU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Youth Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dFE150AKDs

--Joe Mauer Quick Swing Trainer - Demo Tape Shows How the Machine Loads, and Operates During Use. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFwoJ8Vh1nU

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Batting Machine - Baseball Backyard Batting Trainer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtxZk74y1L4

--Derek Jeter Hurricane Hitting Machine - The Backyard Basketball Goal for Baseball Players http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJBn9VS9WDI

--Youth Baseball Batting Trainer - Hitting Drill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ0JjILe73k

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Catcher Throwing Mechanics

Fastpitch Softball: Catcher Throwing Mechanics
Posted on YouTube by jebadoa

Three-time national champion and NCAA Hall-of-Famer UofA player and coach Jody Pruitt explains the proper throwing mechanics for a catcher. This excerpt explains the arm circle and the elbow position. From "Catching to Your Abilities" on www.GapToGapSoftball.com

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Monday, August 23, 2010

How to Base Run in Softball

How to Base Run in Softball
Posted on YouTube by livestrong

Base running is an essential technique for winning softball games. Learn how to navigate the bases in this softball video.

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Friday, August 20, 2010

19 - Fielding/No glove

Youth Fastpitch Drill - Fielding/No glove
Posted on YouTube by KevinHuntVideo

Farmington (MN) HS head softball coach Heather Ballstadt demonstrates a fielding drill, where the players do not use a glove. Produced by Kevin Hunt Video at www.kevinhuntvideo.com and www.kevinhuntblog.blogspot.com.

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