The Complete Softball Coaches Manual

Welcome to the Complete Coaches Manual. What will you find inside and how should you use this complete manual? This manual covers mostly softball related topics (and I use the term softball throughout), but much of what's inside can be used for baseball too. Other than the major differences in pitching, and the things you have to change with 60' bases vs. 70'-90' bases, much of the two sports can be taught the exact same way. Inside you will find a list of all of the defensive positions and a complete list of all of the responsibilities that position has. Some are the same, but many are very different and unique. And some are very different if the player is left or right handed. All of that is covered in detail. Everything from a First basemen fielding a bunt or scooping a bad throw, to a Shortstop's double play footwork at Second base, to an Outfielder playing a ball off the fence or making a Do or Die Crow Hop throw home to stop the winning run. There's also a complete guide to playing Catcher that covers everything from framing to blocking to throwing runners out. And it goes way beyond the mechanics of each position's responsibilities. I also cover things like Sprinting mechanics, Pitching and Throwing mechanics, Position based throws, Catching a throw, Fielding fly balls and ground balls. I cover Hitting, slapping and bunting mechanics too, along with the mental approach to hitting. There's a pitch calling chart, a bat size chart, some examples of signs and signals for offense and defense and more!Consider it a complete guide to everything you need to need to know to teach the game of softball (and most of baseball too!). And these aren't just my opinions either. It's a list compiled of what's been proven to work based on my 16 years of coaching competitive youth softball (up to High School varsity) and competitive youth baseball. I have also taken many tips and tools from World Champion College Softball Coaches and Major League Baseball Players/Coaches. What's the best way to use it? Well in the front you will find a table of contents that is also an outline of everything inside the manual. You can use that to find what you're looking for inside, or just use it as a reminder of things you want to cover at practice or a private lesson. Then inside, everything is broken down into a very detailed step by step checklist that is easy to follow and explain to your players. This manual is great for coaches of any experience level, whether you just volunteered to help out with the coach pitch team or you're the head Varsity Coach. And it's great for kids of any skill level too. If you think your players aren't ready to learn about the ideal bat speed or attack angle, then skip it until they're older. But it's in there when they're ready. But if you want to teach your 10 year old player how to slap hit or how to dive and get up, it's in there with easy to follow step by step directions. I've even included some drills and games that I've come up with and borrowed over the years to help keep practice interesting. If your heart is in the right place, you can't go wrong coaching. This guide will help you let the players reach their fullest potential.

You volunteered to coach the softball team, but are you ready? How will you teach the fundamental skills, run effective practices, and harness the energy of your young team? Fear not: Survival Guide for Coaching Youth Softball has the answers. Longtime coaches Robert and Tammy Benson share their experiences and provide advice you can rely on from the first practice to the final game. Establishing realistic goals, in-game coaching tips, drills, strategies, and fun—it’s all here. Develop your team’s fundamental skills—fielding, catching, throwing, and hitting—with the Survival Guide’s collection of the game’s best youth drills. Included is a section on pitching instruction, and the ready-to-use practice plans will help you get the most out of every practice. Survival Guide for Coaching Youth Softball has everything you need for a rewarding and productive season. So step up and enjoy the experience. It will be one that you won’t forget.

“Mastering these drills will arm your players with one of the biggest intangibles necessary to perform well--confidence.” --Michele Smith Two-time Olympic gold medalist and Hall of Fame pitcher Michele Smith throws one right down the middle with this big collection of more than 250 skill-building drills developed especially for coaches of fast-pitch recreation league, travel ball, and high school softball players, ages eight to eighteen. Straight from the Michele Smith Gold Camps and Clinics, these drills are designed to give you all the tools you need to teach the entire range of offensive and defensive softball skills. With Michele's expert guidance and instruction, you'll coach your players to: Master the mechanics of footwork for fielding with hustle Swing for the fences and hit the fastest pitches Catch the ball proactively and throw it quickly and accurately to its target Defend the infield and outfield with speed and confidence Run the bases swiftly and strategically Refine fast-pitch skills so they can windmill like Michele And much more

What do women softball players look for in a coach? Drawing on interviews with 50 college players and a survey of players from all NCAA divisions, this book explores what players want and need: someone who connects with them on and off the field, a competent leader who knows and loves the game and mentors them with a vision beyond softball. Coaches from major Division One conferences, as well as Divisions Two and Three and Junior College ranks, share their experiences and coaching strategies--among them four-time Olympian Laura Berg, Baylor University Coach Glenn Moore, University of South Carolina Coach Bev Smith, and four coaches with national championships to their credit. Taking cues from the coaches and players themselves, softball coaches will have the tools they need to revolutionize their approaches.

Looking for the ultimate book to help you learn and master softball’s essential skills? Look no further than the guide that has helped develop the game’s top players and most successful teams. This new edition of Softball Skills & Drills is completely updated with more skills, more drills and strategies, and more of the stellar instruction that have made it the top-selling title on the sport. Judi Garman, one of the winningest coaches in NCAA history, teams with Cal State Fullerton’s Michelle Gromacki to share their secrets to developing and mastering every aspect of the game. With step-by-step instruction, full-color photo sequences, technique tips, and unique insight into the game, you’ll learn every fundamental skill: •Hitting •Bunting •Slap Hitting •Baserunning •Sliding •Fielding •Throwing •Pitching •Catching And with over 230 of the game’s best drills, coverage of team offense and defense, pitch selection, pitch recognition, and in-game strategies, Softball Skills and Drills is simply the most comprehensive and practical guide on the sport. Whether striving to become a complete player or preparing your team for another championship run, Softball Skills &Drills is the one book you cannot be without.

This is a practical handbook and guide for parents and coaches that want to help their kids become a better baseball or softball player. It has 300 individual pictures, illustrations and diagrams to show you what to do. It covers all the basics that players will need to become a good baseball or softball player. It is complete with history, playing field size, new parent orientation, training games to play, strategies, stair step training guides, equipment used and a glossary of baseball and softball terminology.

So you want to get into coaching softball, but you need a good place to start. We are here to help you get squared away and have your squad ready to rock and roll. This manual covers mostly softball related topics, but much of what's inside can be used for baseball too. Consider this book as a complete guide to everything you need to know to teach the game of softball (and most of baseball too!). It's a list compiled of what's been proven to work based on my 16 years of coaching competitive youth softball (up to High School varsity) and competitive youth baseball. I have also taken many tips and tools from World Champion College Softball Coaches and Major League Baseball Players/Coaches. If your heart is in the right place, you can't go wrong coaching. This guide will help you let the players reach their fullest potential.