Coaching Youth Softball: A Baffled Parent's Guide (The Baffled Parent's Guides Series) / Edition 1

by Jacquie Joseph, Lauri Berkenkamp

Overview

Coaching Youth Softball is written especially for the unprepared parent thrust into the role of coaching his or her 8- to 12-year-old child's softball team. Upbeat and inspirational, it schools new coaches in the fundamentals of controlling, motivating, and encouraging a disparate group of kids in the art and science of softball.

Parents learn the logistics of running a youth team and the specifics of coaching softball. They learn how to match drills to a player's skills and motivation level and gain a wealth of detailed instructions on such specifics as how to run a successful practice and manage during a game.

• Takes a drill-based approach to teaching basic skills
• Reviews softball fundamentals for inexperienced parents

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780071368254
Publisher:	McGraw Hill LLC
Publication date:	02/26/2001
Series:	Baffled Parent's Guides
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Jacquie Joseph is head coach of the Michigan State University softball team. She has coached at the national level as an assistant to the gold medal U.S. team in the Pan American Games qualifier in 1997 and as head coach for the West Team in the U.S. National team trials.

Table of Contents

	Preface: Play Ball!	v
	Introduction: So You Said You'd Be the Coach, Huh?	1
	How to Use This Book	1
	A Word on Coaching	2
Part 1	Coaching 101: The Coach's Start-Up Kit
1.	Creating an Atmosphere of Good Habits	6
	Establish Your Identity as Coach	6
	Maintain Routines	7
	Positive Peer Pressure Is Effective	7
	Be Patient and Positive	7
	Drills to Promote Teamwork	8
	Questions and Answers	9
2.	Before Hitting the Field: Softball in a Nutshell	11
	Basic Rules and Positioning	11
	The Ball Is in Play	14
	Basic Safety Measures	18
3.	Setting Up the Season	22
	Create the Practice and Game Schedule	22
	Meet with Parents	23
	Finding an Assistant	25
	Appropriate Numbers of Players on the Team	26
	Equipment	26
	Questions and Answers	27
4.	Essential Skills--and How to Teach Them	30
	Catching	30
	Throwing	32
	Infield Defense	34
	Outfield Defense	37
	Team Defense	39
	Playing Catcher	40
	Pitching	41
	Batting	44
	Bunting	46
	Baserunning	48
	Sliding	50
5.	The Practice	52
	Preparation Is Key	52
	Practice Format	53
	Other Considerations	57
	Questions and Answers	60
6.	Sample Practices	62
	Basic Beginning Practice	62
	Intermediate Practice	65
	Advanced Practice	68
	Pitching Practices	70
7.	Game Time	72
	The Mental Aspect	72
	Be Prepared	74
	Coaching the Game	75
	Taking Stock	77
	Questions and Answers	78
8.	Dealing with Parents and Gender Issues	80
	The Role of the Parents	80
	Gender Issues	83
	Questions and Answers	83
Part 2	Drills: The Foundation for Development, Success, Happiness, and a Coach's Peace of Mind
9.	Warm-Up: Throwing, Fielding, and Baserunning Drills and Drills for Pitchers and Catchers	88
	Throwing Drills	88
	Fielding Drills	90
	Baserunning Drills	92
	Drills for Pitchers	94
	Drills for Catchers	96
10.	Defensive Fundamentals: Infield Play, Outfield Play, and Team Defense	98
	Infield Drills	98
	Outfield Drills	100
	Team Defense Drills	101
11.	Batting Practice	104
	Batting Drills	104
	Bunting Drills	106
	Appendix	108
	Umpire Signals	108
	Sample Scorebook	109
	Glossary	110
	Resources	115
	Associations and Organizations	115
	Websites and Electronic Newsletters	116
	Index	117
	Acknowledgments	120
	About the Author	120