By Jim Moyer
Finally, Spring is here and with it comes the beginning of Fastpitch Softball season for hundreds of thousands of little girls. Along with the start of Softball season also comes the recruitment of parents to become volunteer coaches. The FEAR, the anxiety, the hope that you don't lead your daughter's team to a winless season. Here’s the good news, like just about anything else, if the new coach will find a successful mentor the coach can quickly learn what skills and strategies need to be utilized to win. However, the large majority of new fastpitch coaches are dads that think since they played baseball 20 years ago they can easily transfer that knowledge to their team and be successful. After all, it's just a bunch of 7 & 8 year old girls, right? Wrong. To be successful the new coach not only has to coach his team, he must also out coach all of the other dad-coaches.
If you think coaching doesn’t make that big of a difference, then please explain how a coach went 93-4-2 over a 5 year period in 8U fastpitch softball while coaching his daughters. That’s a very impressive record no matter what age you are coaching. And don’t think for a moment that it was talent that led to that record. I’m talking about a team that every year lost half of it’s players to promotion to the older age group and had to pick up 6 or 7 brand new players…typically girls that had never played the game. So how could this one coach pile up 5 straight 1st place finishes and compile a winning percentage of .960%?
It boils down to great coaching and knowing what strategies work at different ages. That’s the only possible answer. For example, the three most important positions in 8U Softball are First Base, Pitcher and Second Base. As players get older it’s certainly true that talent can make a difference. But talent still has to be coached. An athletic player under a poor coach will never achieve her full potential. However, average talent can achieve superior levels under the guidance of a great coach.
Regarding offense, most new coaches tend to build a batting order similar to how professional baseball teams put together a batting order. That's a sure way to lose games in 8U softball. The best advice is to stagger the strong hitters with weaker hitters mixed in. That way your team is able to bat further into the lineup, allowing for a couple of outs, yet scoring the maximum number of runs allowed. Many new coaches also forget to teach the girls how to bunt the ball. The younger the team is the more important it is teach girls to bunt as it helps to build hand-eye coordination while allowing the player to contribute to the success of the team.
Finally, most new coaches don't know what training tools would be of greatest benefit to their team. Typically the league will issue a sack of softball gear that might include a couple of bats, a dozen balls, a few batting helmets, and some catcher's gear and the new coach never gives it a second thought. However, regardless of age every coach needs to have a sack of plastic poly balls and a hitting tee just to name a couple of training aides. In the younger age groups a coach might want to have two or more hitting tees so his team gets plenty of practice time swinging a bat. As for the poly balls, not only are they perfect for batting practice, but they are also perfect for learning how to catch pop flys in order to prevent injuries.
Good Luck to all of the new softball coaches. Don't assume you know it all, find a mentor, do some research, teach skills that are age appropriate, and have fun. It's going to be a great season of softball and one that your daughter will never forget since her dad was the 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.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Moyer
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Teaching a Balanced Batting Stance
By Andy Pohl
Hitting is a chain reaction of body movements. As with any chain reaction, the end cannot be met without a proper beginning. The purpose of the stance is to get the hitter in a body position that will facilitate a quick and powerful movement towards the baseball.
First of all, hitters need to find a stance that is comfortable and balanced. Their eyes must be focused on the pitcher. Many hitters have their heads tucked under their shoulder or tilted to the side. This consequently impedes their ability to see the ball clearly from the best angle. Make sure the head is upright with the eyes focused directly at the pitcher.
All good hitters get themselves in a good athletic position to start. A good athletic position consists of flex in the knees with the hip sockets back. If a hitter is having a difficult time getting into an athletic position or confused about what this position feels like, have them pretend they are defending someone on the basketball court. They will quickly notice that their knees are flexed, their butt is out, and they are slightly bent over on the balls of their feet. Have them hold that position and put a bat in their hands. This is the proper stance.
The stance is should be relaxing enough to have a calming effect over the body. The bat should be held loosely in the fingers or across the callous line of the hand. Never hold the bat in the palm. The hands and forearms should be relaxed as much as possible. Seeing the veins pop out of a player's arms is a good indication that they are holding gripping the bat too tight. Any tension in the hands and arms slows down the swing, which subsequently reduces power.
In order to relax, hitters should breathing slowly, in with the nose and out with the mouth between pitches. Taking practice check swings while in the box waiting for the pitcher to get set also relaxes the body and gives the hitter a sense of flow. Athletes cannot be successful hitter if their mind and body are not in a relaxed state.
Andy Pohl - Co-Founder, DNA Sports
DNA Sports specializes in personalized baseball and softball skill programs, college recruiting education and preparation, and coaching clinics. Learn more: http://www.dnasportsonline.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Pohl
=================
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Hitting is a chain reaction of body movements. As with any chain reaction, the end cannot be met without a proper beginning. The purpose of the stance is to get the hitter in a body position that will facilitate a quick and powerful movement towards the baseball.
First of all, hitters need to find a stance that is comfortable and balanced. Their eyes must be focused on the pitcher. Many hitters have their heads tucked under their shoulder or tilted to the side. This consequently impedes their ability to see the ball clearly from the best angle. Make sure the head is upright with the eyes focused directly at the pitcher.
All good hitters get themselves in a good athletic position to start. A good athletic position consists of flex in the knees with the hip sockets back. If a hitter is having a difficult time getting into an athletic position or confused about what this position feels like, have them pretend they are defending someone on the basketball court. They will quickly notice that their knees are flexed, their butt is out, and they are slightly bent over on the balls of their feet. Have them hold that position and put a bat in their hands. This is the proper stance.
The stance is should be relaxing enough to have a calming effect over the body. The bat should be held loosely in the fingers or across the callous line of the hand. Never hold the bat in the palm. The hands and forearms should be relaxed as much as possible. Seeing the veins pop out of a player's arms is a good indication that they are holding gripping the bat too tight. Any tension in the hands and arms slows down the swing, which subsequently reduces power.
In order to relax, hitters should breathing slowly, in with the nose and out with the mouth between pitches. Taking practice check swings while in the box waiting for the pitcher to get set also relaxes the body and gives the hitter a sense of flow. Athletes cannot be successful hitter if their mind and body are not in a relaxed state.
Andy Pohl - Co-Founder, DNA Sports
DNA Sports specializes in personalized baseball and softball skill programs, college recruiting education and preparation, and coaching clinics. Learn more: http://www.dnasportsonline.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Pohl
=================
===Advertisement from our sponsor:=====
Baseball2u.com/CoachesBest.com is the ultimate online baseball training and coaching store. With over 1400 products organized into categories Baseball2u.com makes finding that baseball training product easy and simple. Order securely online or by phone. Baseball2u.com is a fully licensed company and has a full time staff available from 8:00 to 5:00 CST. Their toll free customer service number is 1-877-431-4487.
The Categories they have are: Baseball Training Equipment, Youth Baseball Training Equipment, Training Bats, Pitching & Throwing Trainers, Defensive Trainers, Batting Cages, Pitching Machines, Jugs Equipment, Game and Practice Baseballs, Protective Practice Screens and Nets, Portable Pitching Mounds, Baseball DVDs & Books, Clearance Items on Sales, BatAction Hitting Machines, Hurricane Hitting Machines, NEDCO Bataction Replacement Parts, SKLZ Hurricane Replacement Parts and Much Much More! Visit Baseball2U.com today!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Softball Recruiting Videos - A Critical Step in the Recruiting Process
By Gary V Hawkins
For student athletes trying to make it to the collegiate softball level, softball recruiting videos play an important role. Coaches want to see video to make a determination on whether or not a player has the talent and skills to play at his or her level of college competition.
Softball recruiting videos can take the form of DVD's or online footage loaded on a website. No matter what format you use, the important thing is to use your footage to help sell your talent and skills to the coach. A good video will:
1- Demonstrate your skills
2- Show some of your best highlights
3- Have complete game footage
Coaches don't want to see softball recruiting videos that simply show a string of highlights. Any player can string together enough highlights to make themselves look like a great prospect. Good video footage also shows you demonstrating the skills of the game and how you perform in game conditions.
Getting good footage can come from several different sources. You can ask your coach about footage. You an ask your parent(s) to create some footage of you in action. Or, you can spend some money and hire a professional. Obviously, if you have the money to spend, hiring a professional is the way to go. If you don't have the money to spend, doing it yourself or getting footage from the coach works just fine.
Along with the softball recruiting videos you send out to coaches, you'll want to also send out letters and athletic resumes. Making direct contact with coaches is the best way to get recognition and to get coaches interested in signing you. In fact, you may want to send the letter and resume first, and let the coach know video footage is available if he or she wants to review it.
Gary Hawkins is a well known recruiting and athletic scholarship expert and the author of a popular 17-page free report titled:
"Five Secrets You Must Know To Get Recruited For Athletic Scholarships"
Head over to http://www.recruitedforscholarships.com/freereport.html to get your FREE copy now!
Gary Hawkins is passionate about helping high school athletes reach their dream of playing at the college level. In his Athletic Recruiting & Scholarship System, Gary teaches anyone how they can finally get the attention of college coaches and start being recruited for athletic scholarships. Just visit http://www.recruitedforscholarships.com/ and pick up your copy today!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_V_Hawkins
=============
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!
For student athletes trying to make it to the collegiate softball level, softball recruiting videos play an important role. Coaches want to see video to make a determination on whether or not a player has the talent and skills to play at his or her level of college competition.
Softball recruiting videos can take the form of DVD's or online footage loaded on a website. No matter what format you use, the important thing is to use your footage to help sell your talent and skills to the coach. A good video will:
1- Demonstrate your skills
2- Show some of your best highlights
3- Have complete game footage
Coaches don't want to see softball recruiting videos that simply show a string of highlights. Any player can string together enough highlights to make themselves look like a great prospect. Good video footage also shows you demonstrating the skills of the game and how you perform in game conditions.
Getting good footage can come from several different sources. You can ask your coach about footage. You an ask your parent(s) to create some footage of you in action. Or, you can spend some money and hire a professional. Obviously, if you have the money to spend, hiring a professional is the way to go. If you don't have the money to spend, doing it yourself or getting footage from the coach works just fine.
Along with the softball recruiting videos you send out to coaches, you'll want to also send out letters and athletic resumes. Making direct contact with coaches is the best way to get recognition and to get coaches interested in signing you. In fact, you may want to send the letter and resume first, and let the coach know video footage is available if he or she wants to review it.
Gary Hawkins is a well known recruiting and athletic scholarship expert and the author of a popular 17-page free report titled:
"Five Secrets You Must Know To Get Recruited For Athletic Scholarships"
Head over to http://www.recruitedforscholarships.com/freereport.html to get your FREE copy now!
Gary Hawkins is passionate about helping high school athletes reach their dream of playing at the college level. In his Athletic Recruiting & Scholarship System, Gary teaches anyone how they can finally get the attention of college coaches and start being recruited for athletic scholarships. Just visit http://www.recruitedforscholarships.com/ and pick up your copy today!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_V_Hawkins
=============
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!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Softball Quotes - Getting Your Team Fired Up
By Kiev Lintz
If you are looking for a great way to motivate your team a few good softball quotes can really go a long way when it comes to pumping up your pep talk. As any coach will tell you, it's important to get your team fired up and ready to go before every game and to keep them fired up when things start to look gray. What better way to do that than with some inspirational quotes? Whether you opt for general quotes or softball quotes, a few good one liners can really drive the point home.
A great place to start when searching for good softball quotes is to search for things that your team's favorite players have said. Look for fast pitch softball quotes from famous players like Jennie Finch, Lisa Fernandez or Michele Smith and use them as examples to get your team excited about their big game. Team quotes from players that your club admires should be a key component of your pregame and post game speeches. One good thing to remember with post game speeches, is to end them on a good note, even if the game ended on a sour one. Letting your team walk away feeling like they've failed is never beneficial.
When getting your team pumped up, be sure that your speech includes inspirational quotes from players that talk about the big picture and the team's overall goals. Use softball sayings and softball quotes to remind your team that they aren't just fighting for a win for this particular game but that they are fighting for the season, playoffs or whatever your end goal is. When working with young team members it's also important to make sure that you balance motivation with tact so that you don't put too much pressure on them before they're ready.
The internet is a smorgasbord of great inspirational quotes of all types. You can find softball quotes, baseball quotes or just about anything you could possibly need. If you need tips on motivational speeches in general there is no shortage of resources available. Let your fingers do the walking and you'll find dozens of great ideas within a minutes of sitting down at your computer.
The best thing to do when working on your motivational speeches is to make sure that you keep them short and to the point. You want to pump up your team in a quick and effective manner. Fill your speech with upbeat softball cheers and encouraging softball quotes, but don't let it run on too long. If your speech drags on for too long, you'll lose your teams interest and any spark that you may have ignited will fizzle out before they even reach the field.
Being able to give a good and effective motivational speech is really an art form. If it were simple there wouldn't be whole companies based around providing motivational speakers, so don't be upset if it takes a while to perfect your inspirational quotes and delivery. Add in softball quotes from admirable players and look for softball cheers that you can adapt for your own needs and with a bit of practice your confidence and your team's confidence will sky rocket.
Sometimes you have to add that extra oomph to get your team excited. Visit our sites for motivational softball quotes and give your team a boost.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kiev_Lintz
=========
Thanks to our sponsor:
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!
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