Tips for Fastpitch Softball Coaches: October 2010

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Softball Practice Drills - Improve Technique for Any Position

Softball Practice Drills - Improve Technique for Any Position
By Becky Wittenburg

Drills for Stronger Players

Good softball practice drills will both teach the players new techniques and allow them to see the results of their practicing over time. When used effectively, they will challenge players to become stronger in their positions and also reward them with successful game play. The following drills focus on strengthening infield, outfield, and base running technique.

In-Betweens

In this softball practice drill, outfielders learn the importance of communication while working on catching fly balls. First the team is divided into two groups. The groups form two lines in the outfield, spread out about 60 feet. The coach stands in front of the two lines and throws a softball in the air, like a fly ball from a hitter. The first two players in the lines watch and call for the ball until someone catches it (ideally the one who called for it). The players then run to the end of the line and the next two players complete the drill.

Two Line Challenge

This practice drill for softball focuses on catching in the infield and often includes diving practice as well. Players form two lines, one at the second base position and the other at the shortstop position. The coach stands at the center of the diamond and rolls the ball in the direction of one of the positions. The first player in line fields the ball, which might require diving. Once she fields the ball she quickly tosses it back to the coach and runs to the end of the line.

Base Cycles

This softball drill works on increasing speed and improving technique in base running. Players form a line at home plate, starting with the fastest and ending with the slowest. Keeping a safe distance between each player, they run from home run all the way through first base. Once each player has reached the grass, they line up again at first base and run to second, then to third, and lastly to home.

The next level of the drill incorporates base coaches. The players run from home through to second base, making sure to check in with the coach. Then they complete the drill by running from second to third and third to home. Next they run from home to third, and on the last level of the drill they run from home all the way back to home. Players should focus on proper base running technique and following the instructions of their base coaches.

And if you'd like to see more free softball drills and coaching tips, go here to watch a free video:

http://www.softball-spot.com/vid/

Becky Wittenburg is a kids softball coach, and the owner and publisher of Softball-Spot.com, the web's #1 resource for softball drills, tips, and practice ideas for youth and high school coaches.

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

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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Softball Coaching - Tips for Leading Female Athletes

Softball Coaching - Tips for Leading Female Athletes
By Becky Wittenburg

Softball coaching can be difficult, no matter what age, ability level, or gender of the players. Coaches need to be aware of what their players are going through, both in the sport and out, so that they can build trusting relationships and lead the players to be their best.

Some female athletes face mental and physical struggles when they feel pressure to perform. Girls softball coaches should know the signs of these problems so that they can know when they need to step in and help, before the situation gets out of control.

Female Athlete Triad

Softball players who feel overstressed might develop the Female Athlete Triad, a syndrome of three combined disorders that result from over exercising and not taking in enough calories.

Disordered eating: this aspect of the Female Athlete Triad occurs when an athlete stops taking in enough calories. It can develop as an effort to get their weight down or as a way to deal with stress. Disordered eating can be in the form of anorexia, where the athlete stops eating enough food, or bulimia, where the athlete consumes food but then throws it up.
Amenorrhea: amenorrhea occurs when the athlete starts missing her menstrual cycle. Athletes who normally experience regular cycles may stop to menstruate if they no longer eat enough or if they are exercising too much.
Osteoporosis: this part of the Female Athlete Triad happens when the athlete's bones start to lose their density, becoming fragile and prone to breakage. It is related to, and worsened by, the other conditions in the syndrome.

The Female Athlete Triad is not only unhealthy, it can be extremely dangerous. Watch for signs that your players might be over exercising or under eating. Ask them questions about their lives and let them know you really want to listen. When a player seems particularly stressed, make sure she knows how to relieve the pressure in a healthy way.

Helpful Tips for Coaching Girls

Let them be involved, particularly in picking positions. Have tryouts for different positions every season so the athletes can show how they perform and have a chance to try something different.
Develop a relationship based on trust. Coaches need to trust their players, and players need to trust their coaches. This means that a coach needs to respect when an athlete says she needs to use the restroom and understand that women's bodies are different from men's. This also means that a player should trust that a coach has her best interest at heart when he asks her to push harder, try a new approach, or change her position.
Remember that softball is just a game, and it's supposed to be fun. Coaches and athletes need to work hard, but practice shouldn't be a dreaded thing. Drills can be both challenging and rewarding, and if a coach is able to keep things positive, players will learn the sport, perform well, and have a good time.

For more coaching tips and free softball drills, go here to watch a free video:

http://www.softball-spot.com/vid/
Becky Wittenburg is a kids softball coach, and the owner and publisher of Softball-Spot.com, the web's #1 resource for softball practice drills, tips, and coaching ideas for youth and high school coaches.

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

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Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Farmington Fastpitch: Sacrifice Bunt

Farmington Fastpitch: Sacrifice Bunt
Posted on YouTube by Farmingtonfastpitch

Bunting is a very important part of the game and should be taught and practiced every practice at all levels.
Coach Rob

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Monday, October 11, 2010

How to Hit a Softball

Fastpitch Softball: How to Hit a Softball
Posted on Youtube by livestrong

Utilizing proper techniques will help develop a more fluid and solid softball swing. Learn some techniques for batting in this softball video.

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Friday, October 1, 2010

Baseball or Fastpitch Softball Hitting Drill - Hands to the Ball

Baseball or Fastpitch Softball Hitting Drill - Hands to the Ball
by Guest Author Jim Moyer

The dreaded Golf Swing is a common problem for Softball players. You know what I'm talking about, the player consistently misses below the ball by four or five inches. You have talked to them about taking their hands straight to the ball and about swinging level, yet time after time they are underneath the ball. You finally decide the girl is a complete moron and is unable to process the valuable information you are giving her or you determine that she must enjoy bringing you pain and misery.

Your Hitter is probably into the pain and misery he/she is causing you, but on the outside chance that's it's just a bad batting habit you should try this Hands to the Ball drill.

During your next batting practice, place your hitting tee directly behind home plate (touching the back corner of the plate) and pull the tee up to about mid-thigh. Now when the girl swings she must take her hands and bat over the tee without hitting the tee. Now break out the pitching machine and start throwing batting practice. If she drops her hands or the bat head she will hit the tee. Aaaahhhhh, success! Now she can process what you have been telling her for so long. It really won't take too many swings for her to correct the problem, however you may need to do this hitting drill at several batting practices.

This same procedure can be used in soft toss or in hitting from a tee. Just place a hitting tee behind the home plate so he/she can't drop her hands without hitting the back tee.

I have to admit, the first few swings are hysterical. The player thinks the coach is crazy for putting a tee behind her. In her mind you are NUTS thinking she is going to hit the tee. Then on that first pitch when she sends the tee tumbling forward the hitter will have a look of complete astonishment and disbelief. By the third or fourth swing a look of total disgust will have replaced the disbelief. By the sixth or seventh swing the player will finally own up to having poor hitting mechanics. Now, she is making real progress. Just like any 10 Step corrective plan, the first step is to admit there is a problem.

If you have a player with a great golf swing, it may take several sessions to re-train her muscles to swing correctly. Just stick with this drill. The player will absolutely hate hitting that tee and will be working very hard to correct the problem. In all of my years of coaching fastpitch softball and baseball, I have found this to be the single best drill for correcting the "golf swing" strikeouts.

Should she continue to hit the tee, she may very well just enjoy watching you pull your hair out. :-) Then again, you may be ruining the next Tiger Woods. But this isn't a golf team, it's Baseball or Fastpitch Softball and you need hitters, not golfers.

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. See http://www.mysoftballcoach.com/play-softball.html for more fastpitch softball tips, drills and essential coaching strategies.

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

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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
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• The Fastpitch Softball Training Equipment Blog

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