Coaching Tee Ball (Baffled Parent's Guides)

"I love this book and will recommend to all my future coaches."--Carl Crooks, President, Bolingbrook (Illinois) Tee Ball Association

"This book is thorough, user-friendly, informative, and right on the money. There is nothing else like it, and it is sorely needed. Kudos on a fabulous work!--Wanda Rutledge, President, National Council of Youth Sports

Coach. You just volunteered to coach your child's tee ball team, and now you realize you're not sure how tee ball differs from baseball, or how to help these 4- to 8-year-olds on the road to improvement while also ensuring that they feel safe and have fun. Don't despair--Coaching Tee Ball is here to help.

Coaching Tee Ball gives you the basic rules and procedures of the game, sample practices, and advice and tips from experienced tee ball coaches and organizers (and parents). Also included are activities that introduce basic hitting, throwing, running, and fielding skills in an atmosphere that emphasizes fun and participation. Along the way, you'll learn a thing or two about coaching style and how to make improvement--rather than winning or losing--the goal of your season.

• Survive your first practice and game
• Reach all your players
• Improve your players and your team
• Create a positive attitude and build team spirit
• Be the coach you never had
• Make practices fun, safe, and rewarding

"This is the type of book every parent and coach should read. The insights, information, and instruction are invaluable. I know I will refer to it often."--Roy Nelson, President, Canyon Creek Little League, San Ramon, California

"This book is an easy-to-follow road map for success. It should be required reading for parents, coaches, and league directors."--Tom McClure, Coach, Northside Youth Organization, Atlanta, Georgia

"It is great to see a book on tee ball that covers all the aspects of the game and how to run a team."--Carl Crooks, President, Bolingbrook (Illinois) Tee Ball Association

Each spring, Tee-ball introduces millions of boys and girls to "America's pastime" --and introduces their parents to the joys (and nightmares) of coaching first-time players. Filled with expert advice and tips on creating order from chaos, Coaching Tee-Ball is the solution to every baffled parent's predicament, offering the new coach a total approach to keeping kids involved, motivated, and having fun.

Bing Broido is cofounder and president of the T•BALL USA Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development of tee ball. He works directly with administrators, coaches, and parents to enhance their tee ball programs. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he is the author of The Book of Rules, a guide to the official rules and playing procedures of fifty sports, and The Official T•BALL USA Family Guide to Tee Ball.

Preface: Play Ball!

Introduction: So You Said You'd Be the Coach, Huh?

Part One. Coaching 101: The Coach's Start-Up Kit

1. Creating an Atmosphere of Good Habits

Establish Your Identity as Coach

Expectations

Method

2. Before Hitting the Field: Tee Ball in a Nutshell

Recommended Rules and Positioning

Object of the Game and General Rules

The Ball Is in Play

Game Variations

Responsibilities of a Coach during the Game

Basic Safety Measures

Questions and Answers

3. Setting Up the Season

League Policies and Procedures

Practice and Game Schedules

Meet with Parents

Finding Assistants

Number of Players on the Team

Equipment

Questions and Answers

4. Essential Skills--and How to Teach Them

Batting

Fielding

Throwing

Running

5. The Practice

Preparation

Prepractice

Practice Format

Practice Session Worksheet

Questions and Answers

6. Sample Practices

Basic Beginning Practice

Advanced Practice

Practicing Field Positions

Game Simulation

Checklist

7. Game Time

The Mental Aspect

Before the Game

Coaching the Game

After the Game

Questions and Answers

8. Dealing with Parents, Gender Issues, and Safety and Health

The Role of the Parents

Communication

Winning

Gender Issues

Safety and Health

Questions and Answers

Part Two. Drills: The Foundation for Development, Success, Happiness, and a Coach's Peace of Mind

9. Warm-Up Drills: Throwing, Fielding, and Baserunning

Throwing Drills

Catching Drills

Throwing and Catching Drills

Fielding Drills

Catchers' Drills

Baserunning Drills

10. Defensive Drills: Infield Play, Outfield Play, and Team Defense

Infield Drills

Outfield Drills

Team Defense

Questions and Answers

11. Batting Drills

12. At-Home Drills

Questions and Answers

Appendix

Activity Survey

T•BALL USA Association

Coaching Checklist

Resources

Index

Acknowledgments

About the Author