Synopses & Reviews
"Jacquie Joseph conveys her knowledge of the game with a great, hands-on approach to coaching kids. This book is essential reading for parents and coaches of young players."--Lacy Lee Baker, Executive Director, National Fastpitch Coaches Association
"Your goal is to provide a fun and rewarding softball experience for your players. This is an opportunity for you to make a difference in their lives."--Jacquie Joseph
Coach. You thought you were just going to sign up your child for the youth league. Now here you are, a newly appointed coach. You didn't ask for it, but it happened anyway. Now you need help.
Don't despair. This complete guidebook will not only get you through it but will help you become the coach you'd like to be--the coach who can give those kids the sports experience they deserve. You've already taken a big step: you said "yes" to this important commitment. Congratulations. You'll have a great time, and Jacquie Joseph is here to help.
- Survive your first practice and game
- Win over problem players--and parents
- Reach all your players
- Match your drills and strategies to age and ability
- Make it fun and rewarding
- Be the coach you never had
- Generate enthusiasm
- Improve your players and your team
Praise for other books in the Baffled Parent's series:
"This book is a great source of information for youth coaches and players."--John Cerutti, former major league pitcher, Toronto Blue Jays, on Coaching Youth Baseball
"An excellent guide to teaching kids about the game."--Larry Bird, basketball legend, on Coaching Youth Basketball
"Essential reading."--Jim Sheldon, Executive Director, National Soccer Association of America, on Coaching Youth Soccer
Synopsis
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
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!Introduction: So You Said You'd Be the Coach, Huh?How to Use This BookA Word on CoachingPart One. Coaching 101: The Coach's Start-Up KitChapter 1: Creating an Atmosphere of Good HabitsEstablish Your Identity as CoachMaintain RoutinesPositive Peer Pressure Is EffectiveBe Patient and PositiveDrills to Promote TeamworkQuestions and AnswersChapter 2: Before Hitting the Field: Softball in a NutshellBasic Rules and PositioningThe Ball Is in PlayBasic Safety MeasuresChapter 3: Setting Up the SeasonCreate the Practice and Game ScheduleMeet with ParentsFinding an AssistantAppropriate Numbers of Players on the TeamEquipmentQuestions and AnswersChapter 4: Essential Skills--and How to Teach ThemCatchingThrowingInfield DefenseOutfield DefenseTeam DefensePlaying CatcherPitchingBattingBuntingBaserunningSlidingChapter 5: The PracticePreparation Is KeyPractice FormatOther ConsiderationsQuestions and AnswersChapter 6: Sample PracticesBasic Beginning PracticeIntermediate PracticeAdvanced PracticePitching PracticesChapter 7: Game TimeThe Mental AspectBe PreparedCoaching the GameTaking StockQuestions and AnswersChapter 8: Dealing with Parents and Gender IssuesThe Role of the ParentsGender IssuesQuestions and AnswersPart Two. Drills: The Foundation for Development, Success, Happiness, and a Coach's Peace of MindChapter 9: Warm-Up: Throwing, Fielding, and Baserunning Drills and Drills for Pitchers and CatchersThrowing DrillsFielding DrillsBaserunning DrillsDrills for PitchersDrills for CatchersChapter 10: Defensive Fundamentals: Infield Play, Outfield Play, and Team DefenseInfield DrillsOutfield DrillsTeam Defense DrillsChapter 11: Batting PracticeBatting DrillsBunting DrillsAppendixUmpire SignalsSample ScorebookGlossaryResourcesAssociations and OrganizationsWebsites and Electronic NewslettersIndexAcknowledgmentsAbout the Author