Softball Clinic

Beginning thoughts…

Softball IS NOT baseball! You can’t coach girls, the way you coach

boys!“Boys need to win to feel good, girls need to feel

good to win!” Hitting may be the hardest to teach, but

when the player gets older, throwing is the hardest to correct!

Coaching Resources

Books Movies/Videos Clinics Internet sites

http://www.lvsoftball.org http://www.decatursports.com/softball_drills.htm http://www.batspeed.com/sitemap.html http://www.eteamz.com

Equipment

Balls Gloves Bats Batting helmets Catcher’s gear Other “Stuff”

Cleats Glasses/Sun glasses

Sports rated Leg Guards Sliding shorts Game Face

Types Selection

Player needs to feel comfortable!

Safety check before each use

Care and Conditioning

Setting up the field

Safety check Walk the field Remove/Identify Hazards

Setting up the bases 60’ square (to center of 2nd base) Double first base, Orange toward stands

Control the dugout! Swinging bats

Know where the first aid supplies are! Know where you are if you need to call for help! ICE!

Tips and “Tricks” Bag

Try to get the players as many “touches” as possible.

Don’t be afraid to ask parents for help!

Assign jobs Assistant Coaches Team Parent

Coordinates Snacks

TREATS! Water Balloons Knotted towel Rope and wiffle ball Softie Softballs Colored balls Wiffle golf balls

Sample Practice

Run/Stretch and Conditioning Throwing - Warmups Stations

Fielding - Drills Hitting -Drills Base Running

Always end with fun activity Dizzy Bat Race Water Balloons Scrimmage (4v4v4)

Write it out! Estimate Times Print on Cheat Cards Copies for Assistants

Stretch and Conditioning

Skills Light jog around the bases Ball Toss/Run Frankenstein Crazy 8’s Leap Frog Glove Square Balls up the line Whole body stretch

KEEP IT FUN KEEP IT MOVING

Throwing

Holding the ball Breaking down the throw

Outfield vs. Infield vs. Catcher Relay set-up Short toss/Flip

Philosophy A good throw late is better than a bad throw early Low and in the dirt is better than high and over the

head

Throwing Skills/Drills

Warm-up is the time to practice and concentrate on fundamentals!

Skills Square/Corner Throw Around the bases Barney/Baby Bop Throw Line throw

Relay Drill Figure 8’s Gauntlet 3 ball race

Catching the ball

2 HANDS! Ready position

Setup and fielding for grounder Setup and fielding for fly ball Fielding the “bunt” type hit

PLAYER SHOULD ALWAYS EXPECT THE BALL Know what you’re going to do when you get the ball

1) Ball 2) Base 3) Back-up Glove Types

Just because you are playing first base doesn’t mean you need a 1st base mitt!

Catching Skills/Drills

Perfects - grounders and popups Find it! Back to Back Pop-ups Drop the Ball Zig/Zag Tracking catch 2 Line Fungo 3 ball Race Relay Throw Pop-up Spots

Batting

See the Ball, hit the ball! Breaking down the swing

GRIP, Knocking Knuckles!NO WRIST ROLL!NO BAT WEIGHTS ON BARREL OF BAT!Start Simple, bat/ball contact

Path of the swingThis is not baseball!

KEEP THE LEFT HANDERS!

Batting Skills and Drills

Tee Work! Hit away Single Arm Swings Hip Rotation Double Tee Bingo

Rope Slide Soft Toss – From the front! Colored balls Golf Wiffle Balls

Base Running

Through the bag – 1st and Home Making the turn

Inside foot on the bag Sliding (IT’S FUN!)

Musical Chairs Watching the base coaches Skills and Drills

Base race 3 Ball race Ball Drop

Game Time

KEEP IT FUN It’s not about winning or losingKeep reminding the parents of that

It isn’t softball without the cheers!Emphasize the positive

Make sure there are snacks!Try to keep them healthy

Questions?

I’m here to help furyfastpitch@comcast.netCell) 267-614-3995

You’re welcome to attend a practice www.eteamz.com/furyfastpitchsoftball14u