Softball Clinic Beginning thoughts Softball IS NOT baseball

Softball Clinic

Beginning thoughts… Softball IS NOT baseball! n You can’t coach girls, the way you coach boys! n “Boys need to win to feel good, girls need to feel good to win!” n Hitting may be the hardest to teach, but when the player gets older, throwing is the hardest to correct!

Coaching Resources n n 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 n n n Balls Gloves Batting helmets Catcher’s gear Other “Stuff” Cleats ¨ Glasses/Sun glasses ¨ n Sports rated Leg Guards ¨ Sliding shorts ¨ Game Face ¨ n n Types Selection ¨ n n Player needs to feel comfortable! Safety check before each use Care and Conditioning

Setting up the field n Safety check ¨ ¨ n Setting up the bases ¨ ¨ n 60’ square (to center of 2 nd base) Double first base, Orange toward stands Control the dugout! ¨ n Walk the field Remove/Identify Hazards 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 n n n 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 n Coordinates Snacks n n n n TREATS! Water Balloons Knotted towel Rope and wiffle ball Softie Softballs Colored balls Wiffle golf balls

Sample Practice n n n Run/Stretch and Conditioning Throwing - Warmups Stations Fielding - Drills ¨ Hitting -Drills ¨ Base Running ¨ n Always end with fun activity Dizzy Bat Race ¨ Water Balloons ¨ Scrimmage (4 v 4 v 4) ¨ n Write it out! ¨ Estimate Times ¨ Print on Cheat Cards ¨ Copies for Assistants

Stretch and Conditioning n Skills ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ n n 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 n n Holding the ball Breaking down the throw ¨ Outfield vs. Infield vs. Catcher ¨ Relay set-up ¨ Short toss/Flip n 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 n n 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 n n 2 HANDS! Ready position ¨ ¨ ¨ n n 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 n Glove Types ¨ Just because you are playing first base doesn’t mean you need a 1 st base mitt!

Catching Skills/Drills n n n n n 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! n Breaking down the swing n ¨ GRIP, Knocking Knuckles! ¨ NO WRIST ROLL! ¨ NO BAT WEIGHTS ON BARREL OF BAT! ¨ Start Simple, bat/ball contact n Path of the swing ¨ This not baseball! KEEP THE LEFT HANDERS!

Batting Skills and Drills n Tee Work! ¨ ¨ ¨ n n Hit away Single Arm Swings Hip Rotation Double Tee Bingo Rope Slide Soft Toss – From the front! Colored balls Golf Wiffle Balls

Base Running n n Through the bag – 1 st and Home Making the turn ¨ n Sliding (IT’S FUN!) ¨ n n Inside foot on the bag Musical Chairs Watching the base coaches Skills and Drills Base race ¨ 3 Ball race ¨ Ball Drop ¨

Game Time n KEEP IT FUN ¨ It’s not about winning or losing ¨ Keep reminding the parents of that n It isn’t softball without the cheers! ¨ Emphasize n the positive Make sure there are snacks! ¨ Try to keep them healthy

Questions? n I’m here to help ¨ furyfastpitch@comcast. net ¨ Cell) n 267 -614 -3995 You’re welcome to attend a practice ¨ www. eteamz. com/furyfastpitchsoftball 14 u