Introduction.
How This Book Is Organized
Special Elements
I. COACHING BASICS.
1. Your Coaching Approach.
Your Coaching Philosophy
Physical Development
Mental Development
Emotional Development
Social Development
Some Final Thoughts on Your Coaching Philosophy
10 Attributes of a Good Coach
Take Your Role Seriously
Be Comfortable with Being in Charge
Be Dependable and Stable
Be Patient
Be Flexible
Enjoy Getting to Know Your Players
Desire to Help Kids Learn and Grow
Be an Encourager
Be Willing to Learn
Have a Sense of Humor
10 Keys to Being a Good Coach
Know the Basics of the Sport
Plan for Your Season and Practices
Conduct Effective Practices
Teach Skills and Tactics
Correct Players in a Way That Helps Them Improve
Teach and Model Good Sporting Behavior
Provide for Players' Safety
Communicate Effectively
Coach Effectively During Games
Know What Success Is
Final Thoughts on the Keys to Being a Good Coach
What to Expect As a Coach
What Is Expected of You As a Coach
Equipment and Insurance
Last, But Not Least: Why Kids Play Baseball
2. Rules of the Game.
Basic Youth Baseball Rules
Field
Equipment
Players
Pitching Rules
Hitting Rules
Fielding Rules
Baserunning Rules
How the Game Is Played
Terms
Signals
Umpire Signals
Coach Signals
Keep on Learning
Teaching Rules to Your Players
Situational Plays
Practice Games
Brief Discussions
Players' Experiences
3. Communication Keys.
10 Keys to Being a Good Communicator
Know Your Message
Make Sure You Are Understood
Deliver Your Message in the Proper Context
Use Appropriate Emotions and Tones
Adopt a Healthy Communication Style
Be Receptive
Provide Helpful Feedback
Be a Good Nonverbal Communicator
Be Consistent
Be Positive
Communicating with Parents
Preseason Meeting or Letter
Preseason Call
During the Season
Be Understanding-and Set Boundaries
Challenging Situations
Communicating with League Administrators
League Information
Coaches' Meetings and Clinics
Questions and Concerns
Communicating with Opponents and Umpires
4. Safety Principles.
Communicating the Inherent Risks
Being Prepared
CPR/First Aid Training
Chronic Health Condition Awareness
First Aid Kit
Providing Proper Supervision
Plan Your Practices
Inspect the Field and Equipment
Provide Proper Instruction
Supervise Each Activity
Responding to Minor Injuries
Cuts and Scrapes
Bruises
Sprains and Strains
Responding to Emergency Situations
Heatstroke
Heat Exhaustion
Respecting the Weather
Heat Guidelines
Lightning Guidelines
Severe Weather Guidelines
5. Practice Plans.
Planning Your Season
Purpose
Tactics and Skills
Rules
Adjusting Your Season Plan
Sample Season Plan
Planning Practices
The Best Option: Simultaneous Stations
Player Safety
Coaching Instruction and Feedback
Sample Practice Plan
Conducting Your First Practice
12 Keys to Conducting Effective Practices
1. Be Prepared
2. Set the Stage
3. Involve Parents
4. Be Active
5. Be Active with a Purpose
6. Make It Fun
7. Provide Instruction
8. Give Feedback
9. Be Encouraging and Supportive
10. Promote Teamwork and Camaraderie
11. Discipline Players As Necessary
12. Wrap Up the Practice
6. Player Development.
The Process for Teaching Skills and Tactics
Set the Stage
Show and Tell
Practice the Skill
Provide Feedback
Six Keys to Error Correction
Be Encouraging
Be Honest
Be Specific
Reinforce Correct Technique
Explain Why the Error Happened
Watch for Comprehension
7. Game Time!
The Practice Before the Game
Game Particulars
Game Focus
Before the Game
Team Warm-up
Lineups
Last-minute Words
During the Game
Your Approach to the Game
Score Sheets
Player Substitutions
Appropriate Behavior
After the Game
Team Meeting
8. Ingredients of a Successful Season.
A Tale of Two Coaches
Evaluating Your Season
Did Your Players Have Fun?
Did Your Players Learn New Skills and Improve on Previously Learned Skills?
Did You Help Your Players Understand the Game and Its Rules?
Did You Communicate Appropriately and Effectively?
Did You Provide for Your Players' Safety?
Did You Plan and Conduct Effective Practices?
Did Your Players Give Maximum Effort in Practices and Games?
Did Your Players Leave the Games on the Field?
Did You Leave the Games on the Field?
Did You Conduct Yourself Appropriately?
Did You Communicate Effectively with Parents and Involve Them in Positive Ways?
Did You Coach Appropriately During Games?
Did You Win with Class and Lose with Dignity?
Did You Make the Experience Positive, Meaningful, and Fun for Your Players?
II. SKILLS AND TACTICS.
9. Offensive Skills and Tactics.
Hitting
Bat Selection
Grip
Stance
Picking Up the Pitch
Stride
Swing
Common Errors in Hitting
Bunting
Sacrifice Bunt
Safety Squeeze Bunt
Suicide Squeeze Bunt
Drag Bunt
Push Bunt
Common Errors in Bunting
Baserunning
Running from Home to First
Taking Leadoffs
Sliding
Running from First to Second
Taking an Extra Base
Running from Third to Home
Stealing
Hit-and-Run
Tagging Up
Common Errors in Baserunning
10. Defensive Skills and Tactics.
Throwing
Other Types of Throws
Common Errors in Throwing
Catching Throws
Common Errors in Catching
Pitcher Skills
Position on the Mound
Grip
Full Windup, Pivot, and Delivery
Pitching from the Stretch
Fielding the Position
Keeping Baserunners Close
Common Errors in Pitching
Catcher Skills
Positioning
Catching the Ball
Blocking the Ball
Throwing
Catching Pop-ups
Fielding Bunts and Slow Rollers
Common Errors in Catching
Infielder Skills
Being in the Ready Position
Fielding Ground Balls
Holding Runners On
Covering Base on a Steal Attempt
Tagging Runners Out
Making Force Outs
Making Double Plays
Executing Rundowns
Receiving Throws from the Outfield
Common Errors in Infield Play
Outfielder Skills
Being in the Ready Position
Catching Fly Balls
Fielding Ground Balls
Making Throws
Communicating with and Backing Up Teammates
Common Errors in Playing the Outfield
11. Games and Drills.
Infield Games
Game One
Game Two
Game Three
Game Four
Game Five
Game Six
Game Seven
Outfield Games
Game One
Game Two
Game Three
Team Defense Games
Game One
Game Two
Game Three
Hitting Games
Game One
Game Two
Baserunning Games
Game One
Game Two
III. APPENDIXES.
A. Sample Letter to Parents.
B. Medical Emergency Form.
C. Injury Report.
D. Season Plan.
E. Practice Plan.
F. Season Evaluation Form.
1. Did Your Players Have Fun?
2. -Did Your Players Learn New Skills and Improve on Previously Learned Skills?
3. -Did You Help Your Players Understand the Game and Its Rules?
4. -Did You Communicate Appropriately and Effectively?
5. Did You Provide for Your Players' Safety?
6. Did You Plan and Conduct Effective Practices?
7. -Did Your Players Give Maximum Effort in Practices and Games?
8. -Did Your Players Leave the Games on the Field?
9.Did You Leave the Games on the Field?
10. Did You Conduct Yourself Appropriately?
11. -Did You Communicate Effectively with Parents and Involve Them in Positive Ways?
12. Did You Coach Appropriately During Games?
13. -Did You Win with Class and Lose with Dignity?
14. -Did You Make the Experience Positive, Meaningful, and Fun for Your Players?
Index.
