Softball Clinic

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Softball Clinic
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(No Transcript)
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Beginning thoughts

• Softball IS NOT baseball!
• You cant 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!

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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

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Equipment

• Balls
• Gloves
• Bats
• Batting helmets
• Catchers 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

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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!

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Tips and Tricks Bag

• Try to get the players as many touches as
  possible.
• Dont 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

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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

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Stretch and Conditioning

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

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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

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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 8s
• Gauntlet
• 3 ball race

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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 youre going to do when you get the
  ball
• 1) Ball 2) Base 3) Back-up
• Glove Types
• Just because you are playing first base doesnt
  mean you need a 1st base mitt!

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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

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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 swing
• This is not baseball!
• KEEP THE LEFT HANDERS!

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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

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Base Running

• Through the bag 1st and Home
• Making the turn
• Inside foot on the bag
• Sliding (ITS FUN!)
• Musical Chairs
• Watching the base coaches
• Skills and Drills
• Base race
• 3 Ball race
• Ball Drop

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Game Time

• KEEP IT FUN
• Its not about winning or losing
• Keep reminding the parents of that
• It isnt softball without the cheers!
• Emphasize the positive
• Make sure there are snacks!
• Try to keep them healthy

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Questions?

• Im here to help
• furyfastpitch_at_comcast.net
• Cell) 267-614-3995
• Youre welcome to attend a practice
• www.eteamz.com/furyfastpitchsoftball14u