A GUIDE FOR COACHES 1

A GUIDE FOR COACHES 1

LEARN TO TRAIN - U10 2 Softball LTPD 4 Coaches You may have noticed over the past few years, the National Coaching Certification program (NCCP) has gone through a transition to a competency-based approach to training of softball coaches. In Softball s new NCCP, generic LTPD principles have been infused into softball coaches clinics and materials geared specifically for Coaches. Coaches need to understand Softball s LTPD practices and the importance of developing well-rounded players. For U10 softball players, Coaches should be encouraging their players to practise and play other sports. It is so important for Coaches to recognize that multi-sport participation helps foster the development of the U10 player s athletic abilities. Coaches are key drivers of LTPD as they have the more direct impact on players on a day-today basis. Coaches who engage in the 10 Key Factors of Softball s LTPD are more likely to produce players who reach their full potential. 10 Key Factors Influencing Softball LTPD To help our softball players, it is important for Coach to take advantage of the best sport science and the best practices available. Here are the 10 Key Factors shaping the sport of Softball: 1. Physical Literacy A softball player should be aware of basic human movements which include the following: FUNdamental Movement Skills: Running, Jumping, Skipping & Hopping FUNdamental Softball Skills: Catching, Throwing, Hitting and Sliding 2. Specialization Softball has been identified as a late bloomer sport. It is important to have all your players play different positions, to be versatile and to even try pitching at this age group. 3. Development Age Kids grow and develop at different rates and this should be taken into account when coaching a softball team- in practice and a game setting. 4. Trainability When training/planning for our softball players practices, Coaches take the 5 S s into consideration: Stamina (Endurance) Strength Speed

Skill Suppleness (Flexibility) A GUIDE FOR COACHES 5. Holistic Approach Coaches must understand that physical, mental, cognitive and emotional traits mature at different rates for all softball players. It is important that practice and game like settings include a sound mind and a sound body method. 6. Periodization Although it sounds like a big word, simply put- this is a Coach designing a yearly plan for their team. Softball Canada s Learn to Play Level 3 guide makes it very easy for a U10 Coach to come up with their Periodization plan. 7. Calendar Planning for Competition Coaches will select competitions and events that are best suited for U10. Attending Jamborees, Softball Festivals or Skills Carnivals are ideal. 8. Excellence Takes Time It takes approximately 10,000 hours of quality training for players to achieve their full potential. There are no shortcuts. Player development is a long term process. 9. System Alignment and Integration It is important for softball Coaches to work with all components of the Softball community to deliver a suitable training program and competitions for skill development for optimal results for each softball player on their team. 10. Continuous Improvement By focusing on continuous improvement, you as a Coach also ensure that LTPD reflects all emerging facets of Softball to ensure that all training inclusive. What Coaches Need to Know for their U10 Softball Player Learning 2 Train- U10/Mite/Atom Males: 9-12 years old Females: 8-11 years old Goals for U10 To learn overall softball and sport skills Targets for U10 To promote fun, be active and feeling good To develop softball activities: Running, Jumping, Catching, Throwing, Hitting, Agility, 3

LEARN TO TRAIN - U10 Balance, Coordination and Speed. (FUNdamentals) within a safe softball setting To introduce simple softball tactics used in a modified game To introduce how to become fit and getting your game face on What does a Softball Season look like for a U10 Softball Player? Before the season starts: 8-12 practices Softball Season 8-10 weeks Number of Practices for the Season 10-20 combined practice/modified games to a maximum of 90 minutes (30 minutes of practice and 60 minutes of a modified game) per activity How many times a week should a U10 Softball Player be active in Softball? 1-2 times per week for 90 minutes Areas as a U10 Softball Coach you will be working with your U10 Team during the Softball Season Getting Fit This is an ideal time to work on strength, speed, power, agility and quickness using fun games/activities Being active daily through other sports and play Softball Specific This is an ideal time to learn basic softball skills- hitting, fielding, throwing, catching, pitching, sliding and baserunning Simple rules softball games will help ensure your softball player s success by using their softball skills that were learned during practice time Softball players will be grouped together based on their overall skill levels Equal playing time for everyone and trying every position on the diamond Coaches will ensure practices are fun, well organized, game-like activities Mental Prep Focus on your softball player during a practice or game rather than focusing on the outcome of the game Lead players 4

A GUIDE FOR COACHES in team building activities Help players picture the outcome of their performance during games and activities Work on decision-making skills with Coach assistance Life Skills Encourage fair play for everyone- their teammates, the other team, the Umpires, the rules of the game Demonstrate how to be honest, kind, fair Promote teamwork, giving it their all Be a gracious winner and a gracious loser Play safe What Can I Do as a Coach to Help U10 Players be Better Softball Players? Ensure that players are having fun so that they develop a love of the game Use skill stations where a coach is teaching a skill and then players rotate from one station to the next station Be adaptable to every situation that is thrown your way and put a positive spin on itlead by example Continue to improve your Coach Education by attending softball coach clinics, workshops or seminars as often as you can. You can never stop learning. Softball Coaches clinics in Ontario are listed on the Softball Ontario website at www.softballontairo.ca. Please check link for dates and locations of Coach Education opportunities Network with other U10 Coaches to share best practices as to what is working for your team and what is not- you may be able to come up with a solution or provide another solution for the other coach Review & practise using the new Roster Fielding and Batting Cards. Encourage Parents to use the Player Tracking Card Review a copy of the new Softball Canada U10 Minor Rules Purchase a copy of the Tim Horton s Learn to Play Manual Softball Canada s New Minor Rules for U10 In 2008, Softball Canada created a set of nationally standardized rules to be followed by U10 Players across the country based on the principles of Softball s Long Term Player Development (LTPD). These rules were created by a team of Experts to ensure that games being played by children and youth were age and stage appropriate. The end goal is to have more Canadians enjoy playing the game of Softball at recreational and elite levels. 5

LEARN TO TRAIN - U10 Rule questions should be address to Steph Sutton at ssutton@softballontario.ca or by calling 416-426-7150. For 2014, Softball Ontario will be piloting the new U10 Minor Rules at chosen local softball events across Ontario. Feedback, comments and suggestions from players, coaches and parents will be gathered at these pilot events and taken into consideration for future panning for the U10 age group. Below are the U10@Play/Softball Canada Minor Rules and the rationale for each of these rules: Scoring Score and standings will not be kept as the emphasis is on player and team skill development, not on winning Equipment The focus at this age group is on the skills learned in practice and personal performance. It is not about winning a game. Scores will still be kept but not announced at the conclusion of a game. There will be no standings of 1st place, 2nd place and 3rd place tracked on a website or an article in the newspaper about who won and who lost. The focus is not on winning the game rather having fun, U10 Softball Players working on their game and being active. 11 Worth Reduced Injury Factory Ball- R11RYS 6

A GUIDE FOR COACHES The 11 inch ball is an appropriate size of ball for kids play softball in the U10 age division, as it is proportionate to their average hand size. At this age, softball players still have the fear of being hit in the face with a ball so the use of a Reduce Injury Factor Ball would be softer on impact. It also helps eliminate that fear. 21 Home Plate The 21 inch Home Plate automatically widens the strike zone for the U10 players up to bat, the Defence Team s Pitcher and the Plate Umpire. By using this size plate, batting players are encouraged to swing at more pitches and will in- crease their chances of making contact with the ball and getting on base. For the Defensive Team s Pitcher, it allows for pitches that maybe on the inside or outside corner to be called a strike. The use of the 21 inch home plate increase the confidence of a pitcher who is just starting out and encourages them of their successes. 7

LEARN TO TRAIN - U10 Batting Each inning rotates who is the first batter. The batting order should be shuffled/shifted every inning so a different player leads off each inning 8 With a rotation of batters to begin the inning, each player will have increased opportunities at bat and experience what it is like to be in a different part of the line-up. All Players bat. All eligible players will appear on the batting order (whether they are in the field defensively or not). The Coach must declare the last batter to the Umpire before the first pitch and the Umpire must inform the opposing team. It is the duty of the Coach to inform the U10 batter. When the last batter has hit, the ball must be returned to the catcher or another defensive player, who must be touching home plate. A that time, play is suspended. All previous runs are counted. If the last batter is put through normal play, the inning is complete. By providing opportunities for all members of the Team to bat, it allows a sense of ownership and an opportunity for each player to demonstrate what they have learned in batting practice. Bunting is not permitted. It is very important for Learn2Train stage players to learn how to do a proper swing and making contact with the ball. Unlimited offensive conferences per inning will allow U10 Softball Coaches an opportunity to interact with their players for tweaks if required. For teams on the Defence, it provides them an opportunity to field a live hit ball and make a play. Developing the short game in softball comes at a later stage of development for both the Offense and Defense. With no Infield Fly Rule, the defensive team is encouraged to field the ball to increase their touch on the ball and become familiar with making an out or a play. Baserunning Runners cannot steal bases; Runners may leave the base when the ball has crossed home plate (No stealing). The intent for this rule is to encourage the Defending Team to make a play with no stealing in effect; forced player will be more frequent therefore, creating opportunities for development. Runners may leave the base when the ball has crossed home plate. This practices base running or to get a good jump on when the ball is

A GUIDE FOR COACHES actually put into play, a player may take a lead off from the base to start the motion of running the bases. Following a fairly hit ball, the advancing of runners is considered over when the ball is returned to a player in the infield (inside the base paths). Runners may continue to the base they are heading to but the fields may attempt to throw/tag the runner out. Sliding is permitted. This is to ensure that the base runners are obtaining only the next base rather than a base plus one. This will help keep the score under control and not discourage player if an error is made. With no 3rd Strike Rule, batters will not be confused if they are to run or not on the 3rd strike to first base if the ball is dropped by the catcher. Coaches, Players and Substitutions Strongly recommend a Maximum of 9 players per team By suggesting a U10 Softball Team be capped at 9 Players, local Softball Associations are encouraged to have more teams and therefore, increase participation to be active. Also, it increase playing time for softball players in this age group. A Maximum of 9 players on the field. This rule was created to align with Softball s LTPD principles to create an opportunity for players to have as much touch with the ball as possible as it keeps players engaged in the game. By having 9 Players on a shorten softball diamond (Homerun line) you are increasing the opportunities for those 9 players to touch the ball. This also increases the pace of game and helps keep within the time limits (1 hour and 15 minutes). When playing with less than the maximum number of players, there are no automatic outs. To ensure that fair play is abided by both teams during a game of softball and it is an even playing field for both teams; a player cannot play the same position inconsecutive innings, a player may not sit for more than one (1) consecutive inning and there are unlimited defensive substitutions. This encourages softball players to try all positions before specializing in just one. Sometimes players are not able to make it to the ball park on time, their names will be added to the bottom of the U10@Play Roster when they arrive safely and will be allowed to join the game. 9

LEARN TO TRAIN - U10 The Game A new inning will not start after 1 hour and 15 minutes. A time limit was introduced to ensure that U10@Play games keep U10 players engaged the entire game and not be dragged out. A courtesy runner for the catcher may be used regardless of the number of outs to ensure that that game is progressing to meet the time limit. Also, protests and appeals are not permitted during U10@ Play games to avoid delays. Pitching Regulations Player pitching to the opposing team until the Batter receives a 4th ball. The Hitter s Coach will now come into pitch and carry the count. Each Team for their 1st Game of the U10@Play event will test this rule. This rule was introduced to ensure Pitcher development and to avoid Pitcher overuse. Also, to avoid dominance by one team running the score up from continuous walks and increasing play within the time limits. This rule was introduced to ensure pitcher development and to avoid pitcher overuse. If the same pitcher hits two (2) batter in an inning, he/she must be removed from the remained of that inning. This provides a rest for the Pitcher and allows an opportunity for another Pitcher to come in. If a team uses two (2) Defensive conferences per inning for the Pitcher, on the 3rd conference, the Pitcher will be removed but still can play anywhere else on the field. This rule was introduced to ensure safety for players batting. If a pitcher hits 2 (two) batters in the an inning he/she will be removed for the remaining of the inning Long Term Player Development Resources WEBSITES 10

A GUIDE FOR COACHES Link your websites to the following Long Term Player Development Websites to share the information with your players and parents! Softball Ontario encourages you to copy LTPD information from our website to post on your own: P Softball Ontario Softball4Life (LTPD) http://www.softballontario.ca/content/view/427 P Softball Canada http://www.softball.ca/ P Active For Life http://www.activeforlife.ca P Canadian Sport 4 Life (CS4L) http://www.canadiansportforlife.ca P Coaching Association of Canada http://www.coach.ca P Coaches Association of Ontario http://www.coachesontario.ca FACEBOOK Like these Softball Associations from your Softball Association s Facebook Page, and Share their LTPD Posts with your audience to spread the word about Long Term Player Development! 11

LEARN TO TRAIN - U10 Click to Shar e to re-post on your Association s acebook F Page and re sha with our y Followers! P Active for Life http://www.facebook.com/activeforlife P Canadian Sport for Life http://www.facebook.com/canadiansportforlife P Softball Canada http://www.facebook.com/softballcanadanso P Ontario Amateur Softball Association (OASA) http://www.facebook.com/ontarioamateursoftballassocation P Ontario Rural Softball Association (ORSA) http://www.facebook.com/ontarioruralsoftballassociation P Slo-Pitch Ontario http://www.facebook.com/pages/slo-pitch-ontario-association/172816356093689 P Provincial Women s Softball Association (PWSA) http://www.facebook.com/pages/provincial-womens-softball-association-pwsa/202934099723942 TWITTER Follow the following Twitter Accounts and Hashtags with your Association s Twitter Account, and Retweet interesting information on Long Term Player Development! Retweet to re-post on your Association s Twitter Account & share with your Followers! 12

P Twitter Accounts: Canadian Sport for Life https://twitter.com/cs4l_acsv (@CS4L_ACSV) Active for Life https://twitter.com/activeforlife (@activeforlife) Ontario Sport 4 Life https://twitter.com/os4l (@OS4L) P Hashtags: #CS4L #LTAD A GUIDE FOR COACHES 13

LEARN TO TRAIN - U10 14