Coaching Course READ FIRST 1. DOWNLOADABLE NOTES: SAVE THIS FILE some place on your computer where you ll be able to find it. Be sure to make note of the folder and location where you save it, so you can find these notes again later. PRINT THIS DOCUMENT out now and use the space provided on the right hand side of each slide image to jot down your own notes as you watch the online training. 2. WORKING WITHIN THE TRAINING: This training video now lives in your account on. To access the training video just: a. Go to b. Login to your account (My Account up along the top menu bar) c. Go to View Files & Training d. Click on the Product Name (i.e. Softball Excellence/Little League Coaching Course Level 1) View Files/Launch Training e. On the right-hand side of the screen click on View Video How to watch online training again: The viewable portion of this training now lives in your account on. So once you login to your account on, you can watch the video whenever you want and as many times as you want. To access the video training, follow the steps in a.-e. above. How to skip within the various sections of the training: Simply hover over the training until the Table of Contents appears then just click on one of the Section Titles along the left-hand side of the screen to jump to that section. How to pause and play any part of this eclinic: Click on one of the commands in the lower left section of the screen to either pause (double line), stop (black square) or play (black arrow). How do I see how long this course is: In the lower right hand corner of the player you can see the total duration of this course as well as the elapsed time (how far into this section you are).
Softball Excellence/Little League Coaching Course Level 2 Level 2 Coaching Course Section: COMMUNICATION Handling Frustration Overview Handling Your Frustration Handling Their Frustration The Gremlins All Rights Reserved 1
Handling Your Frustration Keep Yourself Even Emotionally Your frustration is usually them Too Many Key Decisions, No Time to Waste: Move infield in? Go for out at 2nd? Run on ball to LF? Steal on this pitch? Bunt on next pitch? Let this batter hit? Change pitchers? Emotions take time, no results Be a Good-Finder, Help Manage Frustration Handling Player s Frustration Game s Frustrating Enough, Don t YOU Add To It! Frustration usually at themselves Must Learn to Fix Last Play & Play THIS Play! Train Players to Ask Themselves: What Did I Just Do That Was Good? REPEAT IT! What Do I Need to Fix? FIX IT! Find the Good, No Matter How Small! First You Find It Then They ll Learn How The Gremlins Get Rid of Your Gremlins! (players & coaches) Feelings/Emotions we carry around with us Left over from the last play, previous plays They attack us & keep us from doing good Hang out on our shoulders, pile up, weigh us down Things Like: Anger Frustration Fear Anxiety Paranoia Self-Consciousness All Rights Reserved 2
Dump Your Gremlins Dump Your Gremlins After Each Play See an actual Dumping of some sort Talk about it with all your players Add Gremlin-Dumping into practice Let Everyone Know We All Have Them Don t carry them around Make the Next Play Gremlin-Free What did I do Good? Repeat it What do I need to Fix? Fix it Communication Review Keep Yourself Even Emotionally Be a Good-Finder Get Them to Ask: What Did I Just Do Good? REPEAT IT! What Do I Need to Fixed? FIX IT! Dump Your Gremlins Level 2 Coaching Course Section: THROWING All Rights Reserved 3
Change of Direction Throws Overview Situations Front Side s Key Situations Occurs with Infielders Occurs When: Throw to One Location Suddenly Changes to Another Front Side s Key Front Hip/Shoulder to New Target Fast Feet to New Target Incorrect Correct All Rights Reserved 4
Throwing Review: Situations: Throw Location Suddenly Changes Usually in Infield Front Side s Key: Front Shoulder & Hip Quickly Change to New Target Fast Feet to New Target Level 2 Coaching Course Section: FIELDING Fielding Overview Infield: Shorthop Forehand Backhand Outfield: Drop Step Using Angles All Rights Reserved 5
Shorthop (Infield) Attack the Ball With Your Glove & Hands Shovel from the Shoulders Start Hands In & Move Forward Don t Let the Ball Get IN On You Get the Ball Out In Front Stay Low & Forward Shorthops Common Errors Pulling Up Too Soon Going Back with Ball Lifting Up From Shoulders Forehand (Infield) Get Glove Down Early Field Ball on Glove Side Toes & Bellybutton to Where Ball s Going Bend From the Knees Shovel from the Shoulders Start Hands In & Move Forward All Rights Reserved 6
Backhand (Infield) Glove Position is Same as Forehand Difference is Elbow Toward Batter on Backhand (toward fielder on forehand) Backhand (Infield) Toes & Bellybutton Turn Keep Palm to Ball/Home Plate (vs. facing the ground) Bend the Knees & Elbow to Ball Give From Elbow vs. Shoulder If Soft Hit (Power Backhand): Go from Elbow raking If Hard Hit: Give from Elbow Backhands Common Problems Running Around Backhand Turning it into Forehand Staying Up Too High All Rights Reserved 7
Infield Review Shorthops: Attack the Ball With Your Hands Get the Ball Out In Front Forehands: Get Glove Down Early Bend From the Knees Backhands: Elbow Toward Batter Keep Palm to Ball/Home Plate Bend Back Knee Instead of Waist If Slow Hit: Go Through the Catch If Hard Hit: Give With the Catch Drop Step (Outfield) How Fielders Go Backwards Basketball Move Step & Pivot Move: Push with Throwing-Side Foot Point Glove-Side Toe Where Ball s Going & Step Run Drop Step Extra Keys Run with Both Arms to Ball Drop Point Same for Both Sides Directly Overhead - Turn to Best Side Glove-Side Usually Easiest All Rights Reserved 8
Drop Step Common Errors Backpeddle Chest Facing Homeplate Turn Wrong Direction Using Angles (Outfield) Angles Help Outfielders Get to Balls Faster Hard-Hit Balls Go Faster - Take Deeper Angle Slower-Hit Balls Go Slower - Take Less Angle If In Doubt, Take Deep Angle Outfield Review Drop Step: Step with Ball-Side Foot Point Toe Where Ball Lands Pivot on Opposite Foot Directly Overhead Turn to Best Side Using Angles: Hard-Hit Balls Go Faster Deeper Angle Slower-Hit Balls Go Slower - Less Angle If In Doubt, Take Deep Angle All Rights Reserved 9
Level 2 Coaching Course Section: HITTING Hitting Review Level 1 Hands Start Near Back Shoulder Soft Step Hands Back Slight Foot Plants Hands, Front Elbow Straight Forward Barrel to the Ball Contact: Palm Up, Palm Down By Front Foot Swing Direction Forward, not Twisting Sideways Long, Strong Follow Through Twisting Problems Overview Signs of Twisting What It Looks Like Causes Corrections All Rights Reserved 10
Common Twisting Signs All Balls Go Foul Struggle Hitting Balls to Middle or Opposite Field Difficulty Hitting Slower Pitching Difficulty Hitting Outside Pitches Limited Power on Fair Balls Strikes Out Too Much* What a Twisting Swing Looks Like Correct Swing Twisting Swing Causes of A Twisting Swing Chest Turns Hands Chest & Hands Move Together Instead of Hands Moving Toward Ball Separate of Body Front Elbow Never Travels Toward Ball Elbow Follows Hips During Turn Squishing the Bug (Twisting Sideways)* All Rights Reserved 11
Corrections Weight Slides Forward AS Hands Travel Forward Long Hitting Zone Forward for Hands Use Joints Forward In Order: Elbow Wrist Follow Through to Pitcher (not sideways) Drills: Hammer Head, Pizza Toss, Frisbee Fling, Throw Batting Hitting Review Signs of Twisting: Hitting Balls Foul Can t Hit Slower Pitchers Twisting Causes: Chest & Hands Move Together Front Elbow Never Travels Toward Ball Squishing the Bug Twisting Corrections: Weight & Hands Slides Forward Long Hitting Zone Forward Use Joints Forward In Order: Elbow, Wrist Follow Through to Pitcher Level 2 Coaching Course Section: BUNTING and BASERUNNING All Rights Reserved 12
Bunting and Baserunning Overview Bunting: Controlling Direction Baserunning: Rounding Bases Balanced Lead Offs Controlling Direction (Bunting) Critical to Attack Defensive Weakness Top Hand on Bat Controls Direction Hand Closest to Barrel Back = Right Side Bunt Forward = Left Side Bunt Little Angles Make Big Results Rounding Bases (Baserunning) The Old Banana Approach Make as Small a Loop As Possible All Rights Reserved 13
Balanced Lead Offs (Baserunning) Keys: Lead Off FAST: Taking the next base every pitch 1/10 th of second = 2 feet! Take the next base on your lead off Inside Foot to Stop Land Head Between Feet Knees Slightly Bent (Get Low to Get Slow) Know to Look GO on Drop or Down Ball Pitcher CORRECT incorrect Bunting and Baserunning Review Controlling Bunt Direction: Top Hand on Bat Controls Direction Little Angles Make Big Results Rounding Bases: Make as Small a Loop as Possible Instead of the Old Banana Approach Balanced Lead Offs: Lead Off FAST Land with Head Between Both Feet Knees Slightly Bent Level 2 Coaching Course Section: PITCHING All Rights Reserved 14
Pitching Review Level 1 Start: Body Drives Forward Stride: Long and Strong Arm Circle: Long and Relaxed In Line to Target Fastest at Release Release: Fast and Forward Body is Upright Follow Through: Long and Strong Control & Accuracy Overview Primary Control Factor Secondary Factors Up & Down Causes & Corrections Side to Side Causes & Corrections Primary Control Factor The Hand is the Main Factor! The Only Body Part Touching the Ball Is Different from the Arm & Wrist Can t Throw Underhand (or Overhand) Without Pointing the Hand at The Target on Release Ball Goes Where Hand is Pointing at Release Hard to Feel When Moving Fast! All Rights Reserved 15
Secondary Control Factors Other Things Can Impact Control: The Feet/Stride The Hips Balance They re All Helpers to the Hand If Taught as Primary Factors Control Isn t Great None touch the ball The ball is what the pitcher is trying to control! Up & Down Control - Causes Ball Goes Where Hand Points at Release Hand at Bottom at Release If pitch goes UP release was past bottom, or late If pitch goes DOWN release was before bottom, or early Up & Down Control - Corrections Ball goes Where Hand Points at Release If UP (released past bottom, or late) Release Sooner DOWN (released before bottom, or early) Release Later Use the V & Make Small Adjustments All Rights Reserved 16
Side to Side Control Ball Goes Where Hand Points at Release To Pitch Forward Hand Face Forward at Release Pitch Goes LEFT Little: Hand was Facing Left A Lot: Arm was Moving Left Adjust Toward Middle Pitch Goes RIGHT Little: Hand was Facing Right A Lot: Arm was Moving Right Adjust Toward Middle Pitching Review Primary Control Factor Hand Ball Goes Where it Points at Release Secondary Factors Stride/Feet Hips Balance Up & Down Causes & Corrections If Up release was late, release sooner If Down release was early, release later Side to Side Causes & Corrections If Left release was left, adjust right If Right release was right, adjust left More Accuracy Help For More Help on Accuracy & Control eclinic: Improving Your Pitcher s Accuracy DVD: Breaking Down the Pitching Motion Fastball Mechanics All Rights Reserved 17
Level 2 Coaching Course Section: CATCHING Blocking Overview Basics Blocking Middle Blocking Side to Side Blocking Basics Cover the Gap Don t Try to Catch It Either: Knees Replace Feet Knees Drop Forward Use Your Equipment Raise Forward & Up Tuck Chin & Curl Shoulders Remember it s BLOCK-ing Not CATCH-ing All Rights Reserved 18
Blocking Middle If in Doubt, Block Be a Wall, Not a Glove Keep Glove Down Cover the Gap Find Ball Near Plate Practice Get Pitcher to Trust Your Blocking Blocking Side-to-Side GET THERE & Cover the Gap! Speed Over Technique Explode To Side Instead of Step & Reach Angle Chest = Plate Angle Find Ball near Plate Catching Review Basics: Cover the Gap - Don t Try to Catch It Knees Replace Feet or Knees Drop Forward Raise Forward & Up, Curl Shoulders & Tuck Chin Expect Ball in Front of Plate Blocking Middle: If in Doubt, Block Be a Wall, Not a Glove Keep Glove Down Blocking Side-to-Side: Speed Over Technique Angle Chest with Point of Plate All Rights Reserved 19
Level 2 Coaching Course Section: GAME STRATEGY Positions Overview Position Groups Position Numbers Position Basics Position Groups 3 Basic Position Groups: Infielders (1 st, 2 nd, SS, 3 rd ) Outfielders (LF, CF, RF) Battery (Pitcher s & Catchers) All Rights Reserved 20
Position Numbers A Number & Name for Each Position Number for Scorekeeping Pitcher Catcher 1 st Base 2 nd Base 7 3 rd Base Shortstop 6 Leftfield Centerfield 5 Rightfield 8 1 4 3 9 2 Position Basics Infield, Corners 1 st Base: Good Glove (thrown & hit balls) Quick Feet (higher levels) Usually Good Hitter Ave Arm Often Lefty 3 rd Base: Good Glove (hit balls) Quick Hands Can Be Slower Foot Speed Quick on 1-3 Steps Ave Arm Fearless, Tough 5 3 Position Basics Infield, Middle 2nd Base: Very Good Glove (hit balls) Quick (covers 60 feet) Ave Arm Often SS with Weaker Arm Shortstop: Very Good Glove (hit balls) Good Speed Good Arm (longest IF throw) Usually Best IF Athlete Helps if Leader 6 4 All Rights Reserved 21
Position Basics Outfield Leftfield: Good Glove (flyballs) Good Speed Ave Arm Gets Lots of OF Balls Centerfield: Very Good Glove, Speed & Arm Usually Best OF Athlete Leader of Outfield 8 7 9 Rightfield: Often Best OF Glove (weird balls from R batters) Good Arm & Speed Hustles (backs up 1 st ) Position Basics Pitcher/Catcher, Battery Pitcher: Good Work Ethic Good Balance Fast Hand (a plus) Good Strength (a plus) Competitor Emotionally Tough Likes Pressure Catcher: Tough Kid Doesn t Need Spotlight Team Player A Leader Hard Worker 1 2 Game Strategy Review Positions Have Numbers for Scorekeeping Corner Infielders: Good Gloves & Quick Hands Ave Arms Fearless, Tough, Quick Reactions Middle Infielders: Very Good Gloves (fielding balls) Good Speed & Arms Leaders All Rights Reserved 22
Game Strategy Review Outfielders: Good Gloves (flyballs) Good Speed Good Arms Pitcher/Catcher: Good Work Ethic Competitors Emotionally Tough Like Pressure Team Players Level 2 Coaching Course Section: PRACTICE Practice Overview 1 Coach Practices Extra Group Practice Time All Rights Reserved 23
1 Coach Practice - Keys Make Things Manageable for You Limit Size of Group Stagger Arrival Times 1 Coach Practice Concept Practice Time is 2 Hours - 6:00 to 8:00pm 30 Minutes - Each Position Group (Each group there for total of 45 min, 15 warmup or combined workout) 15 Minutes - Infield & Outfield Together 45 Minutes - Pitchers & Catchers 1 Coach Practice - Sample 6:00-6:30 Infielders Only 6:30-6:45 Outfielders show up (6:30) Infielders & Outfielders Together 6:45-7:15 Infielders go home (6:45) Outfielders Only 7:15-8:00 Outfielders go home (7:15) Pitcher s and Catcher s Only All Rights Reserved 24
Extra Group Time Practice Option 1 6:00-6:30 Freshmen Only 6:30-6:45 Freshmen & Sophomores Together Sophomores show up (6:30) 6:45-7:15 Sophomores Only Freshmen go home (6:45) 7:15-8:00 Juniors & Seniors Only Sophomores go home (7:15) Extra Group Time Practice Option 2 6:00-6:30 Group 1 Only 6:30-7:00 Group 2 Only Group 1 goes home (6:30) 7:00-7:30 Group 3 Only Group 2 goes home (7:00) 7:30-8:00 Group 4 Only Group 3 goes home (7:30) Practice Review Make Things Manageable by Limiting Size of Group Stagger Arrival Times Less Players Equals More Time All Rights Reserved 25