April 17, 2013 Leah Winchell Player Development Coordinator LVGSA Coaches Meeting April 17, 2013 Leah Winchell Player Development Coordinator

Coach’s Goals Exemplify the highest character as a role model for the players. Teach proper softball skills, fundamentals & rules of the game. Develop the players for higher softball competition. Establish a realistic team goal for each season and communicate that to the players and parents Provide a safe, challenging and encouraging environment for practice and competition. Exemplify good sportsmanship and abide by the rules of the game. Recognize the individual worth and reinforce the self-image of each team member. Encourage and assist players to set personal goals. Strive to develop the qualities of competence, character and integrity. Create an environment to develop team chemistry and teamwork. Communicate and respect player’s personal trainers (i.e. hitting coaches, pitching coaches, conditioning coaches). Attend LVGSA meetings held once per month which are open to the public. April 17, 2013

Player Benchmarks Broken up according to Rec levels Evaluation tool Advancement April 17, 2013

Skills for High School Softball Proper fundamentals of throwing, fielding (infield and outfield) and hitting Ability to play any position Properly catch a fly ball (balance, positioning, crow hop) Bunt under any circumstance (either baseline, with any count) Turning a double play Rundowns (follow your throw, yell now when you want the ball, same side of runner, punch tagging, be aware of other runners) Diving (dive progression) Batting: stroke base hits in critical situations, put the ball away from runner, make contact with two strikes, do not look at strike three, widen strike zone when down in the count Game awareness (#1) April 17, 2013

Our Focus How do we get girls there? Stressing fundamentals Game awareness Keeping the game fun April 17, 2013

Summer Camps Attending the WMC summer camp to learn how the high school coaches teach Work with current varsity players Other clinics in the area: Complete Player, Princeton University, TCNJ April 17, 2013

What now? Determine what benchmarks have been accomplished and which need work Evaluate the needs of each player Begin to plan for how to improve the team using practice time April 17, 2013

Practices Planning ahead: having goals Skills vs. skillfully Games approach: Play modified game (guide to skill) Help players understand game (freeze, questions) Teach skills of game (breakdown, IDEA) Practice skills in another game (success with challenge) April 17, 2013

Practice (continued) Skills: IDEA Introduce the skill Demonstrate the skill Explain the skill Attend to players practicing the skill Drills: name drill, explain skill taught, position players, explain what drill will accomplish, state command that will start and end drill Corrections: one thing at a time, all on same page April 17, 2013

Skill Demonstration April 17, 2013

Batting Grip: knocking knuckles Stance: feet shoulder with apart, parallel, knees bent Arms: elbows in to create V, bat resting on shoulder Hands: lift up bat so hand are near ear at eye level Bat angle: 45 degree angle Weight: 60% on back foot Shoulders: slightly toward plate April 17, 2013

Batting (continued) Trigger: toe touch or step toward pitcher Hips: begin to turn after trigger Hands: move down straight at the ball (always moving forward) Back foot: turns (squash the bug) Front leg: remains straight Contact: in front of the plate, bat should be parallel to ground Hands continue all through way through ball, shoulders, hips, hands and back shoelace should point at pitcher when contact is made April 17, 2013

Bunting Sacrifice bunt: everyone knows it is coming! Back foot squares with front foot Knees bent and leaning forward at waist Slides top hand up the bat just above grip (thumbs up) Eyes are right above bat and knees control height of bat Bat acts as a rudder to steer the ball Arms extended in front of plate April 17, 2013

Special Bunts Drag Bunt Slap Bunt April 17, 2013

Base Running Running straight through first base on a ground ball Running flat arcs for base hits Coach stands waiting for high five Teaching the difference between running to the base and running for the next base Smart base running: situations April 17, 2013

Leading Rocker start: Begin with left foot on base facing the base the player will be traveling toward Right foot stays behind the bag on the right side When the pitcher is at the top of her motion, begin to move the right foot toward the next base. Ensure that girls do not leave the base late! April 17, 2013

Sliding Begin to slide about 5 strides away from the base Tuck left leg under right leg in a figure 4 style. Lean back and hold hands above head Backdoor slide: slide closer to bag on side away from the fielder. Reach over to grab base Pop-up slide: Use left leg to push body off ground in order to run quickly to the next base April 17, 2013

Throwing Point glove toward target Glove shoulder pointed toward target Ball held using 3 finger grip pointed above head with ball facing away Player brings ball over head and snaps ball in front of face Shoulders rotate and wrist pointed at target April 17, 2013

Catching Glove fingers up toward sky and elbows in toward body Throwing hand next to glove Body moves to get in front of ball Arm extends to meet ball If ball is low, glove turns so fingers face toward ground (sundial) April 17, 2013

Ground Balls Feet spread about shoulder width apart Knees bent so the player looks as if she is sitting in a chair Weight on the balls of your feet Shoulder over knees Hands in front of body with glove on the ground and throwing hand next to glove Take a step towards the ball upon fielding Charge the ball if necessary April 17, 2013

Pop Flies Feet staggered with glove foot in front Both hands above head with elbows in toward body Catch ball in front of body above head Cover ball in glove with throwing hand Bring back foot in front of glove foot in a hop-like motion and throw (crow-hop) April 17, 2013

Pitching Beginning drills for all girls: Wrist snaps: face target have pitching hand at side and snap ball up with elbow ending pointing at target T’s: Point glove toward target with body facing toward right wall. Arms form a T shape with body. Player brings arm down and snaps ball at hip, turns hips and follows through April 17, 2013

Catching Beginning drills for catchers Use tennis ball to teach player to meet the ball with glove (use bare hand) Frame ball using the bubble method of turning fingers of the glove inward toward the center of the plate Block ball by dropping to knees, keeping arms straight and glove down toward ground April 17, 2013

Situational Skills Cut-offs and Relays Back ups Steal coverage Tag Plays Double Plays Rundowns Pick offs April 17, 2013