Coaching Self-Education: I want to know more

I love the game and the kids. I would say I have a decent knowledge of softball, but never feel like it's enough. Sadly, the NFCA Master Coach program doesn't fit my calendar or my budget. DVDs seem like the next best thing (except, perhaps for this site!).

First, some background: I've coached rec (HC), travel (AC), and Middle School (AC). Just finished taking a team to the Babe Ruth Southeast US Regional, where we played very hard and had lots of fun. DD works with excellent coaches in fielding, hitting, and pitching. I may pay more attention than she does. As far as an overall approach to coaching, my biggest inspiration is John Wooden.

Second, what I'm looking for: 1) More than anything, strategy, both offensive and defensive. Solid basic stuff. Also, important, 2) coaching methods, that is, how does one go about the art of coaching, like determining potential as well as talent, evaluating mental strength and spiritual character (I'm talking about will and desire here more than religion), and building all these things in properly motivated players. 3) What are the best ways to plan and organize a practice, which to me means you're trying to plan a whole season of growth for your team, not just scheduling drills from one day to the next. What about setting up game situations, and also utilizing enjoyable, but purposeful skills competitions that are still practice, but help keep things fresh for the girls. This is not an exhaustive list, but these are my top 3 priorities today.

Third, what I already have: Candrea's USA Softball series (entire), Kabata Style Defensive and Team drills, Ehren Earleywine (Mizzou HC, entire set), Jack Mankin's The Final Arc, Chris O'Leary (website subscription), Cheri Kempf's Softball Pitching Edge, and Jennie Finch's Pitcher Perfect DVD. I also have a variety of books.

Fourth, your turn: Please offer suggestions, but please, only if you have a working knowledge of the resource. What are the strength's or weaknesses you see? If you make a recommendation, don't forget to say where to find it.

It is my intent to be a sponge. Proceed, friends.

I would look for coaching clinics put on by nearby colleges and universities. I don't know where in the southeast you are, but the SEC knows how to play softball, so that would be where I would start. I live in the northwest and thought the UW coaching clinic was just awesome. Those coaches know and love their softball.

I also like the fastpitch TV show video podcast. Some sessions are better than others, but generally it is very good content.

Finally, talk to coaches you respect and see how they do things. I laid out a plan for the season that included a focus for each practice. It was four or five bullet points per practice for what I wanted to cover. I used that document when writing the plan for each practice. I updated the season plan each time I made a change on the fly or didn't cover something I planned to cover. Share the plan with your assistants so that everyone knows where you are going.

Expand your reading to athletic, but non-softball books. The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle and Mindset by Carol Dweck should be at the top of your list.

Would you be interested in a google hangout I'm having on Thursday to discuss any questions you may have about softball? It's a chance for us to share information. Private message me if you're interested.

Google Hangout on Thursday: Sharing softball info and tips!

Hey there! Want to join us coaches for a coaches chat this Thursday? We'll share information on coaching strategies, drills, etc.

Send me a private message with your gmail address if you're interested.

I hope to see you there.

For catchers, the best, and considered the Gold standard of catching is the New England Catchers Camp DVD. This DVD teaches YOU how to teach your catchers the best, safest, fastest way to play the position. You can find it here The New England Catching Camp - Online Store.

For high level throwing: Austin Wasserman's ebook High Level Throwing E-Book

It is an ebook with video attachments.

For pitching: DFP I/R in the classroom thread. Make sure you read through this and digest the content several times. Go out and try it yourself and then read it several more times. Then watch FPTV Bill Hillhouse's pitching clinic in all 4 parts. Go back and read the thread several more times. As far as DVD's go: Bill Hillhouse's DVD series found here: Softball Pitching DVD Video Series and Rick Pauly's DVD: Pitching/Hitting Videos & Products

For Hitting: GotBustos.com DVD. Sorry, the sites down at present so I can't provide a link. Also, Bob Tewksbury ebook: eBook Downloads

You have Kobata's DVD series for fielding so you're good there.

As far as coaching strategies, etc. others will give you good suggestions on DVD's/books. As far as the fundamentals go, you will find no better resources than the links I have provided IMO as well as many others on here. Good Luck to you and your team!

This is a clinic that is put on every year in Atlanta. Very reasonable price. Note that the site has not been updated for 2015, but should be coming soon.
Speakers

YOCOACH said:

For catchers, the best, and considered the Gold standard of catching is the New England Catchers Camp DVD. This DVD teaches YOU how to teach your catchers the best, safest, fastest way to play the position. You can find it here The New England Catching Camp - Online Store.

For high level throwing: Austin Wasserman's ebook High Level Throwing E-Book

It is an ebook with video attachments.

For pitching: DFP I/R in the classroom thread. Make sure you read through this and digest the content several times. Go out and try it yourself and then read it several more times. Then watch FPTV Bill Hillhouse's pitching clinic in all 4 parts. Go back and read the thread several more times. As far as DVD's go: Bill Hillhouse's DVD series found here: Softball Pitching DVD Video Series and Rick Pauly's DVD: Pitching/Hitting Videos & Products

For Hitting: GotBustos.com DVD. Sorry, the sites down at present so I can't provide a link. Also, Bob Tewksbury ebook: eBook Downloads

You have Kobata's DVD series for fielding so you're good there.

As far as coaching strategies, etc. others will give you good suggestions on DVD's/books. As far as the fundamentals go, you will find no better resources than the links I have provided as far as I'm concerned as well as many others on here. Good Luck to you and your team!

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Great suggestions. Neglected to mention that I do have the NECC product, and it is excellent. The Tewksbury site looks awesome, and will be one of my first purchases, along with Wasserman. These are new to me, and I can't wait to get into them. Began reading the I/R thread you recommend, and it really has my mind working. That will take some long (and happy) hours to get through. DD's PC is a big Hillhouse fan, so this is reassuring. Have enjoyed the PFTV Hillhouse videos.

Thanks, too, for the extra work of putting in the links. Much appreciated.

Yellowjacket said:

This is a clinic that is put on every year in Atlanta. Very reasonable price. Note that the site has not been updated for 2015, but should be coming soon.
Speakers

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Thanks. I've bookmarked the page and will track for the upcoming year.

I'm new but got a lot, mostly from inexperience from the bill hillhouse building the house, breaks down the basics, that I was teaching wrong. however I have less than 2 years around fastpitch. the Calderas series is expensive but a purchase I've wanted very badly what's your take on it jacman?

Zoomy, I like the Caldrea defense vids. Helpful to me, but not my favorites. I like Kobata more, and I like Earleywine (HC at Mizzou, from championshipproductions.com). Not so much a fan of Caldrea on hitting. Just got into tewkshitting.com Saturday (as recommended elsewhere); very early impression is good. Next for me, I think is the Gasso set (HC Oklahoma).