How can I raise my softball IQ on fundamentals 20 points in the next week?

[Tazman]

Hi All,

Despite my persistent and earnest reluctance to coach since my stint in 8U, I've been commandeered to assistant coach a 14U "select" (Think B travel) team to due a shortage of other unqualified and willing dads. Fortunately the head coach is an ace.

I played 14 years of baseball and have watched my daughters for about 8 years now, but I'm realizing how little I know about some basic fundamentals and how prone I am to teach what I was taught rather than what is correct. Can anyone recommend a good set of videos for me to cram on for the next couple weeks so I can fulfill my Hippocratic softball oath and do more good than harm? I'm especially interested in fundamentals.

Taz

 

[Gags]

Kai Correa infield drills. A few are ABCA videos, another is from last year put out by the Giants.

For 1B work - Kai also had a video of him working with the Giants 1B’men. Also look up Bobby Dickerson from the Orioles - great video on 1B play, and one of him working with 3B on tags and SS on drop steps.

There’s a four hour video of a Nate Trosky IF camp - I think it covers two days from one of his weekend camps. Sounds insane to watch hours of kids taking ground balls - but he’s a great speaker.

NFCA puts out Tip Tuesday videos of about a minute or two each on different drills or practice games college and HS softball coaches are using.

Art of Coaching has some good softball videos. And while some can be dated, there’s some surprisingly good content from “Championship Productions” on YouTube. (I know nothing about the company - I’m trying to say that in MY experience, videos from anyone that were made around 2015 or earlier, are questionable in regards to whether it’s really a best practice / methodology.

Matt Antonelli has great offensive and defensive content.

A lot of the above was made for a baseball audience, but even during the hours-long Trosky video, there’s little that won’t transfer to the softball diamond.

ETA: Austin Wasserman - High Level Throwing

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[chinamigarden]

Read the rule book. You might be the only person at a game to have actually done so.

 

[radness]

Hi All,

Despite my persistent and earnest reluctance to coach since my stint in 8U, I've been commandeered to assistant coach a 14U "select" (Think B travel) team to due a shortage of other unqualified and willing dads. Fortunately the head coach is an ace.

I played 14 years of baseball and have watched my daughters for about 8 years now, but I'm realizing how little I know about some basic fundamentals and how prone I am to teach what I was taught rather than what is correct. Can anyone recommend a good set of videos for me to cram on for the next couple weeks so I can fulfill my Hippocratic softball oath and do more good than harm? I'm especially interested in fundamentals.

Taz

What does it mean
'the head coach is an ace?'

Applaud your approach to wanting to learn more!

 

[Tazman]

What does it mean
'the head coach is an ace?'

Applaud your approach to wanting to learn more!

He knows his stuff. Former college player, life long student of the game who knows fundamentals down to very intricate levels.

 

[monte38]

Pay for an $80 membership to NFCA (or ask the team to pay for it for you). They have really helpful information on their site for members.

 

[uncdrew]

Honestly...

About 80-90% of head coaches i know simply want the assistant coach to do what they say. "Please hit them grounders." "Please stand here and catch balls and put them in the bucket." At practice most head coaches I have witnessed use assistant coaches as warm bodies. And that's fine, if that's the understanding. They are head coach. Ask the head coach if you have a question.

These head coaches probably aren't looking for you to come up with drills or correct players. They might know you're not in a position to give much advice so they'll happily give it.

So that's practice.

In games, you're a bit on your own if you're coaching a base. You might want to brush up on that part of coaching.


What type of head coach do you have? They want you to be proactive and run the practice or sit back and help?

 

[Tazman]

Honestly...

About 80-90% of head coaches i know simply want the assistant coach to do what they say. "Please hit them grounders." "Please stand here and catch balls and put them in the bucket." At practice most head coaches I have witnessed use assistant coaches as warm bodies. And that's fine, if that's the understanding. They are head coach. Ask the head coach if you have a question.

These head coaches probably aren't looking for you to come up with drills or correct players. They might know you're not in a position to give much advice so they'll happily give it.

So that's practice.

In games, you're a bit on your own if you're coaching a base. You might want to brush up on that part of coaching.


What type of head coach do you have? They want you to be proactive and run the practice or sit back and help?

Mostly sit back and help where needed but be able to correct and reinforce what is taught. Sometimes run stations with some independent coaching there. Be aware to coach bases beyond just stop/go.

 

[uncdrew]

Mostly sit back and help where needed but be able to correct and reinforce what is taught. Sometimes run stations with some independent coaching there. Be aware to coach bases beyond just stop/go.

Gotcha, sounds fun.

Probably best to over-communicate with the coach and make sure you know what's needed ahead of time. But I'm guessing it will go well.

 

[Tazman]

Pay for an $80 membership to NFCA (or ask the team to pay for it for you). They have really helpful information on their site for members.

Done