Hey everyone,
Check out this new post about coaching softball drills. I'm sure you'll really like it:
In softball, a coach cannot afford to underestimate the other team; they can only prepare their own team to be the best. As a coach, it’s important to set the standards for your team. Along with setting an example of the right attitude, you are responsible to make sure that the players’ skills and overall game improve over time. Therefore, teaching softball drills should always be a vital part of practice.
The most effective way for teaching softball drills is through hands-on demonstrations. For example, it’s obviously necessary to teach softball players the correct batting stance. While they’ll learn from your example, it is more valuable if you show them the way and then allow each member of the team to try it themselves. After you show them the ropes, allow them to use what you have taught to try hitting the ball themselves. As the coach, you should assess the placement of their feet, their knees, their hips, their shoulders and their eyes. Following that, you will know what the team needs to work on when it comes to batting stance and hitting the ball.
Videos are useful to give the team a visual of different strategies and skills. However, videos are even more effective if the team is interactive while it’s playing. For example, the team can watch the video of a pro-game. You can show them part of an inning and then ask them to explain the different plays that they could execute. Therefore, you can make sure that they know the best actions to take in different situations. Teaching softball drills like this gives the team a chance to think logically and work out different strategies in their heads.
Another classic method for teaching softball drills is using a chalkboard, dry-erase board, or poster to work out different plays. This is one of the most important ways to coach the team because it gives you the chance to explain the ins and outs of different plays. Plus, during this time you can assign different players to practice different positions. Drawing out different plays is also an important part of tracking the improvement of the team. Having records of each play allows you to mark the ones that the team has mastered and to mark the ones that the team still needs to work on.
Teaching softball drills is one of the most vital tasks of a coach. All of the different drill methods are necessary to master the entire softball game. Using a variety of ways of teaching ensures not only that the team will perform well but they will know exactly what they are doing and why they are doing it. It’s important to remember that the quality of your coaching directly affects the quality of your team.
Becky Wittenburg is a softball coach, softball blogger, and author. If your looking for more tips on teaching softball drills, please visit her softball drills library here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Becky_Wittenburg
Also, check out this great site for highly effective softball drills to use:
www.baseball-softballtips.com
Monday, September 15, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Funny Softball Cheers
Check out this really great article I recently read:
Funny softball cheers can be heard at many local softball parks where young girls enjoy themselves with coming up with new and creative cheers for their teammates and their team. Many times these funny softball cheers will even get thrown at the opposition's players to try and throw them off their game. Most of the time however, they are used to cheer teammates and boost the team spirit.
Softball cheers are one key part in softball that gives the sport its proper image and culture. These cheers that can always be heard during a game are what make softball so fun to be a part of. Many sports don't have players yelling out these types of cheers from their bench but softball does. As a result, the game has a whole different atmosphere with these softball cheers being used than other sports.
Some funny softball cheers that are using during a girls' fastpitch softball game is:
* Way to hang, way to hang way to do your thing sista sista.
* R-I-P-I-T, rip it for me baby, rip it (clap 4 times), (repeat)
* she stole on you (team repeat) while you were flippin your hair she was already there yeah she stole on you!
These funny softball cheers are something that baseball players would never consider using in their sport. Baseball players have a unwritten code on how to play the game and the cheers used in softball do not fit their code. They feel it is not manly enough and just a disgrace to America's pastime.
Softball players do not look at their "funny softball cheers" as a disgrace to the sport they love. Instead is another part that makes their fun game even more fun to play. It is another reason why softball players enjoy their game so much and what makes softball such a joy for everyone involved.
Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at http://www.softballperformance.com/blog
He also helps softball players and coaches improves their game by sharing with them the tips and strategies used by the world's best softball players and coaches to achieve extraordinary performances. You can sign-up to get his FREE Softball Tips at http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html Go Sign-up Now!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_Dagenais
Also check out this great site for top drills:
Softball Drills To Use
Funny softball cheers can be heard at many local softball parks where young girls enjoy themselves with coming up with new and creative cheers for their teammates and their team. Many times these funny softball cheers will even get thrown at the opposition's players to try and throw them off their game. Most of the time however, they are used to cheer teammates and boost the team spirit.
Softball cheers are one key part in softball that gives the sport its proper image and culture. These cheers that can always be heard during a game are what make softball so fun to be a part of. Many sports don't have players yelling out these types of cheers from their bench but softball does. As a result, the game has a whole different atmosphere with these softball cheers being used than other sports.
Some funny softball cheers that are using during a girls' fastpitch softball game is:
* Way to hang, way to hang way to do your thing sista sista.
* R-I-P-I-T, rip it for me baby, rip it (clap 4 times), (repeat)
* she stole on you (team repeat) while you were flippin your hair she was already there yeah she stole on you!
These funny softball cheers are something that baseball players would never consider using in their sport. Baseball players have a unwritten code on how to play the game and the cheers used in softball do not fit their code. They feel it is not manly enough and just a disgrace to America's pastime.
Softball players do not look at their "funny softball cheers" as a disgrace to the sport they love. Instead is another part that makes their fun game even more fun to play. It is another reason why softball players enjoy their game so much and what makes softball such a joy for everyone involved.
Marc Dagenais is a softball peak performance coach that provides softball tips, softball drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his blog at http://www.softballperformance.com/blog
He also helps softball players and coaches improves their game by sharing with them the tips and strategies used by the world's best softball players and coaches to achieve extraordinary performances. You can sign-up to get his FREE Softball Tips at http://www.softballperformance.com/softball-tips.html Go Sign-up Now!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_Dagenais
Also check out this great site for top drills:
Softball Drills To Use
Top Softball Drills
I thought I would share this article. This is so important for coaches:
Too often in any sport, a coach will have his/her team go through drills without paying attention to what the players are doing. This happens in softball too. Drills are not any good if a coach doesn’t watch what’s happening and correct the mistakes. All drills require coaching. The three broad categories for softball coaching drills are hitting, throwing, and fielding.
Softball Coaching Drills for Hitting
Anytime players are practicing hitting the ball, a coach should be looking to make sure the player isn’t doing anything that will make it difficult to hit the ball.
For example, hitters want to keep their back foot planted firmly at all times. The front foot on hitters should stride straight at the pitcher. Stepping away from the plate is called “stepping into the bucket” and should be corrected by a coach. Also, a coach should make sure the players don’t pull their head (and eyes) off the ball while they’re swinging.
A few other things a coach should look at are the position of the hands before, during, and after a swing, the position of the back elbow before the swing, and how tightly a player grips the bat.
Softball Coaching Drills for Throwing
Players should be required to practice a variety of softball coaching drills that test a player’s ability to throw strong and accurately from a many different distances. While the players are throwing, the coach should be looking at the thrower’s feet, arms, and upper body. Improper footwork, upper body rotation, and/or arm movement can (and most likely will) result in inaccurate and/or weak throws.
Coaches need to make sure a player’s feet are moving toward the target, the upper body should swivel away from and then to and through the target, and both arms should come-up, the front elbow should point toward the target, and then fall away as the throwing arm comes through.
Softball Coaching Drills for Fielding
When fielding the ball, the main thing a player wants to do is keep the ball in front of him/her. This is done by a player moving to be completely in front of a ball and keeping his/her shoulders square to the ball. This is so important that every softball coaching drill should require a player to do this.
Coaches all need to make sure players slide their feet to get in front of the ball, that players bend at the knees to field the ball, and that the players scoop the ball with two hands and cradle it into their body.
Getting the Most of Softball Drills
In order for softball drills to be effective, coaches need to watch players perform the softball drills and then correct players’ mistakes. The three broad categories of softball coaching drills are hitting, throwing, and fielding. There are very specific things that every coach should look for while players are practicing softball drills.
Coach Becky has been coaching softball for well over a decade. She's constantly on the lookout for new softball coaching drills You can get instant access to a sample of her softball practice plans by visiting her website:
SoftballSpot.com
For a limited time, all coaches who visit Becky's site will also get a free copy of her special report: "The 7 Biggest Mistakes Softball Coaches Make". Go get your free copy today!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Becky_Wittenburg
Also, check out this great site that shares some important drills for softball:
Great Drills To Use
Too often in any sport, a coach will have his/her team go through drills without paying attention to what the players are doing. This happens in softball too. Drills are not any good if a coach doesn’t watch what’s happening and correct the mistakes. All drills require coaching. The three broad categories for softball coaching drills are hitting, throwing, and fielding.
Softball Coaching Drills for Hitting
Anytime players are practicing hitting the ball, a coach should be looking to make sure the player isn’t doing anything that will make it difficult to hit the ball.
For example, hitters want to keep their back foot planted firmly at all times. The front foot on hitters should stride straight at the pitcher. Stepping away from the plate is called “stepping into the bucket” and should be corrected by a coach. Also, a coach should make sure the players don’t pull their head (and eyes) off the ball while they’re swinging.
A few other things a coach should look at are the position of the hands before, during, and after a swing, the position of the back elbow before the swing, and how tightly a player grips the bat.
Softball Coaching Drills for Throwing
Players should be required to practice a variety of softball coaching drills that test a player’s ability to throw strong and accurately from a many different distances. While the players are throwing, the coach should be looking at the thrower’s feet, arms, and upper body. Improper footwork, upper body rotation, and/or arm movement can (and most likely will) result in inaccurate and/or weak throws.
Coaches need to make sure a player’s feet are moving toward the target, the upper body should swivel away from and then to and through the target, and both arms should come-up, the front elbow should point toward the target, and then fall away as the throwing arm comes through.
Softball Coaching Drills for Fielding
When fielding the ball, the main thing a player wants to do is keep the ball in front of him/her. This is done by a player moving to be completely in front of a ball and keeping his/her shoulders square to the ball. This is so important that every softball coaching drill should require a player to do this.
Coaches all need to make sure players slide their feet to get in front of the ball, that players bend at the knees to field the ball, and that the players scoop the ball with two hands and cradle it into their body.
Getting the Most of Softball Drills
In order for softball drills to be effective, coaches need to watch players perform the softball drills and then correct players’ mistakes. The three broad categories of softball coaching drills are hitting, throwing, and fielding. There are very specific things that every coach should look for while players are practicing softball drills.
Coach Becky has been coaching softball for well over a decade. She's constantly on the lookout for new softball coaching drills You can get instant access to a sample of her softball practice plans by visiting her website:
SoftballSpot.com
For a limited time, all coaches who visit Becky's site will also get a free copy of her special report: "The 7 Biggest Mistakes Softball Coaches Make". Go get your free copy today!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Becky_Wittenburg
Also, check out this great site that shares some important drills for softball:
Great Drills To Use
Sunday, April 1, 2007
How Small Frisbee Discs Can Explode Any Player's Hitting Ability!
Coach Joe Magno here from Mister Baseball training:
Did you know that Frisbees will improve anyone’s Hitting?
It’s true, when you throw a Frisbee properly, you reinforce the proper way to swing a bat.
How is this? Well, when you throw a Frisbee, you promote a “V” in your front/lead arm exactly like when you swing a bat.
When you throw a Frisbee, your arm angle of your hand also equals the same arm angle of the bat going up when you swing like this.
When you throw a Frisbee properly, you also come up on your toes and shift your weight.
This exactly simulates swinging a bat correctly. If coaches and/or parents have their players work on this each week for 20-30 minutes or more, they will then get the propler feeling of how to swing correctly, not to mention how to properly shift their weight. It's definitely worth the time to practice this.
Therefore, by practicing throwing Frisbees, your son, Daughter, or player(s)learn to:
-throw their hands through the ball as they should
-swing through the plane of the ball
-come up on their toes and shift weight properly
If you go to www.powerbatting.com, you will see how this batting tool continually reinforces this EXACT type of swing to help your child get more quality base hits every time.
Technorati Profile
Did you know that Frisbees will improve anyone’s Hitting?
It’s true, when you throw a Frisbee properly, you reinforce the proper way to swing a bat.
How is this? Well, when you throw a Frisbee, you promote a “V” in your front/lead arm exactly like when you swing a bat.
When you throw a Frisbee, your arm angle of your hand also equals the same arm angle of the bat going up when you swing like this.
When you throw a Frisbee properly, you also come up on your toes and shift your weight.
This exactly simulates swinging a bat correctly. If coaches and/or parents have their players work on this each week for 20-30 minutes or more, they will then get the propler feeling of how to swing correctly, not to mention how to properly shift their weight. It's definitely worth the time to practice this.
Therefore, by practicing throwing Frisbees, your son, Daughter, or player(s)learn to:
-throw their hands through the ball as they should
-swing through the plane of the ball
-come up on their toes and shift weight properly
If you go to www.powerbatting.com, you will see how this batting tool continually reinforces this EXACT type of swing to help your child get more quality base hits every time.
Technorati Profile
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Sunday, March 11, 2007
Fast Pitch Softball Tip #7: Avoid Having Your Back Elbow Up During Batting Drills - This Can Really Shortchange Your Hits In Games
Hi everyone.
I hope you all are having a great week so far.
I’ve been busy running some of weekend softball camps lately, but not too busy to share with you some softball drills and strategies that really prove effective for your teams out there.
Well, Here’s my tip of the day:
Does your child /player(s) “CHICKEN WING” their back elbow when holding the bat?
Please try to get her to not do this!
Did you know that holding a bat with your back elbow up—commonly called “chicken wing”, can work against your child/player(s) success when it comes to hitting?
When your child or player(s) does this, it can really slow down their swing a little bit so they won't hit as hard and far as they can.
You see, there’s a lot of players in softball that are taught techniques or practice drills that really have been proven to be ineffective.
This is one of them. Unfortunately, many softball coaches—especially youth coaches that were either taught this when they were playing ball or followed the advice of others teach this incorrect way to their players or kids.
When players keep their back elbow up, they have a harder time of gripping the bat with their knuckles aligned properly. You see, it is crucial that players grip the bat with their 'knocking' knuckles (the knuckles they use to knock on a door) LINED UP.
If they don't do this, each of their wrists are not bending together 'in sync'.
And if one wrist is bent one way, and another wrist is bending slightly another way, what will happen is that their wrists will "fight" against each other, causing a slower swing--and yes, a shorter hit.
Yet when their 'knocking knuckles' of both hands are lined up when they grip the bat, both wrists will be working perfectly together so they can maximize his or her bat speed, so that when they make contact, the ball will be hit harder.
To see a close up photo of this correct grip, go to http://www.powerbatting.com/ in the middle of the page.
You will see from this photo how to have your knuckles lined up properly to add more feet to your hits.Please keep this in mind the next time your child/player(s) takes batting practice.Stay tuned for more upcoming tips, drills, and strategies, or go to http://www.baseball-softballdrills.com/ to learn more about innovative strategies that can make any player into an all-star.
I hope you all are having a great week so far.
I’ve been busy running some of weekend softball camps lately, but not too busy to share with you some softball drills and strategies that really prove effective for your teams out there.
Well, Here’s my tip of the day:
Does your child /player(s) “CHICKEN WING” their back elbow when holding the bat?
Please try to get her to not do this!
Did you know that holding a bat with your back elbow up—commonly called “chicken wing”, can work against your child/player(s) success when it comes to hitting?
When your child or player(s) does this, it can really slow down their swing a little bit so they won't hit as hard and far as they can.
You see, there’s a lot of players in softball that are taught techniques or practice drills that really have been proven to be ineffective.
This is one of them. Unfortunately, many softball coaches—especially youth coaches that were either taught this when they were playing ball or followed the advice of others teach this incorrect way to their players or kids.
When players keep their back elbow up, they have a harder time of gripping the bat with their knuckles aligned properly. You see, it is crucial that players grip the bat with their 'knocking' knuckles (the knuckles they use to knock on a door) LINED UP.
If they don't do this, each of their wrists are not bending together 'in sync'.
And if one wrist is bent one way, and another wrist is bending slightly another way, what will happen is that their wrists will "fight" against each other, causing a slower swing--and yes, a shorter hit.
Yet when their 'knocking knuckles' of both hands are lined up when they grip the bat, both wrists will be working perfectly together so they can maximize his or her bat speed, so that when they make contact, the ball will be hit harder.
To see a close up photo of this correct grip, go to http://www.powerbatting.com/ in the middle of the page.
You will see from this photo how to have your knuckles lined up properly to add more feet to your hits.Please keep this in mind the next time your child/player(s) takes batting practice.Stay tuned for more upcoming tips, drills, and strategies, or go to http://www.baseball-softballdrills.com/ to learn more about innovative strategies that can make any player into an all-star.
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