Baseball Fielding Drills

Baseball Fielding Drills
Posted on YouTube by CoachBuford

Visit http://www.BaseballTutorials.com to see more online baseball coaching videos.

In this edition, we review some baseball and softball fielding drills you can use with your teams.

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Coaching Youth Sports - How To Motivate Your Players

Coaching Youth Sports - How To Motivate Your Players
By guest author: Adrian F Alexa

As a basketball coach, your coaching philosophy should concentrate, first of all, on motivating your players, creating a stress free environment and making practice sessions fun and stimulating. A coaching philosophy is not about setting the highest standards possible and then exhaust the children towards meeting your expectations. It is a bout setting reasonable standards and expectations for you and your team.

Especially when you are working with children, it is very important to motivate them. Your expectations should always be according to the age group you are coaching, and you must constantly encourage each and every player on your team. I'm not saying that you shouldn't have any expectations, but just don't overdo it. Some kids may be motivated by tough challenges, such as sinking 10 free throws in a row, but for others this kind of challenge may put too much pressure on them. If they feel they can't face the challenge and live up to your expectations, they may lose their motivation to participate.

As a coach, you must take the time to get to know each player, because each of them will react differently to certain stimuli. By getting to know your players, you will be able to determine which motivational tactics work best for each player. However, there are some general cues to motivate your team:

Let them see your enthusiasm and your passion for basketball, as well as your satisfaction as a teacher. Remember that when you are working with children, you are not just their coach, but you will be a role model to them. Your excitement and enthusiasm will inspire them and they will see the beauty of the game, and learn to enjoy it. Read more.

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How to Choose a Youth Baseball Bat

How to Choose a Youth Baseball Bat
By guest author: Jacob Stipsky

Choosing a baseball bat can be quite a difficult task with all the options out there. I've been a baseball coach for many years and in the recent years, I've noticed that the "golfer" syndrome has been present in baseball.

Many golfers don't get to work on their game as much as they like, so they believe by purchasing the best technology in golf clubs, that their game will automatically improve. There are the super fiber shafts, or over sized heads that cost hundreds for each club.

Unfortunately, youth baseball players have caught on to this syndrome. The technology can definitely help, but it's not the answer. Players have become too used to relying on technology and it gives them an excuse to become lazy and they forget the real way - practice, practice and practice! In the early 90s there were several studies that said lighter is better for baseball bats. Following these studies, it's been impossible to find a bat with a differential smaller than -8 when shopping for youth bats.

These studies have completely ignored the kinesiology of the body. They simply just focused on the bat and the ball. I read a great example that discusses how it is not a linear relationship. If a batter uses a 20 oz baseball bat, then switches to a 19 oz bat, does not mean they'll swing 5% faster! The batter is also losing 5% in mass and they won't be able to swing hard enough to make up for the loss.

In all my years of coaching, I rarely notice a difference in the bats used. There's maybe a 5% difference between the old and new bats. The difference between bats that are 1-2 years apart is such a small fraction of a difference. Read more.

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Youth Baseball Catching Clinic

Youth Baseball Catching Clinic
ClubHouseGas
On http://ClubHouseGAS.com , noted baseball instructor Russ Dickerson talks about catching. Also check-out http://YouthSportTravel.com.

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59 Minute Baseball Practice

59 Minute Baseball Practice
LNersesian
The Youth Sports Club is a leading producer of sports instructional videos and DVDs. "The 59 Minute Baseball Practice" has been called "the bible of baseball instructional tools." This superb instructional video, available on DVD, contains over 30 easy to follow drills, including hitting drills, pitching drills, first and third strategies, and base running drills. For more information on how to purchase any of these titles, visit: www.youthsportsclub.com

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Hurricane Baseball Batting Trainer at Baseball2u.com

Hurricane Baseball Batting Trainer at Baseball2u.com
Coach2winVideos
The Hurricane Batting Machine is one of the most popular baseball trainers on the maket today. This amazing new breakthrough in hitting training technology makes backyard batting practice more convient and productive. Endorsed by Derek Jeter, the CAT 4 hitting machine, has high and speed adjustments for all ages. The unique design of the machine allows the ball to react like a real baseball on bat contact. Give the batter instant feedback to speed quality. Large circle of ball travel simulates real live pitching. Availabe at http://www.baseball2u.com/husotrmajes... Visit the Hurricane Machine Training Blog at http://hurricanebaseballtrainingmachi... for free tips, drills and coaching information. www.HurricaneMachine.com

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Youth Baseball Drills: Throw with Crow Hop

Youth Baseball Drills: Throw with Crow Hop
playsportstv
PlaySportsTV http://www.playsportstv.com/trainingp... presents former major leaguer and current Princeton Univ. head coach Scott Bradley with a great youth baseball fielding and throwing drill. For over 80 more baseball drills and tips, developed specifically for 5- to 12-year-old players, visit PlaySportsTV.com.

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Baseball Coaching Tips - Swing, Drive, Stroke

Baseball Coaching Tips - Swing, Drive, Stroke
By guest author: Joe Brockoff

Swing, one of the most common phrases heard on baseball fields around the world. And we hear it in both negative and positive ways. Coaches, dismayed by a batter who takes a swing at every pitched ball, shout "Swing at the good ones" to players frustrated by their lack of ability to make contact with the ball. What do they hear in response? "I don't know when to swing."

Here's how coaches can help young baseball players improve contact with the ball. Visualize a bat swinging. The club head is moving and arching as it approaches the ball for contact. This is what most people visualize when they think about "swinging." However, swinging is just not a good idea. It doesn't allow for the hitter to have the best chance for maximum contact. Even the word swing, gives the impression that the bat makes a long arc as it goes to the ball.

Introducing the Drive. First, eliminate all references to a swing from batting practices. Instead, teach youth or older baseball players to drive the bat in a straight line to make contact.

In other words, we don't swing the bat to hit the ball-we DRIVE the bat to the ball in a straight line to get contact. We make contact, and then the bat swings! The bat should not arc until after contact. So a batter doesn't swing the bat, he STROKES it.

The hitter who uses this stroke sends the bat in a straight line to connect with the ball, which produces better contact and distance. This is what we call the "pro stroke.".

Hi. I'm Coach Joe Brockoff, a Division I Head Baseball Coach for Tulane University for more than 19 years, and former minor league player for the New York Yankees. Over the years, I've taught thousands of baseball players how to increase batting speed and improve their overall performance on the field. In fact, my proven training system has sent 45 baseball players to the pros. I hope you'll visit my web site, the Super 8 Baseball Hitting System at http://www.learnbaseballhitting.com to watch some of my free instructional videos.

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Coaching Baseball - Bunting - How to Execute the Sacrifice Bunt

Coaching Baseball - Bunting - How to Execute the Sacrifice Bunt
By guest author: Nick Dixon

Bunting is a skill that must be learned and practiced on a regular basis. It is often one of the most neglected aspects of a team's offensive strategy. There are various techniques of bunting and each should be taught and practiced.

Two kinds of sacrifice bunts are common, the square around and the pivot bunts get their names from the footwork used for each. For a square around bunt the batter will square the feet around when the pitcher begins his motion. It is better to square too early than too late. Squaring late often cause the ball to be contacted poorly or popped up. For a pivot bunt both feet pivot and the batter turns his shoulders square to the pitcher without moving stepping his feet. Both feet pivot on the balls of the feet. Using a pivot bunt allows the batter to show bunt a bit later and it allows the bunter to pivot back if the pitch is not a strike or inside. The pivot bunt is becoming the choice sacrifice bunt technique of most teams. Read More.

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Used By Over 1,200 High Schools and Colleges!

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ClubHouseGas
On http://ClubHouseGAS.com , noted baseball instructor Russ Dickerson talks about catching. Also check-out http://YouthSportTravel.com.

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The Professional Youth Baseball Coach

The Professional Youth Baseball Coach
By guest author: Andy Pohl

Coaching is not just about winning games. In fact, winning is a very small component to the job. Successful coaches help athletes master new skills, enjoy competition with others, and develop a team first attitude. They are not only well versed in the techniques and skills of their sport, but they also understand how to effectively teach those skills through age appropriate practice regimens and skill building drills. The ability to apply and communicate life lessons learned from sports participation is also of extreme importance.

The influence coaches have on young adults is far too great to believe that the utilization of volunteer coaches diminishes the professional responsibilities for effectively executing the mission. In fact, any youth league organization that does not coordinate a mandatory coaching certification course for all volunteer coaches is doing a tremendous disservice to their community. Ultimately, the amount of accessible educational coaching materials and resources is far too great for anyone to make excuses for volunteer coaches who inadequately carry out their duties and responsibilities.

I like to term the coach who responsibly performs their various roles and obligations as a 'professional coach.' Anyone can be a 'professional coach,' even the dad who coaches his son's five year old T-Ball Team. The Professional Coach is one who understands that the physical, emotional, social, and psychological development of their athletes takes precedence over winning. They are individuals of sound moral character who understand the true meaning of integrity. They are organized, disciplined, focused, and value driven decision makers. The Professional Coach has a solid understanding of sport science, sport management, risk management, nutrition, and sport specific techniques and tactics. The Professional Coach always seeks to better him/herself by attending coaching conferences, reading books and professional journals, or exchanging ideas with peers and mentors. In addition, the Professional Coach has superior communication skills and understands the psychology behind reinforcement, motivation, and how young people learn.

Now that we have described what a Professional Coach is, let's examine what a Professional Coach is not:

o The Win-at-all-Costs Coach: Coaches who adopt this style care more about their win-loss record and personal ego than the development of their athletes. They will use every tactic imaginable to give them a competitive edge, even if these tactics are unsportsmanlike and dishonest.

o The Me Coach: Coaches who adopt this philosophy are more focused on 'me' than 'we.' For example, they may say, "I need you to play flawless today," or "I need you to work hard for me today." In order to build a team concept, this coach should be saying, "We (or the team) need you to play flawless today," or "We need you to work hard for the good of the group today."

o The Want to be Popular Coach: Coaches who adopt this style make few decisions as possible. They do not hold their players accountable, nor do they demand excellence from their athletes. The Want to be Popular Coach focuses more on having fun and giving meaningless praise and extrinsic reward than challenging the team to meet high standards and expectations. The Want to be Popular Coach provides minimal guidance and instruction, and cares more about being liked than doing the job right.

If you are thinking of being a volunteer coach, please take your responsibilities seriously. Understand that coaches at all levels of competition have the power to make a significant, life long impact on the lives of young adults.

Andy Pohl - Co-Founder, DNA Sports

DNA Sports specializes in personalized baseball and softball skill programs, college recruiting education and preparation, and coaching clinics. Learn more: http://www.dnasportsonline.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Pohl

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10 Ways to Maintain a Good Parent-Coach Relationship

10 Ways to Maintain a Good Parent-Coach Relationship in Youth Sports
By Guest Author Jack Perconte

Most negative experiences in athletics involve tension between coaches and parents of athletes. Most of the time, kids are very content with playing, having fun and being around their friends. Usually, players become discontented only after mom or dad have started grumbling about the way the coach is treating their child with playing time or position played. Once a parent has put this negative attitude in the player's mind they become a "grumbling" player towards the coach. This unhappy attitude can be prevented if parents and coaches develop a good relationship, especially at the beginning of the season. Here is how:

Suggestions for coaches to develop a successful parent-coach relationship:

1. Give team parents background information about all the coaches, especially about playing and/or coaching experience related to the game. (This should not have to be mentioned but honesty about backgrounds is paramount to developing trust.)

2. Express philosophy of coaching. The three ultimate objectives are winning, player development and fun. Specifically state where coaches stand on these three objectives. I suggest a 30, 30, 30 split on these objectives and applying the remaining 10 percent for the area most needed. This 10 percent will be determined by the competitiveness of the team and the league.

3. Explain team goals and individual player expectations for the upcoming season. I believe it is alright to play to win even at younger levels, as long as it is kept in perspective. Remember, developing skills and having fun are always an objective. Having to deal with winning and losing will create many teaching moments that will be important for kids to learn.

4. Discuss philosophy about playing time and positions played. For example, will players have to earn their position on the field or will coaches rotate players equally? Give parents a chance to ask questions, and make sure answers are clearly understood. Be sure to recognize and discuss the objectives of the league and level at which the team is playing.

5. Listen and discuss the parent's objectives for their own kids. Parents who have obvious differences in objectives than the coaches may have to look for another team for their kid if they cannot come to an understanding.

6. Discuss when and how coaches can be approached during the season so there are no public confrontations. Set up a system where discussions are held away from the players, other parents and the crowds. There will be issues that arise from time to time, but letting parents know that disagreements will be handled in a civil way, away from the players, is crucial.

7. Discuss coaching policies when players miss practices or games, so everybody is treated the same and all are clear about the policy.

8. Effective communication is the key to averting problems - make sure parents inform their kids about the coaches' philosophies.

9. As mentioned, troubles begin when parents start to grumble at home to the players about the coach. Insisting that parents approach coaches before getting upset and expressing that displeasure at home is essential to keeping players from becoming unhappy about their coach.

10. Most issues arise because parents do not feel the coach is being fair. It is important that coaches fulfill his or her philosophy that was initially expressed. Changing philosophy in the middle of the season will create problems. If a coach feels a philosophy change is totally necessary, they must discuss possible change with all parents first.

Finally, coaches should be role models and teachers to their players. It is easier to help players develop their skills and enjoy the game when the parents understand the reasoning behind the coaches' philosophies.

Former major league baseball player, Jack Perconte gives baseball hitting tips and batting practice advice for ballplayers of all ages. His baseball hitting lessons advice can be found at http://www.baseballhittinglessons.com/baseball Jack is the author of two books, The Making of a Hitter and Raising an Athlete - his parenting blog can be found at http://positiveparentinginsports.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Perconte

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