Youth Baseball Coaching Clinic

Youth Baseball Coaching Clinic Official Blog

Friday, July 15, 2011

Recommended Baseball DVDs and Baseball Books

Baseball2u.com - Has the Baseball Coaching and Baseball Practice Books and DVDs that help coaches take their team to the next level. Check out the baseball coaching titles below found at the Baseball2u Online Book Store

Book: "The Baseball Playbook"
by Ron Polk$29.95
Book: "The Baseball Handbook"
by Bernie Walter $19.95
DVD: "Hitting Drills & Techniques" by Marty Schupak $24.95
Book - Mike Epstein on Hitting $24.95
DVD - The Mechanics of Hitting by Tony Dello $39.95
Book - 101 Championship Baseball Drills
by Glenn Cecchini $19.95
DVD Series - 6 Tape DVD Series:
"Ron Jackson's Hitting Factory" $199.99
DVD - Teaching the Mechanics of
the Major League Swing II
with Tom Emanski $29.95
Book - The Natural Hitter's Drill
Handbook-Vol 2: 101 Advanced
Hitting Drills by Luis Ortiz$19.95
6 DVD Series: Hitting For Excellence
by Dave Hudgens
Cleveland Indians Hitting Coordinator $99.95
A Youth Baseball Coaches Tool Kit $19.95
Book - Youth Baseball: A Coach's and Parent's Guide $19.95
Book: "Baseball Strategies"
with the American Baseball
Coaches Association by Wendell Kim $24.95
DVD: "Winning Baseball Strategies"
by Coach Marty Schupak $24.95
DVD: Baseball World's Dynamic
Practice Organization
with Tom Emanski $29.95
DVD: 6 Set Series
Tom Emanski Series $169.95
Book: "Coaching Baseball Successfully"
by Mike Curran $19.95
Book: "Coaching Baseball the Cal Ripkin Way"
by Cal and Bill Ripken $16.95
DVD: "Baseball Skills & Drills DVD"
by American Baseball Coaches Association $49.95
Book - 101 Defensive Baseball Drills
by Pat McMahon $19.95
Book: "Gold Glove Baseball" by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) $19.95

Baseball Coaching Books and DVDs from Baseball2u.com

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Coaching Baseball - Four Valuable Coaching Tools That Every Baseball Coach Should Own

Coaching Baseball - Four Valuable Coaching Tools That Every Baseball Coach Should Own
By guest author: Nick Dixon

First of all, let me say this is not a commercial or endorsement for a baseball training tool or product, although my company sells some of the best in baseball. This article is about 4 relatively inexpensive components that are valuable coaching tools that are available in your favorite mass merchant store. I feel that these components should be in the carry bag of every sports coach.

We all know and realize that productive practices do not happen by chance. The good practices are well planned and organized with specific practice time periods and specific skill drills. As a high school football and baseball coach with over 25 years of experience, I am 100% convinced that these four components can make any sport practice, at any level, more organized and productive. Those components are 1) a Stop Watch, 2) A Detailed Practice Schedule, 3) a Video Camera, and 4) Practice Cones or Markers.

How these four coaching tools improve the quality of practice and instruction.

1. Stop Watch - It is essential that every practice be divided into specific individual or team drill periods. A good stop watch helps keep everything on time and running smooth. It is recommended that time slots be kept shorter for younger age groups. Very seldom would a drill go over 10 minutes for youth teams.

2. Written Practice Schedule - Going on a practice field without a written practice schedule is like driving a car without a steering wheel. You can not conduct good practices without good planning and organization. The practice schedule is divided into time periods with specific team and individual drill. Taking the time to evaluate what the team needs most is extremely important. These written schedules should be kept and reviewed to see when various topics, fundamentals, and skills were taught and practiced. Each schedule outlines what drills are done, the time of the session, what players are involved, and what coaches are conducting the drill.

3. Digital Video Camera - As you have heard many times over and over, the "big eye in the sky does not lie". A saying that coaches use to emphasize that what you see on video is exactly the way it is. The video camera is a coaches best friend when it comes to teaching hitting, pitching and fielding fundamentals. Video filmed practice action shows players what they need to improve on or correct. Video play backs can also provide positive or negative feedback to reinforce coaching and teaching sessions. If they actions are wrong, they can see their mistakes. If their action is correct, they can see how well they performed. Players recognize and understand verbal instruction much better when they can see a video. Hitters can correct a flaw in swing mechanics much easier if they can actually see the mistake they are making. It is a good idea to video both individual and team drills for later review.

4. Plastic Practice Cones or Markers - These relatively inexpensive cones or markers are used to set up drills. They are orange in color and stack inside themselves to make this easy to store and carry. There are many uses that these can be used for. You can mark bunt zones. You are mark the "get to the line" spot for pitching fielding practice. You can use them to mark the path for a base runner to "fish hook" at first base on a ball hit through the infield. You will come up with many more uses as you plan your practices and workouts.

I hope this article has been useful to you. If you are looking for more articles on baseball, you may visit the Baseball Coaching Digest Blog and the Youth Baseball Clinic Blog. Both feature daily post and articles on all aspects of coaching baseball.

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

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Friday, July 8, 2011

Getting Your Baseball Bat Swing Started

Hit2win.com - Free Hitting Tips for Improving Your Swing

Getting Your Baseball Bat Swing Started
By Jeffery A Wise

There are steps to perfecting a baseball bat swing and you first need to start at the beginning. You need to know how to start your swing so you can hit the ball as good as possible. It is as the start of your swing that you begin to generate power that can push your ball way into the outfield.

The trigger action is really crucial for your baseball bat swing. This aspect of hitting determines the power of your swing and how far the ball will travel. Since you at least want to get a base hit while you're at bat, practicing your trigger regularly will improve your batting average.

During the trigger, your weight and power are transferred from the front, then to the back, and to the front again, all in a very short time. This is the building of momentum that transfers from the bat to the ball.

The trigger mechanism is so important because it prepares you for any pitch that is thrown. It starts your baseball bat swing early so you can be ready for the fastball. It also allows you to be prepared so you can wait for the curveball.

Players use different parts of their body to shift their weight, including their legs, feet and hands. It doesn't really matter what you use, as long as your weight is shifted forward at the point that you swing the bat. So, you must build up the power before the ball reaches the hitting zone. This will take a lot of practice to calculate the right timing, but once you master it, it will be second nature to you.

It will help if you view baseball highlights from professional games. Then, if you can, compare a video of yourself to them to see if you're doing it right. You'll see that the professionals have a smooth baseball bat swing and they do it every single time they're up to bat, even if they don't swing.

As you practice, make sure your swing isn't jerky. It should be natural and smooth. If you're not sure if you're doing it right, as for input from a coach or teammate.

This aspect of the baseball bat swing is very important for hitting well. The best thing is that you can practice this anywhere and at any time. So, you have no excuse to not be the best you can possibly be.

Remember that the reason to practice your baseball bat swing is to give you skills and talent to become the baseball player you want to be. Find out why you need Baseball Bats that are comfortable in your hands.

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

Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy Independence Day - 2011

Happy Independence Day - 2011
Happy Birthday America!

For free articles, drills & tips, visit Hit2win.com

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Monday, June 20, 2011

Youth Baseball : Little League Baseball Batting Tips

Youth Baseball : Little League Baseball Batting Tips

Teaching little league baseball players how to bat requires a great deal of practice, patience and making sure each kid feels comfortable at the plate. Get the most out of your hitters with tips from a professional baseball instructor in this free video on little league baseball batting tips.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Youth Baseball Coaching Challenge - Developing a Coaching Philosophy

Youth Baseball Coaching Challenge - Developing a Coaching Philosophy
By guest author: Larry Miljas

Developing a coaching philosophy is an often overlooked yet very important aspect of coaching. Many youth baseball coaches have an idea of their philosophy, but never take the time to write it down or convey it to their parents and players. By doing so you will be helping your team understand you and your expectation and believe me, this will make your job A LOT easier.

Your philosophy is a collection of principles that you will use to run your team. The principles that you have will guide you in creating your team policies and these policies will guide your coaching decisions throughout the year. If parents and baseball players know what your philosophy is, what your policies are and what you expect from them, you will be ahead of about 90% of all youth coaches in heading off potential disasters. However, let me make one thing clear. If your philosophy and policies should change during the season, you MUST communicate this as early as possible.

It's not as complicated as it may seem. To break it down -- Your coaching philosophy is made up of your principles, your principles will drive your policies and your policies will drive your decisions. As stated earlier, all coaches have an idea of what their philosophy, principles and policies are, but by organizing, clarifying and communicating them, you will increase your coaching effectiveness.

Step 1 -- Organize. Think about what is important to you as a baseball coach and write it down. Create a spreadsheet or word document of what you feel is important for you as a coach to do for your players. Make a list.

Step 2 -- Clarify. Once your list is finished, go through and make sure you didn't miss anything. Also, look for things that appear contradictory. If you find some, think about what the differences are between the two and then remove one, or clarify it if need be. Once you get a clear understanding of what is important to you as a coach, you should have a good list of principles to use to develop your policies.

Step 3 -- Communicate. Clean up and edit your document and then use it as a handout at your first practice, or attach it to your introductory letter. At your parent meeting (yes you should have one of these), go over it with parents and let them ask questions. This should put everyone on the same page. By communicating your philosophy and policies at the beginning of the season, you will save yourself headaches and distractions later on.

In closing, here are some sample principles that I have heard other coaches incorporate into their philosophy.

* Doing your best is more important than success.
* Coaches, Players and Parents should be positive at all times.
* Good sportsmanship is mandatory.
* Players and Coaches should have fun.
* Players and Coaches should be disciplined.
* Players and Coaches should be enthusiastic.
* Always keep a good attitude.

There are probably hundreds or thousands more, but this should give you a good start. I wish you success in your youth baseball coaching endeavors. Make it a great season!

Larry Miljas believes that coaching youth is very important as it gives us a chance to influence tomorrow's leaders. He is a martial arts instructor and little league baseball coach that wants to provide baseball tips, drills, and information on techniques for hitting, pitching, coaching, and training through his website at http://www.TheYouthBaseballCoach.com

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

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