| It's a headache to be a softball coach, especially if | | | | auditioning your players to see which positions you can |
| you're coaching youth softball players. Kids can be | | | | assign them, as well as giving them time to get to |
| very undisciplined, their skills unpolished, and you also | | | | know each other better. Then on weeks 3 and 4, you'll |
| have to deal with their parents who watch their every | | | | start teaching them the basics of the game, from |
| game. | | | | throwing to batting. You get the idea. |
| But kids are kids, and you can never change that. | | | | Before you know it, you'll have the entire year |
| What you can change is the way you handle them. | | | | completely mapped out. You'll know what to do, and |
| And that's what I'm going to share with you here. I'll | | | | you can track the progress of your team based on |
| show you how you can run a successful practice with | | | | the schedule. |
| your young players. | | | | Know How to Deal with Youth Softball Players |
| Get Some Experience | | | | You won't read it in a lot of books, but here's |
| If you're an inexperienced coach, then I imagine how | | | | something you should know: coaching young players is |
| tough it is for you to handle this coaching job. But | | | | different from older ones. |
| believe me, it will only get better with time. | | | | Unlike adults, kids can mostly grasp only the most |
| Experience teaches you the best way to deal with | | | | general ideas about certain concepts. So when you're |
| young players and how to organize everything so your | | | | teaching them about batting, for example, just teach |
| team runs smoothly like a well-oiled engine. | | | | them the general idea of swinging the bat first before |
| Reading books on coaching will also help you with the | | | | delving into the mechanics involved in it. |
| basics of coaching when you're just starting out. You'll | | | | When you teach them the general idea first, they'll |
| need that if you don't want to walk out of the team | | | | understand what you're telling them much easily, and |
| because of frustration. | | | | that's key to running a successful practice session. |
| Organize Everything | | | | Another thing you should remember is that softball is |
| You may not be the type who likes organizing things, | | | | still just a game for kids. And as a game, they're |
| but you will have to force yourself to learn this skill as | | | | meant to enjoy it. So let them have fun when they're |
| a coach. Being organized with your schedule, how you | | | | practicing. They'll be able to remember concepts of the |
| will conduct drills, etc. keeps things easy to manage. | | | | game easier when they're having fun. |
| You'll always know what you should do at a certain | | | | Again, it can be a nightmare coaching young softball |
| time. | | | | players, but only if you don't know what to do. That's |
| Here's a suggestion: map out your team's schedule for | | | | why I recommend you to invest in softball coaching |
| the rest of the year. Include the pre-season, the | | | | books to give you an idea of what to do as a softball |
| in-season, and the post-season in the entire calendar. | | | | coach. Aside from that, keep everything organized |
| Then divide them into more manageable pieces and | | | | during practices, and learn how to deal with kids, so |
| create mini-schedules. | | | | you can ensure a successful practice session every |
| An example: you'll spend the first 2 weeks of the year | | | | time. |