Coaching Girls' Softball From the How-To's of the Game to Practical Real-World Advice--Your Definitive Guide to Successfully Coaching Girls

by STRAHAN, KATHY

• ISBN13: 9780761532507
• ISBN10: 0761532501
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-08-07
• Publisher: Crown

Summary

Coach Girls for Success on and off the Field Coaching girls' softball can be a wonderful experience. Witness the intensity of a batter connecting with a ball, a runner digging for home, or a fielder making a great catch, and you can't help but be inspired. The effort, pride, and enjoyment on players' faces are great rewards for parents and the sign of a good coachthe type of coach you want to be. So how can you get there? Perfect for coaches of girls up to age 13,Coaching Girls' Softballincludes everything you need to be an outstanding coach and mentor to your team. Whether you are a seasoned coach looking to fine-tune your skills or a rookie looking to take the field running, you'll discover techniques for success that are tailored specifically to the needs of girls, including: Drills and strategies for coaches new to the world of coaching softball Tips on what girls want and need from their softball experience Practical suggestions on how to motivate in a positive and encouraging way Advice for helping girls deal with their changing bodies And much more! Nowyoucan be a coaching winner and help bring out the best in your players, both on the field and in the game of life.

Author Biography

<b>Kathy Strahan</b> has coached major-college sofball for the past 16 years, and since 1992 she has been the head softball coach at California State University, Sacramento. She played on the 1978 United States World Championship team and the gold medal-winning United States team at the 1979 Pan-Am Games. She lives in Folsom, California.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Introduction	ix
So You Want to Be a Coach	1	(18)
Role of the Coach	2	(2)
Time Commitment	4	(2)
Leadership	6	(3)
Coaching Style	9	(3)
Liability	12	(7)
Strategies for Coaching the Young Female Athlete	19	(20)
Effective Communication	20	(4)
Effective Teaching	24	(5)
Team Discipline	29	(2)
Motivating Athletes	31	(4)
Being a Good Role Model	35	(4)
Coaching Girls	39	(18)
How Girls and Boys Play Sports	40	(2)
Physical Differences Between Boys and Girls	42	(2)
Psychological Differences Between Boys and Girls	44	(2)
Serious Issues in Softball Today	46	(7)
Sexual Harassment	53	(4)
Softball Basics	57	(24)
Equipment	58	(5)
Position Play	63	(7)
Choosing a Support Staff	70	(2)
The Game	72	(9)
The How-To's of Individual Defensive Play	81	(34)
How to Throw	82	(7)
How to Catch	89	(4)
How to Field Ground Balls	93	(4)
How to Field Fly Balls	97	(3)
How to Pitch	100	(9)
How to Catch a Pitch	109	(6)
The How-To's of Individual Offensive Play	115	(28)
How to Bat	116	(6)
How to Bunt	122	(10)
How to Run the Bases	132	(10)
How to Slide	142	(1)
Offensive Strategies in Team Play	143	(8)
How to Use Offensive Team Strategies	143	(4)
How to Communicate Through Signs and Signals	147	(4)
Defensive Strategies in Team Play	151	(20)
How to Execute Basic Defensive Situations	152	(2)
How to Run the Transition Game	154	(4)
How to Execute the Bunt Defense	158	(4)
How to Execute the Double Play	162	(3)
How to Execute the Rundown	165	(3)
How to Execute the First and Third Play	168	(3)
Planning for the Season	171	(16)
How to Set Goals	172	(4)
How to Conduct a Parent Meeting	176	(1)
How to Plan Practice	177	(4)
How to Condition Your Team	181	(1)
How to Prepare for Game Day	182	(5)
Conclusion	187	(4)
Appendix: Organizations	191	(2)
Glossary	193	(4)
References	197	(2)
Index	199	(10)
About the Author	209