| All great coaches, even those just coaching young | | | | 4. Start practice sessions with warm-ups and |
| players, had to start from scratch. So you don't | | | | stretches. Some players, even coaches, would |
| have to worry if you want to become a softball | | | | prefer to get right into business and practice. But |
| coach. After all, it's not like breathing that's | | | | you should never ever skip warm-ups and |
| something you're born with. | | | | stretches before beginning practice sessions or |
| While it will take a lifetime of learning to hone your | | | | games. Doing these does several things for you: it |
| softball coaching skills, I have a few tips for you | | | | helps their muscles relax which in turn helps them |
| to get you started. Ready? The read on and learn | | | | perform better and it also prevents injuries due |
| more. | | | | to pulled muscles and the like. |
| 1. Get your safety certification first. Depending | | | | 5. Keep things simple. Simple concepts can be |
| where you live, you might be required by local | | | | easily understood by your players, especially the |
| laws to get a safety certification on coaching first | | | | younger ones. So try to simplify concepts when |
| if you want to coach a children's softball team. It | | | | you're delivering it to them for the first time. |
| usually only lasts 4 hours so there's no reason | | | | Another effective way of letting your players |
| why you shouldn't take it, aside from the fact | | | | remember important concepts is by integrating |
| that you might be required to be certified first. | | | | them to your practice sessions. Most players |
| 2. Keep the balance within your team. Many things | | | | enjoy practice sessions which makes it even |
| in life are about balance, and softball isn't an | | | | easier for them to remember everything that |
| exception. Try to keep a balance in everything | | | | you're telling them. |
| you do as a softball coach. Here are a few: give | | | | 6. Know your team's strength and weaknesses. |
| your players enough time to practice and rest; | | | | It's simple. Develop your team's weaknesses until |
| keep things fun as much as possible usually during | | | | it becomes its strength. And your strength? Bank |
| training but also be serious on other aspects of | | | | on it and exploit your opponent's weaknesses |
| the game especially during game time; if you have | | | | with it. |
| a child playing in your team, strike a balance | | | | While I may not be able to tell you everything |
| between the attention you give to him/her and | | | | you need to know about coaching in this short |
| your other players. | | | | article, I'm pretty sure these tips would be enough |
| 3. Your team's safety should be your concern. | | | | to get you started. |
| Softball isn't just about winning games. You should | | | | Oh, and if you're nervous about your first softball |
| also take into consideration the safety of your | | | | coaching gig, don't worry. It will eventually pass. |
| players. Accidents could happen during the game, | | | | You'll start enjoying coaching soon enough, believe |
| so you better prepare for it. Have ice ready, first | | | | me. I've been doing it for 2 decades now and I |
| aid kit and other adults to assist you when | | | | don't see myself slowing down anytime soon. |
| something wrong happens. | | | | |