Coaching Corner
Various sources that could help in every aspect of coaching.
(Website Links, Videos, Books, Courses, Training and Documents)
Sacred Heart CYO - Coaches Handbook
Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA)
Positive Coaching Alliance is a national non-profit for developing Better Athletes, Better People through youth and high school sports.
This site contains information for 1st time coaches, parent/coach conflicts, coaching your own child, coach’s roles and various other principles
YSPN360 - Players, Coaches, Parents
A place where any player, coach or parent could find advice, ideas, practice techniques, drills, and more from the very best coaches/mentors. We set out to provide a comprehensive resource for players, parents, and coaches that they could access anytime, anywhere, even during practice. We are assembling the best available information to help them on their journey through youth sports, starting with baseball and softball and adding more sports throughout this year.
Online Concussion Training / Information
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides online training for coaches on Concussion awareness. Additional information is also provided for parents and athletes.
HEADS UP to Youth Sports: Coaches
First Time Coaches
10 Things Every New Youth Baseball/Softball Coach Should Know
Tips for the First-Time Coach - Positive Coaching Alliance
Regular Season Pitching Rules – Baseball and Softball
Softball Spot
This is a blog created by Becky Wittenburg who has posted hundreds of drills and coaching tips that could be of use.
USA Softball
USA Softball is the National Governing Body of softball in the United States.
Pitch Softball
Pitch Softball is a free website by Colorado Pitching Coach GERALD WARNER to help girl and women softball pitchers improve their skills... whether you are an experienced college-level pitcher or are just beginning. Here you will find dozens of pages of recommendations on how to pitch faster with more accuracy, and improve your change-up, drop ball, curve, screwball, and rise.
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As many concepts, drills, fundamentals and coaching philosophy are the same between Softball and Baseball at these age levels.
The links below are geared to baseball but most of the (coaching / fundamental) concepts can be applied to softball as well.
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8U Travel
8U Travel is an ongoing collection of the articles of a coach trying to wrap his head around travel sports beginning at such a ludicrous age. – Brian Sieger
Playball,org
PLAY BALL is a joint initiative between MLB, USA Baseball and USA Softball. In addition to encouraging participation in both formal and casual baseball and softball activities, PLAY BALL aims to give kids the opportunity to enjoy the game in a fun environment by highlighting the many ways baseball and softball can be played and providing memorable experiences
PlayBall.org also links to USABaseball.com, which provides players, parents and coaches with the information and resources to help with proper play and instruction, including education videos featuring Hall of Famer and MLB Network analyst John Smoltz, Chicago Cubs Manager Joe Maddon, among others. Health and safety information, including through the Pitch Smart and Play Sun Smart programs, also is available.
Ripken Baseball
Coaching Resources, Virtual Academy, Coach's Clipboard and Tournament information (Baseball & Softball)
The Ripken Way is steeped in tradition and represents everything that is great about the game of baseball. Our values stem from baseball's earnest beginnings, and each day helps to shape the future of the game – readying kids for what's next while preparing them for life beyond the diamond.
Nine values that best exemplify The Ripken Way: Perseverance, Integrity, Community, Passion, Character, Teamwork, Fun, Family, Commitment
Quality Coaching for Baseball
A site with information on Coaching, Instructions, Situation Drills, Rules, Blogs
Baseball Tutorials
Various articles and videos on Baseball Drills, Hitting, Fielding, Indoor, conditioning, Base Running
Dave Moir (A.C.E. Fastpitch)
Dave Moir is a softball instructor who has provided various clinics (pitching, fielding, hitting and coaching) for Sacred Heart CYO Softball. Below are some handouts that were provided.
· SB 101 Throwing Mechanics
· SB 101 Throwing and Catching Practice
· SB 101 The Catcher
· SB 101 Hitting Technique
· SB 101 Dynamic Warm-up exercises
· SB 101 Catching
· SB 101 Bunting Technique
· Coach and Player Fundamentals Checklist
Video Links (YouTube)
Ripken Fundamentals
Various videos on the basic Fundamentals with instruction from former Major Leagues Billy and Cal Ripken Jr.
Books
· Parenting Young Athletes the Ripken Way: Ensuring the Best Experience for Your Kids in Any Sport - by Cal Ripken, Rick Wolff
· The Matheny Manifesto: A Young Manager's Old-School Views on Success in Sports and Life - by Jerry B. Jenkins and Mike Matheny
· Coaching Youth Baseball the Ripken Way - by Cal Ripken Jr. and Bill Ripken
· Play Baseball the Ripken Way: The Complete Illustrated Guide to the Fundamentals - by Cal Ripken Jr. and Bill Ripken
Coaching Courses / Training
Babe Ruth League Coaching Education Center (Cost $$)
Official Online Courses for Babe Ruth / Ripken Baseball League Coach Certification
The Babe Ruth League/Ripken Baseball Coaching Certification Program consists of the following online courses:
· Coaching Youth Baseball: The Ripken Way for Babe Ruth Baseball Coaches
· Coaching Advanced Baseball: The Ripken Way for Babe Ruth Baseball Coaches
· Coaching Youth Softball: The Ripken Way for Babe Ruth Softball Coaches
· Coaching Advanced Softball: The Ripken Way for Babe Ruth Softball Coaches
USA Baseball Amateur Resource Center
The Amateur Resource Center (The ARC) is home to USA Baseball's educational resources for coaches, umpires, parents, and players. Other resources offered through The ARC include online education courses, health and safety articles, support programs, and championship principles. Additional resources will be continuously added.
For coaches, the Online Education Center offers many resources including the free Confident Baseball Coach course, hosted by Manager of the Chicago Cubs, Joe Maddon, which introduces ways in which coaches can have a more positive impact on each of their players.
USA Baseball Online Education 'FREE' (Log In)
USA Baseball Online Education 'FREE' (Catalog)
The USA Baseball Online Education Center Course Catalog for Coaches, Parents, Players and Umpires.
Various Documents / Handbooks
10 Things Every New Youth Baseball/Softball Coach Should Know
Girls Fastpitch - Beginner Windmill Pitcher
Girls Softball - Student of the Game