The baffled parent's guide to coaching youth baseball

Introduction: So You Said You'd Be the Coach, Huh?How to Use This BookA Word on CoachingPart One Coaching 101: The Coach's Start-Up Kit1. Creating an Atmosphere of Good HabitsThe EssentialsCompetitionEstablish Your Identity as the CoachThe Growth BookOn Risk TakingQuestions and Answers2. Before Hitting the Field: Baseball in a NutshellBasic Rules and PositioningThe Ball Is in PlayBasic Safety Measures3. Setting Up the SeasonCreate the Practice and Game Schedule and Send a Letter to ParentsCall the Parents before the SeasonSolicit Parental HelpFinding an AssistantAppropriate Numbers of Players on the TeamEquipmentQuestions and Answers4. Essential Skills--and How to Teach ThemCatchingThrowingInfield DefenseOutfield DefenseTeam DefensePitchingPlaying CatcherBattingBuntingBaserunning5. The PracticePreparation Is KeyFormat for PracticePractice Session WorksheetQuestions and Answers6. Sample PracticesBasic Beginning PracticeIntermediate PracticeAdvanced PracticeQuestions and Answers7. Game TimeThe Mental AspectBe PreparedCoaching the GameKey ElementsTaking Stock after the Game8. Dealing with Parents and Gender IssuesPerspective on ParentsBe Organized at All TimesHelp Parents Look at the Big PictureAddressing Gender IssuesQuestions and Answers about Dealing with ParentsQuestions and Answers about Gender IssuesPart Two Drills: The Foundation for Development, Success, Happiness, and a Coach's Peace of Mind9. Warm-Up: Baserunning, Catching, and ThrowingCatching the BallThrow-and-Catch10. Defensive Fundamentals: Infield Play, Outfield Play, and Team DefenseInfieldOutfieldTeam Defense11. Batting Practice: Batting, Pitching, and Playing CatcherBattingPitching and Catching12. Ending Activity: Scrimmage SituationsAppendixUmpire SignalsSample Scorebook PageGlossaryResourcesAssociations and OrganizationsWebsites and Electronic NewslettersIndexAcknowledgmentsAbout the Author