Practice perfect softball

225 Pages·2016·3.26 MB·English

by  National Fastpitch Coaches Association

Practice Perfect
Softball
National Fastpitch
Coaches Association
JoAnne Graf, PhD
Editor
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
Title: Practice perfect softball / National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
Description: Champaign, IL : Human Kinetics, [2016] | Includes
bibliographical references.
Identifiers: LCCN 2015049141 | ISBN 9781492513544 (print)
Subjects: LCSH: Softball--Training. | Pitching (Softball) |
Softball--Coaching.
Classification: LCC GV881.4.T72 P73 2016 | DDC 796.357/8--dc23 LC record available at http://
lccn.loc.gov/2015049141
ISBN: 978-1-4925-1354-4 (print)
Copyright © 2016 by Human Kinetics, Inc.
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E6617
Practice Perfect
Softball
Contents
Preface vi
Key to Diagrams viii
Chapter 1 Establishing a Strong
Work Ethic 1
Julie Lenhart
Chapter 2 Planning Productive Practices 7
Rachel Hanson
Chapter 3 Incorporating Technology
and Practice Tools 21
Beverly Smith
Chapter 4 Identifying Strengths
and Weaknesses 33
Rachel Lawson
Chapter 5 Developing a Competitive
Environment 45
Lisa (Sweeney) Van Ackeren
Chapter 6 Motivating Players in Practices 57
Dot Richardson, MD
Chapter 7 Organizing Effective Batting
Practices 67
Ken Eriksen
iv
Chapter 8 Organizing Effective
Fielding Practices 75
Celeste Knierim
Chapter 9 Developing the Pitcher
and Catcher 97
Connie Clark
Chapter 10 Perfecting Position Play 113
Bill Gray and Melissa Chmielewski
Chapter 11 Offensive Situational
Practices 135
Lonni Alameda
Chapter 12 Defensive Situational
Practices 147
Jo Evans
Chapter 13 Evaluating Practices 157
Donna Papa
Chapter 14 Practicing Indoors 167
Jen McIntyre
Appendix Sample Practice Plans 181
About the NFCA 208
About the Editor 208
About the Contributors 209
v
Preface
When I was approached about editing a book about softball practices, I
eagerly said I would love to be involved in the project. The reason is simple:
Coaching is a passion that has consumed my career. A good coach is not
only a coach but also an academic advisor, motivator, role model, marketer,
strength coach, nutritionist, sports psychologist, and more. Most important,
a great coach helps players improve to reach their highest potential, which
happens through practice. Creating exciting and innovative practices is a
challenge for every coach. This book will help you improve your practices
to maximize the potential of your team.
We have all heard the quotation by Vince Lombardi: “Practice does not
make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.” Practice Perfect Softball is
made up of chapters written by the most knowledgeable softball coaches
in the country. The authors have reached the highest level in their profes-
sion including the National Fastpitch Softball Coaches Hall of Fame, USA
national team coach, Olympic gold medalist, conference coaches of the
year, NCAA College World Series coaches, and so on. These coaches have
given their valuable time to pass along their secrets to improving softball
practices so that your players will be excited about going to practice. They
will be motivated to work hard, which will help them improve. As play-
ers work hard, improvement follows and wins come more frequently. The
chapters will give you insights into practice organization, hitting drills,
motivational tips, specific positional drills, practice evaluation, inside
drills, using technology in your practices, and developing competitive
practices.
I cannot thank these coaches enough for giving their time. As a former
coach, I know how valuable their time is. Giving back to the softball coaching
profession is what makes the NFCA coaches special. They love sharing their
knowledge, which you can use to improve your team. You can incorporate
the information included in this book into your practices.
Lacy Lee Baker, the former executive director of the National Fastpitch
Coaches Association (NFCA), deserves a great deal of credit for incorporat-
ing education into the goals of the NFCA. She pioneered many forms of
coaching education including The Softball Coaching Bible I and II, Practice
Perfect Softball, NFCA coaches’ college courses, convention clinic sessions,
Fastpitch Delivery, satellite umpire clinics, and the NFCA website. When
you see an NFCA coach, don’t hesitate to ask the questions that you want
vi
answered to help you improve as a coach. They will be happy to help.
When I asked these coaches to write a chapter for this book, they eagerly
said yes. Practice Perfect Softball will help you to make your practices
perfect.
In conclusion, thank you to all the coaches and players who make the
game of softball great.
vii
Key to Diagrams
path of throw or thrower
path of ball or runner
path of defensive player
path of ground ball
cone
bucket
coach
bunter
X athlete/player
XO point of origin
R base runner
C catcher
1B first base
2B second base
3B third base
SS short stop
P pitcher
H hitter
S shagger
OF outfielder
E6617/NFCA/fig 0.1/546163/kh/r1
viii
Chapter 1
Establishing a
Strong Work Ethic
Julie Lenhart
To establish a strong work ethic, we as coaches must create a learning
environment in practice that doesn’t reflect the tedious and often dreaded
grind associated with work. The best part of the day is practice—that’s
why it’s called playing the game, not working the game. Sometimes we
become so wrapped up in attempting to achieve perfection that we miss
the fun of game. The hours we spend lifting weights, doing mental training,
taking in proper nutrition, studying, and finally actually practicing become
entrenched in a more-is-more mentality. Kicking back at times and focusing
on what makes softball an enjoyable sport allows us to see that many times
the less-is-more philosophy works, too. The trick to establishing a strong
work ethic in practice is allowing it to feel like play, not work.
Obviously, to compete and win at a high level, the intensity at practice
must match or exceed the intensity of the actual game. A team can’t prac-
tice at one level and expect to compete at a different level. Practices must
cultivate motivated learning. Anson Dorrance, the extremely successful
women’s soccer coach at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill,
describes it as transcending ordinary effort:
Ordinary effort is when you’re comfortable. That’s mediocrity. A lot of
athletes work within their comfort zone, physically and technically.
They don’t feel like they’re going to lose control, or pass out from
fatigue. But when you train within your comfort zone, you’re not
preparing yourself for a match. In a game situation, the other team
is trying to take you out of your comfort zone. So, as soon as they
1