How Parents Can Help Their Children in Youth Sports (12/12/2012 12:39:47 PM)

Your child will not enjoy the youth sport you have enrolled him in unless and until you as a parent are supportive. Couches who are concerned about the behavior and performance of the children on their team will usually ask parents to show support and concern so that their children can perform better and improve as athletes.

As a supportive parent, it is important you pay more attention to your child’s performance instead of the competitive rank. You should also let the child know that the outcome of the game cannot be controlled. They can however improve their performance and increase their chances of being better. With parents and coaches being more focused on the competitive rank instead of improved performance, the number of children dropping out of youth sports has increased.
If you as a parent are more focused on competitive ranks, you will increase the pressure to win on your child. Remember, that children in youth sports are young and since these sports are competitive sports, they are already under a lot of pressure to win. The added pressure from the coach and parents may do more harm than good. A child may even tie his self-esteem to losing or winning the game. If for any reason the game was lost, they should not be blamed. Instead as parents you should encourage them to do better in the next game and tell them that at times it is okay to lose.

As a supportive parent, you should understand that enrolling your child in a youth sport is an opportunity for the self-development of the child. Though most children who play sports at a young age do not end up becoming professional players, they do however learn many life lessons that they incorporate in their life.

Parents of children who participate in youth sports understand that there are risks involved. It is important that you explain this concept to your children also. The risk of losing is there the minute your child enrolls in a football or basketball or any other youth sports team. If by any chance you are also the coach of your child’s little league team, it is important that you understand that parenting and coaching are two different things. However, if you are not a coach, you need to let the coach do his job. Questioning or telling the coach what to do publicly is not the appropriate thing.

Another thing that you must always remember is that every child tries to be better. If your child is not doing as well as the other members of the team, you should not in any way belittle him. You need to control your negative emotions and use positive feedback to help your child improve. Try explaining politely what they are doing wrong instead of saying it directly. You should also avoid criticism and nagging. As a parent, you need to be involved, but do not become overly involved. Instead of pointing out your child’s weaknesses, you should help them improve.

Remember that children are very young and they are still in the learning phase. Just because you as a parent find something easy and simple, it does not mean that your child will think the same.

How to be a Great Youth Sports Coach (12/7/2012 10:27:42 AM)

As a youth sports coach, it is very easy to become overly involved and become more focused on winning and losing. However, being a basketball coach for a youth sports team means that there is much more to the sport than teaching children how to win. As a coach, you are their mentor and you teach them about different aspects of life. You have to teach them how to be successful and happy and live with confidence and integrity at the same time. You also teach them a different side of sharing and one of the many ways to work in a team and respect other members.

As a coach, it is important that you keep things fun. Did you know that the most common reason children quit youth sports is that they no longer find it fun? Instead of acting like a drill sergeant and belittling ten year olds for every mistake they make during the game, it is important that you keep control of your temper and emotions.

Too many games in the season will also bore the children. They might not enjoy the game as they used too. Therefore, it is important that you help them enjoy the game. So what if they get cut from the team in the future? It is important that as children they learn to enjoy the game and also understand that they cannot win every time.

Children are not perfect. They might make many mistakes and they might even continue to make the same mistake again and again. As a coach, it is your responsibility to teach them. However, instead of correcting each and every mistake they make, let them play and learn what they are doing wrong. If they do not understand what mistake they are making, let them know.
But try to keep a positive tone and explain by saying things like “That is a good defense, but let me show you another trick that I learned over the years…” If you had directly told the child “what kind of a defense is that?” the child would be embarrassed and discouraged.

At times, young children are not at all focused on winning the game. However, as a coach, you want them to win some game or improve their game play at some point. It is not necessary that you celebrate only if they win a game, you can keep a small celebration of they have shown improvement during practice. Keep small practice drills where you know the children might succeed. It will prove to be a good motivator for them.

As already mentioned before, do not worry about winning. If you follow the rules properly and keep your kids motivated, you will win a game eventually. Make sure that you focus more on the process and less on the results. You are also responsible to teach them different life lessons that include, sharing and working together with different people.

Make sure that the equipment you use is made according to their size. A big basketball will not help your players improve their shooting form. Do not forget to teach them the simple techniques that can help improve their game. Once they have strong command over the skills you can teach them how to win a game.

How Youth Sports Help Kids (12/7/2012 10:26:54 AM)

Our youth are our future. We are responsible to provide them with a better tomorrow. It is our responsibility to teach them how to improve and be better than us. It is therefore important that we lead them by example and teach them lessons that will help them shape a better tomorrow. And one of the best places to teach them all the lessons is playing youth sports.

When children play in team sports they learn different things, it teaches them how to win and lose. It is important that they gracious with their win and be stand tall when they lose. It is also important that they learn from their mistakes and try to improve upon them in future. Therefore youth sports serve in a very useful way to help our children stay healthy and grow as people.

Staying Fit

Some of us shiver at the thought of exercise. This is because we never enjoyed any type of work out as children. It is therefore important to teach our children the importance of staying healthy. When they join a team sport like basketball or baseball, they have a chance to run around and burn a few calories. Also, if children are physically healthy, they are also mentally stronger and smarter. And when children are active participants of team sports they are able to contribute and grow in a constructive manner.

Benefits of Competing

Competition helps children understand different life lessons. It teaches them ethics and values. Most of all it teaches them how to work in a team and how to work together with different people and towards achieving a common goal. Children also learn how play and work fairly and that illicit means should never be used to reach a goal. Studies have shown that children who participate in sports are able to handle competition in different aspects of their lives in a better way.

Winning is Not Everything

We humans are naturally inclined to try our best to win at everything that we do. Many of do not understand that at times it is okay to lose. And if we are used to winning at everything most of are sour winners. Youth sports help develop the proper sense in children about winning and losing. While winning is considered to be the best thing possible, it is important that it is done gracefully and in no manner should the losing team feel demotivated. Youth sports also help children understand that losing is also a part of life and graceful users are acknowledged. It teaches them how to get up and start fresh.

Social and Personal Growth

While youth sports teach children how stay healthy, it also teaches them how to grow as individuals. Children learn to work in a team and how to share things along with victory and defeat. It also teaches them how to put the interest of the team before their own personal goal. Along with this, children also learn how to socialize among their peers outside of school boundaries. It helps increase their confidence and helps them become better human beings by helping other.

By competing in youth sports children learn about different things in life: They learn the importance of a healthy body and mind and learn how to behave with other people along with becoming better human beings.

Why Children Quit Youth Basketball Leagues (12/7/2012 10:26:19 AM)

No parent wants their child to quit an activity that they enjoy unless there are life threatening effects of the activity. Even though we as parents cannot influence our children to play youth sports, we can however find out why these sports do not appeal to our children. It is also our job to make sure that our children are involved in some sort of outdoor activity for better health and an increased social skills. While there are many reasons that a child can lose interest in a game, most of times it is one or more of the following reasons:

Lack of Interest

At times, it seems that all children have a problem paying attention. One day a child might be excited and dream of becoming the next David Beckham, while the next day he could dream to be the next Michael Jordan.

They No Longer Enjoy It

A child does not have the ability to show any enthusiasm for an activity that he does not enjoy. Most of the time children join youth sports because it gives them a chance to have fun and play alongside their friends. As soon as children stop enjoying the sport and feel like they are forced to participate in it, they lose interest. This usually happens when a coach or a parent makes the sport to be something that has to be won at all cost.

The Sport Requires a Lot of Time

There comes a level in youth sports where children are required to let go of other activities. It is hard to play a game every other weekend and still have time for other things. If a child has reached such a stage where he believes that the sport is taking too much of his time, he just might quit the team. He might still enjoy the sport, but he would rather have an informal match with the friends rather than gear up for a tournament.

Coach Plays Favorites

It is also possible that he might not be getting enough play time. If the coach is all about winning, he might play favorites. Players who are great would be given the ball every time. It is possible that the short boy in your team might be the best player you have, but if he is not given a proper chance and time to improve his game, he would quit the sport. He might also think that the coach believes in nepotism and would be further discouraged to continue.

Had a Bad Coach

Just the way teachers in school can help a child fall in love with math, it is up to the coach to have the child enjoy the youth sport. One bad experience is enough for a child to quit the game and never try it again. It could be anything that could make them hesitate from spending another year as a youth athlete. It could be because the coach did not take them off the bench or was too focused on wining or did not let them learn anything.

If your child wants to quit the sport, ask them for a reason and motivate them to complete the season and give their best. Explain how they have made a commitment and they have a duty to fulfill the commitment. Talk to the coach and see if you can improve the conditions of the game. After all, youth sports are a lesson for children so that they learn to be committed and responsible for their actions.

Strategies that Help Make Youth Athletes Confiden (12/7/2012 10:25:37 AM)

Parents around the globe want their children to be confident. They use different parenting tips and try to improve their parenting style. They also enroll their children in team sports so that they can learn how to work with a team and learn to differentiate between confidence and over-confidence.

Youth sports can be physically and mentally challenging for kids. It is very normal for them to feel pressured, nervous and excited. The fear of making mistakes and embarrassing themselves or the eagerness to impress a parent or a coach may affect the performance of a young athlete. As a coach and a parent, it is your responsibility to help children who participate in youth sports to be more confident and less jittery. Here are a few tips that can help increase their confidence the right way.

Remove the Fear

Even though there is fear among children that they might harm themselves or others physically, it is not the primary thing that makes them apprehensive. The most common fear among children who participate in youth sports is the fear of all the negative consequences that may be a result of their weak performance. It is important that you identify what fear is holding them back. If you are not able to figure it out on your own, talk to them and ask them why they are feeling apprehensive. Help them think about the positive things and try to remove the negative thoughts as much as possible.

Do Not Hold Back

While practice is important, it is not the only thing that a great team player needs. A team players needs to able to trust others and themselves. This allows the athlete to let instinct take over their skills and they naturally move across the court without overly thinking what move to make. If an athlete relies on practice alone, he will not be able to perform his best because he would be trying too hard and thinking too much.

Do NOT Make Comparisons

Intimidation can easily play with a child’s confidence. It is important that as a coach you explain to them that they themselves are their only competition. Instead of admiring and focusing on what other athletes are doing, they should try to focus on how they can improve themselves. You have to help them overcome self-intimidation and help them avoid fearing and worshipping other athletes. You have to help them stop making comparisons and make them focus on their strengths and abilities.

Another aspect that you have to work on is the need for social approval. As children, we all want the approval of our parents, siblings, friends and teachers. The fear of approval can at times hinder the performance of a child. You have to help them understand that self-respect is more important and they really need to stop mixing performance and self-esteem. They should also appreciate their positives and focus on how to improve them instead of thinking about what others might think.

As a coach and parent, it is your job to help the children understand that they need to focus more on the process and not the end result. Once they understand how to perform and improve their current skills, they will automatically become better. Helping children improve their mental toughness helps them become more confident and helps in improving their performance.

Four Books that Inspire Aspiring Athletes (11/26/2012 12:38:56 PM)

Bring Your "A" Game: A Young Athlete's Guide to Mental Toughness
Author: Jennifer L. Etnier

Physical practices are important for success in any game, but mental training also plays a significant role in becoming an expert player. Similar to physical strength, mental toughness can also be learnt. In spite of this, many athletes do not develop the physiological skills needed for a brilliant performance. This book teaches ways with which you can unleash your full potential, and build the mental strength required for being a true athlete. It lays special emphasis on the fact that you will have to incorporate all these skills into your daily lives so that you automatically implement them during the game.
Bring Your "A" Game will introduce you to tactics which will coach you mentally. It is divided into seventeen chapters, and each chapter focuses on a specific mental skill. These skills include setting goals, building confidence, and pre – performance routines. Key points and exercises are given at the end of each chapter so that you grasp the context in a better way.
This book is a really great choice, and will help you form a success plan, cope with the pressure and overcome the challenges faced in achieving excellence.

The Heart of an Athlete: Daily Devotions for Peak Performance
Author: Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Athletes are passionate about sports, and obsessed with excellence. This makes them consider many things as distractions which are otherwise not. These can be their family, friends and even religion. So this book provides you with the spiritual training necessary for becoming an athlete. It addresses issues which every Christian sportsman has to deal with such as identity, trust and fear. The Heart of an Athlete will encourage Christian players to spend more time remembering God.

10-Minute Toughness: The Mental Training Program for Winning before the Game Begins
Author: Jason Selk

10-Minute Toughness provides you with the necessary training which is a must for every athlete especially those in their adolescence. All the methods described literally take ten minutes to connect your mental abilities with your goal, and will help you do your best.
The right mentality is extremely necessary for a superior performance whether you are on the field or off it. You need to exercise your mind daily to build your neurons so that you reach your desired heights. So this book will boost your brainpower and develop that competitive edge in you.

Strength Training for Young Athletes
Authors: William J. Kraemer and Steven J. Fleck

This book serves as a great guide for young athletes of 7 to 18 years old, and discusses how strength training effects growth and performance. It is a great source if you want to develop the muscular foundation which every athlete must possess. Young athletes have been divided into different age groups because exercises, training periods and progress rate vary with age.

Five Great Reads for Youth Baseball Coaches (11/26/2012 12:37:23 PM)

The following books are a must read for all baseball coaches, especially those who are building teams with young players.

Think Better Baseball: Secrets from Major League Coaches and Players for Mastering the Mental Game
Author: Bob Cluck

Bob Cluck is a baseball expert. He trains a major league team and has been in this profession for over twenty years. In this book, he describes real life situations, which were encountered in different matches, and suggests ways to tackle the situation. He tries his best to provide answers to questions which loom in the minds of every baseball player and coach. This book is really a great source for anyone who wants to improve performance and take his game to a higher level.

Baseball Coach's Survival Guide
Authors: Jerry Weinstein and Tom Alston

Baseball Coach's Survival Guide is a recommended read for both new and experienced coaches. It is a very comprehensive and practical book, and considerably simplifies the process of putting together an amazing team. The techniques which are mentioned pertain to every aspect of the game, and cover everything from hiring the right player for a specific position to training him to become an expert at it.

The Mental Game of Baseball: A Guide to Peak Performance
Authors: H. A. Dorfman and Karl Kuehl

Mental skills in the field are important for every sport, and this book is the perfect guide to developing them. The book emphasizes the fact that all great players mastered the inner game before they displayed an outstanding show in the fields. The authors provide you with invaluable strategies for developing mental skills which are a must for improved performances. The theory is also supplied with applications, and insights from all minor and major leagues have been mentioned. This book is definitely a great read for both players and coaches.

The Baseball Drill Book (The Drill Book Series)
Author: American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)

This book has been written by seventeen professional coaches who belong to the American Baseball Coaches Association. The Baseball Drill Book is a complete collection of practices which have been designed to boost performances, and mentions over 190 drills. Every aspect such as conditioning, warm – ups, throwing, catching, running, hitting, pitching and fielding have been covered. Strategies for offensive and defensive play have also been discussed. Tips for sharpening the players’ skills have also provided.
The book is extremely detailed. The objective is given first, followed by setup details and the procedure to be taken. The text is accompanied by illustrations so readers can understand it better.

The Baseball Coaching Bible (The Coaching Bible Series)
Authors: Jerry Kindall and John Winkin

The Baseball Coaching Bible addresses every facet of the sport by sharing experiences of 27 coaches who have won over 50 titles. The book provides complete details on instilling hustle, innovative practices and establishing traditions. The material has been given such that you can implement only the parts you like best without having to change the overall strategies. However, the comprehensive information provided will definitely teach you a lot of things.

Pre-Competition Routine - What Should Youth Players Do Before the Big Match? (11/26/2012 12:35:49 PM)

A proper pre-competition routine is really important before matches. If it is followed properly, children will be better prepared for the game, and will be able to give their best performance on the field. In the long run, it will even help the child to take his game to the next level. This is because a pre-routine competition helps in maintaining focus, bearing pressure, and keeping nerves under control. It is beneficial not only for sports but other activities as well that require optimal performance such as examinations.

A child cannot develop a pre–competition routine himself. He needs help from his parents and coaches because developing a pre–competition routine might change according to the needs of some children.

Start backwards when you incorporate a pre-competition routine into a child’s life. First teach him what should be done five minutes before start time, then half an hour before due time, and so on.

Five Minutes before the Match

Let the child collect his thoughts and ask him to take deep breaths to keep his calm. Make sure he has donned all the necessary equipment for the game.

Thirty to Forty Minutes before the Match

Start a warm – up session. Each sport requires different warm-ups so make sure the child is doing the right one. The session should start slowly, and then the pace should be gradually increased.

The child must be taught all suitable warm-up exercises when he starts his practice sessions. Every child is different, so naturally a different set of exercises will suit each young sportsman the best. During the practice sessions, let him experiment with different type of workouts so that he can assess which combinations are best for him.

If possible, ask him to write down all the activities with which he is comfortable. Make him learn the order in which they must be performed. He should also note down the intensity of each exercise.

Arrival Time on the Field on the Match Day

The team should arrive at the field almost 90 minutes before the match is scheduled to start. The team must have sufficient time before the warm-up session. This time is needed for putting on the gear, , advice, tips and so on.

Pre-Game Meal

The child should have a full meal at least three hours before the mach. The meal should be nutritious and easily digestible.

Night before Match Day

Parents should pack all the equipment and gear needed for the match the night before. They should also prepare and set aside the team’s uniform. Food, water bottles and other necessary items should also be kept ready so that there is no havoc on the morning of the big day.

Children must be given a healthy and balanced dinner. They should also be put to sleep early so that they are not tired the next day. A minimum of eight hours of sleep is a must for every kid.

First Aid for Youth Basketball Injuries (11/26/2012 12:32:59 PM)

Injuries are a common part of every sport, and must be dealt with correctly. This is especially important for children because if injuries are not treated properly, they might affect the child later on. This article mentions some of the most occurred injuries in kids during basketball.

Bumps and Bruises

The injuries in youth basketball are just a slight bump or bruise most of the time. Every youth basketball coach must have chemical ice packs with him at all times to treat the child if any of these injuries occur. The ice packs must not be placed directly on the child’s skin. Instead, use a cloth or towel as a layer between the pack and skin. This will prevent freezer burn.

Cuts and Bloody Noses

A coach’s first aid kit must contain bandages, tissues, blood neutralizer and some anti bacterial chemical. Cover the infected area with a tissue to stop the flow of blood. If necessary, place an ice pack to allow the blood to clot. In case of a bloody nose, the head must be tilted forward so that blood flow is reduced.

When the blood stops flowing, cover the area with a bandage. If there is blood on the child’s uniform, remove the stain with a blood neutralizer like hydrogen peroxide, or give him clean clothes.

Joint Injuries

If the child hurts his joints during the practice session or the game, then guide him off the court. Help him sit down or lay on a bench. Then apply an icepack on the affected joint, and subject it to light pressure. The injured arm or leg must be set at an elevation to prevent swelling.

Sprains

Sprains seldom occur in young athletes while playing basketball, but coaches must always keep themselves prepared for any scenario.
A basketball has to be caught when it is thrown into the basket. Sometimes, it bounces off the finger in a wrong manner, and the finger gets bent or jammed. If the child is not great at catching, then his finger might frequently get sprained. Once again, apply an ice pack to the finger. Examine if the finger has been fractured. This can be done by asking the child to squeeze his hands. If this hurts them, then do not allow him to play, and make sure he visits a doctor.

Sprained ankles occur in older kids. If the child wears high – top sneakers or ankle braces, then this can be prevented to some extent. Their shoelaces should also be properly tied. Still if the ankle does get sprained, then treat it with an ice pack, and bandage if necessary. The child should not be allowed to play until he recovers.

Head Injuries

Head injuries are also rare but can still happen. Do not let the child play in case it occurs. Make sure there are no signs of concussion. If the severity seems high, then the child should be taken to a doctor right away.

Effective Exercises for Building Lower Body Strength in Young Basketball Players (11/26/2012 12:32:05 PM)

Many coaches have mixed opinions about strength training in kids. Few know the fact that if the exercises are properly done, they will benefit their performance. If the body is subjected to strength training, the muscles are forced to work harder. This makes them stronger and improves their efficiency. Resistance training in kids also improves bones and joints, and increases fitness level in young children.

Exercises which build lower body strength in children without harming them in any way are mentioned below. Just make sure you carry out the procedure exactly like it is given. There is no need to use any exercise equipments.
It is important to perform warm-ups before starting the workout session and cool-downs when it is over.

Forward Lunges

Keep your feet at a distance of six inches from each other, and point your toes in the forward direction. Put your one leg forward, and then lower your knees so that they make a 90 degrees angle. At this point, the distance between your feet should be around two feet. Maintain your body weight on the heels, and do not let your knees cross your toes. Now, go back to the starting position. This completes a rep. Do about 16 to 20 reps, and then do the same with your other leg to complete a set. You can reduce the reps if you want.
Make sure you keep your back straight all the time. If you put your feet forward at a greater distance, you will work your hips. And if you put your feet forward at a smaller distance, you will work your thighs.

Squats

Squats work out your quads and glutes. Separate your feet at a distance greater than your shoulder width. Your toes should point in the forward direction. Lower your body such that you maintain weight on your heel at all times. While lowering the body, your back must be straight. Regain the starting position. This is equal to one rep.

When you lower you body, the angle between your knees should not be less than 90 degrees. This will put stress on your joints.

Lying Abduction

Lie on one side of your body while keeping your legs straight. Your knees should be joined together. You can rest your head on one hand which should be propped by the elbow. If you need balance, keep your other hand on the ground. Raise your upper leg until it forms an angle with of 45 degrees, and keep it for three seconds in this position. Return to the starting position to end a rep. When you are done with all the reps, lie on other side of the body, and repeat for the other leg.

This exercise tones your thigh muscles.

Skipping

Skipping is a great exercise for kids. Just grab a jump rope and skip as many times as you can. Not only will it tone your body, but will also improve your balance, coordination, speed and timing.

Five Helpful Books for Youth Basketball Coaches (11/9/2012 12:05:51 PM)
You might be a great coach, and might have built an outstanding team. You might also have signed up for training a basketball team recently. Whatever the case may be, here are reviews of five great books which every basketball coach must read once.

Survival Guide for Coaching Youth Basketball: Only the Essential Drills, Practice Plans, Plays, and Coaching Tips!

Authors: Keith Miniscalco and Greg Kot

This tops the list for basketball books, and is a great source of information for every coach. When you read it, you will learn fundamental skills, will come to know the ingredients of effective practices and will find ways which will energize your team.

The authors, Keith Miniscalco and Greg Kot, are themselves great coaches, who have been in this profession for decades. They share their own personal experiences and provide you with valuable advices for every possible situation, be it the first practice or the final match. From evaluating your team members’ skills to achieving goals, you can find all the information you will ever need on drills, hits, plays and having fun in the courts.

Read Survival Guide for Coaching Youth Basketball and make your time with the team productive and rewarding.

Leading with the Heart: Coach K's Successful Strategies for Basketball, Business, and Life

Authors: Mike Krzyzewski and Donald T. Phillips

Mike Krzyzewski and Donald T. Phillips are among the most admired coaches in the nation, and their teams have earned many titles over the years. In this book, the authors discuss leadership, how it can be attained, and suggest methods which can lead your team to the highest rung of the ladder. They also emphasize on the importance of communication, trust and pride which must exist between a coach and his team. If you are a basketball coach with a desire to build the most proficient team, then grab this book now.

NBA Coaches Playbook: Techniques, Tactics, and Teaching Points

Author: National Basketball Coaches Association

NBA hires the most talented coaches ever who build the most exceptional teams. Their teaching methods, tactics and strategies give astounding results. This book provides details on their practice sessions, and develops ways to maximize performances on the courts during the match.

Coaching Basketball Successfully 2nd Edition (Coaching Successfully Series)

Author: Morgan Wootten

In this book, Morgan Wootten talks about all the things you need to become a great coach. He mentions the importance of communication between the team, quick – hitting plays, trapping defenses and provides a complete list of do’s and dont’s in all possible scenarios.

Youth Athletics - Reasons and Benefits of Engaging Kids in Sports (10/29/2012 10:45:14 AM)

Every parent’s life revolves around the needs of their children, which is why some can get overprotective. However, childhood is the only time your kids can have the time of their life without worrying about any repercussions. Allowing them to join team sports is the perfect way for them to learn values you may not have the time or the words to explain to them properly.

It’s important to ensure your child receives life lessons that can help him/her grow into a responsible human being without feeling suffocated. The following are just some of the reasons why taking part in sports can allow you to see that dream come true:

Taking responsibility for their Actions

Team sports such as basketball, baseball and softball are prime activities to teach children about taking responsibility for their actions. Since such sports require them to work with other kids their own age to achieve similar goals, they are encouraged to listen to their teammates and understand that their actions might have either positive or negative effects on the team.

If they are late for practice, the entire team suffers. If they fail to pass the ball, their team might lose. Additionally, equipment maintenance, practice schedules and showing up in proper uniform are also encouraged to instill confidence.

Teamwork Skills

When children are taught to work together to achieve similar end goals, they learn to trust others and learn how to take instruction. These skills will be invaluable in their adult lives, especially when they start their own careers. Whether it’s dribbling a basketball down the court, keeping an eye out for members to pass it to or maneuvering down the soccer pitch, they learn how to minimize chances of defeat by relying on their team members.
This also negates their tendency to showboat in case they happen to be better than average players. Coaches rarely allow this characteristic to set in young children, since it might stunt their emotional progress. As the team progresses, each child is encouraged to rely upon their team mates to avoid this scenario and to ignore arrogant members. The latter eventually succumb to the placid atmosphere and start playing nice as well.

Learning the Importance of Self Respect

Even if your child is a ‘cut above the rest’ in sports, he will not be treated as such on the field. He/she will learn that the world does not revolve around him/her, especially when they come face to face with athletes who might be better than them. If parents don’t interfere, they can see their child blossom into a responsible individual when they start giving importance to their teammates and trust their judgment. If your child is prone to tantrums, he/she can receive the stress relief they need via such rigorous sports as well.
Your child may be the apple of your eye, but it pays to let them explore their own capabilities by allowing them to join local junior league teams. These activities can give them life lessons you may not be able to AND give them friends to last a lifetime.

Team Work in Youth Basketball - Methods of Promoting Partnership and its Benefits (10/29/2012 10:44:23 AM)

Listening to that ball dribbling down that court, the swish of the basket as the ball neatly drops in and the final buzzer as your team turns out victorious, may be the reasons you decided to be a basketball coach. On the other hand, those sounds will remain out of your hearing for good if your team turns into a one man show. The following are some tips you can use to make sure each team member receives the attention they deserve:

Assign Co-Captains

When it comes time to choose a captain, make sure each member receives the chance to bear that torch. You can do this by assigning a few co-captains instead of placing the whole responsibility of the team on a single youth. This will compel them to brainstorm strategies by taking the whole team’s opinions into account. This is preferable than assigning a single captain who might try to steal the spotlight later on and disregard his team members during critical matches.

Play ‘Hot Potato’

In the heat of a game, players may be so focused on scoring, that they might forget to pass the ball to their team mates. To make sure this doesn’t happen to your youth basketball team, make your players play a game of ‘hot potato’ during practice. Tell them to pretend that the ball is a ‘hot potato’ and that it will burn them if it’s in their possession for too long. Ask them to form a circle and keep their hands to the sides until the ball comes to them. Having a little background music will encourage them to take the exercise in stride and have fun with it as well.

Conduct Passing Drills

A team is only as good as its members. When it comes to basketball, each player needs to know the others in order to trust them with the ball. Run passing drills by making them form a circle and instructing them to say the name of the player they are passing to out loud before throwing them the ball. This exercise is especially effective right before a game since it can improve their passing skills significantly to reduce blunders out on the court.

Praise them every Step of the Way

Even if they are basketball players, they are still children and as such, require more than normal encouragement to remain motivated. Whether they are on the court or off it, if you see any of your players putting your teachings to good use or displaying teamwork, praise them. Once they realize you are looking out for them, this will instil a drive in them to succeed and compel them to work harder as a team. This may take a while, but the key is to remain persistent.

As a basketball coach, your job is two-fold. You need to teach those children basketball skills AND be a mentor they can turn to in case they are troubled. Encouraging teamwork can allow them to incorporate your advice and instructions without feeling singled out and make them enjoy the game as well.

Youth Softball - Help and Advice for Parents and Coaches (10/25/2012 10:30:12 AM)

Whether you are a proud parent taking your child to her first ever softball match or a coach instructing her how to throw that softball, you need to leave your differences off the pitch. Often times, the two come to a head with each other thinking they know what’s best for their young charge. To ensure both of you remain people she can look up to, keep the following tips in mind to make this crucial relationship work:

Keep Communication Open

Instead of getting into an argument with each other during practice, talk out the situation calmly and quietly. If you think your little girl was wronged in any way on that pitch, approach the coach with a peaceful demeanor and ask him/her to address your concerns. Give your own suggestions only if you think it’s necessary as well. The coach is a trained professional after all. Giving them ‘helpful’ tips might insult them.

If you are a coach, on the other hand, you need to hear what each parent has to say without interrupting them. They will always be concerned about their child. Besides teaching softball skills, your job as a Little League coach is to assure parents that their children are quite safe under your supervision.
Keep your Expectations Moderate

As a parent, you need to make sure your child is having fun during team practice and matches. Pinning them with high hopes and expectations at such a young age can be detrimental to their emotional development. You need to understand that your child’s self confidence may not be resilient enough for you to pile on expectations they may not be able to meet.

This goes double for coaches. Those young players have a long way to go to join any big leagues. You need to lower your expectations and encourage them every step of the way while doing so. If they manage to make it to first base, shout out ‘good job’ to keep them motivated. If they fall and hurt themselves, be the first one there to tend to them. This way, parents may also start trusting you more when they see you have their child’s best interests at heart and would never let them come to harm.

Trust Each Other To Do the Right Thing

In order to give your child the best gaming experience possible, parents and softball coaches have to trust each other to do their jobs properly. Parents need to understand that their little girl’s coach is better equipped to tell her how to play as a team player, how to be a better player and keep her free from injury as much as possible.

Similarly, coaches need to understand that parents have the right to voice their opinion regarding their kid’s performance and health. In other words, both of them need to work together to make sure their charges have the time of their life without worrying about either of their attitudes souring the game for them.
Whether you are a parent or the coach, you have to act like responsible adults in front of the kids. Since you are their role models, they will emulate your behavior later.

The Best Youth Baseball Equipment (10/25/2012 10:26:20 AM)

Children love playing baseball. It’s one of the fundamental building blocks of their character development. Playing catch with them with the old glove you’ve had since your own childhood is one of the joys every parent treasures even after their kids grow up and leave the nest. However, once they join their first Little League team, the pressure’s on you to give them the best equipment possible to allow them to enjoy the game with kids their own age. The following are some tips you can refer to while shopping for that equipment:

For Gloves

A proper fitting glove is crucial for a fledgling baseball player. You don’t want your child to miss that catch, do you? Depending on your budget, you have a lot of manufacturers to choose from when it comes to picking this equipment such as Rawlings Primo, Nokona Bloodline Baseball gloves etc. Take your kid along with you so that you don’t end up buying one that turns out too loose or tight.

For Bats

Choosing any old bat won’t do. The one you end up purchasing needs to be sturdy, yet light enough that it doesn’t injure your child when he/she swings it. The classic Aluminum baseball bat is ideal for this since the material is perfect for producing the ‘pop’ effect. This means once your kid hits that ball with this bat, the ‘pop’ or distance covered by the ball will be quite significant. Besides this, you can also go for composite bats that are made of a mixture of aluminum and some other material. Actually, most parents prefer to get these for their kids since they work much better than the former.

For Helmets

Children can get pretty excited while running those bases. Most of the time, they might not even be looking straight while they are dashing to that plate. They can easily take a tumble headfirst if this happens. Plus, if the pitcher throws the ball too straight, it might hit the batter on the head. Get sturdy helmets for your kids to prevent this, but make sure that they are attractive to look at or your kid might reject them. On the other hand, they must also have proper ventilation passages, non-itchy padding and strong shells to withstand any impact.

For Cleats

In order to make sure your kid makes a home run, you need to buy him cleats that are durable and have enough traction to feel comfortable on those small feet. Plus, the material needs to be comfortable to move around in without tearing apart during rough play. A pair that makes him look good may also increase that budding self confidence and make him more eager to move around as well.

The Catcher’s Equipment

This equipment includes a helmet especially for catchers, a chest protector and shin guards. Make sure each piece fits your child to a tee and doesn’t make him uncomfortable or unable to breathe. The helmet must also not obscure his vision if you want your kid to catch that fast ball without injuring himself.
Whichever brand you choose, in the end, you need to pick one that fits your child’s needs and size. Choose wisely and see them enjoy this great pastime without worry.

Keep Your Sporty Youth Healthy With the Right Nutrition (10/22/2012 12:15:24 PM)

Children are basically little balls of energy who prefer to bounce around and play their little hearts out rather than stay still. This is why most parents enroll their kids in team sports. On the other hand, those batteries can run out very quickly and easily if they are not charged regularly via proper and consistent nutrition. In other words, besides the typical three square meals, kids need additional calories that can allow them to remain alert and active out on that soccer field or baseball pitch.

The following are some tips you can follow to ensure your energetic children have the time of their lives with their teammates for that match or practice session:

Breakfast is the Most Important Meal

When your kids go to bed at night, they have to go 8 to 12 hours without any nutrition. That’s a lot of time without food for such tiny bodies. A proper and nutritious breakfast can be the springboard they need to jumpstart a rigorous day out on the field. Make sure it consists of fruits, juices, one dairy item or cereals and bread to ensure a steady dose of energy for your child.
Keep Them Hydrated
Team sports require a lot of running around. This means your kids will be sweating a lot out on the field and losing the fluids they need to keep cool. They need consistent fluid intake throughout the day or they may black out as well. Keep juice boxes or extra bottles of water with you at all times and monitor your child’s fluid intake closely, especially during breaks.

Extra Calories

Since they are required to move around a lot, your children will lose a significant amount of calories when they are called to join their teammates. According to KidsHealth.org, an athletic child (between 6 to 12 years of age) requires 1,600 to 2,500 calories per day. In other words, as a parent, your job is to make sure those calories don’t run out completely during play. Food items such as oatmeal, nuts, chicken, and turkey are ideal snacks they can munch on to keep those batteries charged.

Pre-Game Snacks

If your child’s game is scheduled before lunch, that heavy breakfast will not be enough to keep him/her energized till then. Give them cereal, milk, pasta, turkey sandwich, etc to keep them going. If you don’t have time to make a proper meal, low-fiber fruits such as melons and cherries will do the trick just as well.

It’s true that the best exercise is one that is done on an empty stomach, but your child is still very young to handle such strain. Make sure their bellies are moderately full at least 2 hours beforehand to allow their bodies to assimilate the food and to energize them before a game or practice session. Also, don’t forget those fluids! Fluids will keep their bodies hydrated and prevent their limbs from cramping up afterwards.

How to Make Youth Basketball Coaching Fun (10/22/2012 12:14:35 PM)

It takes more than a drive to win to coach a youth basketball team. Since they are young and fidgety, you’ll need to engage your players in ways that can help them learn this amazing sport without scaring them off. The following are some fun things you can do to spice up your coaching sessions and make them keep coming back for more:

Keep a Pleasant Attitude

Teenagers and children are quite sensitive to mood changes in adults. As a coach, your job is not only to keep the team focused, but to maintain their morale as well. Your attitude will dictate this. If you are always stern or show frustration during team practices, their performance will suffer on the court. Keep an upbeat demeanor during practice so that they aren't afraid to make mistakes or are too afraid to come to your for advice. Plus, a pleasant attitude will make any drill seem fun as well.

Make Drills Competitive

Running up and down the court all the time during drills can get frustrating for young players. They need more stimulating activities to keep them motivated. To spice things up, make every drill a competition in which the winner gets a prize at the end and the losing team has to run extra sprints.
You can even make competitions which the entire team can work to win together. Give them specific goals to reach as a team and time them. If they complete those tasks in the allotted time or well before it, reward them by letting them off practice early or treating them to lunch. This will encourage them to work harder during each practice session and give their all during each team practice session.

Get Player Insight

Coaching a youth basketball team can be made easy if you manage to develop a rapport with your players. They are the best source of advice when it comes to thinking up drills that can entertain and be effective at the same time. Make it a point to encourage them to talk to you in case they have such ideas and make sure to incorporate them in future drills.
If they want to listen to music, bring a stereo to the gym, if they want to sit and talk, take some time out from each drill for a little chatting session and encourage them to talk freely during them. This will also allow them to de-stress during practice and energize them for the remaining practice session.
In order to make basketball drills fun you don’t need to go all out. All you need to do is incorporate bits of fun elements in between them to make sure each member gets a chance to showcase their talents in ways that can encourage them to work harder for the team. Allowing them to take over once in a while is also a good idea if you want to instill confidence in them and strengthen their self-esteem for those matches.

What Youth Sports Should Teach Your Players (10/15/2012 11:21:36 AM)

There are many lessons that youth sports teach kids. However, there are also a number of missed opportunities that coaches and parents should be able to include during the regular season. From the baseball or softball diamonds to the basketball court, children are often competitive, trying to fit in, to excel, and receive the positive recognition from the coach, their fellow players, and parents. Before you start your next coaching season, think about these invaluable lessons to impart on your young athletes.

Patience

In today’s society, patience is a commodity that’s not easy to come by. While parents may not intend to gloss over the importance of having patience, it’s a common by-product in today’s world.

Some players who have gained certain skills, or accolades, will tend to have less patience for their teammates who may struggle with basic skills, exercises, or drills. For example, a baseball player who makes contact with the ball consistently may grow tired or watching a teammate swing and miss over and over.
In this situation, it’s important for the coach to encourage the player who is struggling to focus on the skills that will allow them to improve while instructing other teammates to speak positively, or risk losing turns at bat. Patience is one of the most important life lessons to impart upon children because when they have patience, they will be able to persevere when they begin to struggle.

Don’t hesitate to sit your star player(s) if they exhibit little patience. Sometimes losing a game can build a stronger team in the long run.

Humility

Good sportsmanship is about humility. However, with celebrity athletes garnering more attention and accolades in the media for their arrogance and obnoxious celebrations, this can create displays of gloating and excessive celebration among youth. Coaches who rein in their young players early will have more success with them and allow future coaches the same reward; players will understand that sportsmanship is more important than winning.
When you witness an arrogant display, take the child aside and tell him or her that it’s not necessary to act that way and that it’s more effective to simply allow their skills to speak for them. Some will understand; others won’t. Benching a player for rude behavior can be a strong deterrent to them continuing it in the future.

Every season is another opportunity to impart valuable life lessons to children, yet in our desire to create winning teams, we sometimes miss opportunities to create true winners in the long run. While it’s great to have a winning team, the lessons that these kids should be learning are more important than any trophy. Trophies will eventually gather dust, but being patient and humble will carry with them throughout their lives, and when that happens, they win every time.

Managing Parents at Youth Baseball Games (9/24/2012 11:45:39 AM)

Today, many parents take their child's baseball games too seriously. At the senior high school level, performing well and winning may very well equate to scholarships or making the best collegiate teams. For younger children, there should never be pressure to win from parents, coaches, or other children.

Some parents, unfortunately, can get carried away with the competitiveness of sports and make it difficult for coaches to manage the kids, the game, and everything else at once.

Recognizing the Signs of Trouble

The first signs of trouble may tend to be mild. A parent might show up at every practice and may begin to offer instruction to the team over your own. Is this being helpful or is he trying to instill his will upon your team?

Yelling at umpires or referees usually also starts out mildly at first. The problem is that, over time, these behaviors, when unchecked, grow and become louder and more common. Given enough time, this parent’s actions can escalate out of control.

Establish Ground Rules

Most teams have a code of conduct that players must follow. Create one for the parents as well.

At the beginning of each season, have all parents or guardians of the kids read and sign a code of conduct that is written for them. In it, inform the parents that they are:

• to refrain from openly criticizing the umps, coaches, or any players
  
• to remain in designated viewing areas
  
• to avoid discussing or arguing with you in front of children
  
• to not yell at games or practices

It’s important to give parents a process through which they can discuss any potential grievances with you (by phone or in person - but not on game days, for example).

Don’t Allow Parents to Attend Games Unless They Sign

While this can be difficult to enforce when you have so much going on, as long as the parents see the importance of their behavior, they’ll sign and be comfortable with it.

Most importantly, set a strict guideline that you will follow with those parents who don't adhere to the code of conduct. You can ban them from a certain number of games, and if needed, suspend their child from playing (though punishing the child for the actions of a parent should be the last resort, you simply may not have a choice).

Most parents, even if they get a little out of control for your preferences, will be amenable to change if it’s addressed with them. However, a parent code of conduct is a great way to establish your expectations for them, and some ground rules they must follow in the upcoming season.

Being a youth baseball coach today means that you must be part teacher, part psychologist, part day care specialist for your players, and also part manager for the adults. By taking charge of the season from the outset, you give the parents no reason to claim that they didn’t know what you expect.

How Basic Instruction Can Be as Effective as Actual Basketball Practice (9/20/2012 12:54:51 PM)



When you coach youth basketball, often you think that the only real instruction is going to be done on the court itself. You run dribbling drills, shooting drills, and scrimmages that teach the kids how to play defense and how to work the ball around the court to open up shots on offense. The more skilled the players are, the more it seems that they need in-depth, complicated instructions such as the moving triangle, boxing out, gaining position for rebounds, and more.

However, basic instruction is often a very useful tool for almost any young player and it is somehow neglected far too often. So, what it basic instruction and what does it entail?

Simplify

At the core, basic instruction discusses and involves the most fundamental elements of the game itself. It’s tearing down all of the peripheral information such as swing passes, triangle formations, pick and rolls, weaves, and more. While those more advanced instructions will be useful, they can’t be all that useful unless the players already have a solid foundation on the basics.
Focus on position first. Where on the court should your player(s) be? A player out of position won’t be that effective no matter what skills they possess.

Include Perimeter Players

When talking about ‘perimeter’ in this context, that doesn’t mean those on the outside of the court but rather those on the outside of the immediate play. Make sure they know where the ball is, where the open lanes are, and the more they become aware of these basics, the more effective they become as defenders.
On offense, basic instruction might be for each player to look to create distance between himself and the person guarding him. Too often kids stand around watching the player with the ball and the person guarding them is close enough to cut off any pass, leaving the point guard battling just to find someone open.

Keep them moving and looking to create opportunities to pass the ball safely. While these players are moving, they can take a great deal of pressure off the person with the ball. It’s easy for young players to feel that they aren’t really in the play when they don’t have the ball, but they are constantly affecting the outcome of the possession.

When you simplify your instructions and coaching strategies, you strip down the clutter that comes with pre-designed plays as well as build a team mentality, where each player is responsible for staying true to his position, which in turn will slowly encourage everyone on the team to stop trying to be the hero, steal the ball, or drive into a crowded lane for the winning shot.
It helps to step back and take a look at things from the basic level again. Even running basic shooting drills from different areas of the court will help develop a wider shooting range for each of them.

When you simplify, your players will begin to develop stronger basic skills, which will make them stronger and better well into the future.

Five Great Coaching Tips for Youth Basketball, Softball, and Baseball (9/19/2012 12:53:22 PM)


When you take on coaching youth baseball, softball, or even basketball, there are often so many questions you might not know where to start, or what to think about. Even if you’re a seasoned veteran, having coached for years, there are things that you can do to help improve the process and ultimately the enjoyment for yourself and the kids you coach.

Below are five coaching tips that can help you build a better season. Simply having these thoughts in the back of your mind can work wonders for any coach.

Tip #1: Be Organized

This may seem pretty basic, but many coaches step onto the diamond or the court and have no real clue about what they’re going to have the kids work on that day. Simply having them run basic drills, swinging a bat or shooting a ball, isn’t enough. That may be fine for warm-ups or in the beginning of the season while you assess their skills and potential, but after a couple of practices, it’s time to have a specific goal in mind.

Have a schedule for each practice written down on paper. Each drill should focus on one skill or aspect of shooting the ball or swinging the bat. For example, one day you may want to concentrate on footwork with the ball. The next day incorporate two-man footwork drills. The third day, add the ball into the mix. Being organized helps your kids improve at a faster pace.

Tip #2: Be Knowledgeable

While you may have played baseball in your youth and are an avid fan today, that doesn’t mean you know everything that you need to in order to coach effectively. Study how swing coaches approach their players, how managers address challenges on the field, and the best ways to approach the game.

Pick up a recent book or two on the game and best methods for coaching. There are countless tips you will likely find that will improve your knowledge base.

Tip #3: Remember the Perspective of the Youths

When you’re ambitious and want the best for your team and players, you can sometimes lose sight that they are still only children. They process information differently than you. Keep this in mind when you’re instructing them, offering constructive criticism, or managing the games. If you find yourself getting frustrated, step back. If your players appear confused, figure out whether you could teach the lesson more effectively by simplifying it.

Tip #4: Communicate

Sure, you’re telling them what to do, but are you communicating with them? This ties in with tip #3 in that you need to keep an open mind and practice patience. Your players will often be trying to communicate with you things that they’re struggling with, but they don’t often know how to do it properly. The more you focus on your communication, the more effective you will be.

Watch for non-verbal cues, such as growing anger, walking away, kicking at the ground after a strikeout. These kids may want your help but don’t know how to ask for it.

Tip #5: Plan for the Future

It’s not your future as a coach that matters; it’s your players’ futures that do. Help them grow, build positive sportsmanship behaviors, and enjoy the game. When you manage to do that, you build a team that will win, no matter what the final scores are in the games.

Creating a ‘Team’ Atmosphere Among Kids Under 12 for Youth Baseball, Basketball, and Softball (9/11/2012 10:05:18 AM)


For young athletes under the age of 12, it can be frustrating to try and create a true ‘team’ atmosphere. For the most part, children at this age care mostly about themselves and what they can gain through their actions on the field. Yes, they want their team to win, but they also want to be the one scoring. When this happens, these young players tend to hold the ball too long, take harder swings, or try to take on the opposing team all by themselves in the hope of making that all important score.

This makes creating a team atmosphere a bit more challenging.

Recognize the More Mature Players

The first thing that you have to do is figure out which players you have are the most mature, most skilled, and eager to create a winning team. These two or three individuals should become your captains. Assign them as captains in the beginning of the season.

The captains of your team will hold the responsibility for guiding and mentoring other players. You should take these students aside and let them know that while they are more skilled and mature, you expect them to help their fellow teammates out by offering tips and guidance on how they can get better, and especially encouraging their efforts, regardless of the results.

What About Having Everyone Be Captain At Least Once?

There are many coaches out there who believe that every player should have the opportunity to be captains for at least one game every season. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you should still have two or three who will be your captains during practices all season as well.

How Does This Build a Better Team?

Every team has its leaders. However, when you’re working with children under 12, in most cases those leaders are you or other coaches. While this is vital to success, these children won’t view you the same way that they will their peers. They want to impress you, they want to do well and win your accolades and praise.

At the same time, your leaders will begin to gain a better appreciation for what their teammates are dealing with, whether it’s limits in skill levels or natural abilities, and they will learn about the true desire of other players on the team.

It’s important, though, that your leaders are guided by you every step of the way so that they don’t come down hard on their fellow teammates.

Create an Open Forum

Let your players know that they can discuss anything related to the team, the games, and other players with you. When they feel they have a voice, they’ll feel as though they’re a part of the team, no matter how much or little they actually play.

The bottom line of any sport should be fun. If a player is being ridiculed or made fun of, then it’s not going to be fun for him or her and therefore they won’t want to try very hard for their ‘team.’ When you build an atmosphere of respect and caring among all of your players, your team will be much stronger as a result. When that happens, victories will seem to come to you much more readily.

Concentration Techniques to Improve Youth Basketball Skills (9/7/2012 10:31:26 AM)


Shooting a basketball has as much to do with the mind as it does with the body itself. In order to develop stronger skills in this area of your players’ game, you can help them by using their imagination.
What we create in our minds, real or not, is essentially no different than what we experience in life. Studies have shown that people who imagine themselves shooting a basketball, taking a golf, swing, batting in baseball, or anything else, actually improve their physical skills over time faster than those who only practice on the court.

Step One

Clear the mind. Have your players practice clearing their mind of all thought. Then ask them to recall their natural shooting motion. They should pay attention to every detail from their foot position to their shoulders, how the ball feels in their hand, and their stroke through the shot.

Step Two

Next, play a video of proper shooting technique for them. Make sure they focus on the position of the feet, hands, and stroke of the player’s arms and wrists. Then stop the video, instruct your players to close their eyes and picture that exact motion, just as it was on the video. Once they are able to do that within their mind, they should then replace the player in the video with themselves.
After they are able to manage this (and it will take some time and practice), have them move their angle of view so that they take the place of the professional player in the video.

Step Three

Perhaps the most important step in this entire process is visualizing success. The more a person practices something, the more successful they tend to be; it’s merely a natural process. But when they are visualizing shooting the ball, they need to also picture the shot going in the hoop. This is an aspect of positive reinforcement, yet the results should always remain true to the technique being envisioned.

Why This Technique Can Be Important

There are only so many hours in the week that you can dedicate to practice. However, most people have many more hours in which they aren’t doing much. For kids, waiting for the bus or the ride to or from school, study hall, sitting at home bored, are all examples of time that they could be practicing the sport they love and actually improve their skills.

It takes practice to visualize in this manner, but once they get a handle on it. While it may be challenging to get them to take this kind of exercise seriously at first, once they do, the results will be clear.
Another aspect of this exercise can be having them take an actual free throw and when they make the shot, have them close their eyes and picture exactly what they did and how their hands, fingers, wrists, arms, and legs felt while they shot the ball. This can reinforce success within the mind, which increases it in the physical world as well.

Training Opportunities for Youth Baseball, Basketball, and Softball Coaches (8/28/2012 10:17:53 AM)

Though some coaches may have been involved with their sport for most of their lives, as either players or coaches, all games do advance. Some older methods still apply equally today; however, games change as athletes evolve. Experts around the world are consistently implementing new strategies and attempting to give players an edge over their opponents. By keeping up with the way your game is changing, in addition to changes in kids themselves over the past few decades, you can provide the players on your team with more knowledge and be better prepared for anything that comes your way.

Players are constantly learning about their sports and the same should apply to umpires and coaches. There are many programs available for coaches looking to continue their education, and enrollment instruction is sometimes as easy as logging on to the internet. Just as many college students are learning at home, coaches can take online courses as well.

Below is a list of a few places coaches can explore to continue training.

American Sport Education Program

In 1981, ASEP founder Rainer Martins offered his first program dedicated to coaching philosophy, sports science, sports medicine, and sports management. ASEP now trains more than 20,000 coaches each year, from youth team volunteers up to high school levels and above. Online training sessions can begin as low as $14.95, while others cost more. Course titles include "Coaching Baseball Technical and Tactical Skills" and "Coaching Principles." Students take a test at the end of training to receive certification for completing the training. Of course, there are various online options similar to ASEP.

Universities and Colleges

Check with the schools in your area. Many universities and colleges offer classes for coaches and physical education teachers. Contact the school's admissions department for information, and you should be directed to the proper place. Many college courses are offered online today, making it more flexible for those who work during the day and spend the evening coaching a team. At least some of the classes will likely be held on a field on or near the school's campus. Fees are usually determined by credit hours.

Coaching Conferences and Conventions

For those who have the desire and the ability to travel and meet other coaches in person to discuss and learn coaching strategies, there are many conferences and conventions available. For example, the World Baseball Coaches' Convention will be held on January 10-12, 2013 in Uncasville, Connecticut. Discounted hotel rates are available for those attending.

World Baseball Coaches' Convention

Speakers present for the 2012 convention included baseball coaches from Vanderbilt, UConn, Wright State, and the St. Louis Cardinals. Each year the convention schedules events for three straight days, with programs like "Aggressively Defending the Bunting Game" and "Getting the Most Out of Your Catchers", which were among the subjects offered in 2012. These conventions often include breakout sessions, allowing coaches to interact with each other to pick up tips and advice.

Coaching conventions typically provide a certificate to participants at the end and parents will appreciate coaches who take time to travel in hopes of improving their skills and knowledge.

Great Books for Youth Softball Coaches (8/22/2012 9:32:51 AM)


Coaching softball can be a fun, rewarding hobby that some coaches can eventturn into a way to earn a living. For those who are just starting out, though, a great way to learn is to grab some books from your library, bookstore, or Amazon. Even veteran coaches find that they can still learn more about their sport by reading. Some of the greatest coaches in sports history have been famous for always reading, researching, and learning in an attempt to pass more information along to their players.

Below is a list of books that may be interesting to softball coaches. A link to Amazon is included for each book.

Coaching Fastpitch Softball Successfully by Kathy Veroni

Veroni has won more than 1,250 games as a softball coach and is joined by expert Roanna Brazier, who also lends advice and tips to readers. Topics addressed include in-game strategy, conditioning plans, over 130 practice drills, and off-field administration notes to help lead a successful team.

Throw Like a Girl: How to Dream Big and Believe in Yourself by Jennie Finch

Finch won 119 career games while pitching for the University of Arizona. She was 2-0 in the 2004 Summer Olympics, when Team USA captured the gold medal, then led her country to a silver medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics. In her book she addresses how it feels to be a female athlete in today's society and how she uses lessons she learned in sports to help her throughout her life. In addition to pitching advice, she also discusses nutrition and body image. This book can be helpful for players and coaches alike.

Fastpitch Softball: The Windmill Pitcher by Barry Sammons

In this very comprehensive instructional book, Sammons offers invaluable lessons on increasing pitch speed and building good mechanics. A fastpitch softball pitcher himself, Sammons' book has been a leading resource for coaches since 1997. Drawn diagrams are used to illustrate techniques and to provide warning signs for flawed pitching methods.

The Softball Coaching Bible by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association

This is labeled the "Coaching Bible" because it combines thoughts, insight, and lessons from 28 of the country's best softball coaches. Aside from the typical drills and skills mentioned in these publications, this book also educates coaches about building great players off of the field. Many times, building a person's character can help the player develop a stronger work ethic and reach his or her full potential. The book does talk about hitting as well as pitching, but it is always beneficial to approach pitching from a hitting standpoint and vice versa.

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

This book helps coaches develop players who are approximately 13 and younger. By focusing on both beginning techniques and advanced skills, coaches can prepare players who wish to play at competitive levels in high school and beyond. Some attention is also given to the emotional and physical state of girls at this age.

Using Colored Wristbands in Youth Basketball (8/20/2012 11:18:11 AM)

Many youth basketball teams and leagues are adopting a color-coded wristband system for a number of reasons. The wristbands can help players remember plays and serve other purposes. Below are some pros and cons of using the colored wristbands.

Offensive Play-calling and execution

When coaching young players, it can be difficult to get them to remember and properly execute basic plays. By assigning a colored wristband to each designated area of the court or each route within a single play, young athletes may adapt better to more complex ideas. Tech-savvy coaches could even print out plays, with each movement colored to match the player's wristband.

With very young beginners, colored cones can be placed on the court to help players remember which sections of the floor are theirs.

Defense

The same concept can be applied to zone defense, using colored cones or even tape to help players remember which area they are supposed to defend.

Some leagues are requiring all players to wear the wristbands to assist in man-to-man defense. Sometimes it can be difficult for young players to remember whom they may be guarding, particularly when substitutions take place during game play. Suddenly, a player's "man" is out of the game, leaving coaches to yell opposing players' numbers for their team to pick up defensively. Wristbands alleviate this confusion, as players simply find the matching wristband on the other team, allowing them to focus more on the skills they've learned as opposed to finding the correct person.

Fun learning experience

Plays can be called for certain players to shoot the ball by using the players' wristband colors as references. For example, in the fall, young players may associate the color orange with Halloween. When naming a play designed to allow the player with the orange wristband to shoot the ball, the play could be titled based on a Halloween reference. Like in school, the bright colors can simply help make learning fun.

Designating skill level

Some leagues currently require teams to assign colored wristbands based on each player's skill level. For instance, the most skilled player on the court must wear red, followed by the next player wearing blue, etc. If not handled properly by experienced coaches and parents, this situation could lead to trouble down the road. Not only does it risk a rivalry among teammates who are each striving to be the "best" player on the team, but parents could also resent the decisions made by the coaching staff when deciding who is "most skilled." Which skills are more important when distributing wristbands: shooting, passing, or defense?

When coaching in a league that requires you to use this system, the best method is to be completely upfront with parents and players. Explain the skills you will be assessing when choosing wristbands and stress that the overall goal is to create individual matchups that are as fair as they can be. If players are close in skill level, offer to let them switch from game to game, allowing a number of players to wear the "best" color over the course of the season.

Using colored wristbands properly in youth basketball can help both the teaching and learning processes. Just remember that you and your players should be having fun.

Finding Practice Space for Youth Basketball Teams (8/15/2012 10:18:37 AM)

For basketball coaches who must share a gym with other teams, finding practice space and time can be quite difficult. Teams are usually given two or three blocks of time per week, and they have to hope it fits within their schedule and the schedules of their players and parents. If the league does not restrict the amount of time that the team spends practicing, the team can always supplement their allotted time by finding outside sources who are willing to let theteam use their space.

Not all courts are created equally, and finding practice time at an alternative venue may mean that the players have to adjust to gyms and courts that may not be kept up to the same standards as the home gym. However, the coach should stress that practicing in sub par conditions can sometimes better prepare athletes for game situations, similar to the way in which some players will practice while wearing weights on their ankles. Besides, like the famous scene from "Hoosiers" taught us, if the hoop is set at the same height from the ground, you should be able to play your game and not be affected by your surroundings.

Below is a list of options to explore when looking for space to hold extra practices.

Churches and Schools

Ask players if they know of gyms or outside courts located at their churches or schools. Many times, these gyms may be vacant during evenings and weekends, and the team may be able to use them. These gyms may be older and sometimes smaller than what the teams are used to, but there is still a lot that the players can accomplish by borrowing this space.

VFW Halls, Knights of Columbus Buildings, etc.

These organizations are often willing to help kids and, if they have space available, could be more than happy to see kids using it.

YMCA, Community Centers, Fitness Centers, etc.

If the coach or players are members at a local YMCA or other type of fitness center, the team may be able to use the courts there. Visitor fees may cost a few dollars per day for each non-member, but it never hurts to call and ask for donated time for your team. Non-profit organizations are very good about supporting the community and may be willing to help, while fitness centers may see it as a way to gain new members.

Local Parks

Check around the community for outdoor parks that may have multiple goals available. The team may have to bring their own net to use, and they may not want to use their best basketballs on certain surfaces, but sometimes finding the practice space is worth it.

A Player's House

You might find that some of your players have courts right in their backyards, or at a neighborhood fitness center. This could work to practice plays, free throws, and other aspects of the game. Also, encourage you players to practice their plays when playing together on their own time at school or someone's house.

Get Creative

Look around for any hoop that may not be in use. Because practice space and time can be so limited, coaches may have to search for alternatives. But, in the end, it definitely can be worth it.

Monitoring and Utilizing Pitching Limits for Youth Baseball Teams (8/13/2012 11:24:20 AM)

An important part of coaching youth baseball is monitoring pitching limits set by your league. Even without league-mandated limits, it is important to avoid overusing young arms in order to keep them healthy and properly developing. Depending on the age of the player, mandatory and suggested pitch counts and innings limits vary among different sources.

According to baberuthleague.org, players in the Cal Ripken League (12 and younger) may pitch up to six innings per calendar week. If a player pitches more than two innings in a game, then he must have two calendar days of rest before pitching again.

In the Babe Ruth League, players in the 13-15 division may pitch seven innings per week, with two calendar days of rest when pitching more than three innings in one game. There are no rules to limit pitches in the league's 16-18 division.

Of course, some leagues choose to use actual pitch count limits as opposed to innings limits, starting around 50 pitches per game for younger teams and advancing to approximately 100 each game for older athletes. The American Sports Medicine Institute (asmi.org) suggests a relationship between the number of pitches thrown and the risk of arm, shoulder, and elbow injuries. To make the record keeping a little easier, the AMSI notes that a batter limit should be used at the very least, assuming an average of five pitches per batter. Since that average can vary greatly, a solid count may be the best practice.

Many leagues limit, or at least suggest for coaches to limit, certain types of pitches, especially with younger players. While there is no specific evidence pointing to injuries caused by throwing curveballs and sliders, limiting these pitches as a cautionary measure is usually recommended.

As a coach, one thing to be aware of is a player participating in multiple leagues. If you are allowing one of your pitchers to reach his limit each week, and he happens to be reaching the maximum limit in another league, this could be very detrimental to his future health. Unfortunately, parents have tried to break these rules in the past, thinking that more practice at a younger age could help a pitcher develop better and faster.

Pitch counts are not used solely by youth teams. Even Major League Baseball organizations are using loose and strict counts on certain pitchers, hoping to cut back on the number of arm injuries. The Washington Nationals have established a 2012 season limit of approximately 160 innings for young phenom Stephen Strasburg. With the Nationals looking like candidates for a postseason bid, many have criticized the Nationals' decision and questioned whether or not they would enforce the limit. However, last year the team did end Jordan Zimmerman's season after 161 innings and have shown no signs of adjusting Strasburg's limit.

As long as youth baseball coaches follow all rules and keep the health of players in mind, arm injuries should be minimal at young ages. As science progresses, we should learn more about limits and exactly what factors contribute to the devastating injuries.

Upcoming Youth Baseball Travel Team Tournaments - NorthEast (8/7/2012 4:06:21 PM)


Looking for more playing time? Here are upcoming Baseball Tournaments for the Northeast US!

• Hitting Machine Hurricanes 12U Showdown (August 2-5) | Utica, NY | 11U, 12U


• Niagara Battle at the Falls (August 3-5) | Niagara, NY | 11U, 16U


• South County Slam Fest (August 3-19) | Shady Side, MD | 10U, 12U, 14U


• Cooperstown All-Star Village (August 4-10) | Cooperstown, NY | 12U


• Cooperstown Baseball World (August 4-10) | Cooperstown, NY | 12U-16U


• Sharkey Laureno Memorial Baseball Tournament (August 4-14) | Stamford, CT | 14U, 15U


• Lou Gehrig 2012 Summer Classic (August 9-12) | Amherst, NY | 9U


• Summer Showdown (August 10-12) | Chester, NY | 9U, 10U, 16U, 18U


• Summer Sizzler Classic Baseball & Softball Tournament (August 11-12) | Bear, DE | 12U, 16U, 19U


• Milford JML Back to School Bash (August 24-26) | Milford, CT | 12U


• Clash at Canal End of Sumer Tournament (August 24-26) | Bear, DE | 9U, 10U


• Elite Baseball Fall Showdown (August 25-26) | Mount Joy, MD |16U


• DE State Baseball Championship & Showcase Tournament (September 1-2) | Dover, DE | 8U-18U


• Essex Express Labor Day Shootout (September 1-3) | Baltimore, MD | 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, U16, U19


• Elite Baseball Fall Wood Bat Open (September 8-9) | Mount Joy, MD | 16U


• Elite Baseball Fall Classic (September 15-16) | Mount Joy, MD | 18U


• OCMD Fall Classic (September 22-23) | Ocean City, MD | 10U-15U, 18U

Team Fundraising Ideas for Youth Baseball, Basketball, and Softball Teams (8/4/2012 2:24:53 PM)

The costs of uniforms, team travel, and gym/field time for youth baseball, basketball, and softball Teams can be offset by different form of fundraising. While many teams may use car washes, bingo games, or bake sales, there are many other ways to raise money for your expenses. Below is a list of companies who offer partnerships to help provide funds for your team, along with some other ideas.

Joe Corbi's

Joe Corbi’s is one of the most popular fundraising companies available. Since 1988 Joe Corbi's has been helping teams raise funds by selling boxed pizza kits. Options have now expanded to include calzones, stuffed pretzels, cookies, and candy bars. The company's popular pizza kits include crusts, sauce, and cheese; the products are not found in stores. Organizations receive colored order forms, collection envelopes, cover letters, promotional posters, and even computer software. Products are delivered on refrigerated trucks and delivery is guaranteed.

Find out more about Joe Corbi's Fundraising here

Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme offers four different ways to raise funds. First, your team can purchase doughnuts at a discounted rate and sell them at a higher price to bring in profits. An easier option may be to sell certificates provided by the store. Certificates can be redeemed for one dozen doughnuts, and your team makes a profit on each certificate sold. Partnership cards are also available and are similar to certificates. The cards allow the buyer 10 "buy one dozen, get one dozen free" deals. Teams who are not interested in selling doughnuts may be interested in Krispy Kreme's coffee fundraising, which offers profits of $3 or more per bag sold.

Find out more about Krispy Kreme Fundraising here

Buffalo Wild Wings

Many restaurants will donate a percentage of sales on a predetermined date and time. Some Buffalo Wild Wings locations offer this option, and the sports-themed restaurant can be a fun place for your players' friends and families to meet for a great cause. Check with your local Buffalo Wild Wings or other restaurants.

Find out more about Buffalo Wild Wings Fundraising here

Scratch Cards

Your team can make up to a 90% profit using Scratch Cards. Cards are purchased and each has the potential to raise $100. Supporters choose a circle to scratch-off, which reveals the amount they should donate, between $1 and $5. Each donor also receives a page of coupons in return, and the coupons may be used at restaurants, movie theaters, etc. Scratch cards may be personalized with your team's pictures.

Find out more about Scratch Card Fundraising here

Be Creative!

To come up with fresh fundraising ideas, look around your community to see what is offered. Youth dances can be popular, particularly if you can get a good deal on renting a VFW Hall or similar venue.

Golf tournaments and fishing competitions are very profitable in certain areas. Food, drink, and prizes can all be donated if you start early enough, and you can request help from parents to supervise and coordinate the event.

Another option is to hold an auction, asking local businesses and residents to donate gift certificates or other items of value. Find a venue, ask a live band to donate some time, and have an auction party. If you have food and drinks donated, your only costs are for the venue. All auction sales, however, will provide profits.

The possibilities are endless. With proper planning, you should find that local residents are typically happy to help support your team.

New Web Site (6/15/2012 12:44:28 PM)
AYSAA has a new web site.

The most popular service we offer is team insurance. A lot of times teams need to purchase insurance very quickly or acquire a third party certificate at the last minute. Our new web site allows most teams to be able to take advantage of our insurance program online with immediate service. Also, almost all third party certificates can be generated by the team online.

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