How to Chalk A Softball Field

Home Team - Responsible for field preparation (chalking) - Take the 3rd baseline dugout - Take the field first - Coach Tip- Arrive early for field preparation & try to get 2

people to help with field prep.

Visiting (away) Team - Responsible for providing an umpire if no Umpire is

available - Take the 1st baseline dugout - Bat first

Field Prep I Chalking the Field (See diagram attached)

Step A: The first rule is to take care of the supplies in the equipment bin, usually located in one of the dugout's, and to remember to put everything back in the equipment bin and to LOCK it when you're done.

Step B: Make sure the field has a safety bag next to first base.

Step C: Making your batter boxes. There should be a template for the batters box in one of the dugouts, use this to make your batters boxes. The batters box should be 6" from home plate, and the box is 3' x 7'. The box should stick out 4' from the top of home plate. The easiest way to use the template is to lay it in place next to home plate, then carefully step on the template to make an impression in the dirt. Then flip the template over to the other side of home plate and do the same thing. (The template should be marked 'right batters box' on one side and 'left batters box' on the other side) Next take the chalker and follow the impression in the dirt that forms an outline of the batters box.

Step 0: Making your foul lines. Starting from the back of Home plate, at the vee, nail a spike to tie off your string. Next walk the other end of the string down the first base line to the point where the infield meets the grass. Your chalk line should run just outside the first base plate and between the safety bag. With someone holding the

string tight, follow the string with your chalker making a straight line to form your foul line.

Then walk the string over to the 3rd baseline to where the infield meets the grass. Your line should be just outside the 3rd

base plate towards the home team dugout, and do the same thing as you did with the first base foul line.

Step E: Marking your pitching distance: After your baselines are chalked walk the string over to the pitchers mound and measure out from the back of home plate 30' for SU division, 35' for lOU division, and 40' for 12U and up.

Step F: Make your pitching circle: Your pitching circle should have a radius of 8'. There are a couple of easy ways to make a pitching circle. The first way is to measure 8' in 4 directions {North, East, West, South or 1st, 2"d, 3rd, Home). Make a mark at each of the 4 positions and free hand your circle from one mark to the other. The second way is to get someone to hold the tape measure in the center of the pitching rubber and measure 8' out and walk a circle making a mark with a pencil as you walk around the person holding the tape, making sure to keep the tape measure tight. Then follow your mark with the chalker to make a perfect circle. {If there isn't already a pitching rubber installed, or in the equipment bin, you will need to provide your own.)

Step H: Base Coach Boxes: Dimensions are 8' from foul line and no more than 15' wide. (See diagram for placement and dimensions)

Step I: First base runners lane: The runner's lane going down first base should be a path that is 3' wide x 30' in length. The runner's lane is just outside the foul line (to the right towards the visitor's dugout). The line should run from the end of 1st base towards home.

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--------·------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Coach's Camp

"The Basics of Softball"

. Your job as a coach: Keep a positive attitude & be patient with your players. Realize that not all of your players are superstars. Your duty right now is to educate these players about the game and teach the fundamentals. Understand that your players need to develop their softball skills, just like learning how to walk; it takes time. Make the game fun for them! Don't be afraid to have hard practices either. You will be amazed on how the girls WANT to be pushed to do better. Instead of running for

· errors, try doing drills that work on that specific area.

Know your players: Team building drills, getting them to work together on something besides softball will help you all build a bond & team unity. Have them fill out an information sheet about themselves. On the field; learn their strengths & weaknesses & work on them.

Getting Organized: Don't come to practice unprepared! Know what you will be working on that day and stay on a time line. Make a folder with the player's information, birth certificate practice schedules, game times, locations, drills & have parents get involved to help out.

The Parent Coach: Parent coaches are great! You are getting involved and want to be a part of your children's growth. However; too many times do you see the parent get down on their kid more than the others. For one, don't get down on any of the players. You need to understand that when you are on the field with your child that you are now the coach and they are the player. Don't scold them in front of the team or argue with them. Other team members may think it is ok to argue with you if they are around it. And, my personal favorite is; nobody wants to see or hear it, just play softball!

Dealing with Player's Parents: We all have had them, the parent that wants his/her daughter to play all the time and has to be at shortstop or hitting clean up. Well, one idea of how to deal with these parents is, make a 24 hour rule. If they are upset about a game or practice, have them wait and write everything down. After 24 hours they can talk to the coaching staff regarding the issue. Remember that none of us know everything or see everything. Listen to what they say and think about it logica.Ily and both of you come up with a decision. We want to make this game fun for everyone involved.

Setting Personal & Team Goals: Setting team goals that are reachable is a great way to push your girls. Keep them on track with their goals. Have them wTite them down and keep them in their bat bags. Personal goals can be; not to walk the lead off batter, take aggressive swings, run all the way through first base or even get my bunts down.

Routines: Every player should have a routine on and off the field. They need to learn what gets them prepared for games and practice. Hitters need to have a routine while at the plate or even in the batter's box. The same goes for pitchers and fielders. Help them build their routines; make sure they add breathing to their routines!

Body Language: You can read if a kid has had a bad day & they can do the same with you. Negative body language and facial expressions can be harsh for a young girl. If you keep yourself together they will do the same.

Questions:

--------··----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.--------------------------Infield:

Monkey in the middle Side to side Back Hands Positioning of feet while fielding Coming through the ball Grounders with tennis balls

Outfield:

Teaching & Drills:

Over the shoulder (Drop steps) Catch ball over throwing shoulder Charging Crow hops I Do or Dies Blocking

Positioning on the field: Back ups on throws Catcher back ups down first base Bunt situation

Two out situation Slap per Who covers what?

Hitting the cut off: Break team into 2 or 3 teams to work on cutoffs Have them race Hands up Tum body to go with the ball

Hitting: T work, soft toss, live pitching, knob drill One hand swings, high or low Different types of swings, drills

Bunting: Push bunt, sneak bunt, and sacrifice Where to stand in the box Show how to do each. Thumb in front of the nose, use your legs

Slapping: Form When is a good time to use it? Lefty & Righty slap

Base Running: Run through the bag & break it down Rounding the bags Stealing & delayed steals

Throwing: Body position, scarecrow, waiter, snap & follow Correct grip. Use your body with your target's body Pull your glove into your body

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Catching: 2 hands, move in front of the ball Catch over throwing shoulder Ball above belly button, fmgers up Below belly button, fingers down Soft hands bend the arms slightly Sunny days & how to catch the ball

Catching behind the plate: Setting up, framing, blocking Go over some drills, throwing to bases

Sliding: Teach the basics, show form & how to teach

Agility: Proper warm ups, quick feet, show form, different types of agility

Pitching: Snap, release, wind up, drills, mechanics, positioning your catcher, covering the plate on past balls.

Conditioning: Hit & Fetch, Indian Runs, sprints, long runs, sit ups, lunges Don't be scared to condition your players!!

Questions:

Jog Stretch Agility 20 swings

Need: Wiffles Softballs Dimple softballs

Hitting Practice

Tennis balls- I have, but may need more 3 T's or construction cones Bases Buckets

Getting started: Go over what your body is supposed to look like. Line knuckles up, foot positioning, arms, elbows, follow through, extension, legs, back thigh towards ball ... Have team go through the motion for inside & outside pitches. Teach; pitch location, contact spot. Get with partner- elbow drills

Stations: 2 players per group 1. Knob drill & Extension drill (use softballs or tennis balls)

2. Inside & outside pitch with T (1 handed, both hands -softballs)

3. Bucket swings (offT with softballs) (1 handed, both hands -softballs)

4. Live off Pitcher with dimple balls & Thera Bands (bottom hand pull)

5. Coach throwing Wiffles & Bunting with tennis balls

6. Fielding- shagging

Conditioning: 2 teams Hit & fetch

Practice Defense, Base Running & Conditioning

Jog, stretch, agility 21ines when jogging Form rows not circle when stretching (build leaders) Don't let them slack & pay attention to detail & form

Throwing Teach- Drills 1. Wrist snaps 2. Scare crow, waiter, snap, follow 3. Proper seems to grab

Short hops 1. Step in to ball with glove side foot 2. Head down, want to see pony tail not forehead 3. How to throw sh01i hops

BackHands 1. Fom1 on back hand 2. Push your partner

Monkey in the middle- Infield 3 girls 1. The 2 on the outside have 2 balls and the one in the middle in fielding 2. Roll 1 ball, the middle player goes to field it. Right when she touches it drop the 2nd ball out in front of you. She should bare hand it and underhand toss it to you. When she bare hands the 2nd ball the other girl rolls the 1st ball. The middle girl has to tum and charge the ball. Right when she touches it, drop the second ball out in front of you. (Object is to keep her feet moving! Charge the ball)

Always be encouraging to your players!!! You can do this, you are looking great! Keep up the hard work.

Young girls ... and older girls respond to encouragement, not yelling or making them run for making an error. Don't single players out and put them down.

6 Ball drill & side to side work A. Back & Forward - 2 balls needed 1 girl is fielding- she starts back about 15 feet away from partner. Roll first ball -fielder charges it & gets rid of it fast to partner. - Second ball is thrown over her head as a pop up. Fielder has to run the ball down, call for it, set her feet and get rid of it. -Next ball is then rolled and you start the sequence over again. (Object is to keep their feet moving & get rid of the ball fast)

B. Side to Side- 2 balls needed 1 girl is fieldn1g; her partner is close to her, about 4 feet away. Roll 1 ball to left, make your partner move, once she touches, roll the other ball to the right. Do this 3 times. (Total of 6 balls) Make her dive if you can!!!

Base Running: 1. Sprint through 1 5~. 2. Break it down & show how & why 3. Running the bases & taking proper turns to get to the next bag 4. What makes you a good base runner?

a) Aggressive (good jump), being heads up b) fast. .. of course c) knowing when to run; ball in the dirt, pass ball, change up d) knowing where the fielders are e) paying attention to the coach's signs f) Proper form with body g) Running bases correctly h) Watching when the pitcher makes the wrong move

Hit & Fetch: 2 teams: 1st team

Split team up - some on first base, some on third base. These frls chase the ball when it is hit. They both have to touch the ball. The 2n player to touch the ball throws it in to coach & they go back to the opposite bag they came from.

2"d team You are up to bat. Your object it to hit the ball and run the bases properly. What you have learned during practice. Each base you touch (that you ran properly) you get a run. You don't stop running until both girls have touched the ball & the coach yells stop.

After all girls have hit you switch with the other team. You can do as many innings as you like. End your practice with stretching and sit-ups. All athletes need a strong core to prevent mJunes.

Indian Run with a ball, toss the ball in the air and the girl behind you has to call it and catch it. The ball goes down the line with out dropping. The last girl

Not added in this practice: 1. T drills 2. Soft toss/live with wiffle balls 3. Machine hitting & bunting 4. Bottom hand hitting drills, make them choke up on the bat and swing with

only bottom hand on. 5. Live pitching

Extra Practice ideas: All of defense comes together and coach hits balls & the girls throw to bases. Go over situations, have pitchers throw live every practice or at least a bull pen. Hit a ball and tell everyone to move to where they need to be.

Remember to keep encouraging these young athletes! It is supposed to be fun & a learning experience. You can help an athlete reach their goals if done properly.

You can reach the next level together by; motivation, encouragement, team building, positive attitude & hard work!

Practice Checklists

Infield • Sacrifice Bunt Defense Runner on first Runner on First & Second Runner on Second Runner on Third

• Running Slap bunt defense Runner on first Runner on First & Second Runner on Second No runner

• Slap bunt defense from right side Runner on first Runner on First & Second Runner on Second

• Holding Runners Runner on Second Runner on third Hold & get the out Check and hold runner

• Fake throws Runner on third, ball hit to 3rd

baseman Runner on 2 11

d, ball hit to short stop

• Backhands, forehands, balls in front

• First & third situations

• Rundowns

• Squeeze bunt defense

• Pickoffs at first, second & third

• Fundamentals of fielding ground balls

• Fundamentals of catching fly balls

• Double plays • Defensive situations \Vith ground

balls to infielders Rmmer on tirst, force play at 2nd

Runners on 1st & 211d, force play at

/lld

Runners on 1st & 2nd, force play at .., rd .)

Bases loaded, force play at home Runner on 2nd, hold & go 1st Runner on 3rd, hold & go 1st

• Runner interference on ground balls

• Sun drills • Wild pitches and pass balls • Pitchouts • Fence and dugout drills • Communication Between first & second baseman Between middle infielders

Outfield • Positioning and depth • Defensive situations with

balls to right, center, and left Runners on bases, fly ball When to let ball drop with runner on 3rd base Runner on 1st, single to right, center and left Runner on 2nd, single to right, center and left Runner on yct, single to right, center and left • Fundamentals Grounders: balls in front, to the side, in the gap, down the line, foul balls Drop steps Angles Diving head first, seat slide Playing the fences Lanes Sun balls Balls over their heads Backing up Communication with infielders & other outfielders

Stance 1. 2.

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4.

5.

6.

7. 8.

9.

Stride 1.

2. 3.

4.

5.

6.

Swing 1. 2.

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4.

5. 6.

Mechanics of Swing Checklist

Eyes and head are level Eyes are focused on the pitcher's delivery Position is comfortable and balanced Chin nearly touches the front shoulder Hitter grips the bat with the pads oftheir fingers Hitter looks over the front shoulder Muscles are relaxed Front shoulder is pointed at the pitcher and slightly closed Middle knuckles are lined up

Stride is soft, short, and soon enough Front side is closed Stride is short so the center of gravity doesn't move Body remains balanced. Hitter picks up the front foot and steps out toward the pitcher (less than eight inches). Head remains steady with little or no movement. Hands stay back.

Back knee begins to move in. Hands move toward the pitcher, not toward the plate, to stay inside ofthe ball. Back foot pushes to transfer weight, and then rotates. Hips rotate tow·ard the ball and remain level. Arms remain tlexed. Chin goes from shoulder to shoulder.

. Contact 1. Anns t1ex 2. Palms take a position almost

palm up and palm down 3. Wrists do not roll on contact;

they will roll naturally during follow through.

4. Hitter hits up against a finn yet bent front leg.

5. Hitter finishes rotation of lower half of body.

6. Hitter extends through the ball 18 to 20 inches.

Follow-through 1. Begins after full extension

through the ball. 2. Majority of weight is over front

leg. 3. Hitter is balanced, with the body

stacked shoulder over hip over knee.

4. Bat creates a long arc from full extension to a position over and above the shoulder.

Individual Defensive Skills Checklist

Catcher • Blocking • Handling pop-ups and bunts • Tag & force plays at plate • Giving signs to the pitcher & infielders • Communicating with umpire • Pitch outs and intentional walks • Framing the pitch • Bunt defense • Pickoff plays, called or automatic • Suicide squeeze • Throwing to 2nd and 3rd

• Using the cutoff player • Rundowns • Throwing balls from backstop • Throwing mask • Finding the fence

Pitcher • Glove work & footwork • Fielding bunts • Double play situations • Backing up bases and plate • Covering home plate • Fielding ground balls • Fly ball and ground ball communication • Rundown responsibilities • Intentional walk and pitchouts • Pop-ups • Pitching in the rain

Fist Baseman • Glove work and footwork • Positioning Normal Bunt situation Power hitter Slapper • Cutoffresponsibilities • Bunt defenses • Double steal plays • PickotT plays • Double plays • Playing the fence on pop-ups • Ground ball and t1y ball communication • Rundowns

Middle Infielders • Footwork at bases • Charging balls, angles and pop-ups • Positioning

Normal Bunt situation Weak hitter Slap per Pick off play

• Backing up throws from the plate • Covering second on steals and throws from out • Cutoff responsibilities • First and third coverage • Bunt defense • Pick off plays and first, second and third • Making tag plays • Rundowns • Double play footwork • Fly ball and ground ball communication

Third baseman • Positioning for pull hitter, bunter, slapper, late

in the game • Bag coverage for force outs, tags, steals • Cutoff responsibilities • Bunt fielding • Pickoff plays, called or impromptu • Double play situations • Making tag plays • Playing the fence on pop-ups • Fake throws • Rundowns • Fly ball and ground ball communication

Outfielders • Positioning depth • Fundamentals Blocking Scoop and throw Angles Coming into catch Reading bat angles Sun drill Straight up • Fielding to the side, gapers, down the line and t • Using cut off and relay players • Throwing to bases

Individual Defensive Skills Checklist

• Playing the fence • Fly ball responsibilities & communication

With infielders and other outfielders • Backing up bases • Rundowns

Hitting Drills

No-Ball Drills: In these drills, no ball is used. The hitter might use a piece of apparatus or use a bat to break down the swing and develop individual parts of that swing.

1. Balance Beam • Purpose: To get the proper feel of balance during the swing. • Procedure: The batter stands on a low balance beam made from a two-by­

eight-inch piece of lumber. The beam is placed on the ground in the batter's box, and the batter takes her normal swing \Vhile trying to stay on the beam. Her goal is to not lose balance and step off the beam.

2. Barrier Behind • Purpose: To emphasize taking the hands directly to the ball and keeping

the barrel up. , • Procedure: The batter's rear foot is parallel to the side of a batting cage

and in contact with the net/screen. The batter swings by taking her hands to the ball and keeping the barrel up. The bat should not touch the barrier on the swing.

3. Frisbee Throw • Purpose: To emphasize the movement sequence of the shoulder, elbow,

and wrist. • Procedure: The batter assumes a hitting stance and grips the Frisbee in her

lead hand, holding the Frisbee parallel to the ground. The shoulder, then elbow, then wrist extend forward to throw.

4. Draw a Line • Purpose: To practice moving the hands to the ball and to develop speed

and a strong lead arm. • Procedure: The batter assumes her stance without a bat and with her lead

hand in its normal position with the thumb up. The hitter draws a line across her chest and then extends in a ·'karate chop" motion toward the ball.

Still-Ball Drills: You can use any type of balls of these drills. These drills allow the batter to work on her swing without worrying about making contact with a moving ball.

5. Advanced Tee • Purpose: To learn muscle memory by performing the swing the same

every time. • Procedure: The batter is in her normal position at a tee. Her partner

places the ball on the tee. The batter hits one, and then closes her eyes and hits again.

6. Deflated Volleyball/Soccerball • Purpose: To emphasize keeping the knees together with a short, balanced

stride.

Hitting Drills

Low; the batter has to hit the ball after it hits the ground. High; works on bat speed. Low; works on hitting change ups.

11. Soft Toss-Off Back Knee • Purpose: To concentrate on hitting do\\n on the ball. • Procedure: The hitter kneels on her back knee, and the tosser stands about

six feet to the side and faces the hitter. The tosser tosses at the hitter's contact position. The object is for the hitter to drive the ball into the center of the net while working on the hand speed. This drill eliminates the lower body and emphasizes hand quickness.