Sports Coaching Sports Coaching Videos Hey, Coach! Even though most state that coaching is simply to teach others how to play a game, it is much more than this. The effects that coaching can have on a young child or youth, can help them to gain some important tools that they can keep for the rest of their lifetime. The tools that you will be teaching to your players will help them to grow and flourish, no matter what turn they make in their lifetime. The first major lesson that individuals can learn from playing on a team that you are coaching comes from the relationships that they build with each other. When one is able to work with a team, no matter what the project, and learn how to compromise and fit into the bigger picture, it makes it easier for them later on. The youth and children that are involved will grow up with ideas about what it means to help others as well as take on their own leadership roles. They will also be able to see these same relationship values coming from the leadership role that you present. For the individual child, participating in sports can have the same major effect on them. This first begins with the child having the ability to understand the importance of health and exercise in order to stay at their best. Recent studies have shown that adults that played sports when they were younger are much more active and exercise as adults up to three times more than other average adults. Beyond this, children and youth will gain insights into which they are as individual players. Not only does their physical health improve, but their mental health will as well. Once a child or youth understands the game and begins to get positive feedback from the moves that they make, they are likely to also get a good boost of self-esteem. This doesn't just happen with self-esteem, but also with perceptions of themselves, such as body image. The attitudes that the children learn with positive outlooks on their mental and physical health, will eventually carry over into how they see themselves in the future and as adults. The foundation begins when they are young and playing on any type of field. What does all of this mean to you as a coach? The basic rule is that you should have the ability to coach right. You are not just playing a game. You are also building a foundation for them. This foundation includes personal changes that are important to the child as well as a building of who they are mentally, physically and relation to others. If you want to play a good game as a coach, it means making sure that everyone starts off on the right foot. When to Give Signals Whether you are in a practice, or playing a game on the field, you want to make sure that every game of baseball has effective communication between you as the coach and the players. If there is confusion, it could cause one of the players to make the wrong moves and strike instead of making a home run. Figuring out the best way to communicate effectively with your team is an important step for everyone walking away happy with the results of the game. If you are teaching younger children, you should decide on whether you want to use signals for plays or not. Generally, it is not recommended. Often times, younger players will be confused about what the signals mean and can easily get them mixed up with something else. This will have the wrong effect on their plays, as well as their ability to make the right moves at the right time. Because most of the children are not going to pay attention to the opposing teams coach, you can easily talk to the players while they are up to bat or waiting to move bases. This is easy to do and is effective in helping the kids to make the right moves. Unlike a professional game, you will most likely not have to worry about the lack of signals causing the opposing team to get ahead in the game. As the children grow older, and become more comfortable with the game, you can begin to add in obvious signals to help them develop their ability to watch what you think is best. You will want to make sure that the signs are easy and obvious, and that the players understand when they should be looking at you for the signs. By slowly coaching them into watching you and into the signals that you might use, it will be easier to keep them ahead and on base. If you want to keep your team and players on track, you will want to make sure that you are effective in the signs that you give them for this. Having the proper communication through your speech, and adding in the signs as needed, can help you to develop a strong link between your coaching insights and what the little leagues will need you to tell them. What Coaches Need Being an effective winning team takes more than teaching the basics, especially from the coach. You have a duty to the children or youth that are playing to guide them by finding whatever they need and enhancing it. The job description that you aren't given when you decide to become a coach is what gaps you will have to fill in order to make sure that everyone is playing at their best all of the time. The number one rule that any coach needs to keep in mind is that one of their main goals is to get the team to understand what the goals are. This begins by teaching the fundamentals of any game. From here, you will be able to see what everyone needs in order to support their individual abilities to play. By seeing the techniques that are there, and adding on your own, you can create a well rounded team. If you are coaching a team through a practice or a game, you want to make sure that you see what they need beyond the basic techniques. This is one of the most important aspects of coaching any team. If you see that the team is losing and is starting to get down on energy because of it, you will need to step in and make sure that they become motivated. You will need to find ways to uplift spirits, help push through the rest of the game, and encourage their abilities. This same type of attitude should be kept in other situations as well, but may mean taking a different angle in what you are telling your players. For example, if you see a player falling behind in a practice, you might not want to invoke extra encouragement in them. They may need to hear something that is more compassionate and effective in a different way. The goal that you want to reach with every individual player is to make sure that they hear what they need to in order to inspire them to the end. Of course, there is always the danger of over coaching during a game or practice. Even though you want to offer insights to all of your players, doing too much can discourage them. There is a thin line of being able to coach players and deciding when to let them go into the game without the guidance. If you coach too much, it may cause discouragement, extra pressure and inability to perform to the best of capacity by the players. If you are beginning a coaching job, you will quickly find that one of your important roles is to fill in what the players don't see. Sometimes this comes as teaching basic physical practices, while other times it may mean reaching the players on different mental levels. No matter what you see in every situation, it is your job to step up and make sure that everyone else has the same vision. Communicating as a Coach Every member looks to specific signs in order to be sure that they are being the most effective in their game. One of the major signs that every player is going to look at is the coach. If you are a coach, you will want to make sure to use all of the signs that you can in order to make game time more effective and fun for those that are playing the game with you. Communication as a coach is more than just telling the players what to do. It is also responding to the players at an individual level, something that needs to be done with and without words. One of the major ways that a coach can communicate with the players is by sending out non-verbal messages. For example, if you know that a player has done something right, but you can't run onto the field and tell them good job, then you can always let them know with your body language. You can do this same thing in order to communicate plays, how well individual members are playing, and to help motivate them when you can't be right by their side or lecturing them. While you are communicating with your players, you will want to make sure that you keep everything in perspective. It is always best to combine the idea of character to win the game with other aspects of coaching. Even if you are working towards winning a game, you will want to make sure that you combine this with affection towards the efforts that the different members are making while they are playing. Sometimes showing affection and compassion towards everyone's efforts will be the best motivation to keep the players in the game. More than coaching players on the next move that they need to make is being a coach that is open to the possibilities of knowing what the team needs. By expressing this through your character, you will have the ability to make sure that all of the players are able to respond by playing a better game, knowing that there is confidence and the right message sent from the coach. Competition & Tournaments For every player and every coach, there is a specific goal to playing the sport. At times this may be for physical fitness and at others it may just be for fun. No matter what the intentions of the team and the leaders, there comes a time when competition and tournaments will be a part of the agenda. If you are focused on reaching this goal, you want to make sure that everyone goes prepared. When you begin to focus on a competition, you will want to begin by preparing your players for the level of success that they will be going to. This will need to happen both physically and mentally. In order to prepare players physically, you will want to drill them on the different basic techniques that will help them. This will especially be effective if you focus on the areas where the team is not as strong. By drilling the team this way, you will be able to add in different techniques and make adjustments to the lining of the team. From here, you will want to make sure that your team is mentally prepared to meet the challenge of the competition and tournament. You can first do this by making sure everyone is focused on the same goal. Keeping them motivated, and allowing them to see the possibilities for success through determination will help them to go into the tournament with their eye on the trophy. If you want to make sure that your team learns what challenges are about, then focusing on competitions and tournaments and how to win them is one way to give them this skill. After this, you will be able to prepare them mentally and physically for the level that they will be going to. The process of this will help to enhance their skills and abilities both in the sport and within their personal lives. Why Play Sports? For children everywhere, it is easy to become stimulated by the various technology and other things that are around them. For some, it may seem like a struggle to tear your child away from the technology that is so available and ready for them. If you want to make sure that your child is receiving a well-rounded childhood, then there are options that you can consider in order to make sure that they benefit from being young. With all of the abilities for youth to stay indoors, it is best to begin to show them that being outdoors can be just as beneficial. Playing sports will not only help them to get the activities that there body needs, but will help them to keep the ideal of staying shape in mind when they are older. It is becoming more common for children and youth to grow up overweight or obese, even from the age of five. The problem is becoming so prevalent, that several children are having problems such as type two diabetes and asthma. No matter what age your child is, they should be getting some type of physical activity every day. It doesn't need to be anything vigorous, but should be something to get them moving and away from the easier stimulation in front of the television or Internet. If your child is moving for at least thirty minutes a day, it will prevent the problems that children are growing up to have with their health. By having something where the child is being encouraged to move around and is doing it with their peers, it will be easier to build a foundation for good physical health through activity. If you are interested in your child staying healthy, then making sure that they play sports will give you the ability to become substantial in what they need for their physical health. It will first prevent complications in their current health, beginning with obesity, and going into more severe problems. Making sure that they stay physically healthy will also stay with them for the rest of their lives, making sure that they understand the importance of moving throughout the day. Setting it Up The popular saying of practice makes perfect is not just something that is used for a certain set of performers or athletes. Instead, it should be used for everyone who plans on working towards winning the metal. If you are setting up a practice session, either as a coach or a player, it will be important to know what tennis moves you can do on your own and what you should drill as a coach. If you are advising a tennis player what to do on their own, you can show them several drills that they can do by themselves. As long as they understand the various moves that they can make, it will be easy for them to gain in their game. This begins with making the right serves. You can easily practice the serves alone by going against a wall and practicing different hits. You can also get tennis equipment in order to have something else serving to you. By doing this, you can practice the different ways to have a forehand and backhand stroke ready for the play. When working as a team with coach and player, you can use hitting and throwing drills instead of practice techniques. Even if you decide to play a game that consists of getting them prepared for different shots, it will help to improve what they are doing. Many times, coaches will put together a team of four in order to practice different strokes and to help players improve on one specific area of the court. This will allow the players to stay in one area and become comfortable with the types of hits that need to be made in that area. If you are looking for a way to prepare for the game, then practice is the key. By showing players what to do alone, and setting up the proper scenarios for group practice, all of the players will have the ability to gain the most from the time that they spend on the tennis court. Implementing Positive Practice You have welcomed the new members to your team and are ready to make the best of it. You have a list of things that you want to teach them, ranging from the basics of the sport to the different techniques that individual players can use. You already have everyone's position in mind and know exactly how you want the games to look. All of the children and youth are looking at you for the next direction. It seemed so easy when it all began. After a specific amount of time, it becomes hard for children and youth to continue to stay on the path that you have so carefully laid out for them. Some may get distracted, others may get bored, and some will get frustrated. After weeks and hours of not getting the perfect position, throwing the wrong ball, or just not being pushed into the right spot, it is easy for kids to loose the interest that they first had in the sport. The first thing to do is recognize that this reaction after several weeks of practice is natural. Children and youth are naturally curious and are interested in learning about new things. At the same time, it is easy to become distracted if something just isn't working right. You will need to come into the practice with fresh outlooks and new attitudes in order to help the children and youth develop. One of the ways that you can be sure to keep the attention of the youth is to keep everything with a fresh and new perspective. If you know that they have been working on specific techniques in one way, you might want to try to give them a new insight into the same technique with a different drill. You can also make sure that you are bringing yourself into check and bringing in a positive attitude for the players. This will help them to stay excited about the game and continue to learn and develop their techniques. If your players are like most, they just want to play the game. Making sure that they stay excited while they are playing and helping to keep them encouraged and offer insights into improvement can help to keep the level of fun that they thought about when they began the sport. It will be part of your job as a coach to make sure that all of your players walk away feeling like they've learned something new and had fun doing it. Game Day Coaching Finally, after all of the hours of hard practice, you get to show what your team is really made of. They are finally moving out of the practice field and into a game. If you are coaching for a game, you want to make sure that you are organized, prepared, and know how to react to specific situations. More than any other time, this will be the time when the players are looking to you in order to see your true character. Before going to a game, you should make sure that you are prepared for the event. This may be as easy as making sure that everyone has everything that they need. Bringing extra water, safety equipment, and first aid supplies can be a good start in order to prepare for what might happen. This also means preparing the players mentally. They will need to have some vision and insight to how game day will look, allowing them to set their goals for success. When you get to the game, you will also want to make sure that you have the answers that your players will need. This first means continuing to find the best strategies for the opposing team. Looking at the entire perspective of the field or court and responding with the best moves for the team will help them to continue to work towards the win that they want to have. Of course, the mentality that you keep during the game and after the game is also important. If the team isn't doing so well during the game, you want to make sure to keep this in perspective. Over reacting, yelling, and telling the players that they aren't doing good enough will most likely end badly with some loss of self-esteem after the game. Even if your team looses, you will want to make sure to set an example. Keeping the game as just a game, and looking at the efforts that all of the members are making when they play will help both you and them to learn every time they play. The process of playing in a sport is most intense when it is on a field of opposing players. Because of this, you want to make sure that you are the example and the place where the players can turn in order to keep insight and perspective. By making sure that you walk in prepared and with the right attitude, you can also be sure that everyone will walk away happy with the process of playing. Taking Away the Band-Aids If you are like any other that is involved in sports, you want to make sure that every player stays well and is always able to play in the game. Of course, some injuries are inevitable. It is easy for the children or youth to make a wrong move, adjust the wrong way, or simply run straight into the ball. If you want to help with possible injuries, there are several ways to come prepared. The first thing that you should keep in mind is that most injuries are preventable. Of course, kids will be kids, and it will be inevitable that they will make a wrong move. However, the more you let them know about safety equipment, the less likely you will be to have major problems. You can also be sure to over emphasize specific movements in every type of game. Making them comfortable with these movements will help create an extra safety feature. Even if you had all of the wrapping in the world to help prevent injuries, there will still be specific injuries that occur. Because you are playing a sport, you can easily expect twisted ankles, knees and arms. If this happens, make sure that you have your first aid kit with you. You can wrap the fractured or broken area until they get to a hospital. Another type of injury that may occur may be from getting hit by a ball. Having an ice pack or a way to help relieve some of the pain will help until they can get to the right area and receive medical attention, if they need it. These are not the only types of injuries that may occur. There is also a caution that needs to be taken for things such as heat disorder. It is easy for any player to get a little too much sun, causing them to overheat, and possibly pass out. If this happens, be sure to get them in the shade and give them water. You can easily prevent this by requiring all of your players to drink water on a consistent basis. No matter what the injury, there is always a solution. By knowing what can be expected and coming prepared, you will be able to help the players enjoy the game, without walking away with an injury. There are some stories that every child will want to tell about their game. You want to make sure that it is not about an injury that occurred. Childhood Heroes There is an old proverb that says that it takes an entire community to raise a child. Even if you aren't a certain child's parent, you can influence them in order to grow up to be a better person. One of the easiest ways to do this is as a coach. The characteristics that you show the children and youth through each game will give them qualities to look back on, all which will help them throughout their life. The major way that a coach can influence children is simply by being dedicated to a game. If you know sports at all, you know exactly what it takes to simply play a game. One of the major qualities that you need in order to get through a game is goals. Sometimes this is the goal to win, while others it is simply to make it through the entire game. Along with this, you will be influencing the children to persevere through the game, no matter how hard it is and to be determined to finish. All of these qualities will help the children have a foundation for the rest of their life in whatever they do. A coach's responsibility does not end here. More than teaching the children how to play the game, as well as giving them the support to get through the game, are certain things that children and youth may need to hear while they are playing. It is up to the coach to make sure that everyone who is playing the game understands what it means to get through a game, work as a team, and do so to the best of their ability. This will allow the children to understand what it means to finish their work in excellence. This will especially be seen if the children win the game and see the outcome of their hard work. Of course, every coach knows that it is not about winning the game, instead it is the process. This specific message will need to be given to the kids after every single defeat that they work through. You will want to make sure that they understand it is not the outcome of the game that is important, but rather, the process that they went through in order to finish the accomplishment of the game. If you are a coach, understanding how to deal with loss can help show those who are playing the sport a mature way to approach several situations. Being a coach is more than showing children how to play a game. It is also showing them what it takes to get through any scenario that they may come up against in their life. As a coach, you will be building a foundation for them to succeed, and to understand that success is more than the final score board. Staying Active to Relieve Stress Everyone has some recollection of the middle school and high school years. All of the changes in your body, as well as in your mental state begin to change dramatically. For several, this isn't a pleasant experience and can lead to problems such as stress, and even more severe problems of depression. Making sure that youth stay active and are able to maintain the changes that their body is making may help them to have a more pleasant experience during these years. If you are looking for ways to help your youth relieve some of the extra stress that they are gaining, you don't need to look any further than youth sports and activities. If you see that your youth is stressed over the changes that they are going through, including things such as school work, social life, etc. then encouraging them to join a sport will help to relieve this problem. Physical activity for youth doesn't just begin to help them adjust to the changes in their body. It is scientifically proven that physical exercise will help to switch on particular hormones and chemicals in the brain that allow for one to relax. As soon as your body begins to move, the chemicals have to readjust in order to keep the circulation in your body at its best. The more you move, the more your body will be required to continue to balance out your body. One of the main ways that this happens is by the production of endorphins into the system. Endorphins are proteins that are located in the brain and sent out to the body. They are especially activated if the body is telling the brain that it is in a painful situation. The endorphins will react by relieving the pain. If your youth is exercising for at least twenty minutes a day, the endorphins will continue to be sent from their brain, allowing them to stay relaxed and stress free. If you want to make sure that your youth enjoys their time of being young, then you can help them out by suggesting a physical activity like a sport. This will help them to relieve their stress, stay calm, and balance out some of the chemicals that are moving throughout their brain and body. By using a physical activity, you can be certain to give the youth an alternative to stress. Sports Past Childhood: How Sports Can Help College Funds Whether you play soccer or swim, there are always opportunities for your specific sport, waiting around every corner. Even if you don't want to consider sports for a lifetime, continuing to play can be a good way to add on potential opportunities to get through college. There are several ways to use a sport in order to get a college scholarship, allowing more opportunities to open up for the beginning of your career. If you have been playing a sport seriously, you will definitely have the ability to gain a scholarship off of it. Even if you aren't considering a sports profession, this is an easy way to stay in sports, even after you leave home. The first step in doing this is to find which colleges you want to go to. You will need to submit an athletic profile for coaches to look at and see where you are at with the sport that you are playing. This will give the schools an idea of the different interests, the history of playing and how you have grown in the sport. If the coach likes the profile you have sent, a sports recruiting coach will be sent to visit you. Most likely, they will want to see how well you play the game that you are in. This will help them to make an informed decision about whether you should be in their program or not. If they like how you play the game, they will most likely offer you a specific amount of money for college. The only requirement will be to play on one of their competitive teams during the season. If you want to find an easy and pleasant way to get through college, then using your sports abilities can be one of the advantages for you. By working towards meeting the requirements it takes to get a scholarship, and continuing to improve your skills, you will have the ability to make money to provide you with an education. This will allow you to keep playing while gaining more knowledge for a career. Boosting Sports to Boost Self-Esteem One of the largest factors that several youth deal with today is in relation to their self-esteem. Several suffer by looking at themselves as not good enough. This may range from seeing their body image in the wrong light to seeing their mental states as not quite right. There are ways to help youth with their self-esteem. By suggesting and supporting things like sports, you will be certain to decrease their chances at unhealthy activities from a low self-esteem. It is known that when children enter into school, they will generally have a high self-esteem. More than eighty percent of children in the first grade will start out by thinking highly of themselves and believing that they can do anything. By the time these same children reach the fifth grade, the attitude towards themselves and the self-esteem has dropped to about twenty percent. By the time children graduate from high school, the amount that has a high self esteem is at a low of five percent. Along with the low self-esteem come things such as drug use, early sex, and failure with steps towards a career. At the same time, it is also being found that those who play sports are less likely to take part in these activities. Instead, those who play sports are more likely to develop a higher self-esteem and participate in positive activities. Because the children and youth are being challenged to succeed, and encouraged to continue through the use of a team and the sport, they are able to develop a better insight towards their own self-image. The idea of self-esteem in sports has become such a major component of the sports, that several areas are now committed to giving more youth activities outside of school specifically to battle low self-esteem and offer alternatives for success. It is being found that no matter what type of physical activity or sport the youth participate in, it is helping to build them into better adults with a more positive outlook on whom they are. If you notice any type of anxiety, depression, or negative reaction from your child, their self-esteem may need some help. If you want to make sure that they graduate from high school feeling good about their accomplishments, then you can enroll them in a physical activity to help out. By doing this, you will be able to give them another option away from the negative outlook that they may have. Becoming a Parent for Activity Understanding what your child needs and giving them insight into what will help them out the most is an important part of learning to raise a child. Sometimes, this is not seen as easily as others, but it is important to keep the right influences in perspective. As a parent, one of the best things you can give your child is the ability to decide whether they want to play in sports. Sometimes, encouraging your child to join a sport isn't as easy as it looks. Of course, as a parent, you understand the benefits of them going outside and being part of a physical activity. Most likely, you have also seen the benefits of working on a team and working towards accomplishing goals that are in sports specifically. This is important to keep in perspective with what your child needs. Even though you may see it as beneficial, it may not be to their benefit. One of the most detrimental things you can do to your kid is force them to take a sport. At first, it is good to encourage them to try, and make your best efforts to getting them to all of the practices and all of the games. It is your position and your role to make sure that they participate in a physical activity, and specifically a sport, if you believe that it will be good for their mental and physical health. The perspective of this is how much you should encourage your child to join a sport. If you force them to go to the sport, it may turn them off from physical activity. You will want to see why the child or youth doesn't want to join a sport, and find alternative routes to help them get physical activity. This can help them to overcome any problems they might be having with the physical sport. The important key is to help them find something that they love to play in order to enhance their physical activities. If you want to make sure that your child is getting the exercise that they need, as well as some fundamental values, then encouraging them to join a sport is one of the best ways to do this. However, when you do this, you will want to make sure that you are offering them what is needed by them both physically and mentally. This will help to give them the support they need and encourage them to participate in the sport whole heartedly and effectively. Playing from the Sidelines If you are like most adults, you want to make sure that your players and your children succeed in the games that they are playing. When they win, you see how much better they feel about themselves, and you can see the potential that you know they have really coming out. Even if your intentions are at their best when you are working with your child in a sport, you want to make sure that you know just how far to go. Every child that is playing a sport will need the moral support from both parents and coaches. However, there is a thin line between offering the moral support and stepping over it to expecting the children and youth to do specific things. As soon as you, as a parent or coach, begin to expect things from the child and tell them that they need to do better or win the game, it causes the game to work in reverse. Instead of the child gaining the self-esteem and better image of themselves that they need to, they reverse and think worse of themselves. If you want to make sure that you are not stepping over the thin line, you can keep a check list for how you are responding to the player or child. The first item to check is to see how involved you become in the games. You will first want to ask yourself how much time you are spending on the child's sport. You will also want to see how emotionally involved you become in the child's activities. This is especially important if you see yourself pushing your child to be better, become more committed or play more games. If you are working on helping your child to develop a physical activity and to stay active in a sport, it is important to know what your role is. You will want to make sure to hold an attitude towards the game that is positive and helps your child to gain new abilities. By doing this, you will be helping them recognize that the sport is fun and simply is giving them physical and mental abilities. The number one rule for any coach or parent to remember is that it is just a game. Player's Safety & Injuries In every game, there is always the possibility of running into an injury instead of the goal line. If you are affiliated with sports as a coach, you will want to make sure that you help your players to stay safe and avoid possibilities for injury. By keeping a checklist in mind of what the players need and how to meet this, you will have the ability to keep them going in the game. One of the most important factors that relates to children's safety and injuries is related to the growth of the child. Because they are not fully developed, an injury can cause problems not only with the pain at the moment, but also with potential future problems. There are several who have found the various reasons for the injuries, many which could be prevented. The number one cause for injuries in sports is related to a lack of education. Children will go without wearing the proper safety gear, or will take a wrong move that could have been prevented if they knew it would injure them. Because this is the number one reason for injury, it is important for coaches to inform every player of the importance of safety gear and educating them on ways to prevent injury while playing. A second factor related to sports injuries is from children who do not receive the proper conditioning before they go to play a game. They should be practicing scenarios of the game as well as learning techniques that will help them to reach the goals of the game without making a wrong move. Once you learn the basics of maneuvers for games, it is your priority to make sure that all of your players understand why the moves are set rules. If you are looking at the different possibilities to help your players stay healthy and safe in practice and in a game, then it is up to you to step up to the plate. Making sure that they receive the proper education and observing their use and understanding of safety gear can help save children from the fall. Coaching Tactics Every coach has their own set of rules to make sure that the players understand the game and continuously improve. If you are trying to make sure that your players are receiving the best, you will want to make sure to find the best ways for you to give them the advice that they need. By doing this, everyone will enjoy the game more without complications. The most important part of coaching that you will always need to have at the front of your mind is to give every player the individual attention that they deserve. The best way to shape skills and to mold the players with strengths is to give them positive reinforcement. By first telling them what they are doing right, their confidence and self-esteem will stay boosted, which will lead them to better understanding of what they need to improve. Of course, you can't just offer encouragement to all of the kids. You need to make sure that mistakes are corrected by the individual players. When you do this, make sure that you don't approach it by criticizing the player. Instead, show them techniques that they may not be familiar with, and work with them continuously in order to help develop their weak points. Usually, children and youth will be open to learning the new skills, as long as it is not pushing them or discouraging them from the sport. The next part of coaching that you will need to constantly have in mind is with the overall functioning of the team. If you have a weak link, it can cause a problem. The majority of the time, this weak link will be from children who are misbehaving and are unable to pay attention and be a part of the activity. If this happens, you will need to put on a strict face and meet the player by first calling them on the behavior, then making them correct it. If they decide not to straighten up, it is acceptable to take them out of the game. No matter what you are coaching, it is always important to meet all of the players needs. Sometimes, this is related to helping them with improving and enhancing their skills, while others it is related to making sure that the team can work together without any problems. Taking a leadership role with all of the children that you have will ensure that the game they are playing keeps them active and healthy through continuous encouragement. Coaching Soccer Soccer is more than just an all American sport or something that some might play in their free time. It has become such a popular sport, that it is now considered to be one of the most popular games throughout the world. Almost every country in the world is found with a soccer team that helps them to get in the extra kicks towards victory. The game of soccer was known to be developed as early as the 1500s by the Chinese and Japanese dynasties. There are also reminiscent of the game that has been found in Rome. While each of these all has different names to them, they are all based around the same concept of kicking a ball across a field in order to get a goal. The game that is most known today has been revised from these rules with a set international standard that was developed in 1863. The standards that have been set have not only allowed the game to grow in popularity, but also to become an international sport where the greatest achievement is to win the world cup. Soccer begins with two teams of eleven players. They move onto a rectangular piece of grass where they will try to reach the objective of taking a soccer ball and moving it across the field and into a goal. The team that has made the most goals at the end wins the game. When a player gets to the goal line, they will be blocked by a goalie, as well as the soccer ball being taken from opponents on the other team in order to get the ball going in the other direction. In the official game of soccer, there are seventeen major rules that must be followed, known as the laws of the game. These will have flexibility according to the referees and who is playing the game. This allows the game to remain fair with both teams making the maneuvers that they need to in order to work towards the goal. Throughout the centuries, soccer has been an integral part of history. Through it's early inception, to the later rules that have been maintained, everyone around the world has learned to love the objectives of the game. All of these bring the players closer to knowing what it means to reach the goal. Coaching Basketball Having a team that is focused on playing the game of basketball is a slam dunk to building a sport that will enhance one's childhood or youth. If you are getting ready to coach the game, knowing the fundamentals of the game is where to start. By doing this, you will be able to bring all of the players into fast action. The game of basketball begins by having two opposing teams of five players on the court. The main objective of basketball is to have each team work towards throwing the basketball through the hoop. Every time this is done, the team will win a specific amount of points. Whoever has the most points in the end will win the game. This main objective also has several rules and regulations that are applied to it in order to win. For example, whoever has the ball has to dribble the ball within a specified area. If the rules are broken, it gives the opposing team the ball. The teams will function together either defensively or offensively when they are playing, depending on who has the ball. Basketball first became a popular sport in 1891 in the United States. It was used in order to keep rugby players in shape during the off-seasons of the game. The idea of basketball was quickly adapted throughout YMCA gymnasiums, slowly setting the rules and regulations to the teams that are popular and seen today. It has become such as popular sport that it is now internationally known with a national basketball association that supports the sport on a professional level. Coaching basketball today has become an art in understanding how to get teams to work towards the main objectives that have been established throughout the United States over time. By keeping the main objective in mind, and helping teams to develop from here, you will be able to ensure that everyone dribbles to their own success. Coaching Volleyball For those who want to participate in a great aerobic workout combined with a game, then volleyball is a great option. If you have decided to coach the game of volleyball, then you will definitely want to know the basics of the game and how everything works together in order to give your players a great workout while having fun. Volleyball was first developed in the year 1895 in Massachusetts by a YMCA physical director. It was first none as Mintonette and was established as a hybrid of tennis and handball. It was first developed in order to have an indoor sport that would help to keep players of these other sports in shape. At first, those who played would be allowed to catch the ball and throw it over the net. In 1896, this particular game was seen at an expedition where it gained some key elements and rules to make it into the game it is today. When one begins the game of volleyball, they will want to have six players on both sides of the net. These should be divided with three players in the front and three players in the back. The game will begin by one player serving the ball to the other side. The opponents will have three tries to get the ball back over the net. If the ball goes out of bounds, falls onto the court, or doesn't go over to the other side of the court, the other team gains a point. Each time one team gains a point, they will change positions on the court, allowing some players to hit further from the back and others to hit closer to the net. This also gives every player the chance to serve. With each point gained will be a clockwise rotation to the spot that is on the right of the player. The basics of volleyball can lead to a team that understands the ways to achieve new goals through the game. By finding the foundation of volleyball, all of the players will have the ability to set their own standards and go for the spike. Coaching Tennis For those who are interested in a more individualized sport, tennis is one of the popular options. This particular game is built to show strength, durability, and grace all at the same time. If you are looking at the possibilities for participating in tennis, you can begin by understanding the basics of the game. Tennis is not a game that was invented at any recent time. In fact, the game has been traced back to the ancient Greeks and was played casually among several cultures for centuries. By the year 1874, the name tennis was patented and became a standard game around the world. It first became popular in French, then spread to Portugal and England, eventually moving to a world wide known game. Tennis begins in a court that is about seventy-eight feet long and twenty-seven feet wide. It will either be made of grass, clay, or concrete, depending on the texture that is needed for the game. One player will be on each side of the court with a net stretched all the way across the middle in order to divide them. One of the players will begin by serving the ball and the other player will be designated to receive the ball. The objective of tennis is to get the most points by getting the opponent to miss the ball. If they are not able to hit the ball back over the net with a racket, then it is a point for the other side. If the ball bounces more than once, if it goes out of bounds, hits the net on the way back or is missed, then the opposing side will gain a point. Usually, there will be five sets in a tennis match, all which will be added together with the points that are made by each side striking the other out. If you are looking into the game of tennis, this is where to begin. The basics of the game allow one to see what the main objective and goal is in order to win. By doing this, one will have the ability to take their playing abilities to the court. Coaching Baseball Every baseball coach's desire and goal is to make sure that the players step up to plate and take their best swing. If you are focused on coaching baseball, and want to make sure that everyone benefits from what you are teaching, you may also be looking into tips and tricks to be more effective. Eventually, you will be able to find what your team needs, but if you are just starting out, knowing the basics is a good start. The place to begin when approaching coaching or a game of any sort is to know the basics. This will help you in teaching others about the game and will expand your abilities for understanding what everyone needs. Baseball started in the 18th century as a simple game of hit the ball and run. Since its inception, it has quickly grown into what is now referred to as the all-American game. Because of this, it gives those that watch and participate in baseball an extra outlook of what the game means. There are several ways in which baseball is measured by in order to reach specific standards. These begin with the ability of the pitchers to throw the ball correctly, and the batters ability to meet what the pitcher is doing. Overall, these two groups of people will be kept track of by averages in order to assess their effectiveness. From here, the effectiveness of how other members respond to this will be measured in order to make the game complete. After the batter has hit the ball, it will be up to the other members of the team to stop him from getting around the four bases of the field. They will need to do this by having specific positions on the field, mainly infield and outfield positions. As soon as they are able to catch the ball, they will want to throw it to the nearest place to get the batter out. This will help determine who is able to win the game. By knowing the basics of baseball, you will have the ability to coach and direct the players better. It is always the basics that allow you to gain new insights and direction for all of your players. By participating in coaching the all American game, you will have the ability to add new directions into the way that the game is played. Running the Bases More important than the positions that your defense has on the bases and in the fields is the ability to run bases properly. If you are unable to slide into the win, then it will be difficult to win any other way. When you are thinking about the fundamentals of base running and how to coach some of the techniques, you can keep some basic ideas in mind. The first thing you will want to teach those that are running bases is that they will need to stay alert while they are running. It is better to be safe than sorry when they are going from one position to another. This will first mean that there will need to be training on how to keep an eye on where the ball is. There will also need to be signals that are given to the base runners while they are on the field by other players. This will help to keep the entire player's safe when they are moving from base to base. When you are coaching bases, you will not only want to teach the players how to move from base to base, and how to communicate with the other players about the position, but you will also want to practice techniques for moving forward faster. One of the things to teach is how to steal bases. The best way to do this is to show players how to observe the best time to do this. If no one is paying attention to your position on the field and you know that the ball is far enough away, you can easily move into second or third base without getting caught. For those players that are risking a run, you will also want to coach abilities to slide. For beginning, make sure that your players don't try to dive into a base, especially head first. Instead, you will want to show them techniques for picking up their feet at the right pace and leaning into a slide by using their leg power. Over time, they will be able to make a smooth transition into a slide. If you are coaching the running part of baseball, you want to make sure that everyone is clear about the movements from base to base. The main key to having good base runners is making sure that all of the players are aggressive in moving to the next base and know when to look for opportunities to get to the next destination. By doing this, you will have the ability to continue completing to home plate. Swinging Into the Right Equipment Even more important than the game it self is preparing for the game of baseball. It is especially important to make sure that you have the right equipment to send your players out to the field with. If you are looking for the right set of things in order to play the game, then you can begin investing in the following equipment. The two most important pieces of equipment that you will want are the bat and the ball. When you are deciding on bats, it will be more than just picking up the cheapest bat or one that looks the best. Bats will come in a variety of weights as well as sizes, meaning that you should pick out what will be most convenient for your team. Determining how they will be able to use the bats that you have available can help them in hitting the ball, or missing. The next sets of equipment that you will need are the gloves. This is what will help all of the players to more effectively play the game. Most gloves are made out of leather and will have fingers that are webbed together with the thumb slightly separated. For most, this allows the catching to be easier. There are also catcher's mitts that are used specifically for the positioning of the catcher. It is different in that it offers more padding and wider expansion of the fingers. First basemen will also use this type of glove as their main piece of equipment. After you have these basic pieces of equipment, you will want to think safety first. Batting helmets are important for anyone that is going up to bat. Catcher's helmets will also be important to supply, as these will protect the face of this specific player from getting hit by the ball. The catcher will also want to have a chest protector in order to stay away from the missed balls. Other players don't necessarily have to wear the helmets because they will not be in direct danger of the ball. However, you will want to protect other players with things like shin guards in order to protect these parts of their body. Of course, if you really want to make sure that everyone is going to put forward a good game, then you can also ask for investments into apparel that will work best. For example, sliding shorts are often times used in order to help players slide to a base without hurting their thighs from the slide. You can also find shoes that will offer more traction to players during the game. Shoes with spikes in them are a good option to help those who need good grounding before the run. If you want to make sure that every game is played safely and efficiently, then it begins with the preparation from having the right equipment. Making sure that you are stocked before the game, and are able to offer all of the players the right sets of materials can help you to be certain that they will be able to play the best game. Hitting & Bunting for a Home Run Playing the best game also means taking the best swings at the ball. If you want to make sure that you hit the ball exactly like you envision every time, then you can begin by understanding some basic techniques about how to use the bat properly. By putting techniques into full swing, you will have the ability to hit a home run every time. When you go up to swing, you will want to make sure that your preparation is in place and exactly how you want it to give you the best abilities to hit the ball. You will want to move up to the batting area and stand with one foot in front of the plate, and the other slightly back. This will give you leverage when you are moving in to swing the ball. You can also stand with your feet hip width apart in order to make it more comfortable. You will also want to slightly bend your knees in order to help with the leverage that you need to hit the ball. From here, you will want to align the bat with your hands in order to give you the control that you need. One hand should be directly above the other towards the end of the bat. Your knuckles will need to be aligned in order to hit the ball more directly. When you are holding the bat, you should make sure that you don't hold it too tightly, or too loose, as this will make you loose control of what you are hitting. When you are holding the bat, it should be easy for you to roll both of your wrists in preparation to hit the ball. After you have adjusted everything in order to hit the ball, you can work on the different techniques for hitting and controlling the ball. The first step to this is the stride. When you stride, your front foot should go forward about six inches and your hands will move away from the foot. You can also stride by stepping up or down in the same place, which will allow you to pivot exactly like you want to. The next step is for the batter to swing. At a basic level, there are about four different ways to swing the bat. These will vary according to the height that you use to hit the ball. The bat will end up either at knee level, waist level, a move up or a move down. Over time, you will be able to prepare which type of swing you use according to how the ball is being pitched. No matter what type of swing you are using, you want to make sure that your arms are strong and sturdy and that you bat all the way through, meaning the bat goes all the way around, even after you have hit the ball. Of course, if you are bunting the ball, you won't have to swing the bat all the way around, but will instead pivot in order to keep the ball in the area that you want it. By understanding how to prepare and maneuver yourself, you will have the ability to hit a home run every time. You can begin to learn to hit and bunt balls by practicing various swings and making sure that you are positioned exactly like you want. This will give you the ability to position for every swing. Swinging into Action with the Right Practice Drills If you want to play an effective game, then you will want to make sure that you have an effective practice. If you aren't sure where to start with your team, then you can begin with some simply drills that will help the team to build a memory of different plays and how to react, as well as give them the ability to understand the different possibilities to responding to the baseball. When you are developing the skills of the team, you will want to offer specific exercises that will help build them in several ways. The first of these is to help build strength in both the arms and the legs. You can do this simply by throwing the ball back and forth, or by doing exercises that will help to develop the muscles in these areas. You will also want to focus on building balance and other kinesthetic needs that they will have. From building the individual needs for the game, you can begin to practice for a variety of things. The most suggested part of practice is for batting practice. You can do this by diving members into groups of two and have one person pitch and the other bat. As they practice their batting, you will be able to show different techniques for hitting the ball every time. You can also be sure to help players gain confidence and more abilities by having play situation drills. This will allow everyone to understand their different positions and what they need to do in specific situations. You can do this by minimizing the efforts of players. Simply divide the team into groups of four. You will then have the different teams, all in different positions, throw the balls into different areas for a specified amount of time. The fastest group that throws the ball most efficiently will win. This is one of several types of play situations that you can use in order to help the players understand what they can do for different plays. If you want to make sure that your team continues to develop with their skills, then you will want to offer practices that are effective and offer the members abilities to learn new techniques. By setting specific drills, showing new maneuvers, and working on different aspects of the game that are needed, you will be certain to give your players foundational skills for the game. Techniques for the Pitcher The role of the pitcher is an integral part of every baseball game. For beginners and advanced players alike, it is always important to work on improving the game. If you are trying to find the most effective way to get the ball in the air, and keeps the game moving, then knowing some techniques can help you to reach your goal. The beginning to doing anything effectively is to be grounded. One of the best secrets to effective pitching is making sure that you are standing right. For beginners, you will always want to have one leg in front of the other to balance properly. The leg that is in the front will be the opposite side that will be used to throw the ball, giving you more power when you are getting ready to throw. Having the right stance will always be about finding the right balance in your feet, then moving up from there. This means leaning in at the right angle as well as keeping the strength in your legs to throw the ball. After you have the basic stance down, you can begin to experiment with the various types of throws and types of pitches that you can throw. All of these will depend on the outcome you want from your throw and how you want the batter to respond. If you want the batter to strike out without having the ability to run to bases, then you will want to concentrate on putting the ball either lower or higher and at different speeds. One of the easiest ways to do this is by making sure you have the right grips for each type of ball that you throw, as well as the right stance. If you are learning how to pitch, there are several things to keep in mind in order to control the ball that you are throwing. Everything from the way that you hold the ball to the balance that you have when throwing will make a difference in the effectiveness of your throw. Learning the different angles and possibilities that the ball can take will help you in learning how to be more efficient when someone is up to bat. Techniques for the First Baseman The batter has hit the ball and is running towards first base. You are the first person that has the ability to strike them out before they get too far. If you want to make sure that you are always ready to go, then it is not only being aware of where the ball is. It is also making sure that you know how to handle the ball when it gets into your area of the field. Following are some techniques you can use as the first baseman. One of the first things to work on as the first baseman is the speed that you have in being able to get the balls. The main piece of advice that anyone will give to the first baseman is to learn how to be quick in getting to the ball and driving it to where it needs to go. This may also mean making some extra turns and stretches in order to throw the ball to the necessary place, which should also be worked on as a technique for first basemen. The next set of techniques to work on will all be related to how the ball decides to come your way. One of the important techniques to learn is how to field ground balls. This means that you should have the ability to keep your eye out for the ball and get off the base if you need to bring the ball to a different place. If you are going towards a ball, it will be better to stay in front of it and keep your glove close to the ground until you have the ability to pick up the ball and throw it elsewhere. Most of the time, it is best to throw the ball to the pitcher who can see the best person to get out. Bunts are another type of ball that is often handled by the first baseman. When you are handling this, the first thing that should come to mind is that you will be throwing the ball to second base. If you see the ball being bunted before the player gets to first base, you can try to get the ball and move closer to the batter as they are running for the position, giving you the ability to strike them out before they are safe. Pop flies, another type of ball that may be coming your way, are easiest to learn how to catch by moving towards the right side of the base. These will be easier to catch then other types of balls because they are closer to the first base than other bats. No matter what type of ball is coming your way, you can be more effective with how you gather it and throw it to the necessary area. By beginning to study the possible maneuvers, you will easily be able to work first base to the best of your abilities. This will leave the other players with strike outs while you get ahead in the game. Techniques for the Catcher There is only one person in every baseball game that has the ability to be the catcher. If you have been chosen for this spot, or are working towards training someone to be effective as the catcher, you can follow some simple guidelines to help. By knowing what the basics are for being the catcher, you can help to make a difference on the scoreboard of the game. With any catcher, they will want to make sure that they are about five to ten feet from the home base line. Whether someone is up to bat, or whether they are running from third base, staying this far will help the catcher. It will first give them the ability to stay safely away from the person who is running or from the ball hitting them at a faster speed. It will also give them the ability to use the space and time to see exactly where the ball is going to hit. When you are standing and waiting for the ball, you will want to make sure that you are in a position that allows your body to maneuver the best. This will first mean keeping the feet in one position that allows you to move your glove forward or backward. This will also help you to see exactly where the ball is coming from. You will also want to be slightly bent in order to catch the ball more effectively. If the ball is coming up higher, it will be easier to move your glove to catch it. If the ball is lower, you can move to your knees in order to scoop it up at a quicker pace. By following these two techniques, you can then learn how to catch different types of balls more effectively. For example, if the ball is a low pitch, you will want to make sure to catch it before it hits the ground. This means that you will have to extend your glove in order to more effectively catch the ball. If it is a receiving ball, you will want to use a slightly different technique. Usually, you won't have to move your glove, but simply maneuver your body in order to ensure that the ball is caught and is defined as a strike. Even though you are behind home base, the responsibilities for the catcher are just as important as anyone else, and can make a difference in winning or losing a game. If you are learning to play the position of catcher, then finding out what the basic techniques and the different possibilities for each play are can help you to get the ball exactly when you want it. Techniques for Second Baseman Being in the middle of the play is one of the best positions in baseball to get the other team out. If you are planning on doing this; however, you might want to keep some techniques in mind. This will help you to play second baseman effectively and prepared, which will eventually lead to getting the other team out. The first thing that you will want to do as a second baseman is make sure that you are prepared for any baseball that might come your way, especially if there is someone that is approaching second base. It is recommended that you stand far enough from the base to be able to catch the ball in the front of you, but not too far away, as it will make it more difficult to get the opponent out at second base. By doing this, it will be easier for you to catch all of the balls and maneuver yourself in order to catch the ball. Like the other basemen, there will be specific throws that you will have to be prepared for. The first of these is a double play, which is when you have the ball coming directly to you, either from the left or right or from the ground. You will want to keep two things in mind with this particular play. The first is to be able to catch the ball in front of you. You don't want to move too far from the base, but will want to be able to maneuver far enough to get the ball accurately. The second part of this is getting the ball to the shortstop. This means that you will have to turn quickly and throw the ball accurately to the other player. When doing this, you will want to make sure that your turn allows you to be clear and pivot effectively before throwing the ball. A second type of play you will have to deal with is a double cutoff. Like the double play, you will want to make sure that you are in a position to maneuver the ball from one area to another. This is especially important if the ball is coming from another part of the field. You want to make sure that the ball doesn't go through you after it is thrown. With these moves, you can learn to pivot easier, with catching and throwing simply by going through rundowns. This will allow you to be a more effective and efficient second baseman. The main objective on second base is to either strike out the player or make sure that the ball is brought to a different area of the field. The more you are able to practice catching the ball and instantly throwing it to another area, the more likely you will be to have the perfect maneuvers that will win the game. Techniques for the Outfielder When looking at the entire spectrum of a game, you will want to make sure that every player knows their place and what they need to do. This isn't just important for the pitcher and batter, but also for those that aren't as near to the infield. One of the people that are important in order to make the game complete is the outfielder. Their ability to be prepared and approach the ball effectively is what will help to make a complete game. Like shortstops, outfielders will need to see the overall situation and know how to respond to it. This is especially important when they are moving the ball into the infield. If another player isn't ready to respond to them, it will allow the other team to stay a step ahead. Whether the outfielder is in right, left or center field, they will need to have the ability to put the ball back where it belongs in the game. Before beginning to communicate or see where the ball needs to go, an outfielder should be prepared for the play to happen. The outfielders should all be in a pre-pitch stance when a play is about to happen. Usually, this means that the outfielders will be slightly bent with their hands on their knees. This allows them to be ready to watch the ball, move to where the ball is going, and jump if needed in order to catch the ball. With this stance, the weight should be on the balls of the outfielder's feet in order to give more momentum when they go to catch the ball. After you are in ready stance, you will need to be sure to continue to stay prepared until you have the ability to catch the ball. The first three steps that you take will help you to get the momentum that you need in order to speed up the jump that you are able to take. After this momentum is built, you will want to stay behind the ball and anticipate where you will be able to catch it. When you are teaching the catch, make sure that outfielders are able to do this with both hands, and then are able to throw quickly after the catch to the necessary place. Playing as an outfielder will be an important part of every game. It allows the ball and the game to stay in the field and to stay in the right area. Even though these players are not around as much pressure in the infield, it is just as important for them to keep open communication and to be ready to play ball. Techniques for the Third Baseman The batter is only one step from a home run, and it is your position to make sure that they don't get to the final step. As the third baseman, you will need to prepare yourself to stop the opponents from getting all the way to the end. If you become familiar with some of the situations, then you will easily be able to work towards a better game and getting the opponents off the field before they get to far. Like any other players on the field, you always want to make sure that the third baseman is prepared. Unlike other players, they will not be moving in a large amount of space, or as fast. Instead, they will be in charge of knocking down the ball and making a final play. Most likely, this means that not only will the third baseman have to maneuver slightly different than the other players, but will also mean that he has to walk in prepared differently. Because the main objective is to stop the ball, having a larger glove is often required in order to finish the job. There are two major plays that third baseman should always be prepared for. The first is to tag the player coming towards the base. By standing in a ready position, this will make it easier to get the ball from whatever angle is needed and to get the player out. Knowing how to stand in the right position in order to tag or cutoff the play is one of the most important things that a third baseman needs to learn. Another possibility that a third baseman should look out for is bunts. Usually, it can be determined what type of hit will take place simply by watching the batter get ready. If you see a bunt coming your way, the first thing to do is angle yourself so you can get the ball and throw it to first along the line. By doing this, you will be able to get one of the players out from the bunt. With the third baseman, the most important thing to remember is that the baseball will be coming for you at a certain angle. By being prepared on every side, it will be easier for you to make a good move and get the opponent out. By taking the right moves and being ready for every type of play, the third baseman will have the ability to get the ball and the opponents back to first without the points. Techniques for the Shortstop If you are the shortstop of any baseball game, you will want to make sure to not stop short. By understanding your position on the field, you will be able to see the plays through and stop the opponents in their tracks. By knowing some of the techniques to see through with every play, the shortstop will have the ability to run the field against the other team. The number one rule for any shortstop is to keep communication open with the other players. Shortstops, unlike the players on the bases, have the ability to see the field from a different perspective, giving them the ability to see the entire situation and what needs to be done. Because of this, it will be important for the shortstop to be a link between the second and third bases, as well as see which way the ball needs to go. The shortstop will also need to keep open communication with the pitcher to see what type of ball is being thrown, so there can be anticipation about how to respond. Another communication duty of shortstops is to let others know when they have the ball. Teaching shortstops to say things like "I got it" can help to move the game at an easier pace. After the shortstop is able to see the entire picture of the play and communicate with other players, it will be time for them to step up to the plate for the different plays that may occur. One that should always be looked for is the ground balls. If there is a ball that is coming towards the shortstop on the ground, they will have the ability to move out of their position and move to a spot in the field where they can get the ground ball. Unlike basemen, the shortstop needs to have the ability to maneuver around a larger amount of space in order to pick up the speed of the game. Of course, the other plays that may occur may also affect the way that the shortstop reacts. The first is a double play. If the shortstop sees that the second baseman is throwing a double play, for instance, the shortstop will need to be sure to catch the ball and pivot in order to either get the player out or get the ball to third base. With an appeal play, the shortstop, instead of throwing the ball to another base will get the player out himself. The techniques for knowing when to do this and how to get the opponent will most likely require more activity than other bases and are important to practice. If you are working on the position of shortstop, then knowing how to call the plays is the basis for success. By doing this, the one which is playing that position will have the ability to keep the team in line with each other and to get past the bases and into better plays. Knowing the focus for the shortstop will help to determine what moves are best made. Basketball: Take Back the Ball with Defense As important as playing on your side of the court is having the ability to play on the opponent's side of the court. Making sure that the defense is strong on your basketball team can help to stop the other team from making baskets and from having an easy game. When you are building up your basketball skills, you don't want to leave the defensive skills out of the court. There are two major ways to organize defensive positions in basketball. The first is a man-to-man defense. This means that every player will be in charge of blocking another player in order to keep them from shooting the ball. The second type of defense is zone defense. This means that every player will stay in a specific area when they are in one side of the court. No matter what opponent has the ball in that area, they will block them. Of course, these can be changed and redefined as the game goes on, depending on how the other team is playing. Not only does the defense include blocking opponents or zones on the other side of the court, but it also means trying to get the ball back onto the other half of the court. This can be done in several ways, all which will keep the game moving back to the other side. One of the popular ways to do this is to simply steal the ball from the opponent that you are blocking. This is completely legal to do and can help the opponents to get the ball away from the wrong basket. Another way to get the ball back is to rebound. This is done when the ball is lost by the other team and the other team picks it up and takes it to the other side of court. If one of the players rebounds, they want to make sure that there will be no technical fouls associated with it and that the ball is good for grabs. If they take it when they are not supposed to, there will be problems with the opponents getting a foul and giving the ball back to the other side. Another defensive way to take the ball is by creating a full-court press. This means that the defense will be on both sides of the court, blocking the other team from having the ability to get to the ball. No matter what defensive position you decide to take, it is most important to train the players into thinking defensively. The more chances that a team has at a ball the more they will have the ability to score and make the baskets that they want for their own team without giving the other team the ability to get in the way. Basketball: Shooting for the Points Your team has the dribble down and they know how to work with the team. However much your team knows, it won't be the same if they don't know the basics of shooting the basketball in order to make the score. If you want to make sure that your team can finish what they started with the game that they are playing, then understanding the basics to shooting the ball can help them score. When one is learning how to position themselves for basic shooting, they can practice a specific stance in order to help. First, they should be completely aligned with the target for the basket. This will help them to aim into the right place. From here, the feet should be still and about shoulder width apart. The knees will need to be bent and the back straight. This will help with the alignment and focus towards the basket. After the basics of shooting have been achieved by the players, then different types of shots can be looked at for the game. Usually, you will want to practice with your players on types of shots, ones that are outside and others that are inside. The outside shooting will allow the players to shoot from a longer distance away. If these shots are made, then the team will make either two or three points from the basket. Inside shooting will be when the team is able to make a basket that is closer to the hoop. Things such as slam dunks are considered part of the inside shooting. If the shooting doesn't quite work out, then it will be a foul shot. Generally, there are two types of foul shots, personal and technical. A personal foul is when an opponent from the other team steps over the boundaries of the play by personal contact. A technical foul is when the ball is not handled correctly while it is being played. Both of these types of fouls will allow the team that is fouled to have a free shot or a free throw in order to make up for the foul. If you want to make sure that your team wins, then you will need to teach them how to shoot. By showing them the basic techniques and the techniques that are better for them to follow, they will have the ability to hit the basket every time they throw. By practicing the various spacing between the basket and the player, the skills will grow, allowing them to make the points that they want. The Mastery of Dribbling In basketball, you want to make sure that every dribble and move that the team members make will lead to the basket and the win. If you are working towards teaching each time member to have different tricks for dribbling, then you can begin by teaching them basics and moving up into developing more advanced techniques as you go. The first thing you will want to teach anyone who is learning the basics of dribbling is where to set all of their strength. Many beginners will try to use their palms when they are beginning to dribble. Instead, you will want to focus on teaching how to use and strengthen the fingertips for better dribbling. The wrist will then be able to control the movement of the fingers, giving more possibilities for controlling the ball. You will also want to teach beginners how to dribble a lower ball, giving them the ability to maneuver through defense with more options. While they are dribbling lower, you will want to make sure that they are able to keep their head up and away from the ball so they can make their next move. After you have the basics of dribbling down, then you can add extra techniques into the bounce. The first of these is learning how to pivot while dribbling. When you are doing basic dribbles, your feet will be hip width apart and your knees will be bent. When you pivot while dribbling a basketball, you will be able to turn your body while you are dribbling into a completely different position, giving you more lead way to get past defense and make a basket. Another maneuver that you can do will combine foot work with the dribble. For example, you can fake moving one way, then turn to move the other, giving you an open shot at a basket. You can do this same thing by feinting, meaning that you dribble the ball enough to move the defense out of your way, giving a clear shot to the basket. Dribbling beyond the basics is learning how to combine footwork with the way that the ball is moving. When you begin to teach others how to move with the ball and how to combine different actions of movement with the game, you will have the ability to give options for moving past the other team and into the basket you want to make. Basketball: Playing it on Your Side of the Court, Offensively The world of basketball is not only measured by the capabilities of the players, but also by the rules that are integral to making the game. If you are building a basketball team, you will want to make sure that they understand what all of the divisions in the game mean. This will give them the ability to work more effectively while they are playing, and move more accurately throughout the court. When you are building a team that works offensively, you will want to make sure that they understand what the different parts of the court are. When they are on their side of the court, it will be considered the offensive zone. This will be divided by the half court area. After they pass the line of half court, they will be in the opponent's zone. When you are in this zone, you will have a specific amount of time to pass the ball, make your plays and make the basket. If you don't shoot within this time, the ball will be handed to the other time. This concept; however, can easily change with the way that the game is played and the way that the players try to move. If you want to make sure that your team knows how to play both sides, you will want to make sure that they understand how to make offensive plays. This will first mean having the ability to pass to other players on their team that is open and not being blocked by the defense. It also means having the players move into different areas of the offensive zone in order to become free to take the ball. Each player's position will include a particular amount of the court that they cover in order to get the ball and to stay open from opponents. By doing this, the players can then move easily into the basket area and make the shots that they need to in order to win the game. If you want to make sure that your team knows how to play, then training them to play offensively can help them when they are on their half of the court. Working on passes and different line ups for team plays can help them to maneuver properly and beat their opponents. By showing them the hoops, they will have a better chance at making their own baskets. Lining into the Correct Basketball Positions Even though a team only has five players, each of these players has a specific position that they need to stay in. All of these will help the team to work together when the ball is in their court, or to defend the game by being on the opposing team's side. In order to make sure that everyone has an equal chance to play, you will want to have everyone in the proper position and ready to go with their responsibility as a team member. On each of the teams of five players, you will have everyone in a position that will help to both defend the other team from making baskets as well as help your team keep the ball. The first is the point guard, which will control the ball and make sure it stays in one side of the court. Usually, a point guard will be seen further back on the court than the other players. The second is a shooting guard, which will focus on making the baskets for the team from the possible distance shots that are available. From here, the positions that are on the team will move inwards. The first of these is a small forward which is responsible for scoring points that are closer to the basket. Defensively, the small forward will be the one that gets up closer to the members in order to steal the ball from the team. The power forward is the second position that is closer to the basket and will usually be seen waiting right under the basket in order to protect the team from taking the ball and to make closer shots. In the middle of all of this, you will have the center. This particular position is used as a connection between the outer positions and inner positions, which helps to guard the ball and shoot. When all of these positions in a team work together, they have the ability to maneuver the ball both offensively and defensively to the position that they want. This will allow them to build strategies that are best for their team to win. By making sure everyone understands their role and positioning in the game, you can be certain to create a dynamic set of players for the right amount of teamwork. Basketball: Getting to the Hoop Effectively with Passing Skills Playing a good game of basketball isn't necessarily something that you can do by yourself. Instead, you will need to have a good amount of teamwork going on in order to get to the goal of winning. One of the most important parts of keeping the teamwork going and getting past the opponents is making sure that you are able to pass the basketball straight into the hoop. Even if your team fails at dribbling or having extra chances to show fancy footwork, having the passing part down can make a difference in whether the team wins or loses the game. This will give the team the ability to send the ball to the best player on the team, creating an effort by everyone to work together to win the game. If you want to make sure that your team has the ability to pass effectively, you will want to make sure that they know who the ball should go to and in what situation. The first set of practices that you can do to improve passing skills is to help gain arm strength among the players. If the passing is not fast, it will allow the other team to steal the ball while the plays are being made. Showing ways to handle the ball and use the fingers and wrists in order to pass the ball will help players learn how to pass more quickly. You can always offer timed drills in order to help them move at a faster pace. Another way to make sure that your team is able to pass correctly and quickly is to have receiving and passing drills. If you want to make sure that all of your team members are able to pass and receive effectively, you can line them in a figure eight, having them catch and pass balls at a specific pace. You can also form a circle around one area of the court with one person in the middle. When doing this, you will want the players to move while throwing the ball in order to make sure that they can catch and throw while in motion. These are only two of several drills you can use to train players to be more effective with passing. Knowing how to throw a ball is an essential part of any sport. In basketball, it is one of the keys to being able to play an effective game that uses all players in their strength. By building their strength in passing, you will have a certain chance of winning the game that you want. Basketball Rundowns As the head of a basketball team, or as a member; there are certain extra pieces of putting together a team that are important to remember. The game of basketball is more than preparing for a game or going to shoot some extra hoops. There are also several other approaches that can be used in order to help build the team and allow them to play their best. The basics of making sure that basketball works for the entire team are to make sure that the right training is done. Most coaches will require that conditioning is done every day in order to keep the team in shape for the game. Because of the high level of physical intensity on the court, it is best that the team knows how to move properly. This includes practicing running on the court, to conditioning the team to shoot, dribble and work as a team both offensively and defensively. Of course, while conditioning and while one is in a game, injuries are likely to occur. It is not uncommon for one to fall while they are moving or to be pushed over by an opponent. You will want to make sure to remember who has had an injury, check on how well it is healing and to not push or strain the injury during practice or on the court. Taking care of the players is an integral part of playing the game properly. Basketball isn't just about the physical needs that need to be met for every game. It is also about having a mental attitude that is dignified when playing the game. When one is playing a game, or practicing, there need to be certain behaviors that are enforced. Respect for other players and the coach, dignity about the rules, and other types of attitudes may not win the game but will help the players to walk away with an understanding of what it takes to feel good after every game. If you want to make sure that your team is playing the game of basketball properly, you don't want to stop on giving them the basics of how the game is played. Basketball is a game that calls for action by team members that can work together and understand how to win effectively. If you are coaching a team, you want to make sure that all of the needs of the team are met so they can walk onto the court with the right mindset. Vollyball: Scoring & Winning The objective of any game is not to only have fun and get a dose of physical activity, but also to find the best ways to score and win with the game. If you are playing the game of volleyball, you will want to be sure to be in tune with the techniques that you can use in order to meet your objectives. This will allow you to progress and get ahead of your opponents, leading to the final score. The most effective way to score is to make it impossible for the imposing side to hit the ball. This can be done in a variety of ways, and through different types of hits. Spiking the ball straight to the ground or finding an open space on the opposing side are easy ways to score. You can also get the ball close to out of bounds in order to help your team score. Every time that the ball hits the ground on the other side of the net, you will gain one point. Every time you gain one point, you will also gain the serve of the ball. If you don't have the serve at the time, you will rotate the players clockwise in order to even out the court. The first team to score twenty-five points will win. If there is a tie or close game, then it will be the team to reach two points after the twenty-five points is reached. If you are playing matches, it will be fifteen points that will need to be reached, playing to whoever gets the best out of five. If you are looking for an enjoyable way to get physical activity, while adding in extra physical activity to the day, then working towards scoring and winning volleyball is an easy way to reach the goal. By knowing exactly where to send the ball when it gets over the net, you can easily jump up in points to win your game. Volleyball: Positioning the Players As every coach or person that is involved in sports knows, positioning of the members is everything. This allows one to have the strengths in the right place, helping towards the strategy of winning the game. There are several ways to switch players and give them the best places on the court. No matter what your strategy, you will want to make sure to know exactly where everyone's consignment is. The first way that you can make sure everyone has the right place is by getting some extra support for the leadership position. This will be done through assigning one of the top players as captain. It will be their job to communicate between you and the other personnel as well as see what the best strategies are while everyone is on the court. From here, everyone will have specific specialties that will be a part of the game. The first group of players that you will want to focus on is the ones that are taller. Usually, these should go towards the front, as it will be easier for them to spike a ball and get the other team out. These will be the attackers and blockers of your game. When thinking offense, you will want to think about players that can be used as setters, which will make sure that the volleyball is put into the right place on court, making it easier to aim to the right place on the other side. Liberos will be your more defensive personnel as they will move straight to attacking the ball after it is served. The last types of players you will have are hitters that will be on the middle and outside areas of the court. These are used to quickly go after the ball, especially after it is set by the setter. Once you have found the strengths of the team, you can use a variety of formations on the court to your advantage. The most popular known formation is the 6-2 formation. With this, six of the players will be ready to attack and will be closer to the front of the court. Two of these attackers will be assigned as setters in order to keep the ball over. The second common formation is known as 5-1. Instead of two setters, there will be one who is specifically assigned to this role. You can also use the 4-2 formation, which are four hitters and two setters for the game. After you decide on the set-ups and rotations for all of your players, you will easily be able to target the strengths of each player. By doing this, you will have the ability to set up the court on your side according to the different strengths of each player. This can help you in leading to the final hit and win. Basic Skills of Volleyball The worst situation that a volleyball team could be in is to show up at a game without knowing what skills they needed to win the game. Hitting the ball, being in the right place, and playing competitively can help to win the game as well as gain confidence in the sport. Focusing on the basics for volleyball can help you to gain the skills you need for every game. 1. Serving. This is what always starts the game and helps to keep the game. There are two basic types of serves. One is overhand; where the player will throw the ball in the air first, then hit it. The second is underhand, where the server will hold the ball and swing their other arm underneath the ball to hit it. There are a variety of other serves beyond these basics, all which help to get the ball over the net, and get the game going. 2. Pass or reception. This is usually set up by the setter of the game. It is used in order to take the ball and give it to the other players on your own team. They will then have the ability to put the ball to the other side like they want to. You can either pass by the forearm or by hitting the ball overhead. 3. Tip. A tip is used as a way to trick the other team into thinking that the ball is going further than it will. The player will hit the ball lightly, making it go over the net but not too far into the other player's area so that they can't hit it back. 4. Dig. This is the ability for a player to save the ball from hitting the court after it has been spiked. It usually requires a player to slide underneath the ball on the court or to dive underneath the ball. 5. Rebound. This occurs when the ball stays on one side, making the players rebound, or take the ball back. With all of these different hits for a ball, you will want to make sure that the players have the ability to move freely and effectively with every move. With all of these different hits, the players will need to connect where they want to hit the ball with the way that their feet move. For example, a dig will require the feet to move under the body in order to save the ball. A serve will require more balance on both feet in order to hit the ball more effectively. This will be important to keep in mind as you are training players. The basics of volleyball hits can lead a long way when you are working towards playing the game. If you are finding ways to teach techniques to players, this is the place to start. It will allow everyone to have a good chance at controlling and hitting the ball, no matter what the set up is. Volleyball: Basic Offense Like any other game, you will want to be certain that you have both an offense and defense in place. This is no exception to volleyball and can help your team to play their best. Whether they are working on keeping the ball in the air, or striking out the other team, you want to make sure that some basic offense is taken into consideration by all of the players. The general rule for a good offensive team in volleyball is that they have the ability to play as a team. This will allow them to communicate the plays with each other in order to keep it exactly where they want it. The beginning of every good offensive play will begin with a setter. From here, the other members will want to play the ball. It is not necessary to get the ball over the net right away, but instead to move the ball around on one side of the court in order to find a gap from the other team. When you are setting up your offense, you will want to make sure that the team doesn't hit the ball too aggressively. They should be able to hit the ball with their palm or fingers in order to keep it up without getting it over. If you are setting up an offensive line, you can use several strategies to get everything in place. One of the techniques that are often used is known as overlaps. This allows players to get out of rotation while they are playing a game of volleyball. This will allow the offensive players to stay in the forefront and to set up different plays for the game. By doing this, you will have the ability to set up different sets that can help get the ball over the net and onto the ground. When you are working with offense, you will want to make sure that they know how to use team techniques in order to succeed. By showing different line ups, you can make sure that they are able to set the ball and find the gap on the other side of the court for the win. When you play the ball offensively it will give you a new strategy for taking the volleyball to where it belongs. Volleyball: Basic Defense Even when the ball isn't on your side of the court, it is important to be ready for it to get there. Hitting back at exactly the right time is an important defensive rule for any volleyball game. There are several techniques that can be used for the defense part of volleyball; all which will help prevent the team from missing the hit. The first thing that will need to be done as a defensive team is to be ready for the serve. The best way to do this is to make sure that everyone is positioned in order to block the ball from falling. Being in a position where knees are slightly bent and the legs are ready to move in any direction is a good beginning. Generally, you will want to make sure that both the front line and back line are covering a wide range of space and are able to hit the ball. Often times, coaches will have the front line step slightly back and have the back line step forward in order to cover the space that is needed. After everyone is set in the right positions, they will need to be ready to attack the ball when it gets to their side. This will begin by being ready for the attack. It is best to get the ball when it is right below your chin. This will make it easier to hit, and you will be able to do so with more power. You will also want to get under the ball in order to keep it off the ground and going towards the other side of the court. From here, the most important part of playing defensively is to block the ball. Each player should act like the ball is coming towards them, and should be ready to stop it from a fall when they see it. Part of the blocking may be to make sure that if a block is missed, someone else grabs the ball. Other players should be ready to block the ball by the net, just in case it comes too close to hitting the net and falling. By being prepared and paying attention for the serve, a game can easily take the turn from a defensive line to an offensive one. If your team is getting ready to receive a ball from the other side, you will want to make sure that they are also ready to defend their territory. By doing this, they will be able to set the ball like they want and get it away from where they don't want the ball. Tennis: From Serving to the Hit Being ready for the tennis balls that are likely to come your way will help you to make the best hit possible. By getting the ball out of your court, you will have the ability to continue working towards the win. As a coach or a player, you will want to make sure that you know what the options are so you can learn to use them in the right place. There are eight basic shots that you can take in order to keep the ball going. When combining this with the ways to maneuver your body, you will have the ability to play each game better than the last. Following are general guidelines to keep in mind when preparing or coaching for the game. Before even beginning the game of tennis, you want to make sure that you have the right stance. This will mean being prepared for the ball to come your way. Most tennis players will have their feet hip width apart with a bend in the knees. The focus will need to be on the ball and where it is about to go. By doing this, you will have the ability to get to the right place quicker. You will also want to have both of your hands on the grip of the tennis racquet, which will help you to control the ball more, as well as switch sides for the racquet. After you have this stance, there will be the beginning of the game by service. A serve will begin on one side from the back of the court. After the ball is thrown into the air, the server will be able to hit the ball. They can control the way that the ball begins to be thrown by simply hitting it in a different way. This may make the ball spin, go to a different length, and move to a different area of the court. After the serve has been made, it will be up to the opponent to meet the serve with different strokes. The first is the forehand stroke where the tennis racquet moves from one side of your body to the other in order to hit the tennis ball. Forehand strokes will be varied by the way that the tennis player holds the grip of their racquet. The backhand stroke is the opposite of this because it will begin on the left hand side of the body instead of the right and go all the way across your body backwards. After you know these two basic strokes, you can go to a variety of options for hitting the tennis ball. The first possibility is a volley. This occurs when you hit the ball before it bounces into your court. The half volley is also an option, where you hit the ball after it has finished bouncing for the first time in your court. With both of these they will stay closer to the net. If you want to go further out into the court, you can use a lob to hit the ball higher and further out. You can also use an overhead smash, which is a harder hit that comes from a higher ground and moves quickly to the court. A drop shot can also be used by tapping the ball over the net so that it is closer to the edge. If you are working on your tennis hits, then keeping the basics in mind about the types of hits to make can help you challenge your opponent, and even win against them. There are a variety of possibilities for you to use. All of these can be used strategically for you to benefit from the way you play the game. Detailing Before the Play: The Basics of Tennis If you are walking into the tennis court, you want to make sure that you do it right. Knowing exactly what to expect, and bringing along the right expectations can help you get off to the right foot. By knowing the basics, as well as the expectations to bring, you can be sure to enjoy the game more thoroughly. The first part of tennis to study before walking onto the court is the tennis etiquette that is standard for the game. This is also often times referred to as the code of laws that is standard for tennis. It is used to help define whether specific circumstances will count as a point or whether it will still continue the game. By following the tennis etiquette, there will be no questions about a play and how it is being aimed, giving players the ability to be their own referee. As soon as you understand the basic rules, you will want to know what you are walking onto. You will have to cover a distance for the ball that is about twenty seven feet wide. Your side of the court, before being divided by a net will be about thirty nine feet long. The length of the court is then divided into three sections that you can use for your plays. Two of these sections will be closer to the net, and one will be towards the back of the court. The one that is towards the back is what you will use in order to serve and to make sure that the ball stays in bounds. Knowing exactly what the layout will be, both with rules as well as the physical area, you will also want to look into racquet parts that may come in handy while you are playing the game. The upper part of the racquet will include strings in the very center of the racquet, which you will use to hit the ball. The center of this will have a soft spot in order to control the ball differently. This will be held together by a beam that is in the outer part of the racquet. The beam often times will also be more like a frame, making it thicker and heavier, something that is an advantage to some tennis players. The lower part of the racquet will include a shaft and grip handle. This combination can help you figure out exactly how the pieces fit together. With equipment in hand, rules in mind, and preparation for the court, you will have the ability to step into the game and give it your best hit. Knowing the details of the game is one way to assist you in getting to the next play, and hitting the ball into the right court. Tennis Equipment & Professional Teaching Beginning to coach tennis is one way to help others stay physically fit as well as wins the game that they want to. If you are working towards a profession of teaching tennis, you will want to make sure that you know exactly what you are walking into. By going into the court prepared, you will be able to keep the ball over the net and get your player to make the right moves. The two major pieces of equipment that you will need to start are a tennis racquet and a tennis ball. When you are looking at the racquet, you will want to make sure that it has the necessary qualities to stay in good shape. This first begins by having a frame that will help you to control the movement of the ball. It also means that you will want the interior strings of the racquet to stay in place and to be wired together correctly. This is the only major piece of equipment that any tennis player will need. When you begin to teach professionally for tennis, you will want to make sure that this equipment is matched on both sides. You will also want to make sure that you can show the player that you are coaching basic and advanced techniques. This begins with showing them how to hold a racquet to helping them get the harder moves back over the net. Showing them maneuvers as they learn will help them to be more effective in their game. Before you walk into any court, you want to make sure that you are equipped for the challenges that you will be given. For a coach, this first means finding the right equipment. It then means making sure that the right moves are able to be made. Having experience with the game and knowing exactly how to keep moving the ball back over the net can help you to succeed with your players. Tennis: Keeping Score Half of the fun of playing against opponents on court is seeing who will win the game. Of course, if you aren't playing in a tournament, you will want to make sure you know how to keep the score. Not only are there possibilities for opponents to cheat, but you can also help in building a different kind of game by keeping track of the points. When you begin keeping score with your opponents, you can expect a series of things to be broken down numerically. First, if you are in a match, you can expect the match to be divided into either three or five different games. The winner will be the one who wins the most points out of all three or five of the matches. The first player who wins at least four points in every match will be the winner. If the opponent is keeping up with the other side, then the winning points will be determined by being two ahead of the opponent. Of course, the points will be stated differently when you are playing. If you have one to three points against the opponent you will hear it as either love or zero. After this, every three points that you gain, will show up as fifteen, thirty and forty. If you are tied with the opponent, you can expect to have the number deuce as the point definer. If you are only one point ahead, it will be called advantage, ad or ad out. If you are coaching, then keeping score during a tournament can help you to make sure that everything is in line and will help to determine what the next strategy should be for the player. This is especially important if there are problems such as the opponent being up only by one point or keeping the game tied. When this happens, you should be aware of some next steps to take in order to settle the score. Once you understand the logistics of the scoring system of tennis, it allows you to make sure you know what needs to happen for the win. By keeping track of what is available to you, there will be the possibility to make sure that you are always one step ahead.
|