Coaching Tee-Ball (The Baffled Parent's Guide Series) »

Bing Broido is cofounder and president of the T•BALL USA Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development of tee ball. He works directly with administrators, coaches, and parents to enhance their tee ball programs. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he is the author of The Book of Rules, a guide to the official rules and playing procedures of fifty sports, and The Official T•BALL USA Family Guide to Tee Ball.

"I love this book and will recommend to all my future coaches."—Carl Crooks, President, Bolingbrook (Illinois) Tee Ball Association

"This book is thorough, user-friendly, informative, and right on the money. There is nothing else like it, and it is sorely needed. Kudos on a fabulous work!—Wanda Rutledge, President, National Council of Youth Sports

Coach. You just volunteered to coach your child's tee ball team, and now you realize you're not sure how tee ball differs from baseball, or how to help these 4- to 8-year-olds on the road to improvement while also ensuring that they feel safe and have fun. Don't despair—Coaching Tee Ball is here to help.

Coaching Tee Ball gives you the basic rules and procedures of the game, sample practices, and advice and tips from experienced tee ball coaches and organizers (and parents). Also included are activities that introduce basic hitting, throwing, running, and fielding skills in an atmosphere that emphasizes fun and participation. Along the way, you'll learn a thing or two about coaching style and how to make improvement—rather than winning or losing—the goal of your season.

• Survive your first practice and game
• Reach all your players
• Improve your players and your team
• Create a positive attitude and build team spirit
• Be the coach you never had
• Make practices fun, safe, and rewarding

"This is the type of book every parent and coach should read. The insights, information, and instruction are invaluable. I know I will refer to it often."—Roy Nelson, President, Canyon Creek Little League, San Ramon, California

"This book is an easy-to-follow road map for success. It should be required reading for parents, coaches, and league directors."—Tom McClure, Coach, Northside Youth Organization, Atlanta, Georgia

"It is great to see a book on tee ball that covers all the aspects of the game and how to run a team."—Carl Crooks, President, Bolingbrook (Illinois) Tee Ball Association

Bing Broido is cofounder and president of the T•BALL USA Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development of tee ball. He works directly with administrators, coaches, and parents to enhance their tee ball programs. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he is the author of The Book of Rules, a guide to the official rules and playing procedures of fifty sports, and The Official T•BALL USA Family Guide to Tee Ball.

Preface: Play Ball!Introduction: So You Said You'd Be the Coach, Huh?Part One. Coaching 101: The Coach's Start-Up Kit1. Creating an Atmosphere of Good HabitsEstablish Your Identity as CoachExpectationsMethod2. Before Hitting the Field: Tee Ball in a NutshellRecommended Rules and PositioningObject of the Game and General RulesThe Ball Is in PlayGame VariationsResponsibilities of a Coach during the GameBasic Safety MeasuresQuestions and Answers3. Setting Up the SeasonLeague Policies and ProceduresPractice and Game SchedulesMeet with ParentsFinding AssistantsNumber of Players on the TeamEquipmentQuestions and Answers4. Essential Skills—and How to Teach ThemBattingFieldingThrowingRunning5. The PracticePreparationPrepracticePractice FormatPractice Session WorksheetQuestions and Answers6. Sample PracticesBasic Beginning PracticeAdvanced PracticePracticing Field PositionsGame SimulationChecklist7. Game TimeThe Mental AspectBefore the GameCoaching the GameAfter the GameQuestions and Answers8. Dealing with Parents, Gender Issues, and Safety and HealthThe Role of the ParentsCommunicationWinningGender IssuesSafety and HealthQuestions and AnswersPart Two. Drills: The Foundation for Development, Success, Happiness, and a Coach's Peace of Mind9. Warm-Up Drills: Throwing, Fielding, and BaserunningThrowing DrillsCatching DrillsThrowing and Catching DrillsFielding DrillsCatchers' DrillsBaserunning Drills10. Defensive Drills: Infield Play, Outfield Play, and Team DefenseInfield DrillsOutfield DrillsTeam DefenseQuestions and Answers11. Batting Drills12. At-Home DrillsQuestions and AnswersAppendixActivity SurveyT•BALL USA AssociationCoaching ChecklistResourcesIndexAcknowledgmentsAbout the Author