Table of Contents

Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. So You Want to Be a Coach
Role of the Coach
Time Commitment
Leadership
Coaching Style
Liability
2. Strategies for Coaching the Young Female Athlete
Effective Communication
Effective Teaching
Team Discipline
Motivating Athletes
Being a Good Role Model
3. Coaching Girls
How Girls and Boys Play Sports
Physical Differences Between Boys and Girls
Psychological Differences Between Boys and Girls
Serious Issues in Softball Today
Sexual Harassment
4. Softball Basics
Equipment
Position Play
Choosing a Support Staff
The Game
5. The How-To's of Individual Defensive Play
How to Throw
How to Catch
How to Field Ground Balls
How to Field Fly Balls
How to Pitch
How to Catch a Pitch
6. The How-To's of Individual Offensive Play
How to Bat
How to Bunt
How to Run the Bases
How to Slide
7. Offensive Strategies in Team Play
How to Use Offensive Team Strategies
How to Communicate Through Signs and Signals
8. Defensive Strategies in Team Play
How to Execute Basic Defensive Situations
How to Run the Transition Game
How to Execute the Bunt Defense
How to Execute the Double Play
How to Execute the Rundown
How to Execute the First and Third Play
9. Planning for the Season
How to Set Goals
How to Conduct a Parent Meeting
How to Plan Practice
How to Condition Your Team
How to Prepare for Game Day
10. Conclusion
Appendix: Organizations
Glossary
References
Index
About the Author

About the Author

Kathy Strahan has coached major-college sofball for the past 16 years, and since 1992 she has been the head softball coach at California State University, Sacramento. She played on the 1978 United States World Championship team and the gold medal-winning United States team at the 1979 Pan-Am Games. She lives in Folsom, California.