A comprehensive and original instructional guide to the unique sport of slowpitch. Learn basic to advanced offensive and defensive techniques, as well as expert advice on physical and psychological conditioning.

You volunteered to coach the softball team, but are you ready? How will you teach the fundamental skills, run effective practices, and harness the energy of your young team? Fear not: Survival Guide for Coaching Youth Softball has the answers. Longtime coaches Robert and Tammy Benson share their experiences and provide advice you can rely on from the first practice to the final game. Establishing realistic goals, in-game coaching tips, drills, strategies, and fun—it’s all here. Develop your team’s fundamental skills—fielding, catching, throwing, and hitting—with the Survival Guide’s collection of the game’s best youth drills. Included is a section on pitching instruction, and the ready-to-use practice plans will help you get the most out of every practice. Survival Guide for Coaching Youth Softball has everything you need for a rewarding and productive season. So step up and enjoy the experience. It will be one that you won’t forget.

Slowpitch Softball Hitting presents everything you need to know before stepping into the batters’ box. With this mini e-book, learn how to make the most of each at-bat from senior softball Hall of Famer Rainer Martens and his wife, Julie Martens. Supported by over 45 years of softball experience and PhDs in the sport sciences, Rainer and Julie present detailed information about techniques related to hitting, such as strike zone recognition, stances, bat selection, and grips. Aside from the basics, you’ll learn how to hit for average and increase your bat speed to generate power in various game situations. Different situations within a game require different types of hits to generate runs. Learn how to increase your precision and take your productivity at the plate to new heights. The mini e-book Slowpitch Softball Hitting is an abridged version of the comprehensive book Complete Guide to Slowpitch Softball (Human Kinetics, 2011). The content here is unique because it is specific to the slowpitch game, not merely fastpitch advice modified for slowpitch players. This sharp focus is what makes Slowpitch Softball Hitting such a valuable resource for all who play the game.

The Tools of Greatness is an in-depth, easily accessible, catching instructional book that details the most important position on the diamond. With fundamental, mechanical, and developmental insight, players and coaches alike have a definite guide to enhance catching ability. Coach Humphrey takes his experience as a player, coach, and scout and provides secrets and disciplines to help catchers reach their potential. With instructional excerpts and guidance from major college and professional coaches, the book is appropriate for youngsters as well as high-level athletes and coaches looking to improve one or all areas. Leadership, receiving, blocking, throwing, and defensive plays around the plate are highlighted in detail with drills and progression. Also included are a coaching plan, note to bull pen catchers, and a chapter detailing what college and pro scouts look for. With Mario Garza (New York Yankees), Jeff Ware (New York Yankees), Randy Mazey (West Virginia University), and Jim Thompson (New York Mets).

Looking for the ultimate book to help you learn and master softball’s essential skills? Look no further than the guide that has helped develop the game’s top players and most successful teams. This new edition of Softball Skills & Drills is completely updated with more skills, more drills and strategies, and more of the stellar instruction that have made it the top-selling title on the sport. Judi Garman, one of the winningest coaches in NCAA history, teams with Cal State Fullerton’s Michelle Gromacki to share their secrets to developing and mastering every aspect of the game. With step-by-step instruction, full-color photo sequences, technique tips, and unique insight into the game, you’ll learn every fundamental skill: •Hitting •Bunting •Slap Hitting •Baserunning •Sliding •Fielding •Throwing •Pitching •Catching And with over 230 of the game’s best drills, coverage of team offense and defense, pitch selection, pitch recognition, and in-game strategies, Softball Skills and Drills is simply the most comprehensive and practical guide on the sport. Whether striving to become a complete player or preparing your team for another championship run, Softball Skills &Drills is the one book you cannot be without.

Although often confused with its sister sport, baseball, softball has crept its way into the mainstream and earned a substantial following of its own both in the United States and abroad. From Little League to company teams to professional games, softball inspires both friendly and serious competition. Examining the history and rules of softball and offering tips on strategy and technique, this volume invites players of all skill levels to take a closer look at the game that has enthralled individuals of all ages and backgrounds.