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Five Tips for Coaching Young Athletes
Are you new to coaching? Coaching is a rewarding job because you have the power to help children perform at their best abilities. Here are five tips to help you become a better coach. 1. Be flexible and versatile Coaching kids is different than coaching elite professional athletes. The team should focus on building confidence and a long-term development through training. Focusing on winning causes children to stress quickly and become less self-aware of their teammates. Remember coaching is about adapting to your team needs in a competitive environment. 2. Have confidence in your leadership skills Technical knowledge will not...
Start the 2017 Season Strong with These 4 Training Tips
Spring is close and that means the start of baseball and softball season in certain parts of the country. No matter the age or skill level of the player or team, spring training is the time to sharpen the basic fundamentals and set a positive tone for the season. Getting off to a good, productive start is crucial. Enter into the pre-season with these tips. Offseason - Strength training can go a long way in preventing fatigue during training and games. Even young players can benefit from technique work, agility drills, and bodyweight exercises before practices even start. If you...
Avoid youth burnout (and overuse injuries) by being a multi-sport athlete
Youth burnout is becoming a prominent issue as children are specializing in sports and even individual positions at earlier ages. "Burnout" is when an athlete develops emotional and/or physical fatigue towards a sport from one or a combination of reasons, including too much time spent on one activity or not enough time off. Specializing in a sport in elementary school also can lead to overuse injuries later on in middle and high school. There are many benefits to having children participate in more than one sport. Build athleticism. Before specialization, develop both sides of the body and improve flexibility and coordination. Children should participate in a variety of activities as well as rotate positions on the baseball...
Valuable Tips for Baseball Safety and Equipment
Baseball is one of the most played sports in America but choosing your equipment can be daunting. Here are some beginning tips to help you follow safety guidelines and have the proper equipment before joining a team. 1. Picking the proper baseball bat Choosing the right bat is all about the right length! These factors are important to be able to control the swing and speed of the bat. Below are some tips to help you choose the right bat. Children who weigh below 60 pounds should not swing a bat larger than 29 inches. Children who weigh...
Losing with Integrity
In the world of sports, there will always be a loser and winner. In reality, some teams face more victories while others are defeated. It is important as a competitive athlete to learn how to handle a loss well with ease and integrity. Don’t talk bad about the opposing team Losing stinks because everyone wants to be a winner. The best way to provoke your emotions is when you are on the bus with your team. Nothing makes an athlete look like a coward more than when they are trash talking their opponents. Be the bigger person and set an...