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When coaching a youth softball team, the first thing you’ll realize that it’s difficult. In fact, a youth softball team is a lot more difficult to handle than teams with older and more experienced players.

There are a number of reasons for this. First is that young players don’t have enough knowledge and experience yet on how softball works. So you practically have to start from scratch when working with them. Another is that they’re kids, and you know that kids are a little bit more difficult to handle than adults. And finally, you also have to deal with their parents. Putting parents into the mix makes things a lot more challenging.

Yes, it’s a challenge to handle a youth softball team, but it’s something you can do with the right attitude and skills. Successfully coach your youth softball team with these 7 tips I have for you.

1. Learn as much as you can. Coaching isn’t just about teaching your players how to do things correctly. It’s also your job to learn as much as you can about the game, about handling your players and dealing with them.

You can learn these through books, seminars and other reference materials that will help broaden your understanding of the game and the psychology of handling a team. Invest on these materials because you’ll be needing them if you want to coach your team well.

2. Start with the basics. When you’re teaching new concepts to your players, keep things as simple as possible. I mentioned earlier that young players don’t have the prior knowledge yet of how softball works, so don’t expect them to understand softball jargon and other complex concepts the first day they step on the practice field.

What you should do instead is begin with general concepts about the game. From hitting to throwing the ball, keep your instructions clear and simple. They’ll understand you a lot easier that way.

3. Keep things fun. Kids love playing games. And what’s more, they learn things much easier when they’re having fun. So instead of putting them through grueling drills and practices, design fun drills that they will enjoy instead.

When they’re having fun doing the drills, they won’t perceive these drills as work, making them more open to learning new concepts. And an open mind is what you need from your players because they’ll be able to absorb more instructions from you with that.

4. Start them early on safety and sportsmanship. The kids that you’re handling are looking for role models, just like any kid would. That said, you’re in the position of setting for them good examples on how to become a good softball player beyond merely learning the skills.

So constantly remind them how to play safely on the field. Show them how each safety gear works, teach them to eat right and drink water or sports drinks regularly.

And teach them sportsmanship as well. Show them that losing isn’t the end of the world. Show them how to accept defeat graciously. These things that you teach them will come a long way, even after their softball career’s over.

5. Understand how kids develop. It could be tempting to boot out a player from your team if he/she plays poorly. Things like this happen in real life in regular youth softball teams, but try to avoid it happening in your team as much as you can.

Remember that you’re dealing with kids, and some kids don’t develop their skills as quickly as the others. So give them the chance to learn more from the game, and decide only when they have matured enough.

6. Be patient. These kids barely know anything about how softball works. And so, teaching them concepts they don’t seem to understand can be frustrating at times. But that’s a part of the challenge.

Be patient with them even if it’s frustrating. Hang in there because the longer you stay with them, the more they learn from you. And you’ll be surprised at the end of the season how much they’ve grown in terms of playing the game and their understanding of it.

7. Keep parents on your good side. Parents of your players will come in tons of varieties. Most are generally friendly, although others can be a pain to deal with.

What you should do instead is try making friends with them. Build relationships with these parents. Listen to them if they have suggestions on how you can get more wins for your team, but also remind them who runs the show. Otherwise, other parents might try to take too much control of the team, which can be detrimental to your team’s overall success.

We’re of course just at the tip of the iceberg here. It takes a lot more to successfully coach a youth softball team. It takes experience, the knowledge, and the willingness to learn from your peers and your players to get you there.

But the ones I’ve listed above provides you with the basic tools that will guide you throughout your coaching career. It’s tough, but don’t forget to enjoy the ride and keep on learning.