The following information is split into two key areas, the How to Coach and the What to Coach.
HOW TO COACH – is a philosophical approach to coaching that promotes athlete learning, and ownership of that learning through creating awareness, responsibility and self-belief. It is based on empowering, creates athlete awareness and tends to use a questioning approach.Softball NZ encourages coaches to use a broader range of coaching approaches, appropriate to the particular situation, that increasingly raise athletes’ self-awareness, gives them greater responsibility for their own learning and leads to an outcome of increased athlete self-belief.
WHAT TO COACH – Focuses on the technical, tactical and game strategies specific to the game softball.
All resources have been carefully selected to support the ongoing learning and development of our coaches. Links to international websites provide a wealth of information and are highly recommended. Further resource links will be added to this page accordingly.
BALANCE IS BETTER
Balance is Better website seeks to support those involved in delivering youth sport such as partners, coaches, sports administrators, teachers, parents and volunteers.
CLUB COACHING MENTOR PROGRAMME
Coach because they want to make a difference. A coach needs to know they are making a difference. That difference can be through the support of a Club Coach Mentor. Please contact Softball NZ if your Club or Association is interested in undertaking this mentor programme.
WAYNE GOLDSMITH
International sports coaching expert, Wayne Goldsmith has influenced the coaching, thinking and teaching of some of the world’s leading athletes, coaches and teams. His client list includes: United States Olympic Committee, Sydney Roosters, Tennis Australia, Wallabies, Sport New Zealand and more.This website provides articles and tips to help you put all the pieces in place to develop your role as a sports coach and sporting parent.
ONLINE INTERVIEWS
Online interviews with New Zealand coaches and players sharing their experiences, insights, and lessons learned throughout their softball journeys.
ART OF COACHING SOFTBALL
Art of Coaching Softball isn’t a one-size-fits-all program. Our website and clinics are dedicated to offering an inside look at the best teaching practices of successful coaches at all levels, one that allows you to shape your own coaching identity. In other words, there are no right or wrong answers. Just good information that makes you think.
SOFTBALL NZ DEVELOPMENT MATRIX
The Development Matrix provides an outline to help coaches identify and develop technical, tactical, strategy and game knowledge skills relevant to each athletes life stage. The Development Matrix is aligned to the National Player & Development Pathway and supports the development of all players to maximise their enjoyment of softball.
LITTLE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL
Little League International operates more than 6,500 programmes in more than 84 countries and has been in operation since 1939. The website provides numerous coach education resources and a great number of tools to support parent coaches.
T-BALL SKILL SETS PASSPORT
Resources to help the beginner or parent coach teach the basic fundamentals of the game for T-Ball age players (6-9 years). The set comes with a Coach Guidelines Booklet, 12 x Players Passport Booklets & Black & Gold Stickers to reward the child when a simple skills test is achieved correctly.
$12 + postage from Softball NZ
The following links provide insights into athlete mental health and social media - the good, the bad and how to help your athletes avoid the pitfalls.
Healthy Social Media Habits: Kelsey Plum