Coach’s Guide

T-ball

NZone Sports

First and foremost, we would like to thank you for volunteering to become an

N Zone Sports coach. The continued success of this league depends on the involvement of parents and friends such as yourself. As you embark on your role as a coach, you will play an enormous role in the development of the NZone participant both on and off the field. We hope your experience will be very rewarding to you.

Being a coach can seem like a daunting task but fear not, being a great coach is simply a matter of applying hard work and following a few very important principles. Many coaches start out questioning their abilities or qualifications. If you fall under this category you’re not alone. As a matter of fact we commend you. Your willingness to question your own knowledge shows that you possess one of the key elements for success; you care enough about others to honestly evaluate yourself. This sign of good character combined with the right resources of knowledge will enable you to provide your team with a great experience.

More important than an extensive knowledge of X’s and O’s, details and technique is having patience and understanding and a proper coaching mentality in regards to youth sports. Some of the best coaches ever are remembered by their players because of the care shown to them.

This idea was kept in mind when we created NZone Sport’s Core Principles. This booklet was designed to help you familiarize yourself with our culture, standards and philosophies. We’re confident that you’ll find the information contained herein helpful in creating the ideal environment for the enjoyment of all.

To assist you in making your contribution as an N Zone Sports Coach more enjoyable, we’ve created this manual for you as a resource. In the following pages you will find a host of valuable information about game day responsibilities, practice drills, a sample playbook and end of year season awards. .

Again, we thank you and wish you well on your journey as a coach with NZone Sports. We congratulate you on stepping up with your time, effort and energy. We hope you find your experience as rewarding as we do!

N Zone Sports Core Values

We take a S.A.F.E approach to youth sports

1. Simplicity-Webelievethatyouthsportshasbecomeasecondand sometimes even a third job for many parents. With multiple games and practices throughout the week, more and more families are finding themselves captive to youth sports leagues. None’s philosophy is that registration should be simple and that scheduling shouldn’t conflict with life. Games are scheduled Saturdays only with practices usually an hour before the game. The more simple we can make things on families, the better the entire experience is likely to be.

2. Achievement- Every child is a winner! Unlike many leagues, NZone Sports implements a policy that allows ample playing time for all members of a team. While we realize the importance of the competitive spirit, no child should have to sit out simple because of their ability or talent level. Every parent pays the same amount so naturally it only makes sense that all kids receive plenty of playing time.

3. Fun! We believe the primary reason kids play sports is to have fun. Fundamentals, sportsmanship, leadership and teamwork are all extremely important values we aim to instill in our participants but above all, the experience needs to be fun.

4. Environment- We believe that the entire youth sports experience will be enhanced when the proper environment is achieved. This includes critical elements of safety and the positive influence of parents, teammates and fans. One of the most damaging things to a child is continued negativity. We aim to reinforce positive behavior and carefully correct those that need to be addressed.

NZone Coaching Methods

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to become an NZone Sports youth coach. The success of this league depends on dedicated, responsible parents and friends such as yourself. Without your participation, it would be impossible for children to get the very best experience while playing in an NZone Sports program. Please take the time to read through this very important packet, to ensure that you completely understand our goals, culture, expectations and standards as we seek to achieve the ultimate youth sports experience. As an NZone coach, we are far more interested in your ability to impart a positive sports experience that we are in your ability to teach the specific skills of the sport you are coaching. In working together, we truly are helping shape the future of our kids. And for that, there is no greater reward.

As a coach of an N Zone Sports program, we are far more interested in your ability to communicate with the children on your team to effectively impart a positive sports experience, than we are in your ability to teach the nuances of the sacrifice bunt or the double reverse.

Benefits of Athletic Participation for Kids

Research points out many benefits of getting kids to continue to participate in youth sports, noting that, kids who stay in sports tend to, stay in school, get better grades and have fewer behavioral problems.

It is extremely important that coaches remember that a successful youth coach is defined not in terms of a won-loss record, but in terms of how many kids decide to return to play again next year.

Equal Playing Time

The primary purpose of youth sports should be to teach fundamental sports skills in a non-threatening environment. That is, children should have the opportunity to learn new skills and improve previously learned skills and have fun doing it.

Coaches must create an environment both in practices and games where children are not afraid to make mistakes. Using fear of failure as a motivational technique is unacceptable. Mistakes happen as part of the learning process.

Children who hope to become better skilled so they can move on to more advanced levels of competition have to be willing to take risks and experiment with more advanced skill techniques and strategies. They will not do this if they are afraid of making mistakes. All members of any team come to the team expecting equal opportunities. They have the right to expect equal quality and quantity of coaching in practice. They all must be given the same opportunity to try out what they learn in practices in game situations. In fact, games should be considered an extension of practices, another opportunity to learn. An athlete cannot learn much by sitting on the bench. Sports involve movement, physical skills. They are best learned by doing, not watching.

As a helpful reminder here's a checklist of some behaviors connected with positive coaching:

Kids deserve praise for participating/trying

The child chose to play a sport rather than hang out during free time. We need to credit each player just for being there. The youngster chose to sign up, come to practice and come to the games. We need to remind ourselves not to notice and praise kids only when they achieve. It's easy to praise the kids who do well in a sport. We also need to praise the youngsters who don't shine but who stay with a sport day in and day out.

Make a BIG deal out of even the SMALLEST positives

Promoting a positive self-image in kids while they play sports is essential! Look for positives and then encourage them with animated praise. At practices and games, a good goal is to try and keep a healthy ratio of positives to negatives. The more positives to negatives the better!

Additionally, you want to be specific in your praise. “Atta-boy”, while a good effort won’t go quite as far in building up kids as a more specific compliment such as, "I like the way you kept hustling after that play."

Finally, it's equally important to "make a big deal" out of it, to praise with animation. Kids respond to public accolades, so the more animated as a coach you are when praising, the better. In fact, a good motto is: "Praise in public and criticize in private."

Stay calm when mistakes crop up, help kids learn from their mistakes.

Dealing with a child after a mistake has been made is one of the most critical issues facing youth sports coaches. Ideally, youth sports offer kids great lessons in life: 1) it's OK to make a mistake, 2) mistakes WILL happen and 3) mistakes are stepping stones for learning.

When a youngster makes a mistake in a sport, one of two things can occur: 1) the youngster can learn from the mistake and try to improve the next time; or 2) the youngster can become preoccupied with the fear of making another mistake. The coach is the focal point that will help determine which path the youngster will travel.

If a coach stays calm and tries to instruct the child, there's a chance that the child will see the mistake as an opportunity to learn. If the coach stays calm there's a chance that the kid will stay calm, focus on the mistake and learn from it.

Unfortunately, as human beings, we often tend to have more animation in our reactions to negatives than in our reactions to positives. So it takes an extra effort on our part as coaches to remind ourselves to do all in our power to try to stay calm when mistakes occur.

Have reasonable, realistic, and reachable expectations.

Trying to live up to expectations can be a major frustration for kids whether they are their own expectations, or those of adults in their lives. Despite the fact that they may not show it, kids have a strong desire for adult approval, the lack of which, can be a major source of low self-esteem. Since a coach often plays a major role in the life of a youngster, it is important to keep expectations reasonable and attainable. A good coach's skill expectations are based on the knowledge that all youngsters are different in their physical skills, skill development potential, and growth rate, all of which can affect their coordination.

A good coach's motivation expectations are based on the awareness that there are three levels of motivation for kids in youth sports: 1) some kids, especially the entry- level youngsters, are playing because their parents enrolled them, 2) many youngsters are playing because it's a social event allowing them to be with their friends, 3) a smaller group of youngsters, beginning at about age 11 or 12, are playing because they enjoy sports for sports' sake.

A good coach's dedication expectations are based on the knowledge that the level of dedication to practice and mastery of skills depends upon the level of motivation in a youngster. A good coach also knows that dedication wanes when playing the sport is no longer fun.

Treat kids with respect. Do not tolerate put-downs, sarcasm, or ridicule.

When a youngster signs up to play sports, he/she deserves to be treated with respect. This means no put-downs, no sarcasm and no ridiculing by the coach, or fellow players. Any youth sports coach who volunteers to take on the job of guiding kids in any given sport needs to be careful of how he/she comes across to the youngsters.

Remind kids not to get down on themselves.

A youngster making a mistake is going to happen, and kids can go from the top of the world, to down in the dumps in a matter of moments. The key is not to let the child get down on himself for an error, but rather make a positive out of the mistake whenever possible.

A youngster misses a lay-up on a fast break. The coach substituted for the youngster. He then said to him, "Son, I didn't take you out because of the missed lay-up. I took you out because after you missed the lay-up you hung your head, delayed in getting back on defense and allowed your opponent to score an easy basket. If you get down on yourself after you make a mistake all it does is give your opponent an advantage. Now, get back in there, learn from your mistakes and quit beating yourself up!"

Remember not to take yourself too seriously during the game.

Remember, this is a volunteer position; nobody is being paid to pace the sidelines here. You don’t need to make this your “life”, too many times in youth sports, the same person who seems to have it all together away from the field, is a different person as a coach. Kids will respond much more positively to a coach that does not look at mistakes on the field as a poor reflection of his coaching ability and his team’s preparedness. Rather, mistakes can be looked at by a coach as another opportunity to give encouraging feedback to a young athlete.

Maintain a Fun is #1 focus, with lots of laughter and sense of humor.

The #1 motivator for kids to play sports in the first place?...FUN! If you ask a child his motivation for playing a given sport, you are not likely to hear “to increase my self- confidence” or “to learn sportsmanship”, or “to better prepare me for life”. Kids enjoy competing, but the fun is the act of competing, the excitement of competing, not just the winning.

The effective coach is the coach who learns what fun is for the kids by getting into their shoes and seeing the world from their point of view, the world of fun. The effective coach knows that fun, laughter, and humor are second nature to kids.

Emphasize teamwork, and help kids think "WE" instead of "ME."

For these youngsters, self-esteem = a sense of belonging. Humans are a very social group and even our youngest members need to feel as though they belong to a group. Youth sports offer an automatic sense of belonging. Coaches are pivotal in making the "team" concept become a reality. The coach needs to ensure that ALL players are recognized, not just the best players. Parents should be encouraged to praise all the players on the team, not just their own.

Be a role model of good sportsmanship.

These days, sportsmanship has taken a distant back seat to the outcome of the contest. Coaches have a responsibility to promote sportsmanship and:

1) Win without gloating,

2) Lose without complaining

3) Treat opponents and officials with fairness, generosity and courtesy.

Youth Sports Coach Behavior Checklist

• Kids deserve praise for participating/trying!

• MakeaBIGDEALoutofeventhesmallestpositives!

• Stay calm when mistakes crop up; help kids learn from their mistakes.

• Havereasonable,realistic,andreachableexpectations.

• Treat kids with respect. Do not tolerate put-downs, sarcasm, or ridicule.

• Remind kids not to get down on themselves.

• Remember no to take yourself too seriously during games.

• Maintain a fun is the #1 focus with lots of laughter and a sense of humor!

• Emphasize teamwork and help kids think “WE” instead of “ME!”

• Be a role model of good sportsmanship: o Win without gloating

o Lose without Complaining

o Treat opponents and officials with fairness, generosity, and courtesy

Coaching Responsibilities

▪ Participate in Coaches Meetings (Pre-Season Meeting)

▪ Support the NZone Youth Sports Philosophy and Coaching Standards

▪ Introduce yourself to parents and serve as a point of contact for players/parents as needed. Provide them with a contact number as soon as teams are assigned.

▪ So that players and parents can identify you, we recommend wearing your Coaches T-Shirt at all practices and games

▪ Winning coaches are responsible for reporting the score to the N Zone Canopy at the conclusion of every game.

▪ Lead all practices and games for the entire season

▪ Help players understand the rules and fundamentals of the game

▪ Develop and teach basic plays

▪ Introduce and reinforce sportsmanship values

▪ In the event of an unanticipated absence or emergency, please provide advance notice to the Program Director and delegate to your Assistant Coach. If you do not have an AC, find a person who can fill in.

▪ Input game scores online each week (required for both coaches)

▪ Submit team news or input player statistics online each week

▪ Ensure that players remove any trash before leaving the field

Introducing

The N Zone Jr. Program

The N Zone Jr. program was created as a 3-4 year old age division, designed to be a fun, upbeat non-competitive program whereby scores and standings are not kept. Games will be played in a round robin fashion, with periods of 10 minutes. League rules will not be enforced but it is the offensive team’s responsibility to keep the games moving while trying to evenly distribute playing time. Each team will play a minimum of two 10 minute periods. There will be a 5 minute break between periods to allow the kids to take a break and for coaches to teach important fundamentals and principals. Since kids at this age division do not typically have developed attention spans it is important to keep the pace and flow of things moving. Coaches that do keep things upbeat and exciting will quickly be faced with a group of disinterested children. The more excitement and encouragement you offer to them, the better experience everyone will have, including yourself. Essential to the success of the Jr. program is an involved group of assistant coaches and parent helpers to keep the kids on-task and focused. The key to coaching at this age division is to foster a positive, fun environment. It is of utmost importance to create an exciting environment whereby kids can’t wait to come back the following Saturday. Scores are not kept nor recorded and there are no standings at this age division. The emphasis again is on the most basic of fundamentals, exercise and fun.

Traits of the Model Coach

• A coach should be enthusiastic without being intimidating. He or she should be sensitive to the children's feelings and genuinely enjoy spending time with them. He or she should be dedicated to serving children and understand that football provides physical and emotional growth for its participants. Remember, N Zone Sports is for the children.

• A coach needs to realize that he or she is a teacher, not a drill sergeant. He or she should help children learn and work to improve their skills. Personal gains are never a consideration. The job does not depend on winning. The best interest of the child transforms into the best interests of the game.

• The safety and welfare of the children never can be compromised. A coach will consider these factors above all others.

• A coach needs a tremendous amount of patience. Don't push children beyond limits in regards to practice. Children have many daily pressures and the football experience should not be one of them. Playing football is supposed to be fun.

• A coach should care more about the players as people than as athletes. The N Zone Sports program is a means to an end, not an end to itself.

• A coach should encourage his players to dream and set lofty goals. It is important to remain positive and refrain from discouraging remarks. Negative comments are remembered far more often than positive affirmations.

• A coach needs to remember that the rules of the game are designed to protect the participants, as well as to set a standard for competition. He or she never should circumvent or take advantage of the rules by teaching deliberate misconduct. A coach who puts his or her opponents' team at risk should not be involved with children.

• A coach should be the first person to demonstrate good sportsmanship. He or she should take a low profile during the game and allow the kids to be the center of attention.

• Parents and players place a lot of trust and confidence in the coach. The coach has an important role in molding the athletic experience of the child.

• A coach can measure success by the respect he gets from his or her players, regardless of victories or defeats. Children who mature socially and physically while participating in sports are the best indication of good coaching.

T-Ball Rules

• League is Co-Ed

• Teams will consist of 5-8 players assigned* in the following order:

PLAYER ATTIRE

• Official N Zone jersey and hat must be worn during instruction & game play* • Rubber cleats are highly recommended. No metal spikes.

• Athletic baseball pants are recommended during instruction & game play.

• Protective cups are recommended (but not required).

• No jewelry (except medical bracelets)*

• No casts or any items deemed dangerous*

Please note that any player not wearing official N Zone jersey or found to be wearing prohibited equipment will not be able to participate in instruction & game play.

T-Ball Rules

GENERAL

3 & 4 year olds:

1. All children shall play the entire game, in the field and at bat.

2. 40 minutes of playing time (20 minute practice + 20 minute game).

3. Scores will not be recorded nor posted. All players will receive the same award at season end.

4. All children will line-up and shake hands with opposing team immediately following the game.

BATTING

1. Batter and batter on deck must wear a protective helmet with hat underneath.

2. Every team shall bat until the entire line-up has hit each inning. No outs will be recorded. 3. All batters swing until they hit ball. Once the ball is hit, the batter will run to 1st base and stop.

4. The ball must travel at least 8 feet from the tee in fair territory.

5. The last batter in the line-up will hit a grand slam. Thus, clearing the bases and the teams will switch sides.

6. Instruct players to drop the bat after hitting the ball. Keep other players a sufficient distance away from home plate.

7. There is no penalty for batting out of turn.

8. Any player arriving after a game has begun should be inserted in the batting order in the last position.

BASERUNNING

1. The team at bat will continue to advance the runner one base per hit. 2. No leading off or stealing the bases. Run only upon a hit.

3. Runners may not advance to the next base on any over-throws.

4. Sliding is not permitted.

DEFENSIVE

1. All defensive players must stand beyond the infield arch-line when a child is at bat. 2. There is no catcher position for T-Ball (or any defensive player behind the batter). 3. All throws should be made toward 1st base.

4. 1st Basemen must wear a helmet with face-guard.

5. All players must rotate field positions each inning.

EQUIPMENT

1. T-Balls with a Reduced Injury Factor (RIF) Level 1 should be used.

2. Only non-composite regulation bats are allowed (24-25). Wooden bats are not allowed.

3. A batting helmet with a baseball hat underneath must be worn by the player at bat, waiting on deck to bat next, all players running the bases and the first baseman.

4. Protective cups are only recommended for coach-pitch divisions.

VOLUNTEERS

1. All volunteer coaches are considered “assistant coaches” and must be certified to coach or help with practice and games on the field.

2. All coaches must have their BLUE shirts visible to the instructors.

3. All coaches are allowed on the field as needed to assist.

4. Volunteers may not touch a batted ball in play. 5. No umpires will be used in T-Ball.

Ages 5 & 6:

1. All children shall play the entire game, in the field and at bat.

2. 60 minutes of playing time (20 minute practice + 40 minute game).

3. All players will receive the same award regardless of record.

4. All children will line-up and shake hands with opposing team immediately following the game.

BATTING

1. Batter and batter on deck must wear a protective helmet with hat underneath.

2. Each team will bat through their entire lineup every inning. The end of the inning is marked by all players having batted.

3. Outs will be recorded, but 3 outs does not end the inning.

4. A tee is used until that player hits the ball in fair territory.

5. The ball must travel at least 8 feet from home plate in fair territory.

6. Bunting is not allowed.

7. There is no penalty for batting out of turn.

8. Any player arriving after a game has begun should be inserted in the batting order in the last position.

BASERUNNING

1. Each batter can only advance 1 base at a time.

2. The base runner is out when: i. A defensive player in possession of the ball tags the base (force play) or the tags the runner before the runner reaches the base. (Coaches should instruct players to tag runners below the shoulders).

ii. A defensive player catches a fly ball in fair or foul territory before it touches another object or the ground.

iii. A base runner slides head first at any time (advancing or retreating to a base).

3. No leading or stealing the bases. Run only upon a hit.

4. Runners may not advance to the next base once a defensive player has possession of the ball.

5. Runners may not advance to the next base on any over-throws.

6. Runners may not tag up on a caught fly ball.

DEFENSIVE

1. Defensive positions include: Pitcher, 1st Base, 2nd Base, Shortstop, 3rd Base, Left Field and Right Field (8th player will play Center Field).

2. All fielders must stand beyond the infield arch-line when a child is at bat.

3. The defensive player listed as “Pitcher” may not leave the pitcher’s circle until the ball is hit and must throw the ball to 1st base only (cannot tag the runner).

4. There is no infield fly rule.

5. All players must rotate positions each inning.

EQUIPMENT

1. T-Balls with a Reduced Injury Factor (RIF) Level 1 should be used.

2. Only non-composite regulation bats are allowed (24-25). Wooden bats are not allowed. 3. A batting helmet (with a baseball hat underneath) must be worn by the player at bat, waiting on deck to bat next, and all players running the bases.

4. Protective cups are recommended.

VOLUNTEERS

1. All volunteer coaches are considered “coaches and/or “assistant coaches” and must be certified to coach or help with practice and games on the field.

2. All coaches must have their BLUE shirts visible to the instructors.

3. All coaches are allowed on the field as needed to assist.

4. Volunteers may not touch a batted ball in play.

Game Day Practice

At N Zone Sports, we recognize that you have a busy schedule and strive to be as convenient as possible. This is why we leave practices optional. At the discretion of the coach, practices can be held, but they are not to be made mandatory. If a child misses a practice for any reason, they are not to be excluded from playing in the game.

We have found that the easiest and most convenient time to hold practice time is 30-60 minutes before the regularly-scheduled game time. This way you are able to get everything accomplished in 1 trip to the venue. If you would like to hold one additional weekday practice, Coaches are asked to discuss this with parents to determine the best possible day for the entire team.

Regular Season Game Day Procedures

• Required Apparel

o N Zone Sports Certified Coach T-Shirt

• Equipment Check o Balls

o Cones (if needed)

Practice Aid:

N Zone Sports Coaching Suggestions

As we previously stated, you don’t need to have a large wealth of sport-specific knowledge in order to be an effective N Zone Sports coach. What you do need is good communication skills to create a positive experience for all involved.

Children learn in many ways, but one thing is always common, have fun! Ask any child why they play a chosen sport and the answer most likely is to have fun. To accomplish this, a child must have a reasonable level of success. Now this will be different for each child, so don’t think that you must win the championship to show your team success! It is all how you place value on the different aspects of the game that will shape your team’s perception of themselves.

This brings us back to the point of make the biggest deal of the smallest positive! Focus on what your team is doing well. When they complete a pass...go crazy! When they exemplify a sportsmanship value...load on the praise! With this mentality they are sure to get better and better regardless of their experience or current level.

Besides loading on the praise, giving the players the tools needed for success will also positively affect their experience. When teaching the skills of the game, there are 3 phases of coaching that will assist in your communication to the players.

3 Phases of Coaching

1. Skill Introduction

• Always start by obtaining the attention from every one of your

players. Insist on eye contact and silence when the coach is talking to the group.

• Always name the skill that is being introduced. This is part of the education process and will aid them in future sport play.

• Always explain how the skill relates to the main goal of the sport (i.e. scoring). This gives value to the skill.

• Remember to keep things short and sharp! The attention span of the youth sports athlete is very short. 2. Demonstration

• Most children learn through seeing a visual demonstration. They will try to replicate what has been performed.

Always demonstrate the skill several times and start at a slower speed so that the players can see the nuances involved.

• If possible have a player who has previously shown success at this skill to perform it in front of the group. This will give confidence to the demonstrating player as well as show the others that they can also have success at this skill.

• Always talk your way through the skill to your players. This will help them focus on the details.

3. Coaching

• As the players are practicing the new skill, make your rounds and provide feedback as needed

• This can be done in smaller groups or with individual attention. Remember that some players will pick up the skill quickly, while others will need more attention.

• When you are working with the players make sure to let them know what they are doing well as well as what they need to develop. Everyone likes to hear positives!

Progression of Practice

The key to a great practice is follow steps that will lead to success. This is much easier than it sounds! Here are some hints to get you on your way:

• Spend 5-10 minutes before your practice to think out a quick outline of your practice time.

• Keep your progression from simple to complex. Take the skill from a static stage and slowly add in pressures (space, time or opponents).

• Try to cover only 1 main skill per practice. This will allow players to focus on one aspect of the game at a time. Think of it this way...you wouldn’t teach reading and math in the same hour of class time and expect the students to be great in each.

• Always end in a game (or as close to one as you can) and show the players how their new skills attribute to the success of their team. This is also a great way to reinforce the lessons learned

N Zone Sports of Katy & Fulshear offers youth sports leagues and programs for boys and girls in Katy, Fulshear, and Cinco Ranch Southwest in Texas.

(346) 344-9835

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