| Work within an 8U Attention Span | | | | stop doing these things by taking away the "fear |
| Players at the 8U level can get bored and distracted | | | | factor." You can do this by using wiffle balls, or even |
| very easily. Keep them involved by splitting them up | | | | crumpled up paper balls until the player becomes |
| into smaller groups. Have coaches work with as few | | | | confident in their own ability to catch a ball. An added |
| players as possible so that there is minimal standing in | | | | bonus is the fact that a paper or wiffle ball often |
| line time. If you don't mind parent help, ask parents to | | | | moves in flight. It does not travel in as straight a path |
| come out and help roll grounders, throw fly balls, or | | | | as a regular softball. Therefore, if a player can learn to |
| take care of other simple tasks. This can help move | | | | catch a curving paper or wiffle ball, catching a softball |
| practice along and keep groups or stations small. | | | | that travels in a straighter path should be relatively |
| Everyone is Involved | | | | simple for them. |
| Strive to have your players understand that even if it's | | | | Cover fundamentals |
| not their turn, you expect them to be involved and pay | | | | Cover fundamentals over and over and over and over |
| attention. Explain that they can learn by watching their | | | | and over again. I think you get the idea. If a player |
| teammates do drills. They can also help their | | | | learns nothing else this season, they should at least |
| teammates by cheering them on. Just like in the game, | | | | learn good throwing and/or fielding mechanics. I say |
| even if it's not their turn to field or catch the ball they | | | | "or" because everyone has a different learning curve |
| are still involved in the play (i.e. cover a base, let your | | | | and you may have that one player who, for whatever |
| teammate know where to throw, etc). Also make it | | | | reason, masters skills at a much slower rate than |
| clear that no one should be talking or playing games as | | | | usual. Fundamentals are also the basic building blocks |
| they wait in line. You can explain that practice is similar | | | | these players will fall back to over and over again |
| to school, there is no talking simply because the focus | | | | throughout their career if they begin struggling with a |
| is on someone else. No one should be talking when the | | | | particular skill. If they never learn these fundamentals, |
| coach is talking just as no one talks in school while the | | | | they'll have no clue how to "get back on track" later on |
| teacher is talking. | | | | in their career when they need to. |
| Take Away the Fear Factor | | | | Have Fun - this is not the Olympics |
| Many players in the 8U division will be learning many of | | | | Last but not least, players at this age will play because |
| the skills you teach for the first time. Obviously, this | | | | it's fun, not because they see that they are the best in |
| means they may not be able to correctly perform | | | | the league. Never underestimate the importance of |
| certain skills, catching a thrown ball for instance. If a | | | | enjoying the game. It's what keeps players coming |
| player at this age gets hit with a ball they try to catch, | | | | back season after season, year after year. Keep the |
| they may become afraid of catching. If you've ever | | | | softball fire burning by making practice and game |
| seen a scared player trying to catch a ball, you know | | | | experiences fun! |
| that it's not likely. The shy away from the ball, they turn | | | | For help on Keeping Softball Fun ~ don't forget to |
| their head, or they close their eyes. None of these | | | | check out the e-book at All About Fastpitch. |
| actions will help them get better at catching. Help them | | | | |