Toronto, ON - Welcome to the Fall 2015 edition of The Coach's Clipboard! Every issue we provide you with up to date articles that are relevant and useful for all coaches. If you have any questions feel free to contact Steph Sutton, Technical Program Coordinator: ssutton@softballontario.ca Enjoy!
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Welcome Coaches!
Welcome to the Fall 2015 edition of The Coach's Clipboard! Every issue we provide you with up to date articles that are relevant and useful for all coaches. If you have any questions feel free to contact Steph Sutton, Technical Program Coordinator: ssutton@softballontario.ca Enjoy!
2016 Softball Performance Centres are now accepting Registration for U14, U16 and U18 Coaches
As part of Softball’s Long Term Player Development, Softball Ontario (PWSA, OASA and ORSA) will continue to offer the Softball Performance Centre Program in 2016 offering continuous all inclusive training to U14, U16 and U18 female and male softball players at three (3) Softball Performance Centres across Ontario.
What is a Softball Performance Centre?
Softball Ontario’s Softball Performance Centre will provide a clear training pathway to the sport’s high performance system of skill development as delivered by:
Team Ontario Coaching Staff (Male and Female)
Selected Developmental Team Ontario Pool Coaching Staff
High Performance Athletes (Female/Male) from Team Canada/Team Ontario
Strength and Conditioning Experts
Nutritionists
Sport Psychologists
Athletic Therapists
Dartfish Specialists - Video Analysis
CANpitch Regional Pitching Instructors
Who can attend the Softball Performance Centres?
U14 softball Coaches (who coaches female and male players)
U16 softball Coaches (who coaches female and male players)
U18 softball Coaches (who coaches female and male players)
How do the Softball Performance Centre work for Softball Coaches?
Softball coaches in Ontario will have an opportunity to expand their coach education. Coaches can join the Softball Performance Centre by registering to shadow Softball Performance Centre staff for 4 weekends and partake in training opportunity for the LTPD stage of development they coach on a regular basis.
What are the dates of the Softball Performance Centre?
The Softball Performance Centres will offer continuous training on four (4) weekends:
January 23-24, 2016
February 27-28, 2016
March 5-6, 2016
April 9-10, 2016
What are the locations of the Softball Performance Centres?
Ingersoll- Click here to register if you are interested in attending this Softball Performance Centre
Greater Toronto Area - Click here to register if you are interested in attending this Softball Performance Centre
Napanee- Click here to register if you are interested in attending this Softball Performance Centre
What are Coaches provided at the Softball Performance Centres?
Softball Canada U14 or U16 Coaches Guide or U18 Softball Canada Softball Matrix/Resources
The opportunity to network with fellow softball coaches
Gain exposure to the developmental pool of Coaches for the next Team Ontario cycle for Canada Games
If you have any questions about the Softball Performance Centre Program, please contact Steph Sutton via email ssutton@softballontario.ca.
MAKING HEAD WAY IN SPORT!
Concussions can occur while participating in any sport or recreational activity. Since the circumstances under which a concussion can be sustained are so varied, it’s important for all coaches, parents, and athletes to be aware of the signs, symptoms, and what to do if a concussion occurs. Check out the new “Making Head Way in Sport†eLearning series on the Coaching Association of Canada’s web site (www.coach.ca) to help you gain the knowledge and skills required to ensure the safety of your athletes! Test your concussion IQ, find out what happens during a concussion, get concussion smart via our e-Learning module, or simply browse through real concussion stories.
FREE for a limited time! So check it out today!
Note: This concussion e-Learning series will apply towards the professional development credits required for maintenance of a coach’s NCCP certification.
Alphabet Soup - TPASC, CSIO, NCCP and ACD
by Pippa Edwards ChPC, Softball Ontario Coaches Committee, Assistant Coach of Port Perry Angels
The Pan Am Games in Toronto not only brought double gold for Softball Canada but also left a legacy of facilities throughout the Greater Toronto Area. One of which is the Toronto Pan Am Aquatics Centre (TPASC) at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus. Along with two Olympic calibre pools, diving tank and large field house the TPASC building is also home to the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO). The CSIO not only provides a world class training facility for athletes but also provides education and professional development programs for coaches including the Advanced Coaching Diploma Program.
This program fits in the coaching pathway after Competition Introduction and Competition Development. It is aimed at coaches who are in the Competition Development Advanced level of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). If you remember the old NCCP language at all, this means the Diploma is aimed at those ready for Levels 4 and 5. The CSIO at TPASC is a perfect place for coaches to gain exposure to the high performance daily training environment of multiple sports and the sport science professionals that support them. Coaches who are pursuing the Diploma work with high developmental level athletes up through to national team level.
If your aim is to one day join the ACD program (in softball or any sport) you need to be certified Level 3 (old NCCP) or complete the Competition Development level (new NCCP). The place to start of course is to get and maintain your softball certification levels. A good idea is to go to the coach.ca website and login to see your coach record in The Locker (anyone who has taken any level of NCCP course has a record) and make sure that your address and contact info and your certification is up to date. You never know when requirements may change and you have to make sure your coaching records are up to date.
The Canadian Sport Institute Ontario
Located at the new Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, a legacy facility of the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games, Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) is a non-profit organization committed to the pursuit of excellence by providing world-class programs, services, and leadership to high performance athletes and coaches to enhance the
ir ability to achieve international podium performances. CSIO offers athletes a range of sport science and sport medicine services including nutrition, physiology, biomechanics, strength & conditioning, mental performance, sport therapy and life services. CSIO also delivers programming and services to National and Provincial Sport Organizations and coaches to work towards building a stronger sport system in Ontario and Canada.
CSIO services approximately 700 high performance athletes and 250 coaches, at its main facility at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, its satellite location at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, and in daily training environments across Ontario. CSIO is part of a larger network of 4 institutes and 3 multi-sport centres across the country known as the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network, working in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee. CSIO is further supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Sport Canada, Own the Podium, and the Coaching Association of Canada, along with the National and Provincial Sport Organizations within the sector.
The Advanced Coaching Diploma Program
The Advanced Coaching Diploma is the pinnacle of a coaches’ education in the National Coaching Certification Program. AC Diploma coaches are recognized as being among the most qualified coaches and leaders of athletes and sport programs provincially, nationally and internationally.
The Diploma consists of four core themes; Coaching Leadership,Coaching Effectiveness, Performance Planning, and Training and Competition Readiness. Each theme requires coaches to complete a series of modules comprised of several 3 hour units of in-classroom sessions, seminars, workshops or labs. Coaches will be evaluated in
each module based on their ability to demonstrate competency coaching developing athletes.
Coaches enrolled in the diploma program will work with a designated master and/or mentor coach who will support them in their completion of program requirements.
The diploma program requires a mid-point and final assessment by a panel of content specialists. The Diploma is one step towards certification in the Competition â€" Development Advanced Gradation context. To complete his/her certification, the coach must contact his/her NSO to apply for the sport-specific evaluation.
The sport system in Canada is changing rapidly. Ongoing coach certification and professional development at all levels not only continues to allow you to grow and develop as a coach but keeps you up to date on the latest updates on the sport landscape in this country. Thank you to all of you coaches who put immense time in to the sport system in Canada. Without you as the solid foundation in our communities, there would be no TPASC, CSIO, NCCP, ACD or the rest of the Canadian Sport Alphabet Soup.
PD Points and Maintenance of Certification
Softball Ontario, along with Softball Canada and the Coaching Association of Canada recognize the value of having certified NCCP coaches that are engaged in Professional Development programs which reinforce the values of lifelong learning and sharing within the coaching community.
All coaches who have been certified in any Softball Canada’s NCCP contexts you will be required to obtain Professional Development (PD) points to maintain your NCCP certification. This is a part of a multi-sport initiative required by all 67 sports within the Coaching Association of Canada. More information for those previously NCCP certified (in the old NCCP system), will be notified as to how they are to proceed. This does not impact any softball coach who has “In Training†or “Trained†status.
Why do I need to maintain my certification?
The NCCP is asking all coaches to continue learning to help developing the best athletic performance from our athletes as well as and the integrity of the NCCP. This can be done through coaching professional development, as well as actively coaching.
When does this take effect?
Softball Coaches are able to accumulate points effective as of January 1, 2014 and onwards.
What qualifies for points towards Maintenance of Certification?
Activity Category Points Limitations
Sport-specific Active coaching 1 point/year for every season coached
1 point/year for learning facilitator or evaluator activity To a maximum number of points equal to the number of years of the certification renewal period: 5 years
NCCP activity 5 points/module No maximum or minimum
Non-NCCP activity* 3 points for approx.3 hours activity No maximum or minimum
Coach self-directed activity* 3 points for the valid certification period Maximum of 3 points for certification renewal period
Re-evaluation in context 100% of the points required for PD credit in the context No other PD is required if coach chooses re-evaluation
Multi-sport NCCP activity 5 points/module No maximum or minimum
Non-NCCP activity 1 point/hour of activity up to 3 points maximum To a maximum of 50% of required PD credit for the context in a certification renewal period
How can I accumulate PD points?
PD points can be earned through a variety of activities that certified coaches already participate in including. These include; national and provincial sport organization conferences and workshops, coaching committees, eLearning modules, NCCP workshops, coach mentorship programs, and active coaching and/or instructing.
There are many ways to accumulate points. Events that are organized by Softball Canada, Softball Ontario, Coaching Association of Canada or Provincial/ Territorial Coaching Representatives will all advertise the number of PD points associated with the event. It is very important to first contact Softball Ontario before attending an event to ensure the event you are attending does count for PD points.
Please ensure that you contact Softball Ontario before attending an event as retroactive events will not be accepted as per the Coaching Association of Canada’s policy. For example, if you attend an event that has not been pre-approved by the necessary parties and report it for points.
Please contact Softball Ontario (Steph Sutton via email ssutton@softballontario.ca) or Softball Canada (Lise Jubinville via email ljubinville@softball.ca) for more details on softball specific opportunities that count towards PD points.
What events can I self-report?
Actively coaching or instructing is one of the points softball coaches can self-report each year on your own behalf and reported directly through the Coaching Association of Canada. Simply login to www.coach.ca and on the left hand side of your transcript you will see a “self-report†section, click and follow the prompts.
How long to I have to accumulate my points?
You will have five (5) years to get the required number of points for Softball.
What are the minimum requirements for me to retain my NCCP Certification?
Context Minimum Professional Development credits required for a period of five years
Community Sport Initiation NA
Competition Introduction 20 points
Competition Development 30 points
How can I check how many PD points I have?
Your PD points will appear on your transcript as long as your profile information (name, NCCP#, etc.) has been recorded correctly with the organizer of the event, and your profile is up-to-date on coach.ca. You can check your profile and points by logging into coach.ca and using your NCCP# to check your transcript. Remember that PD points will only appear on your transcript after the data has been entered in the Locker by Softball Ontario or Softball Canada. When you are on your NCCP transcript, on the left hand side there is a section called ‘Maintenance.’ Click there and follow the prompts. It will show which events you have attended as well as your certification deadline, number of points attained, and number of points required.
What if I am certified in other sports and/or multiple contexts in softball?
The PD points you earn will apply to all sports’ requirements. The coach needs to accumulate the highest number of required PD points. You only need to earn the higher number of required PD points. For example, if you have “Certified†status in both Instruction contexts, you will need to acquire 20 points to maintain your Certification in both contexts.
What happens to my NCCP Certification if I do not complete the required PD in the time allowed?
Your transcript would show that your “Certified†status has not been renewed. Requirements to regain your NCCP Certification will continue to be worked out by Softball Ontario/Softball Canada through this first PD cycle (2014-2019).
LTPD 411
by Matt Allen, Softball Ontario Coaches Committee Member and LTPD Technical Chair
No one ever claimed the Long-Term Player Development (LTPD) Framework was ever complete. LTPD represents the best practices in coaching and athlete development as they are understood today.
But sport science research, technological innovations and best practices in coaching are constantly evolving. In the spirit of Kaizen, or continuous improvement, LTPD aims to reflect all emerging facets of physical activity, sport, recreation and education to ensure that it is inclusive and comprehensive.
Quite often in our sport, LTPD receives negative connotations from our stakeholders, without really appreciating the nuts and bolts of it. We are so focused on how age groups have changed, competition rules are updated, and more, without understanding why those changes are necessary.
Let’s not focus on immediate results but as coaches, let’s think about developing athletes over the long-term, because THAT is what LTPD is all about. Regardless of the sport, depth of participants is critical to high performance success. More participants in every development stage of a sport’s pipeline can have a direct correlation to results among those competitors whose trajectory hits the pinnacle of the sport.
Have you ever considered if your athletes can complete basic fundamental movement skills not required in our sport? I recently had the opportunity to talk to one of the LTPD ‘experts’ in Canada who was working with national level downhill skiers and when taken off their skies and put into the gym, they could not complete a basic ‘somersault.’ We all think this isn’t the case for our own athletes but have you ever tested that? What are you doing in your winter training schedule? Are you encouraging your athletes to play other sports? Do you incorporate training skills outside of softball in your gym sessions? I recently incorporated yoga training into our off-season regiment and our middle infields said they felt like a beach ball was coming to them in slow motion when we finally got onto the field â€" they felt like they could get to anything.
LTPD has been designed with 10 key factors in mind:
Physical Literacy
Specialization
Developmental Age
Sensitive Periods
Mental, Cognitive and Emotional Development
Periodization
Competition
Excellence Takes Time
System Alignment and Integration
Continuous Improvement - Kaizen
It is our duty as coaches to refrain from focusing on that gold medal in 2016 and consider these key factors, even one at a time. So don’t try undertaking all 10 of these factors at once but look at them step by step and think ‘what can I do to change my coaching?’ By doing our due diligence to support our athletes in training, we will not only ensure better athletes over the long term but we will also see coveted podium results as well.
To me, the best coaches are those whose athletes are still competing into their 20s and 30s because those are the athletes who enjoyed their experience in softball and decided to continue playing into their Active4Life stage of LTPD. Take some time to reflect and consider how many of your athletes continue to play this great sport for years to come.
Apply to be a 2016
Softball Performance Centre Developmental Coach
Softball Ontario is seeking nine (9) Developmental Coaches for its three (3) Softball Performance Centres â€" Ingersoll, Greater Toronto Area and Napanee. Each Softball Performance Centre will have three (3) Developmental Coaches working under the direction of a Softball Performance Centre Head Coach who is a member of Team Ontario Coaching Staff.
Developmental Coaches must be Trained/Certified NCCP Competition-Introduction, Softball or NCCP Level 2 in Softball Certified, and have experience in player development, coaching experiences and an understanding of Softball’s Long Term Player Development. The Developmental Coaches will work under the direction of the Softball Performance Centre Head Coach and must be available for the following Softball Performance Centre weekends:
Weekend #1: Saturday, January 23 and Sunday, January 24, 2016
Weekend #2: Saturday, February 27 and Sunday, February 28, 2016
Weekend #3: Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6, 2016
Weekend #4: Saturday, April 9 and Sunday, April 10, 2016
Other Softball Performance Centre Developmental Coaches qualifications include:
Must be 18 years of age at the time of application
Must possess a valid G Class Driver’s License
Must have a current Vulnerable Sector Screening completed and be approved by Softball Ontario’s Screening Task Force
Must sign a Softball Ontario Confidentiality Agreement
Must complete a Softball Ontario Volunteer Application form
Softball Ontario’s Softball Performance Centres will provide one (1) training pathway to Softball’s high performance system of skill development that will be delivered by:
Team Ontario Coaching Staff (Female and Male)
Developmental Coaches
CANpitch Regional Pitching Instructors and Dartfish Specialists
High Performance Athletes from Team Ontario/Team Canada
Experts in the field of:
Strength and Conditioning
Sport Psychology
Nutrition
Performance Recovery
Softball Performance Centre Development Coaches responsibilities include:
Assist the Head Coach to plan, develop, implement, monitor and evaluate the training program for (1) Softball Performance Centre for U14, U16 and U18 softball players (female and male)
Create curriculum and content for Train2Train and Train2Compete players and coaches to utilize throughout the 4 weekends of training
Complete weekend evaluations for each player and Coach with the assistance of the other Softball Performance Centre staff
Submit quarterly weekend reports to the Softball Performance Centre Head Coach
Softball Performance Centre Assignments for Developmental Coaches are based on participant registration (1 Coach to 8 athletes)
The Softball Performance Centre Program will provide continuous and holistic training to Train2Train stage (U14 and U16) and Train2Compete (U18) players and coaches by preparing softball players to meet the minimum fitness and skill training standards for the next level of Softball development/competition â€" Team Ontario and Team Canada.
A Softball Performance Centre Developmental Coach eligible expenses as per Softball Ontario’s policies include:
Travel/Mileage: To and from their designated Softball Performance Centre at a rate of $.28/km
Honorarium: $20.00/hour per 6 hours for 2 days for 4 weekends at the Softball Performance Centre
Accommodations: Will be reviewed on an individual basis to determine eligibility
How to Apply
All interested Softball Coaches are asked to apply in writing, expressing their interest along with a detailed resume outlining your softball and professional background and qualifications for the interested position. Applications should be sent no later than December 31, 2015 to the Softball Ontario office.
In coming weeks, Softball Ontario will collect and evaluate all applications and successful candidates will be contacted. Softball Ontario is confident that the Softball Performance Centres will continue to be a huge success and provide an excellent opportunity for Train2Train and Train2Compete softball players and coaches in a regional training setting across Ontario.
Email your resume to Steph Sutton via email: ssutton@softballontario.ca for consideration.
Cooler Management
by Steph Sutton, Assistant Coach McMaster Women’s Fast Pitch Team
As a Coach, one of your responsibilities maybe to pack the Team’s Snack cooler for the weekend for a Softball tournament or a double header games like my Team. Our Team Snack Cooler Management happens before Saturday morning arrives or before we head to the ball park.
Before I head to the grocery store, I am scout the weekly flyers to see what is on sale and what fits into the areas of nutrition that we want to address tackling between games and what needs to be replenished. I make a list, almost like a Practice Plan and map out my strategy for grocery store for Friday evening/Saturday morning.
McMaster Fast Pitch Team’s favourites and Nutritionists recommendations:
Chocolate Milk- usually in the 4L bags (make sure you have a Milk jug, scissors and cups)
Fruit: Bananas, any berries (Blueberries, Strawberries, Blackberries and Raspberries), grapes, apples
Cheese (Marble or Cheddar- but into cubes so that it is easy to grab at the park/takes up less space in the Cooler)
Vegetables: Celery, Cucumbers, mushrooms
Crackers (High in Fibre)
Pepperoni Sticks or cut up Kielbasa (lunch meat)
Granola bars (High Fibre)
Jell-O and Pudding Cups
Yogurt
Treats:
Hot Chocolate
Homemade Chocolate Cookies (the ingredients can be controlled)
Homemade Bits and Bites (the ingredients can be controlled)
The intent of the Team Snack Cooler is to replenish fuel that has been burn from the First game and needs to be there for the Second game. It is not meant to be a replacement of a meal. If a Student-Athlete feels that they need more than what is in the Snack Cooler, then they are encourage to bring something with them to the park (like a sandwich or a wrap) but nothing too heavy. By the end of the season you will have Parents and Athletes wanting to contribute to the Team Snack cooler and will follow the rules you have outlined by providing an example.
Even when the McMaster Fast Pitch Team is on the road for the weekend, the items listed above are easy to stock from any local grocery store and the ice from the Hotel ice machine helps keep everything at a temperature that is safe to eat. Often times, we stay at a hotel that has a Fridge, where things can be stored overnight. When we are at home, we tend to keep the Snack Cooler at an ideal temperature by using softball ice packs.
All Student-Athletes are encouraged to bring a large water bottle or two water bottles with them for games. It is important to stay hydrated and to start drinking before the game, during the game and even after. Make sure that you have an extra-large water jug on hand to ensure that no one is never without water. There are some Student-Athletes who enjoy a Sports Drink. I would encourage them to cut the drink in half into an empty water bottle and top the rest up with water. The amount of sugar in the drink will be reduced and the water intake will still be at the same level.
You may think differently next time you go to pack your Cooler for the weekend and may development your own Cooler Management plan.
The 2017 Canada Games Apprentice Coach Program is now open!
This program offers the opportunity for each province and territory to send 2 female coaches and 2 aboriginal coaches to the 2017 Canada Summer Games in apprenticeship roles.
Share this opportunity with a great coach you know, or apply yourself!
Canada Games Apprentice Coach Program
The Canada Games Apprenticeship Program is a partnership between the Provincial/Territorial Coaching Representatives (PTCRs), the Canada Games Council (CGC), and the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC).The Program provides developing coaches with a practical and integrated major national multi-sport games experience.
Selected coaches have direct involvement in preparation and competition and receive support from an identified mentor coach throughout the duration of the program.There is no cost to the coach. The 2017 Canada Summer Games will be in Winnipeg, MB.
We strongly believe that mentorship programs are an essential part of the development of a coach.
For more information, please visit the CAO webpage or call us at (416) 426-7005.
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