FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4, 2012

Softball Canada Releases U16 Coaches Guide

(Ottawa, ON) Softball Canada is pleased to announce that it has released the next in a series of coaching guides created to increase the knowledge of coaches and assist in the holistic development of Canadian softball players. The U16 Coaches Guide: Tools for Coaching Success! builds on the success of the U12 and U14 versions. Including the Learn To Play Program manuals for ages 5 to 10, Softball Canada now provides coaching resources for athletes from age 5 to 16.

'The Softball Canada Coaching Guides series has been very well received by our coaches across the country' stated Kevin Quinn, President of Softball Canada. 'After releasing the U12 and U14 Guides in 2011, we have made the progression towards the U16 Guide which is now available for the 2012 season. These resources are extremely useful for coaches by helping them properly develop the skills of our young Canadian softball players. The guides also allow our coaches to follow the principles of Softball Canada's Long-Term Player Development (LTPD) Guide, providing valuable information and practice plans designed to help build complete softball players.'

The information in the U16 Coaches Guide: Tools for Coaching Success! is based on the Train to Train Stage (T2T) of Softball Canada's LTPD model, ensuring it is both age and stage appropriate. The U16 guide contains a season's worth of practice plans (34 practices in total) divided into four training phases (including indoor and outdoor practices), with each phase having its own objectives and outcomes. Our coaching guides will assist softball coaches with the critical skill of developing and conducting sequential and well-organized practices.

The practice plans are laid out in a manner that is very easy for any coach to follow whether you are a new coach or an experienced coach. Each drill is described in detail, including a list of equipment that is required, a time limit to ensure that the practice is kept on track and a clearly illustrated diagram to allow for easy understanding of the drills. Each guide is contained in a binder which allows the coach to remove the appropriate practice plan and bring it to the field with them.

In addition, to these valuable practice plans, the guides contain sections on practice planning, dynamic warm-up routines, cool-down routines, and key teaching points for each skill. New for the U16 Coaches Guides are sections on physical conditioning, a set of tests to assess player's skills and fitness, pitching and nutrition. Coaches can use the information in the "Key Teaching Points" section of the guide to ensure that their players are not simply doing the drills, but are actually learning the skills to play the game with confidence and success. These fantastic new resources mean that age and LTPD stage appropriate practices and information are now at the fingertips of every softball coach in Canada. Coaches will be able to improve the skills prioritized for their player's age category and LTPD stage over the course of the season.

For more information on how to purchase the U16 Coaches Guide: Tools for Coaching Success!, please contact your local Provincial or Territorial Softball Association.

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For more information, please contact:

Lise Jubinville
Manager - Long-Term Player Development and Coaching Services
Softball Canada
ljubinville@softball.ca
(613) 523-3386 ext. 3108