Is there a softball bible?

I'm a 75 year old grandfather who is helping coach an 18u team. I used to coach high school baseball and I'm wondering if there is a book that covers things like cuts and relays, bunt defenses, 1st and 3rd defenses. Ron Polk wrote a book called "Baseball Playbook" and it covered everything even how to drag the field. I'm wondering if there is a "Softball Playbook." I'm asking this because some of the things that we are asking some of the girls to do don't make sense to me and when I ask the other coaches why we do things the way that we do them they don't have what I think is a solid answer.

dmcwhinnie said:

I'm a 75 year old grandfather who is helping coach an 18u team. I used to coach high school baseball and I'm wondering if there is a book that covers things like cuts and relays, bunt defenses, 1st and 3rd defenses. Ron Polk wrote a book called "Baseball Playbook" and it covered everything even how to drag the field. I'm wondering if there is a "Softball Playbook." I'm asking this because some of the things that we are asking some of the girls to do don't make sense to me and when I ask the other coaches why we do things the way that we do them they don't have what I think is a solid answer.

Click to expand...

That Ron Polk book was the textbook used at the class he taught about baseball at Miss. State. That book is an amazing resource for baseball coaches.

This DFP website isn't quite the same as a bible, but it is kind of like an open-door church where you can find lots of answers to your questions. Frequent attendance is encouraged, and no one waves an offering plate in front of you!

I am not a member but I do believe they have a lot of helpful info here. Nation Fastpitch Coaches

Hats off to you sir, thank you and good luck to you and your team!

I think most every question you have, the guys here will be glad to answer and help you with.

I understand the OP.

DD played 2nd a lot and most the time she had to back up on steal. There is absolutely no way she can play her position and get enough depth to backup 2nd. Coaches are like this is the way it is done. I told DD to step forward or back but in no way get in the runners way. Basically stay out of it.

I had numerous conversations about this specific thing.

Other coaches should be able to give a reason why they are doing what they are doing. Book will not help IMO.

Probly annoy them.

This forum is an excellent source (and free), although it can be a pain to search sometimes. (Which makes people post the same questions over and over again, which, in turn, makes it even harder to search…)

I’ll second the NFCA noted above as an excellent resource! For $80 a year you get access to all sorts of materials for drills and some free webinars. I think the resources available here cover a lot of the plays/strategies, but are not flawless. More drills than you will ever use in a season, but some while many are great, some are just ok, and some flat out suck. A little better odds than just searching you tube.

For throwing, Wasserman’s ebook is great.

And there are an endless supply of fielding/hitting videos on you tube and more copied to the hitting forums here.

And if you want to buy a video, there are many worthwhile at Championship Productions, but not super cheap.

Overall, I’d go here first, then NFCA.

Not saying this to be flippant, but make your own.

It's actually something I've been meaning to do. I've gotten so much great information here, especially on the stuff that differs from baseball (a lot of defensive strategy/coverage is different because of the smaller field). Compile what you're looking for, and put it into your own little playbook that suits your needs.

Lemond said:

Overall, I’d go here first, then NFCA.

Click to expand...

NFCA has good information, but I find their site to be a complete mess in terms of just finding what I'm looking for. We need a playbook just for navigating the site.

CoachJD said:

Not saying this to be flippant, but make your own.

Click to expand...

This is what I did. I continue to update it with best practices.

The problem with any one book is that softball is played at many skill levels