This package includes the following:

• Coaching Baseball Technical and Tactical Skills ebook
• Online Coaching Aid documents
• Online test

Human Kinetics Coach Education brings the diamond to the desktop with Coaching Baseball Technical and Tactical Skills, an online course designed for baseball coaches of youths age 14 and older.

The course draws content from the ebook Coaching Baseball Technical and Tactical Skills, written by Human Kinetics in conjunction with Tom O'Connell, a 2007 American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee. Coach O'Connell also served as a content expert for the online course.

The course is delivered entirely online. As you progress through the course, you will participate in interactive activities, read portions of the Coaching Baseball Technical and Tactical Skills ebook, and view video clips to complete course units. You’ll learn different approaches to coaching, including the games approach (an alternative to drills-based coaching); develop a season plan and a series of practice plans; and improve your ability to coach during games.

The course is heavy on skill demonstration as well as error detection and correction. You’ll break down technical and tactical skills by viewing video frame by frame.

Other features include Coaching Aids, a storehouse of downloadable and printable PDF documents that are incorporated throughout the course. These include practice plans, sport first aid checklists, and drill sheets. You’ll have access to the clipboard even after you’ve completed the course (for up to one year). The course also features a separate section devoted to baseball officiating signals.

After completing the course units, you’ll take the 40-question test online. Upon successfully passing the test, you will be entered in the National Coaches Registry, an online listing of coaches who've completed Human Kinetics Coach Education courses. Sport administrators have access to the registry, allowing them to track coaches' course completion.

Learning Objectives
After completing this course, you will be able to do the following:

• Explain the relationship and difference between technical and tactical skills and describe the traditional and games approaches to baseball practice (unit 1)
• Evaluate technical and tactical baseball skills in your players and make use of your evaluation results (unit 2)
• Teach, critique, and correct essential technical skills (units 3 and 4)
• Teach, critique, and correct essential tactical skills (units 5 and 6)
• Prepare effective season plans and individual practice plans (units 7 and 8)
• Prepare for game days, coach games, and work with your team after games (units 9 and 10)

Estimated time to complete the Coaching Baseball Technical and Tactical Skills Online Course, reading assignments from the accompanying ebook Coaching Baseball Technical and Tactical Skills, and open-book online exam is 60 hours. The time required to complete the course will vary based on the individual coach’s reading speed and study habits.

Audience

High school coaches, serious club coaches, college and university undergraduate students, and advanced coaches at the youth level.

Unit 1. Teaching Sport Skills
Introduction
Effective Teaching
Tactical Triangle
The Games Approach
Summary
Quiz

Unit 2. Evaluating Technical and Tactical Skills
Introduction
Reasons for Evaluating
Evaluation Tools
Effective Feedback
Summary
Quiz

Unit 3. Offensive Technical Skills
Introduction
The Three Stages of Learning
At the Plate
On the Bases
Summary
Quiz

Unit 4. Defensive Technical Skills
Introduction
Throwing and Catching
The Catcher
The Pitcher
The Outfield
The Infield
Summary
Quiz

Unit 5. Offensive Tactical Skills
Introduction
Play Ball!
Summary
Quiz

Unit 6. Defensive Tactical Skills
Introduction
Play Ball!
Summary
Quiz

Unit 7. Season Plans
Introduction
Six Steps to Instructional Planning
Summary
Quiz

Unit 8. Practice Plans
Introduction
Games Approach Sample Plan
Traditional Approach Sample Plan
Developing Your Own Practice Plan
Summary
Quiz

Unit 9. Before the Game
Introduction
Communication
Scouting an Opponent
Developing a Specific Game Plan
Pregame Meeting
Pregame Warm-Up
Summary
Quiz

Unit 10. During and After the Game
Introduction
Making Tactical Decisions
Pulling a Pitcher
Signs and Signals
Batting Order
Postgame Meeting
Summary
Quiz

Course Test

Established in 1981 and rooted in an athlete-centered philosophy that places the developmental needs of athletes ahead of winning at all costs, Human Kinetics Coach Education courses and resources are customized and widely used by youth sport organizations, state high school associations, school districts, state departments of education, colleges and universities, and national governing bodies of Olympic sports to teach, train, and certify coaches.