INDIANAPOLIS, IN (December 20, 2012) — The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), in partnership with USA Baseball, has developed “Fundamentals of Coaching Baseball” – the latest online sport-specific course in its Coach Education Program available at www.nfhslearn.com <http://www.nfhslearn.com> .
Along with instructional demonstrations from Washington Nationals players and team manager Davey Johnson, the course is designed for interscholastic baseball coaches and is hosted by George Grande, legendary Cincinnati Reds broadcaster.
“We are pleased and excited to put together this coaches education program,” Grande said. “For the last 40 years, I was a player, a coach and now a broadcaster in Major League Baseball. During that period of time, the goal has been to honor this game, and to make our young people as good as they can be in the game of baseball. That’s what this course is all about.”
“USA Baseball is excited to have partnered with the NFHS in the creation of the ‘Fundamentals of Coaching Baseball’ course,” said Paul Seiler, USA Baseball executive director/chief executive officer. “We see the implementation of this course as a critical step in the development of youth and high school baseball coaches across the country. As the National Governing Body, we are proud to present such an impactful tool to coaches and, by extension, their players.”
"We are proud of our partnership with USA Baseball and are pleased to be able to offer this course," said Tim Flannery, NFHS director of coach education. "It is an excellent tool and resource for teaching the skills of the game."
The course is divided into five units: Coaching Philosophy, Offense, Defense, Pitching and Team Strategies. These units teach the basic skills of throwing and catching, offensive skills, overview of each position’s role, good team defense tactics, how to develop a practice plan and additional coaching tips that coaches can use to teach and help improve their teams. Additional resources, video demonstrations and references are also included within this course.
“Fundamentals of Coaching Baseball” will be a standard requirement for USA Baseball amateur National Team staff members beginning in 2013. The course, with its flexible online and mobile platforms, will also be phased in for coaches participating in USA Baseball sanctioned events during the next few seasons.
The NFHS Coach Education Program offers 32 online courses, including the two core courses – “Fundamentals of Coaching” and “First Aid, Health and Safety for Coaches.” The NFHS also offers 14 sport-specific courses and 16 elective courses, including seven that are free.
All NFHS Coach Education Program courses are available at www.nfhslearn.com <http://www.nfhslearn.com> .
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This press release was written by Shane Monaghan, graphic arts technician/editorial assistant in the NFHS Publications/Communications Department.
About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and performing arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 17 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 19,000 high schools and 11 million participants in high school activity programs, including more than 7.6 million in high school sports. As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; offers online publications and services for high school coaches and officials; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, speech and debate coaches, and music adjudicators; serves as the national source for interscholastic coach training; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities. For more information about the NFHS, visit www.nfhs.org <http://www.nfhs.org> . Access and order NFHS Coach Education courses at www.nfhslearn.com <http://www.nfhslearn.com> .
About USA Baseball
USA Baseball is the national governing body for the sport of baseball in the United States and is a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the International Baseball Federation (IBAF). The organization selects and trains the World Baseball Classic, World Cup and Pan American teams (and all other USA Baseball professional teams), and the Collegiate, 18U, 15U and Women’s National Teams, all of which participate in various domestic and international competitions each year. USA Baseball also presents the Golden Spikes Award annually to the top amateur baseball player in the country. For more information, please visit www.USABaseball.com <http://www.USABaseball.com> and www.GoldenSpikesAward.com <http://www.GoldenSpikesAward.com> .