News & Information

Smith appointed USA Baseball National Team's head coach

Baylor coach Steve Smith, a contributor to The Baseball Drill Book, was recently named head coach for the USA Baseball National Team. While this appointment marks Smith's first head coaching stint for Team USA, he's no stranger to the position, having served as assistant coach to Ron Polk in 1998.

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Sports Shorts

How to Network

From She Can Coach!
By Cecile Reynaud

Many activities of everyday life as a coach involve networking. The simple communication with audiences and individuals that occurs on a daily basis is a form of networking. I try to take time each day to send congratulatory, thank-you, or general notes. I may speak at a local service group or have lunch with an interest group. In addition, I speak to our athletics booster group once a week during the basketball season. I read and return e-mail correspondence and telephone calls. The Internet is a great tool for keeping in touch and networking with coaches across the country. Whenever I notice a colleague has had a great weekend, I e-mail a note to her congratulating her on the win and asking about various aspects of the game.

Planning Practices

From Coaching Tennis Successfully, Second Edition

By United States Tennis Association

Preparation for the season must begin long before the first day of practice. Managing practice time efficiently and effectively will help your players improve their tennis and fulfill their potential. You should work from a master practice plan that varies little from year to year, add more detail and specifics in a weekly plan, and finally flesh out the schedule for each day in a daily practice schedule.

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