Coaching tips to know:
http://ping.fm/Gzf06

This is going to be big - great guys and great books - looking forward to football one after cool baseball book:
http://ping.fm/GV0CL

Rapid fire catch drill develops good glove & quick hands; Coach quickly flips balls to player’s right, left and at them from short distance

Mental tips from adults and coaches are crucial to help kids handle adversity, build confidence, determination, focus and love of the game.

Team leaders lead by example on and off the field, showing consistent hustle before and during games, and humility and dignity after games

Coaches should give all players equal attention, at first. Then, players, who show the respect a coach deserves, earn more of a coach’s time

I tell youth baseball coaches to occasionally play at least a few innings at practice using a batting tee to encourage the use of a tee

If haven't seen my new website check out sometime
www.baseballcoachingtips.net

June Newsletter here - for all sports fans
http://ping.fm/pXoX0

Memories of "the life" and Artie Clear (Phillie sports show host) interview - June Newsletter coming soon

In someone else's words but couldn't agree more - book review
http://ping.fm/FqFda

Helping an Athlete, Helping a Parent & Quotes of the Month:
http://ping.fm/eqYUX

Rating the Major League Ball Parks and Joe Frazier Interview - Newsletter:
http://ping.fm/K5nPM

Rating the major league parks and Joe Frazier interview - may newsletter coming soon

Youth coaches should play to win, but what is amazing is that coaches, who stay focused on player development and fun, usually winning.

My next interviewee for my May newsletter is Joe Frazier - yes, the "Smoking" one. Stay tuned

Many players do not throw enough because they become bored easily. A fun throwing routine to keep focus and build arm strength is needed.

Positive Coaching - Good coaches learn as many quality drills as possible, teach them correctly, and encourage kids to do them at home.

Realize many did not get newletter this month - here it is:
http://ping.fm/S3cYc

Common for hitters to start fast and fall off a couple weeks into season. Do not stop the small focus hitting drills that did in preseason.

Measure of a good youth coach: saying yes to -do all players want to play next year? Is team better at end of year than at the beginning?

Playing to win is good, playing with sportsmanship is mandatory. Winning is fun but temporary; sportsmanship is a way of life and constant

All about Amy Williams right here
http://ping.fm/IsvEK

Now You Know Jack - The Movie - Read it here
http://ping.fm/9f6Um

April Newsletter coming soon - "Now You Know Jack - The Movie" and super interview with Amy Louise Williams - Sports Producer

Baseball - Why do I consistently see 7 year olds with good hitting fundamentals and 12 year olds with bad ones? Who is screwing them up?

Question from parents about weekly baseball classes - will you be covering the same thing each week so no need to come each week? Seriously?

My least favorite word said to athletes -embarrass. "You embarrassed me out there" - gives the impression kids are playing for you not them

Tip to athletes Hard work doesn't guarantee success. Being better than opponent does. Only one way to be better - hard work

Baseball Hitting tip - The problem is not the head - players that use their hands and hips fundamentally correct will not pull their head.

People don't expect youth coaches to be experts, except when they act like they know it all. Honesty, when not knowing, shows integrity.

Baseball Swing Tip -The hands end at about the same level they began the swing, at shoulder level height or slightly higher.

Key to Positive Youth Coaching - Fairness with decisions regarding positions played, time of play and discipline.

The words "we will figure it out" are positive words that comfort and inspire athletes. Use and see a positive change in practice habits

Ballplayers: take the leather lacing out of an old glove to provide a “flat glove” - great for two handed catch and fielding drills.

Coaches should not become the story. They should organize, teach, but not get in the way of letting kids play, make mistakes and have fun.

Hitting Tip: Watching the ball to catcher's glove on pitches not swung at will help keep eye on ball and help learn the strike zone

Parent enthusiasm for kids success is normal but can be detrimental when includes excessive bragging, overemphasis on games and false praise

My Spring Training recollections and memorable photos. March newsletter:
http://ping.fm/r6Jdn

Recognizing improvement in an athletes' skills, no matter how small, is the best inspiration coaches can give kids - Progress breeds desire

Any early season arm soreness beyond normal tiredness is a sign of overuse or bad mechanics, stop throwing check with DR and throwing coach

Parents, who can apologize after showing frustration with something like "I'm sorry, but I want you to do well" is positive sports parenting

The day I can't run somebody shoot me - add writing to that too - "Wind in my hair, I feel part of everywhere" - Eddie Vedder

Valuable throwing Tips for ballplayers and coaches
http://ping.fm/Paftw

Balance is crucial for good hitting, of course, but also helps hitters get out of the batter's box quickly, leading to additional hits.

Amazing: kids who initially have little skill and athletic ability, work hard and become good players. Never underestimate hard work
& guts

Serious baseball players find a wall to throw off for arm and fielding and use a batting tee for practice of hitting drills - No excuses

Parent Sports Perspective: Just because you were good at a sport, doesn't mean your child will be - It is not easy for most kids: patience

Baseball tip - There will be times when no one will think that you will come through, but always believe in yourself - I mean life tip

Takes hard work to get a good baseball swing, but once attained, like riding a bike, you don't lose it - I tell kids that - fingers crossed

Hitting Tip: Good coaches teach kids to learn and adhere to the strike zone in batting practice so that it begins to come natural in games

Optimistic players say, “My fault, I’ll get him next time,” pessimistic players say “the umpire screwed me.” Teach optimism, not pessimism.

Baseball Tip - For every 1 pitch hitters get on the inside half they get 3 outside, so that is the pitch they should practice hitting most

Some athletes are naturally confident and others are not, both can be successful by playing with focus, determination and good fundamentals

Overcoaching is coaching when the play is happening - Undercoaching is failing to teach after incorrect plays. Both hurt players development

My February Newsletter - harrowing, true story and insightful interview:
http://ping.fm/I46s8

Parents are often in too big of a hurry to see their kids have sport's success when they should be focused on seeing constant improvement.

Insightful interview with Blue Jays roving hitting coach Anthony Iapoce coming soon in february newsletter
Www.jackperconte.com

If missed it and pass on: February coming soon
http://ping.fm/hH2Kf

Style is unique to hitters and is their initial set-up - fundamentals begin with the stride, bringing them to correct hitting position

Coaches who take the time to understand each player's personality will learn how get the most out of them and help them build self-esteem.

Hittng Tip: Hitters should be able to hang on to the bat with two hands on every swing, it takes a very advanced hitter to let go correctly

Often, it is not the child star who plays into and beyond high school, it is the players who continue to improve and enjoys playing the most

It is OK to enjoy a child's success - be careful of becoming dependent on their success and being "pushy" parents when success diminishes.

Positive Sports Tip of Day - Trust is something that coaches earn over time and is vital to keeping a good coach/player relationship.

Help hitters with this statement, "Great balance is the goal but if lose balance it's better to fall towards home after swinging than back"

Baseball Tip - a complete 90 degree turn of the throwing arm foot sets up correct throwing position - pointing front shoulder at target.

Parents and coaches should help athletes deal with failure, so they build up a resiliency that will serve them well in many areas of life.

Baseball Coaching Truth - Convincing young ballplayers to grip the bat in the upper palm and fingers is often a never ending process.

Positive Sports Tip - Only an athlete can make themself a professional, but parents can sure prevent one from making it with their behavior

Parents have responsibility to clean up sports too!
http://ping.fm/bZgml

Pre-Season Fielding Tip: Begin fielding practice with hitting or throwing slow ground balls to promote aggressive fielders by charging ball.

When kids get mad when told how to do a sport skill, an accusing tone is probably used. Use a calm voice and a "Try it this way" preface.

Coaches who have Knowledge of sport are good but give me a coach who "sees" the (sport) game - that is a real coach

A win at all cost philosophy in youth sports is not good but not playing to win gives the message that mediocrity is OK. Am I wrong?

It bothers me to see high school pitchers throwing 100%, with breaking balls already when first games are over two months away - am I wrong?

Recent comment I got - "thanks jack .. especially great to read in th midst of a cold snowy northest winter"
http://ping.fm/amxgw

Baseball Tip of Day - My opinion - seems to me pitching is over-taught but throwing itself is under-taught with youth baseball players.

Best case scenario for a team and coach is when the best player has the best work ethic, leaving no room for lesser skilled players to loaf.

Here are my heroes - who are yours and have you told them? http://ping.fm/dwfGU

Baseball Tip I tell my students - fundamentals are fundamentals for a reason - they work! Do them - have fun. Don't, suffer. It's simple.

Finding coaches, who can help kids work hard but still have fun at practice and who teach them how to stay focused in games, are priceless.

Baseball Tip - Slumps come when hitters don't see or time the ball. Bunting practice helps them without thinking of mechanics of swing.

Tip of day - Athletes don't have to prove anything to anybody, those that constantly strive to improve, reach their potential - guaranteed.

Coming soon - "A Hero and A Glove - Making a Difference." Jack Perconte's January newsletter.

Goals to reach certain statistics just lead to disappointment. Two goals - work hard, play with no fear - you will never be disappointed.

January newsletter coming soon - check out the story behind "A Glove of Their Own" and so much more. Win a free book trivia too.

When parents should coach their own child -
http://ping.fm/qZJAn

When practicing ground balls indoors with young players, roll most balls very low to ground to promote keeping glove and body low.

Athletes have hope when they are told their fundamentals need improving; not when told it is "in their head."
http://ping.fm/PBf96

Baseball Tip - Have hitters take about 10 repetitions of a hitting drill - then take regular swings to see if drills mechanics took effect.

It is a great thing when kids have sport success but parents should be careful not to fall in love with the attention kids get from it.

Baseball Tip - Teaching the Strike Zone - Hitters lose a swing in batting practice for every time they swing at a pitch that is not a strike

Positive Sport Tip
The best way to motivate athletes is by giving them the knowledge and practice habits that give them a chance to succeed

Baseball tip - Hitters don't intentionally take their eye off the ball - if they use hands and hips correctly, head will take care of self.

Kids, who feel as though they can never satisfy mom, dad or coach, usually lose their desire to keep playing sports at a young age.

Start pre-season batting practice with slow speeds. Fast speeds, before the eyes are used to speed, can lead to bad hitting fundamentals.

Coaches, who coach with negativity, should try to understand the negative effects they have on young athletes.
http://ping.fm/zL7mD

A sign of a good coach is one who can persuade the gifted athlete to work hard because success comes easy and often for them
http://ping.fm/qFWjX

Baseball Tip - Start preseason training with good fundamental swings until the hands tire - gradually increase swings as strength comes.

Not every child has the same degree of athletic talent or athletic instincts, but those that make the most of what they have are a success.

Baseball Tip
Dedicated players do not accept mediocrity. There is no reason for not making good consistent contact - do the basics.

Attending kid's practices once in awhile, so parents can reaffirm consistency with what coaches are teaching, is good positive parenting.