Tim Walton Softball Coaches Academy: Everything Coaches Need to Know On & Off the Field

with Tim Walton,
University of Florida Head Coach;
2x Women's College World Series Champions (2014, 2015);
5x SEC Tournament Champions;
8x SEC Regular Season Champions;
5x SEC Coach of the Year;
2019 NFCA Southeast Regional Coaching Staff of the Year;
2015 USA Softball Junior Women's National Team Assistant Coach;
over 800 career wins

Whether you're a beginner coach or a veteran, you'll want to hear the advice passed along in this video by Florida Gators head softball coach Tim Walton! Coach Walton has built Florida into a perennial contender, and in his presentation, he covers the intricacies of the game from all angles. You'll learn everything softball coaches need to know: from on-field tactics, in-game strategy, coaching bases, as well as off-field duties.

Game Strategy

Coach Walton explains the intricacies of the game and its rules so that you can influence your program positively. You'll learn to have a plan and how to defend your players and beliefs as games are played. Walton covers when it is appropriate to be aggressive to umpires and when to use certain terms to get your point across.

As games are played, there are things you can do to put your team in a better position to win. Coach Walton teaches how to help hitters establish a routine and cater to their needs. He also covers developing a relationship with your pitchers and staff, as well as having a plan for pitchers to be ready to enter the game at certain times. Defensive alignment is another topic covered, and Walton discusses how to work on it at practice so your defense is sharp in the game.

Base coaches play a crucial role in close games. Coach Walton covers roles for 1st base coaches that could include picking signs or encouraging players. You'll also learn different positions at 1st and 3rd base that can help impact runners and win games by scoring more runs.

Off-Field Duties

In the off-field segment of this video, Walton covers communicating with your superiors and being transparent about any issues that might be happening within your program. It's important that coaches have their hand on the pulse of the program and communicate everything clearly with administrators. Coach Walton also makes it clear that if you want others to work hard, YOU have to work hard as well. You'll learn how players might perceive your program and how to communicate the climate of the program to your "stakeholders."

This presentation from Coach Walton is packed full of advice that has led to championship winning seasons. It covers many difficult issues involved with coaching, both on and off the field, that will help you make sure your program is as healthy as it can be.

64 minutes. 2022.