Learn to Play Softball
Let's Make Learning Fun!
Learn to Play Softball is a revolutionary program designed to introduce the sport of softball to children. Our activities ensure the involvement of ALL players, regardless of their skill levels, fostering excitement, enjoyment, and success. With activities and lead-up games modeled after informal playground games, participants can expect an hour filled with FUN and ACTION. Kids will leave happy and tired, all while improving their fitness levels!
Program Objectives
The Learn to Play Softball program serves as a young person’s introduction to the sport, focusing on:
- FUN, ACTION, and a POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE
- Gradual introduction to non-stressful competition
- Maximizing opportunities for children aged 5-10 to practice essential skills for adult softball
The program ensures that children of all skill levels achieve equal skill repetitions, leading to a high success rate for every participant and boosting their self-confidence.
Easy Coaching for Everyone!
Learn to Play is designed for ease of administration. Many coaches at the 5-9 year old level are typically parents with little or no coaching experience. Our manual includes:
- Lesson plans
- Easy-to-follow instructions
- A letter to parents about the program
- Skill teaching progressions
- Lead-up games
Suggested Program Structure
Level 1:
- Duration: 9 weeks, 2 sessions per week
- Session Length: 1 hour max
Level 2:
- Duration: 9 weeks, 2 sessions per week
- Session Length: 1.5 hours max
- 45 minutes using lesson plans
- 45 minutes of scrimmage
Level 3:
- Duration: 9 weeks, 2 sessions per week
- Session Length: 1.5 hours max
- 30 minutes using lesson plans
- 1 hour of scrimmage
Learn to Play Orientation
To ensure parents and coaches are prepared, we offer a free parent/coach clinic. This clinic covers the program and manual, including lesson plans and skills teaching techniques, along with a mini skills clinic.
If you're interested in hosting an orientation in your community, please submit a Bid to Host Form HERE and contact Jacqueline at 780-9235 or jac@softball.sk.ca. The clinics listed below are exclusively for parents and coaches (please do not bring children) and are open to those from outside the location.
| DATE | TIME | LOCATION | CONTACT/REGISTRATION |
Learn to Play Softball Resources
Learn to Play Manual & Softball Mobile App
Access a free digital copy of the Learn to Play Manual through Softball Canada HERE. This manual is an essential resource for coaches and parents, providing a solid foundation for teaching softball skills to young players.
We are excited to introduce the Softball Mobile App, designed to simplify coaching for U5, U7, and U9 age groups. We’ve partnered with Athlete’s Era, a Saskatchewan-based company, to develop this app. The app includes the Timbits Softball Manual and videos, providing an electronic version of the resources we've been using. For more information about the app, click HERE.
Inside the Timbits Softball Manual, you will find:
- Prepared lesson plans
- Easy-to-follow instructions
- Skill progression guidelines
- Lead-up games designed to simulate real softball gameplay
The Learn to Play Softball program allows coaches and children to engage with the sport of softball meaningfully. Participants will leave each session happy and eager for the next.
School Resources
If you’re seeking softball resources for your classroom, check out the Timbits Softball Program or explore the partnerships below, where Softball Canada has collaborated with organizations to develop softball-specific lesson plans for teachers:
Move, Think, Learn: PHE Canada
This resource employs a Teaching Games for Understanding approach to guide students through tactical gameplay challenges, helping them think through options and skills. The series covers various sports, including softball, and targets educators working with children and youth aged 8-14 (grades 4-9). The goal is to enhance student knowledge, confidence, and competence in physical activity and sports.
Active at Schools: Canadian Olympic Committee
The Canadian Olympic School Program has teamed up with Canadian Tire’s ACTIVE AT SCHOOL initiative to launch the Canadian Olympic Activity Challenge. This program aims to encourage kids across the country to be active for 60 minutes a day through new classroom resources. Students will be introduced to various sports, including softball, learn about their history, and develop an understanding of the Olympic values of Friendship, Excellence, and Respect.
To download this program and access the softball-based resources for your classroom, click HERE.
Other Resources
Learn to Play T-Shirts
Contact us at info@softball.sk.ca for more information on t-shirts before March 11, 2024.
Learn to Play E-Learning
The Learn to Play E-learning Clinic is free of charge and participants will learn the following.
- Learn program basics.
- Learn why volunteers are important.
- Learn long term player development at a glance.
- Learn 5 fundamental softball skills.
- Learn where to find more support.
To take the e-clinic you can visit: https://softballcanada.respectgroupinc.com/koala_mpp/course/program.jsp
