Live,Live, Learn,Learn, Love...Love... CoachingCoaching 2010 NATIONALNFCANFCA CONVENTION

DECEMBERDECEMBER 8-118-11 SANSAN DIEGO,DIEGO, CALIFORNIACALIFORNIA 2010NATIONAL CONVENTION NATIONAL FASTPITCH

COACHES ASSOCIATION 2010 NATIONAL CONVENTION NFCADECEMBER 8-11 • SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA DECEMBERNFCA 8-11 • SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA DECEMBER 8-11, 2010 Live, Learn, Love... Coaching

Making Masters of the Mental Game – Pre-Convention Seminar – December 8 National Convention – December 8-11 National Convention Exhibitor Show – December 9 & 10 Recharge your Coaching Battery in Beautiful San Diego CHOOSE TO ATTEND THE PRE-CONVENTION THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN SOFTBALL SEMINAR Brian Cain, an expert in the field of peak EQUIPMENT More than 80 different companies performance and sport psychology, will present are expected for the Exhibitor Show, December a four-hour seminar sharing fundamental and 9-10. Learn about the newest in softball training advanced mental skills you can use immediately to technology. make a difference in your program. FORUMS TO DISCUSS CHANGES AND FUTURE MORE THAN TWO DAYS OF CLINIC SESSIONS OF THE SPORT & NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES BY EXCELLENT SPEAKERS, COVERING THE Thursday and Friday will feature business meetings GAME Learn valuable drills and tips from some for the individual membership groups. All NFCA of the best speakers in softball today. Veteran members are welcome to share ideas to the entire coaches and national experts tell their secrets of membership at the Softball Summit on Thursday the game. afternoon.

HOW TO REGISTER Please complete the registration form and either mail or fax with payment to the NFCA office by Novem- ber 1 to receive the Early Bird Special rates. Registrations received after November 1 will be charged regular rates, and on-site registration will include an additional fee.

General Registration Please note that the convention fees are all-inclusive, except for the optional pre- convention seminar (Wednesday, December 8) and the golf and tennis tournaments (Tuesday, December 7). The NFCC Coaches College courses being held in conjunction with the convention require additional fees. Your convention registration fee covers all events except those mentioned above, through the afternoon of Saturday, December 11; this includes all receptions, luncheons, banquets and breakfasts. AS A SPECIAL CONVENTION OFFER, two or more coaches from the same staff can register for any of the convention NFCC classes and receive $100 off the second, third and fourth coach’s registration. Friday/Saturday Registration Only For high school and travel ball coaches only able to attend Friday and Saturday, we are offering a special two-day only Early Bird Special rate – $200 for NFCA members and $325 for non-members. (You can join on the registration form to get the lower rate and receive NFCA membership ben- efits, including 12 issues of our official newspaperFastpitch Delivery.) The two-day only rate includes breakfast Friday and Saturday, and lunch on Saturday. Two-day registrants who wish to attend the Friday night NFCA Hall of Fame Banquet may buy a ticket for $50 (please see form).

NFCA ATTENDEE REFUND POLICY Cancellations received on or prior to November 24 will receive a full refund, minus an administrative fee of $30. Cancellations after November 24 through December 1 will receive a one-half refund. There will be no refunds for cancellations after December 1. ATTENDTHE LARGEST GATHERING OF FASTPITCH COACHES AND EXHIBITORS INTHE SPORT KEYNOTE SPEAKERJON GORDON Jon Gordon, a well-respected speaker, consultant 500 Companies, school districts and countless leaders and author, will present the keynote address at this in business, healthcare and education. year’s “Live, Learn, Love... Coaching” NFCA National Convention. Gordon is a graduate of Cornell University and holds a master’s in Gordon is a speaker, consultant and author of the teaching from Emory international best seller The Energy Bus, The No University. When Complaining Rule, Training Camp, The Shark and The he’s not speaking to Goldfishand his newest book Soup: A Recipe to Nourish businesses, hospitals your Team and Culture. or schools, you can find him playing tennis Gordon and his books have been featured on CNN, or lacrosse with his NBC’s Today Show and in Forbes, Fast Company, O wife and two “high Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and The New York energy” children. Times. His principles have been put to the test by numerous NFL coaches and teams, hospitals, Fortune GENERAL SESSION DECEMBER 8 WEDNESDAY, PEAK PERFORMANCE SOFTBALL MAKING MASTERS OF THE MENTAL GAME PRESENTED BY BRIAN CAIN Brian Cain, an expert in the field of peak performance recommended to me by several coaches across the and sport psychology, will present a four-hour country,” said Patrick Murphy, Alabama head coach. “He preconvention seminar on “Peak Performance Softball - was very instrumental in the success of a very young Making Masters of The Mental Game.” team at Alabama in 2010. His presentation of the Cain’s PRIDE (Personal Responsibility In Daily mental game is excellent and had my team’s attention PM Excellence) Program will be a key component of the the entire time.” presentation, in addition to sharing fundamental and Cain is currently a high school athletic director in advanced mental skills you can use immediately to Vermont and travels close to 40 weekends a year to

make a difference in your program. Learn how to: work with colleges and high schools across the country -12:30 • Develop core covenants that serve as the on developing coaches, athletes and teams in the area foundation of any successful team; of peak performance and mental toughness. AM • Get your athletes to play in the present - one pitch at a time, and SCHEDULE 8:30

• Give yourself a better chance to WIN by focusing on 8:30-9:30 Introduction To Peak Performance - The ☸ the process and by structuring pre-game and in- Fundamentals - Present Moment, Process, game routines. Perspective, Positive He will also provide you with some strategies to 9:30-10:30 Increasing The Quality of Practice/ increase your intensity of practice and ways in which to Preparation - Teaching Performance make practice more game-like. Routines A former baseball coach at Cal State Fullerton and 10:30-10:45 Break & Video high school softball coach, Cain has worked with top 10:45-11 Teaching Attention to Detail - National

athletic teams across the country in various sports Anthem and Cleaning The Field DECEMBER 8 including Alabama softball and various teams at 11-11:30 Team Building 101 - Inexpensive ☸ Vanderbilt, Auburn, Tennessee, Maryland, Iowa, James Experience Madison, Coastal Carolina, Ole Miss, Cal State Fullerton, 11:30-12 p.m. Developing Core Covenants - What Is Your UC Irvine and more. He has worked as Program All About? the Peak Performance Coach of the 12-12:30 Don’t Count The Days - Make The Days Washington Nationals Professional Count - Asking WHY? - Review Baseball Club and with three 12:30-1 Book signing with Brian Cain - the ABC’s Ultimate Fighting Championship of Peak Performance

world champions, and the SEMINAR PRE-CONVENTION WEDNESDAY Austrian and Russian Olympic organizations. “Brian came highly

2010 NATIONAL CONVENTION NFCADECEMBER 8-11 • SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA DECEMBERNFCA 8-11 • SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA Live, Learn, Love... Coaching 2010CONVENTION SCHEDULE 10 AM “STRENGTH & CONDITIONING FOR SOFTBALL” SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5 Teena Murray, Director Olympic Sports NOON NFCC COURSE 403 through noon Tuesday Performance, University of Louisville NFCC COURSE 404 through noon Tuesday 11 AM EXHIBIT HALL DRAWINGS – EXHIBIT HALL CLOSES AT 1 PM 1:15 PM “SEE A FAST GAME IN SLOW MOTION” Ryan TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7 Harrison, Slow the Game Down Visual Performance 10 AM TENNIS TOURNAMENT Training 11 AM GOLF SCRAMBLE SHOTGUN START 2:15 PM “HOW AND WHEN WE ADJUST TO SPEEDS AND LOCATIONS” Don Slaught, President, RightView Pro 3:15 PM “THE MOST CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR TO ANY WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8 SPORTS PROGRAM: THE COACH-ATHLETE 8:30 AM “PEAK PERFORMANCE SOFTBALL - MAKING RELATIONSHIP” Bo Hanson, Four-Time Olympian MASTERS OF THE MENTAL GAME” and Coaching Consultant Brian Cain, Peak Performance Expert 4:15 PM “KNEE INJURIES, PREVENTION AND THE ACL 1:30 PM COMMITTEE MEETINGS PEP PROGRAM” Kate Grace, RPT, OPA-C, founder 4 PM GENERAL SESSION, with keynote Jon Gordon, of Kate Grace Physical Therapy author of The Energy Bus speaking on “Create a 6:30 PM NFCA HALL OF FAME BANQUET Culture of Greatness” 6:30 PM LOUISVILLE SLUGGER RECEPTION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9 8 AM TWU MASTER’S INFO SESSION 9 AM NFCA COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR BRUNCH 7 AM ADAMS USA CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST 10:30 AM “HOT TOPICS FOR SOFTBALL COACHES: 8:30 AM GENERAL SESSION: BAT TESTING CONTRACTS IN TODAY’S ECONOMY; COMPETING 9:15 AM CAUCUS/BUSINESS MEETINGS BY GROUP TO KEEP YOUR JOB; CLAIMS BY STUDENT- 11 AM EXHIBIT HALL OPEN UNTIL 6:30 PM ATHLETES; CLAIMS BY COACHES” Tracy Warren, 11:30 AM EASTON VICTORY CLUB LUNCHEON Seltzer/Caplan/McMahon/Vitek Attorneys 1:30 PM SOFTBALL SUMMIT 10:30 AM “CREATING SCORING OPPORTUNITIES WHEN 3:30 PM “TEAM CHEMISTRY: AN IMPORTANT PART OF RUNNING BASES” Linda Garza, Head Coach, THE WINNING FORMULA” Kelly Inouye-Perez, Wright State University Head Coach, UCLA 10:30 AM “NCAA RULES DISCUSSION” Dee Abrahamson, 4:30 PM “TEACHING PURE THROWING SKILLS THAT NCAA Secretary-Rules Editor LAST A LIFETIME” Tony Abbatine, Founder and 11:30 AM “KEY ELEMENTS OF THE RISE BALL” Mike White, International Director, Frozen Ropes Training Head Coach, University of Oregon Centers 11:30 AM “OUTFIELD: DEVELOPING THE LAST LINE 5:30 PM MIZUNO HAPPY HOUR IN THE EXHIBIT HALL OF DEFENSE” Mike Larrabee, Head Coach, 6 PM DIVISION I CONFERENCE MEETINGS University of Arkansas 7 PM MENTORING WORKSHOP 11:30 AM “ATHLETIC SPORTS TESTING” Frank Spaniol, 9 PM DIAMOND SPORTS HOSPITALITY Professor, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi 12:30 PM “DRILLS, DRILLS, DRILLS” FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10 (BOX Connie Clark, Head Coach, University of LUNCH) Texas (pitching) 7 AM SCHUTT SPORTS CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST Carol Bruggeman, Associate Head Coach, 8 AM CONTINUATION OF BUSINESS MEETINGS University of Louisville (team defense) 9 AM EXHIBIT HALL OPEN UNTIL 1 PM Michelle Venturella, Head Coach, University 9 AM “TECHNIQUES AND STRATEGIES FOR THE LEFT- of Illinois at Chicago (catching) HANDED SHORT GAME” Tony Rico, Owner & 2 PM “DROP THE LECTURE AND TEACH THE DROP: A Instructor, Softball Connection and Head Coach of GUIDE TO TEACHING THE DROP BALL WITH the Worth Firecrackers DRILLS” Beth McClendon, Head Coach, Florida Thursday Night Mentoring Workshop International University 3 PM “MENTAL SKILLS & TOUGHNESS TRAINING” Convention attendees are encouraged Spencer Wood, President, Icebox Athlete to take part in a special mentoring 4 PM “HITTING LESSONS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY” session from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Martin Rubinoff, Lead hitting instructor at the Texas Thursday, December 9. Look for more Baseball/Softball Ranch information on the NFCA’s website 6 PM NFCC COURSE 405 through noon Monday and in Fastpitch Delivery. NFCC COURSE 406 through noon Monday COME EARLY OR STAY LATE! NFCC COURSESAT 2010 NFCA NATIONAL CONVENTION AS A SPECIAL CONVENTION OFFER, TWO OR MORE COACHES FROM THE SAME STAFF CAN REGISTER FOR ANY OF THE CONVENTION NFCC CLASSES AND RECEIVE $100 OFF THE SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH COACH’S REGISTRATION. COURSE 403: POSITION PLAY & INDIVIDUAL DEFENSIVE SKILLS OVERVIEW: This course emphasizes how to analyze and teach the skills required to play each of the nine softball positions with live on-field practice players. In addition you will: • Study the mechanics of throwing, tossing and fielding within a full team practice; • Examine the techniques used to cover bases, back up, check runners, retrieve balls and func- tion as a cut-off; • Identify and break down the skills required, to play each defensive position; • Analyze and correct typical errors during on field, live practice instruction, and • Learn techniques from live demonstration position play drills. INSTRUCTORS: Bill Edwards, head coach at Hofstra; Stacey Nuveman, assistant coach at San Diego State; and , head coach at Fresno State CLASS TIME SCHEDULE: Sunday – Noon to 5 p.m.; Monday – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday – 8 a.m. to noon PRE-CONVENTION DECEMBER 5-7

COURSE 404: SOLID TEAM DEFENSE & STRATEGY OVERVIEW: Learn how to put your individual players together to build a winning defensive team, through classroom instruction, video analysis and live practice. • Study various defensive sets and discuss how to select the appropriate set for various game situations with a purpose in mind; • How to teach your team to execute pickoffs and rundowns; • Learn how to deliver in special situations (wild pitch/passed balls, dropped third strikes, intentional walks); • Increase your team’s ability to remember assignments for steals, extra-base hits, bunts and slaps; • Develop your team’s understanding of angles, principles of jurisdiction, communication systems and primary/secondary back-up charts; • Observe teaching methods and analyze live drills for practice of team defensive skills and strategies; • Achieve a high fielding percentage through practice progression demonstrated in a live practice session, and • Observe and evaluate counter offensive/defensive strategies to prepare for games. INSTRUCTORS: Heather Tarr, head coach at Washington; , retired head coach at Iowa; , head coach at DePaul CLASS TIME SCHEDULE: Sunday – Noon to 5 p.m.; Monday – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday – 8 a.m. to noon. PRE-CONVENTION PRE-CONVENTION DECEMBER 5-7

COURSE 405: EXPLOSIVE TEAM OFFENSE & STRATEGY OVERVIEW: Extend your offensive mind and learn how to score and manufacture more runs. In addition, you will: • Examine the pieces of an explosive offensive puzzle (power, running and short game); • Learn the elements of play-mapping and apply them to numerous tactics and strategies; • Counter offensive/defensive strategies and prepare for games; • Examine your offensive philosophy and your evaluation of offensive performance, and • Observe the performance of offensive team skills and strategies. INSTRUCTORS: Sharon Drysdale, retired head coach at Northwestern; , head coach at Arizona; and Tim Walton, head coach at Florida CLASS TIME SCHEDULE: Saturday — 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday — 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday — 8 a.m. to noon POST-CONVENTION DECEMBER 11-13 COURSE 406: COACHING DYNAMIC TEAM PRACTICES OVERVIEW: This course examines theories, methods, and tools that can be used to maximize a player’s ability to learn your system. The class starts in the classroom and moves to the field/indoor practice facility for demonstration and evaluations of different practice plans to develop your own master plan. • Actively participate in drills designed to improve your personal coaching skills; • Take an in-depth look at planning, organizing and conducting practices from the ground up; • Construct a draft of a master practice plan – discuss sample daily plans – consider differences in pre-season, pre-game and off-season plans; • Develop practice policies, procedures, and protocol; • Discuss eight mistakes coaches make when teaching drills and how to prevent them; • Learn how to boost your players’ performance by understanding how they learn; • Discuss and observe proven teaching methods to maximize learning, and • Evaluate sample hitting, pitching and position play during a live practice. INSTRUCTORS: Carol Bruggeman, associate head coach at Louisville; , head coach at Michigan; and Deb Pallozzi, head coach at Ithaca

CLASS TIME SCHEDULE: Saturday — 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday — 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday — 8 a.m. to noon POST-CONVENTION DECEMBER 11-13 THERE ARE THREE WAYS TO REGISTER FOR OUR COURSES: 1. Complete the Convention Registration form; 2. Complete the form in the NFCC course listing brochure; 3. Or, go online to www.nfca.org and complete either the convention or NFCC forms. SAN DIEGOTRAVEL

San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina 333 West Harbor Drive San Diego, California 92101 USA Phone: 619-234-1500 Reservations: 800/266-9432 Fax: 619-234-8678

Discover a spectacular waterfront setting in the heart HOTEL AMENITIES FOR NFCA ATTENDEES NFCA of America’s Finest City at the San Diego Marriott Hotel attendees will receive complimentary admission to the hotel & Marina, featuring one of the best locations among fitness center as well as complimentary in-room internet, downtown San Diego hotels. Conveniently located within usually a $12.95 charge for 24 hours. The complimentary walking distance to downtown San Diego and the Gaslamp in-room internet also includes complimentary local and Quarter, it offers easy access to all of San Diego’s popular national phone calls and complimentary wireless internet attractions. You’ll find numerous shopping and dining in the hot spots located in North & South Tower Lobby. options right outside your hotel. AIRPORT/AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION More than 20 RESERVATIONS The easiest way to make reservations is airlines service San Diego International Airport, including through the NFCA’s web site link to the Marriott’s page many discount carriers. (www.san.org/sdia/flights/airlines. for our event. You also can call 800/266-9432. Online and aspx) The airport is just three miles northwest of downtown phone reservations will be accepted through Novem- San Diego, where the host hotel is located. Airport-to-hotel ber 10, 2010. Visit: https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb. transportation options include shuttle ($6 each way on do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=2651017. All reserva- SuperShuttle with advance reservations; see link on NFCA tions must be guaranteed with a major credit card. web site) or taxi (from the airport, estimated cost is $12, which includes $2.50 to start the meter and then $2.70 CHECK-IN By 4 p.m. is guaranteed; checkout is noon. per mile; no extra cost for multiple people). Rental cars are not recommended because of the excellent ground RATES The NFCA has acquired the following rates beginning transportation options and costly parking fees in the Wednesday, December 1, through Tuesday, December 14: downtown area. $139 single or double. LOCAL GROUND TRANSPORTATION You can easily take PARKING On-site parking is available at the hotel for a daily public transportation to get to all parts of San Diego. A trolley fee of $24 for self-parking and $34 for valet. There are addi- and bus stop are right across the street from the Marriott. To tional parking options in the Gaslamp Quarter lots. use the Metropolitan Transit System Trip Planner, visit: www. sdcommute.com/tripplanner/index.asp

California’s second largest city and the United States’ eighth largest, San Diego boasts a citywide population of nearly 1.3 million residents and more than 3 million residents countywide. Within its borders of 4,200 sq. miles, San Diego County encompasses 18 incorporated cities and numerous NEED MORE INFO? other charming neighborhoods and communities, including downtown’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, Little Italy, Coronado, La Jolla, Del Mar, Carlsbad, Contact the NFCA: Escondido, La Mesa, Hillcrest, Barrio Logan, Chula Vista just to name a few. phone 662.320.2155 fax 662.320.2283 San Diego is renowned for its idyllic climate, 70 miles of pristine beaches and a dazzling array of world-class attractions. Popular attractions include email [email protected] the world-famous San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, Sea World San web www.nfca.org Diego and LEGOLAND California. San Diego offers an expansive variety of SAN DIEGO SAN things to see and do, appealing to guests of all ages from around the world.