The Youth Coaches Session is a cornerstone of the ABCA Convention, offering coaching clinic presentations specifically designed for coaches of youth-level teams up to age 14. This year's ABCA Convention Youth Coaches Session clinics, presented by GameChanger, will run Friday, January 3rd and Saturday, January 4th at the Gaylord National in National Harbor, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C.
Schedule:
Friday, January 3: 9:30 AM - 4:10 PM
Saturday, January 4: 9:30 AM - 3:10 PM
After each presentation, speakers will host a Q&A session with all attendees.
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The ABCA Youth Coaches Session will cover a diverse range of topics tailored to help coaches improve their approach to developing youth players at all levels, from recreational leagues to travel teams and high school programs. The sessions will provide practical insights and techniques to help coaches create well-rounded athletes and more effective teams.
Three collegiate coaches—Tom Winske of the University of Cincinnati, Matt Owens of Chestnut Hill College, and Jimmy Jackson of the University of Maryland—will offer expert insights into key areas of player development. Winske will simplify baserunning rules and techniques, making it easier for coaches to teach this critical skill at all levels. Owens will focus on developing strong infielders, emphasizing the creation of routines and habits that lead to consistently good defensive skills. Jackson will discuss pitching development, providing practical ways to maintain and nurture natural talent in young pitchers. Additionally, former collegiate assistant and USA Baseball coach André Butler will offer his expertise on outfield play, focusing on turning young players into effective defenders.
Every angle of player development will be covered with additional presentations on first base play, hitting, infield and outfield play. These sessions will provide coaches with a well-rounded approach to improving youth-aged players, ensuring that they leave with actionable drills, strategies, and methods that can be implemented at all levels of the game. There will also be useful presentations on practice planning, focusing on making it both enjoyable for players and effective, as well as tips for building successful teams, organizations, academies, and leagues.
Additionally, experts will tackle topics ranging from mental health and sports performance with Scott Fox, a mental coach who works with athletes, parents, coaches, and universities, to long-term athletic development with Nunzio Signore, owner of Rockland Peak Performance (NY) where thousands of athletes train annually. Kris Goodman, a Performance Process & Development Coach for the Tampa Rays, will also present on mastering the mental side of competition, helping youth athletes focus on presence and process.
This year’s lineup will equip coaches with new drills, techniques, and coaching methods to better develop youth-aged players and create engaging, effective practice environments that foster growth at every level of the game. It’s the first time the ABCA Convention has been hosted in the Washington D.C.-area since 1975.