INDIANAPOLIS— The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), in partnership with USA Baseball, has developed “Fundamentals of Coaching Baseball” – the latest online sport-specific course in its Coach Education Program available at www.nfhslearn.com.

Along with instructional demonstrations from Washington Nationals players and team manager Davey Johnson, the course is designed for interscholastic baseball coaches and is hosted by George Grande, legendary Cincinnati Reds broadcaster.

“We are pleased and excited to put together this coaches education program,” Grande said. “For the last 40 years, I was a player, a coach and now a broadcaster in Major League Baseball. During that period of time, the goal has been to honor this game, and to make our young people as good as they can be in the game of baseball. That’s what this course is all about.”

“USA Baseball is excited to have partnered with the NFHS in the creation of the ‘Fundamentals of Coaching Baseball’ course,” said Paul Seiler, USA Baseball executive director/chief executive officer. “We see the implementation of this course as a critical step in the development of youth and high school baseball coaches across the country. As the National Governing Body, we are proud to present such an impactful tool to coaches and, by extension, their players.”

“We are proud of our partnership with USA Baseball and are pleased to be able to offer this course,” said Tim Flannery, NFHS director of coach education. “It is an excellent tool and resource for teaching the skills of the game.”

The course is divided into five units: Coaching Philosophy, Offense, Defense, Pitching and Team Strategies. These units teach the basic skills of throwing and catching, offensive skills, overview of each position’s role, good team defense tactics, how to develop a practice plan and additional coaching tips that coaches can use to teach and help improve their teams. Additional resources, video demonstrations and references are also included within this course.

“Fundamentals of Coaching Baseball” will be a standard requirement for USA Baseball amateur National Team staff members beginning in 2013. The course, with its flexible online and mobile platforms, will also be phased in for coaches participating in USA Baseball sanctioned events during the next few seasons. 

The NFHS Coach Education Program offers 32 online courses, including the two core courses – “Fundamentals of Coaching” and “First Aid, Health and Safety for Coaches.” The NFHS also offers 14 sport-specific courses and 16 elective courses, including seven that are free.

All NFHS Coach Education Program courses are available at www.nfhslearn.com.