Rookie Sox - U13

(10yrs - 12yrs)

 About

 Rookie Sox is about having fun and mastering the basics of Softball.​​​​​​​ This supports our youngsters by providing a smooth transition as they move from T-Ball to Softball. Providing these   enviroments and experiences will influence our on going choices to engage in physical activity and sport. Variety enjoyment and skill development are crucial, along with a positive,   supportive, empathetic enviroment that enables us to learn and be challenged at our own individual pace.

 Life Stages 

• We focus on having fun and mastering basic Softball skills
• We teach them the basic technical skills, like:
  • Pitching
  • Batting (bunting included)
  • Fielding fly & ground balls
  • Base Running (intro into sliding)
  • Catching
• We teach the basic tactial plays and simple rules
• We keep physical fitness up, by:
  • An introduction to general physical conditioning
  • Showing the importance of warming up/cooling down
• We develop social needs:
  • Team work
  • Fair play
  • Work ethic
  • Respect for others
  • Dealing with winning and losing
• We increase development and cognitive awareness:
  • Introduction to the elements of decision making
  • Rules & Ethics
• We teach the game modifications by:
  • Manual Pitching Machine pre-christmas and player pitching after Christmas
  • Giving all players opportunity to learn to pitch
  • Rotating positions 
  • Equal playing time
  • Useage of 11/12 inch flexi balls
  • Large home plate and strike zone
  • Limit the number of innings pitched
• An example session plan:
  • Up to 60 mins of playing time
  • Appropriate skill progress
  • High levels of activity
  • Positive enviroment
  • Emphasis on learning through play
  • Players learning 2+ positions

 What does WBOPSA Provide for our Rookie Sox players/coaches and officals?

• Fundamentals of Pitching and Catching Clinics are available for players.
• We have player clinics available for players to develop their;
  • Basic tactical skills and basic fundamentals of the game
  • Developing their physical fitness
• We can give our players the opportunity to represent WBOP at U13 Quads and other tournaments
• We provide clinics through WBOP & Softball New Zealand Representative for all Coaches/ Umpires and scorers
• We aid Coaches that are willing to get "Coaches Accreditations" through Softball New Zealand.

 Fees:

 FREE 

 Registrations:

 Team Registrations (Coaches/ Managers Only) - Click here

 Player Registrations - Click here

 For further enquiries please contact Paul Goodall via e-mail: [email protected]

 Rookie Sox Resources

 There are two versions of Rookie Sox

1. Novice Rookie Soxs - players who have never played before
2. Rookie Soxs - players who has a good command of fundamentals & basic game knowledge.

 Rookie Sox Manual

 The Rookie Sox Manual is designed to provide administrators, coaches, managers, umpires, scorers and players with information, guidelines and options to assist with the smooth   transition for players to “Jump from T-Ball to Softball". Contents includes:

• Key tips for coaches, managers, parents, umpires and scorers
• Modified game options
• Coaching modules
• Training session plans and templates and
• Case studies
• Tips to fuel your game

 Download this fantastic resource Click here

 Tee Sox and Rookie Sox Rules + Modified Games?

 This resource includes playing rules and modified games suited towards Tee Sox (5-8yrs) and Rookie Sox Sox (9-12yrs). 

 Games and rules have been provided to create a more consistent and suitable playing field across New Zealand for these key age groups. These rules have been modified from our   WBOP Softball league.

 Download for your copy Click here

 Rookie Sox Skills Sets:

 The Rookie Sox skills sets have been developed to help coaches identify and develop technical, tactical, strategy and game knowledge skills appropriate for this age group. You can   also give this resource to your players to enhance your understanding of what they do know…and more importantly, what they don’t know!

 U13 Skill Set download Click here

 Rookie Sox Pitching & Catching Programmes available:

 Softball New Zealand has developed a National Pitching & Catching Programme targeting the Under 13 (Rookie Sox) age groups. The programme aligns with the National Player &   Coach Development Pathway.

 We have adopted this method by Softball New Zealand to help promote, develop and mentor new & upcoming Pitchers & Catchers.

 For more information on Pitchers & Catchers programme for Rookie Soxs please view Softball New Zealand's website

 Rookie Sox Coach Accreditation

​​​​​​​ Please contact Paul Goodall  [email protected]  for more information or view Softball New Zealand's website here Click here