Coaching Center

FMYSA has approximately 250 teams, and we are always looking for volunteers willing to coach a team. If you have never coached before, you might benefit from reviewing the First Time Coach document. We provide a variety of resources to help you get started, including coaches clinics, coach mentoring assistance, and online resources. If you are interested in coaching a team, please start with the 3 required activities listed under Becoming a Coach below.

This section of the website contains various resources to help coaches get started and improve. However, it is only as useful as you make it, so if you run across something that will help other coaches, please let us know -- especially for the Coaching Resources section below.

Becoming a Coach

1) Protected Roster

**Attention Coaches** The board modified the protected player policy 1/18/2010:

Protected rosters: If a player(s) is new to FMYSA or has not played with FMYSA the past two seasons (previously 2 years), they can now be inclued on a coaches protected roster.

Complete the attached form and turn it in at In-Person Registration (dates for each season posted on the Calendar). It is required whether you are a new or returning coach; turning in this form lets the age group director know you are interested in coaching. The age group director will then contact you to let you know if you will have a team (based on number of players registered and needs).
Protected Roster (PDF)
Protected Roster (Excel)

You'll also need to pick a team name for your new team.

Baseball: our recreational baseball program offers a wide selection of MLB professional teams, minor league teams, and collegiate teams. Click here to see available teams.

Softball: our recreational softball program offers a wide selection of team names and logos, which can include any of the baseball options above. Click here for the order form.
Click here to see available teams.

Red vs. Blue Divisions: for baseball teams 7U and older, FMYSA separates teams into Red (more competive) and Blue divisions, if there are enough teams to justify separation. The purpose is to pair teams of similar levels of play. This has been done in the Spring season for many years, but beginning in Fall 2010, it will be done in the Fall as well. Coaches should specify to the age group director which division they prefer, but also recognize that prior records, number of players on protected roster, and other factors go into the decision. To be considered for the Red division, coaches must place a minimum of 8 players on their protected roster, or have permission from the Age Group Director and the VP of Recreation Baseball for an exception.

Beginning with Spring 2010, we'll hold a Spring skills demonstration for 7U and 8U (FMYSA will continue to have skills demonstration and a draft for 9U and older). Players who are on a protected roster and wanting to stay with that team, or who are wanting to be placed on a Blue division team, are not required to participate. However, if a player wants to be on a Red division team (and is not already on a Red division protected roster), then they need to attend the skills demonstration. Players will not be drafted -- age group directors will continue to assign players to teams. However, this will ensure that the more advanced players are correctly placed on Red division teams. If a player is currently on a Blue division team and wants to move to a Red division team, they can remain on their current team's protected roster and still attend the skills demonstration. If they score high enough, they will be reassigned to a Red division team; otherwise, they will remain on the current team. If a player is currently on a Red division team and wants to move to a different Red team, they will not be allowed to remain on their current team's roster.

2) Background Check

All head and assistant coaches are required to submit to an annual criminal background check. There is no cost to you for this, but you must complete the online application each year, giving us permission to run the check. To answer a common question, this is only a criminal background check; we do not check credit or other records.
Click here to read FMYSA's policy on Background Checks
Click here to complete the application

3) Coach Certification

NAYS Certification: All head coaches (baseball and softball, recreation and select) are required to complete and maintain NAYS coach certification. This involves taking a one-time online course, and then renewing the certification by paying a small fee annually.

Click here to begin the course. Please enter the league affiliation as "Flower Mound Youth Sports Association" in the space provided.
Click here to renew your certification.

Coach Mentoring Program

Mentoring Program: We have many highly experienced coaches who have volunteered to mentor other coaches. Typically, these volunteers have been a head coach for many seasons. Mentors are available to answer questions, but also generally will invite the coach to some practices so they can see how another team operates, and often will run a sample practice for the new coach. This is a great opportunity to learn from more experienced coaches. See your age group director if you are interested in participating.

Coaching Resources

Coach Handbook

The FMYSA Coaches Handboook contains a wealth of information, including how to organize a team, handling an emergency, running a practice, and how to teach some core skills. Click to Download the Document.

NAYS Coach Training

Your NAYSCA certification gives you access to a variety of online training classes covering different skills and aspects of the game.
Click for NAYS Baseball Coach Training Courses
Click for NAYS Softball Coach Training Courses

Hitting Drills and Tips