As Yogi Berra said, "You Can Observe A Lot By Watching". From birth we develop by imitating what we see. If we teach our players how to really "watch" good players, they will become better players. They should be watching all of the subtle things going on with players not just following the ball. Seeing the total game is a skill that has to be learned and makes the game a classroom. Support the show
This weeks lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: My daughter was demoted to the outfield. What do I do?The coaches respond with reasons the outfield is not a demotion. (@21:04) Paige's Power Play (@30:07) Daniel Rubin and the DR3 Pitching Corner (@33:00) Exposing your players to different ways of doing things. (@44:41) Part 3 of the most influential women in softball. (@1:01:33) Action Coach (@1:10:33) Support the show...
Not every player on a team has aspirations to play in college. For a variety of reasons, college is just not in their future. They still are good players and enjoy playing the game. Accept that and make sure you are coaching them with the same enthusiasm as the potential college players. Your job is to make all of your players the best version of themselves no matter what is in their future. Support the show
This weeks lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: My daughter is very young and wants to be a catcher. I am having trouble finding catching gear that fits. Any suggestions? (@13:42) Paige's Power Play (@19:07) Do large organizations make sense for travel teams? (@22:30) Part 2 of ground breaking women (@33:40) Action Coach (@48:00) Support the show
It happens frequently, a core group of 3 or 4 players want to start a new team. The coaches make a point for you not to jump into the pool before you have really thought this out. You should have more players as a core than what you are going to have to recruit. And remember there are a lot of teams looking for pitchers and catchers especially. Support the show
This weeks lineup: Warmup Segment ListenerQuestion: My daughter is a pitcher and I am having trouble finding a good pitching tow. Do you have any advice? (@12:59) Paige's Power Play (@18:42) Part 2 of our interview with Justin McLeod of Extra Inning Softball. (@24:08) The coaches go through the first five from a list of women pioneers in softball. (@49:16) Action Coach (@1:04:45) Support the show...
The coaches discuss that we can't coach by a book and we have to be aware of the circumstances of the game and players. Sometimes it makes sense to do something that doesn't make sense "by the book". Everyone connected with the team needs to "buy in" to the way you coach and be prepared to execute and support the calls you make. Remember, it is easy to judge a decision based upon the outcome. But always playing it safe leads to a team not playing up to their potential. Support the show...
This weeks lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Many of my players are starting to go to college camps. What advice should I give them to help them make a good first impression? (@10:25) Paige's Power Play (@13:51) Interview with Justin McLeod of Extra Inning Softball (@20:01) What to do when she says "I don't want to play college softball?" (@54:47) Action Coach (@1:06:34) Support the show...
We hear it at the ball park all the time. Coaches or parents yelling at a player to just make an adjustment. What does that mean? If you are going to say something, say something that is helpful. The player knows something isn't working. Support the show
This weeks lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Is there a niche for players that have shown they are loyal?(@19:54) Paige's Power Play (@28:16) Difference between winning players and losing players. (@34:44) Define what is important in knowing what college to attend . (@50:46) Action Coach (@59:53) Support the show
The coaches discuss the importance in always believing that you can do it and never quit. Support the show
This weeks lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: On the first and third defensive play, what do we do when the batter squares around to bunt? (@11:50) Paige's Power Play (@22:05) Players and coaches, now is the time to think about your goals for the coming year.(@24:34) What are you going to do in the next few weeks to get ready for the season and are you doing the correct things? (@37:59) Action Coach Tip (@57:08) Support the show...
We hear a lot of complaints in the fastpitch community about a lot of things. Short games, bad umpires, lack of facilities and on and on. If we are going to complain we have to be willing to pay to fix it or not complain. Support the show
This weeks lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Do college coaches allow a team or fans to come to a practice? (@10:23) Paige's Power Play (@15:33) A question from a listener wanting our opinion on the pros and cons of coaching a high school team and a travel team at the same time. (@17:47) Another question from a listener wanting our opinion of what the optimum number of players on a roster. (@25:36) Action Coach Tip of the Week (@36:54) Support the show...
Players don't care how much you know until they know how much you care is an old saying, but very true. The coaches discuss how to make this part of your coaching philosophy. Support the show
This weeks Lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Is it illegal to roll a bat? (@11:47) Paige's Power Play (@19:08) Listener questions about recruiting (@21:31) More great players, fewer great teams. (@41:12) Action Coach Tip (@51:55) Support the show
When we are having tryouts or looking for an additional player use a list of questions to interview the prospect. We need to know more than just their skills. We need to know if they fit in and can become part of the team. Support the show
This weeks Lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: A player left our team and now wants their money back. What are you thoughts? (@14:54) Paige's Power Play (@22:17) Interview with Tristan Hildebrandt of Anderson Bat Company (@28:47) Changing face of college athletics (@54:14) Action Coach by John Davis (@1:18:52) Support the show
The proverb a stitch in time saves nine means that if one solves a problem while it is developing, one will save oneself time and work in the future. The coaches discuss how this applies to softball. If we make sure that a player is acquiring skills correctly from the beginning we save a lot of time, effort and frustration later on. Support the show
This weeks lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: A former coach of a new player reached out to me with a lot of negative information about her and her family. What do you think? (@15:21) Paige's Power Play (@21:26) Recruiting "Coach Speak" Sometimes we hear what we want to hear. Some guidance on things coaches say and do and how they should be understood. (@28:20) Are over the top celebrations for routine plays good for the game? (@48:37) Guidance on winter workouts. (@55:23) Support the sho...
During the off-season coaches have the opportunity to learn new skills and techniques. There are many clinics and on-line resources available to keep up with the game. Also, this should be a time of reflection on how to better communicate with the players and help them reach their potential. Listen as the coaches discuss this topic. Support the show
This weeks lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Can you give me some tips on a home batting cage? (@11:21) Paige's Power Play (@21:01) Some tournaments have started awarding prize money to the winner. The coaches discuss the pros and cons of this. (@24::13) In training we need to push players into practicing what they are not good at. Players, parents and coaches should accept that the player's performance will not be what they expect, but it is the only way to get better. (@35:56) Coaches ...
As we teach the skills of the game we break them down into steps for the player to learn. For example, we have to field the ball before we can throw it. But the long term objective is for each skill to flow to the next one in a fluid motion. Watch your players and see if the are being robotic and going through the steps one by one or are they nice and smooth in the transition from one step to the next. Support the show
This weeks lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: What age / school year should you start focusing on recruiting? (@13:00) Paige's Power Play (@21:59) The Clearwater Invitational is not that far away and plan on attending if you can. (@27:06) Balance your time off with keeping your skills current and working on new things. (@35:25) Unfortunately we have to practice or play in cold weather. Be prepared and do everything you can to make it more comfortable. (@45:06) Support the show...
The coaches discuss some changes they would like to see to give the players more meaningful game situations. Support the show
This weeks lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: One of our parents want to donate a substantial amount of money. What are the possible problems with doing this? (@11:28) Paige's Power Play (@17:34) Make sure you enjoy the game now before it is over. (@21:39) Teach your players not to react poorly when someone is trying to encourage them. (@31:02) Parent's are up in revolt with trying to get white uniform pants clean. (@38:54) Support the show...
Branch Rickey, great baseball innovator, coined the phrase "addition by subtraction". The coaches discuss what this means and the necessity of doing it sometimes. Support the show
This weeks lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: I have seen enough of stalling tactics. How do the players feel? (@17:56) Paige's Power Play (@25:10) Players that are losing their love for the game. We need to recognize this early. (@28:26) Leadership models are changing. (@43:57) Safety tips to reinforce with our players to keep them safe. (@53:54) Support the show...
The coaches discuss words of wisdom from an ancient Greek Philosopher that apply to our learning to play the game better. Support the show
This weeks lineup: Warmup Segment: Listener Question: What can I do for an immediate impact on making my daughter faster and quicker? She is very slow. (@20:37) Paige's Power Play (@28:28) Question from a listener. What do we do when a college coach comes to see me play? (@34:15) Coach Tory talks about things they have done to have a good time at Halloween as a team. (@44:36) The coaches discuss the need to teach players about the value of proper nutrition. (@48:58) Support the show...
