First Round of Playoffs -- Alicia's HS Postseason
Was this the last weekend Alicia had with her team? Or did they pull it out and make it to the next round of playoffs??? Listen in to today's episode to find out!
Jun 07, 2021•24 min•Ep. 128
The Softball Shift
Welcome to **The Softball Shift: Coaching Softball from the Inside Out**—the go-to podcast for softball coaches dedicated to enhancing their team's mental game and fostering a winning team culture. Hosted by seasoned coaches Mel Rushing and Alicia Smith, who bring over 30 years of combined experience in sport psychology, leadership, and performance coaching, this podcast offers actionable strategies to develop mentally tough athletes and cohesive teams. Each episode dives into topics such as mental training techniques, building resilience, effective communication, and leadership development, providing you with the tools to elevate your coaching game and lead your team to success. Whether you're a seasoned coach or just starting out, **The Softball Shift** is the leader's guide for coaching the mental game of softball.
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Episodes
What to Do When They're Not Competing -- Alicia's HS Season 3/3
But wait, there's more! Listen in for some tips on connecting with your athletes & one of the most popular drills Alicia has shared to date!
May 31, 2021•31 min•Ep. 127
What to Do When They're Not Competing -- Alicia's HS Season 2/3
Part 2/3 here! Find out if that Figure-It-Out moment actually worked.
May 31, 2021•33 min•Ep. 126
What to Do When They're Not Competing -- Alicia's HS Season 1/3
It's been a hot minute, but we're back & have a treat in store for you! Listen in to today's episode (and then two more!) as we get caught up on how Alicia's team has been doing over the past several weeks. It's a roller-coaster, Coach. Buckle up!
May 31, 2021•27 min•Ep. 125
Advice From A True Difference-Maker -- w/ Sue Enquist
In honor of our fast-approaching Difference-Makers Bootcamp, we wanted to re-share this GEM of an episode with Sue Enquist. Listen in, get inspired, then come learn more from this rockstar in Bootcamp! We kick off this Sunday, April 18th and go all week! Learn more at mentalsweetspot.com/coachbootcamp Oh, and it's not just for softball coaches anymore, so tell your other sport coach friends to come join us!
Apr 15, 2021•31 min•Ep. 124
How to Be A Difference-Maker -- Audio sales page for our upcoming (4/18) Bootcamp
Are you a passionate softball coach who believes in developing the whole person? Do you like making a difference? Then what are you up to next week?! Today's bonus episode is an audio version of our sales page all about the Difference-Maker's Bootcamp (which is quickly approaching & kicks off April 18th!) Think you might wanna join me, other passionate coaches & Sue Enquist for a completely unique coaching clinic EXPERIENCE? Listen in, then head to mentalsweetspot.com/coachbootcamp!...
Apr 10, 2021•23 min•Ep. 123
Mattawan High School 2021 Season -- Week 1
Alicia's been at this for a while, so you'd think she's experienced it all by now. Not the case! This season brings new challenges: Covid protocols and the need for flexibility An almost brand new team Young leadership with little experience in the well-known culture Listen in to hear how Alicia is tackling a season that will certainly provide a challenge, but one she's ready for!
Apr 07, 2021•21 min•Ep. 122
What It's Like to Train the Mental Game
When coaches contact us to ask about consulting for their team, the first question is always, "What does that look like?" So we're pulling back the curtain on what Alicia does with the teams she works with! Even if you can't bring someone like Alicia in yet, we share some nuggets she's learned along the way to help make mental training more impactful!
Mar 29, 2021•22 min•Ep. 121
When There's Not Enough Time... Or $$$ -- Difference-Maker Tips
If I could wave a magic wand and you had ALLLL the time and money you could ever want to use with your team... What would that feel like? Amazing? Freeing? Like your options were limitless? What if I told you you could get these ⬆️ things without adding one minute to the day or a dime to your budget? 🤨 [<- your face right now] No, really! There's a way! Listen in to today's episode for practical tips for being more efficient and getting a better ROI!
Mar 22, 2021•19 min•Ep. 120
How to Stop Wasting Energy -- Difference-Maker Tips
Coaching is exhausting - usually in all the best ways! But we all know there are energy sucks out there that end up affecting our performance. So, is there anything we can do about it? Or do we just have to suck it up and grind it out? Listen in to hear our take on it!
Mar 18, 2021•12 min•Ep. 119
How to Be A Hall-of-Fame-Level Coach -- Difference-Maker Tips
If you're our people (and you are!), you're not in this gig for the glory. But the Hall of Fame is a symbol of the impact a coach has made in our sport - and we all want that! To make a difference in the lives of the girls we work with & eventually leave the softball world a little better than we found it. So why not be LIKE a Hall-of-Fame-Level coach now?! Listen in to find out how!
Mar 17, 2021•9 min•Ep. 118
The Power of Positive Coaching -- w/ Author & Keynote Speaker, Jon Gordon
Now you know how to deal with negative thoughts from yesterday's episode. Today, we're flipping to the positive side! And who better to lead the conversation than Jon Gordon?! If you've ever asked us for a book recommendation, his books ALWAYS make the list. And for good reason! Listen in today as Jon shares his wisdom and advice for being a positive coach who ALSO gets the best out of their athletes!
Mar 16, 2021•23 min•Ep. 117
What to Do About Negative Thoughts -- Difference-Maker Tips
First everyone said to be positive. Now they're saying "toxic positivity" is a thing. Both are right. Maybe we're biased here, but it seems to keep getting proven over and over again... >> There's a sweet spot for everything! So what should we do about those pesky negative thoughts? Without getting to fluffy or woo-woo? In today's episode, we share an ancient story with some great advice!
Mar 15, 2021•12 min•Ep. 116
How to Get Your Girls to Focus - w/ the Sweet Spot Think Tank
Raise your hand if you know what a "mental error" is. If you didn't raise your hand (at least in your head) - you are a coaching unicorn! lol It happens all too often. It's when a player makes a mistake that under normal circumstances she absolutely wouldn't. (Like chucking the ball over the first baseman's head) That's what sparked today's convo as we talk about the real issue: lack of focus! mentalsweetspot.com/softball-podcast
Feb 15, 2021•51 min•Ep. 115
Mental Skills for Mental Health -- w/ Locked In Mental Performance's Derek Mayson
We're making progress on ending the stigma around mental health, but we've got to keep going! Part of that process is realizing the brain needs training too! That's what we discuss on today's episode with Locked In Mental Performance's Derek Mayson!
Feb 08, 2021•39 min•Ep. 114
Coaching the Mental Game 90% of the Time -- w/ Ramapo College's Bridgette Quimpo & Ashley O'Beirne-Stever
Everyone knows the phrase "softball is 90% mental" ... and those same coaches also sheepishly admit they don't actually COACH the mental game that much. But we want to and we're getting closer! Listen in to today's guests as they share our favorite thing - *actionable* ways to develop our girls' mental game. P.S. They PERFECTLY (unintentionally) made a case for our Fail Forward Practice Bundle. After this episode, you'll definitely want to snag it for yourself so you can start building resilienc...
Feb 01, 2021•43 min•Ep. 113
How to Be A Role Model -- Interview with ESPN Analyst & softball great, Jessica Mendoza
As coaches, we have the honor of being role models. But it's not all rainbows and butterflies. Though we didn't start the interview with the goal of talking about being a role model, that's where the conversation turned and you'll see why! From travel ball to the Olympics, professional to parent... We discuss all the ways she's been (and continues to be) an impressive leader for our young women to look up to.
Jan 18, 2021•35 min•Ep. 112
The Missing Piece to the Performance Puzzle -- Case study with Meridian Community College
The mental game train is picking up speed these days, but there are still questions about how EXACTLY this part of the game can help our teams. That's why we asked today's guest to join us to share some expected outcomes like improved team cohesion and even some BIG personal benefits they didn't expect going into this!
Jan 02, 2021•45 min•Ep. 111
Developing Resilience -- w/ Sue Enquist
Tips from one of the best in the biz on developing strong, resilient COMPETITORS!
Dec 14, 2020•31 min•Ep. 110
Case Study | Making sure your intentions match your reality -- w/ Bootcamp Alumnus & experienced coach/educator Aryn Henneke
NO coach goes into a season hoping for drama, stress & disappointing performances. But they happen, right?! Pretty much like clockwork, honestly - no coach or team is immune. So how to certain teams seem to rise above it? More specifically, how do the coaches of those teams LEAD their girls through the hard stuff, SHOWING them how to trust the process? That's part of what we discuss in today's case study with Coach Bootcamp alumnus, Aryn Henneke!
Dec 07, 2020•20 min•Ep. 109
The Past & Future of Coach Development -- w/ FSU Coach professor, CMPC & former softball coach, Dr. Megan Buning
Coach development has come a long way. For most of us, we've had to figure it out as we go along. And to be fair- we've done a pretty good job! But coaches don't settle for "pretty good" so we've brought in someone who's leading the way in Coach education to discuss what we have to look forward to!
Nov 30, 2020•29 min•Ep. 108
The Love of the Game -- What happens when you lose it... and how to find it again!
Every athlete & coach KNOWS what this means to them. But every once in a while, the love gets lost. Join us today as we share stories of losing that inner drive... and how to get it back for GOOD!
Nov 16, 2020•25 min•Ep. 107
Grit & Guts -- w/ Olympian, National Champion & ESPN Analyst Danielle Lawrie
We tell our girls all the time that they have to work hard to achieve their dreams. Today's guest PROVES that to be true! Along with the mental game of course ;) Today we have Olympian, National Champion & ESPN Analyst Danielle Lawrie to share her journey and some insight into what it takes to get to her level.
Nov 09, 2020•52 min•Ep. 106
Who Are You & What Are You Here For? -- w/ Author, Women's sports leader & former collegiate volleyball coach, Jeanne Hess
Coaching isn't for everyone, but for those of use who "get it," it's truly a calling. We have the opportunity to affect our athletes' lives in a positive way, and that is a gift. AND... Each of us approach it differently! In today's episode with my (Mel's) good friend, Jeanne Hess, we talk about growing as coaches, enjoying the journey and getting clear on who we are.
Nov 02, 2020•31 min•Ep. 105
Team Building & Leadership Tips -- w/ Former baseballer, author & leadership coach, Colin Cerniglia
Have you been looking for ideas to help your team come together and work as a unit? Today's guest has some excellent ideas and tips for doing so! He also shares pointers from one of the most iconic programs in sports history: the Yankees! So if you want to learn what it takes to build a team of leaders who play for each other, listen in!
Oct 26, 2020•37 min•Ep. 104
Welcome to the Mental Sweet Spot Podcast!
Whether you're a first-time coach or 20-year veteran, work at 10u or DI, if you want to make a difference by developing strong young women, you're a Sweet-Spotter!
Oct 19, 2020•2 min
How Smart Coaches Use Technology -- w/ Pocket Radar CEO Steve Goody
Technology isn't what sets the top teams apart. It's how they USE it. I'm sure by now you've noticed the trend around using technology in our sport. You can measure speed, spin rate, power... almost everything! But the technology itself isn't what helps your players. What helps them get motivated, build confidence and make improvements... is how YOU use that data! Listen in today to learn more about one of our FAVORITE technologies: The Smart Coach radar by Pocket Radar! We love it because it's ...
Oct 19, 2020•35 min•Ep. 103
Building Up Her Self-Confidence
When you Build Up Her Self-Confidence, you help her have #morewinsmorefun ----- Self-confidence can be fragile, and it's heartbreaking to watch our girls struggle. In this episode we talk about one of the biggest confidence killers: comparison....
Oct 12, 2020•40 min•Ep. 102
How To Keep Your Players Motivated
Keeping our girls motivated to put the work in is not an easy task. They get tired, bored, distracted, or worse: they're doing it for the wrong reasons. Today we talk about how to keep your players motivated using our new format! How to Win More Games & Have More Fun Focus on the process Show them you care about their growth, not the outcome Ask their input so they take ownership of their journey Next Level Advice for Players: The journey can seem long, but trust the process and the outcome ...
Oct 05, 2020•35 min•Ep. 101
How To Know You're Making A Difference -- w/ some of Alicia's former players now playing DI college
When you hang up the clipboard and someone asks you what you're most proud of, it most likely won't be the wins. I'll be the impact you had on your girls. Helping a player come out of her shell Getting another to see the importance of a team Seeing them grow into strong, confident young women That's the dream for us Sweet Spotters, right? That's exactly what Alicia discusses with some of her former players in today's special 100th episode!...
Sep 28, 2020•56 min•Ep. 100
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