Everything Fastpitch - The Podcast

Sometimes coaches get frustrated when players attempt a play that is impossible. For instance, a throw to home from the outfield when the runner is 20 feet from home plate. Understanding what is possible is a skill that has to be taught just like fielding, throwing, etc. In the case above, the outfielders have to learn to judge the distance they have to throw the ball against the speed of the runner. They will learn quicker by practicing than by failures in a game.

Support the show

This weeks lineup:

• Catchers, back up first base (@2:26)
• More games are lost than won. (@16:36)
• What is a "ball player" (@30:24)
• I hate "my bad" (@47:26)

Support the show

In this week's edition of the show Coach Tory and Coach Don talk strategies for becoming a more effective coach, which doesn't always mean explaining what you want from your players.

Support the show

This Weeks Lineup:

• Catcher's mask - On or Off (@2:10)
• Strike out is just an out.(@8:45)
• Yoda Logic - You must unlearn what you have learned. (@20:56)
• Create Versatility  (@33:05)

Support the show

Coaches have to be prepared for many different situations that come up over the course of their careers. They need to have a repair/emergency kit to handle these situations. In this episode we talk about some of the items that can save the day.

Support the show

This weeks lineup:

• Warmup Segment
• Listener Question: My daughter has been hit by several pitches this season. Now she is scared to get in the batter's box. What do I do? (@9:22)
• Paige's Power Play (@14:16)
• What is a quality at bat? Keeping track of your success by using batting average is a trap that doesn't really reflect how a player is contributing to the team. Putting pressure on a player because of batting average can be very detrimental. (@16:43)
• Putting together a brand new team is a journey. Coaches, parents and players have to commit to the journey and start the journey with reasonable expectations. And commit to the long haul. (@27:42)
• Players at different ages have different attention spans. Practice plans have to take this into account to develop the players. (@37:17)

Support the show

Good coaches never stop learning. There are many opportunities for coaches for to acquire more knowledge of the game, managing games and players. Nobody knows all there is to know. If you are not getting better, you are getting worse.

Support the show

This Weeks Lineup:

• Warmup Segment
• Listener Question: My daughter wants to take time off over the holidays, but right after the first of the year she is going to college camps. How do we find the balance between taking time off and being prepared for the camps? (@9:07)
• Paige's Power Play (@13:39)
• 5 ways to judge whether a player and/or family is really committed to softball. (@16:59)
• When a great player is no longer with a team the statement a lot of times is "Well we will see if the coach is really that good."  (@37:55)
• Coaches when we give them homework we need to be specific about what they are suppose to do. (@47:58)

Support the show

The coaches discuss the fact that you have a platform to teach some life lessons that are not related to softball. Your players are used to you teaching and helping them. Coaches often connect with players better than parents at certain ages. Our suggestion is to allocate a short segment of your practice to discuss different topics related to things that might happen to them or they should be aware of. 

Support the show

This Weeks Lineup:

• Warmup Segment
• Listener Question:  Should you play your way out of problems or coach and practice your way out of problems? (@11:17)
• Paige's Power Play (@21:12)
•  An Interview about Pinnacle Power Butter. A nutrient dense health food that provides sustained energy and lasting performance. (@24:50)
• Hitting Doesn't Get Easier. Pitchers gets better. Defense gets better. So it gets harder for the player to get hits and they have to keep working. (@38:50)
• Coaches keeping their composure. Coaches should be the role model for the players. We teach them to control their emotions, so coaches should do likewise. (@49:50)

Support the show