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I am often asked how I relate to players being so young myself. It took me awhile to be able to put into words my answer to this question.
1. I just stopped playing the game. My personal experiences help me to explain to your daughter why we practice the things we do. We practice what to do when a batter calls time out when you are in the middle of your motion. We practice how to step off the mound legally when you are uncomfortable. We practice communicating with our catchers respectfully while fostering a great battery relationship. These are the small things that many coaches who did not pitch can easily overlook.
2. I was your daughter’s age not so long ago. I understand that sometimes there are outside factors that are going to affect what happens at softball practice. A bad day at school will 100% carry over into a bullpen. Understanding and relating to how your daughter feels while working on how to block out those outside problems when we step on the mound is a huge part of the mental game I teach. Whether that outside problem is that the bases are loaded or a bad day at school they both must be addressed.
3. I understand that the game is ever evolving, and that I must evolve with it. I am young, and new at this. Coaching is teaching, but more importantly coaching is learning. Many times, I don’t even teach your daughter the way that I learned. In 15 years the game has already changed drastically and I owe it to your daughter to continue to learn.
4. You will never hear me say that I personally have come up with a drill or a new idea. Everything I do and say has come from coaches much better than myself who have been doing this a lot longer. If older, more experienced coaches are successful with new research, drills, and ideas why should we reinvent the wheel?
5. I care. I have had the coaches that I feel do not believe in me, and it is one of the worst feelings. I refuse to give your daughter anything but confidence in her abilities. If someday she decides that pitching is not for her, I will support her decision, and continue to support her as a softball player but more importantly a young lady.
Yes, I’m 21 - but my age does not define who I am as a softball coach, mentor, and role model for your daughter.
1. I just stopped playing the game. My personal experiences help me to explain to your daughter why we practice the things we do. We practice what to do when a batter calls time out when you are in the middle of your motion. We practice how to step off the mound legally when you are uncomfortable. We practice communicating with our catchers respectfully while fostering a great battery relationship. These are the small things that many coaches who did not pitch can easily overlook.
2. I was your daughter’s age not so long ago. I understand that sometimes there are outside factors that are going to affect what happens at softball practice. A bad day at school will 100% carry over into a bullpen. Understanding and relating to how your daughter feels while working on how to block out those outside problems when we step on the mound is a huge part of the mental game I teach. Whether that outside problem is that the bases are loaded or a bad day at school they both must be addressed.
3. I understand that the game is ever evolving, and that I must evolve with it. I am young, and new at this. Coaching is teaching, but more importantly coaching is learning. Many times, I don’t even teach your daughter the way that I learned. In 15 years the game has already changed drastically and I owe it to your daughter to continue to learn.
4. You will never hear me say that I personally have come up with a drill or a new idea. Everything I do and say has come from coaches much better than myself who have been doing this a lot longer. If older, more experienced coaches are successful with new research, drills, and ideas why should we reinvent the wheel?
5. I care. I have had the coaches that I feel do not believe in me, and it is one of the worst feelings. I refuse to give your daughter anything but confidence in her abilities. If someday she decides that pitching is not for her, I will support her decision, and continue to support her as a softball player but more importantly a young lady.
Yes, I’m 21 - but my age does not define who I am as a softball coach, mentor, and role model for your daughter.
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