Everything Fastpitch - The Podcast

This week's lineupWarmup SegmentListener Question: How much should my daughter warm up before each game? (@12:21)Paige's power Play: Free Parent Training (@19:05)Part 2 of Interview with Justin McLeod of D1Softball (@21:38)Observations from games I've seen at the beginning of the season (@42:25)Quote from Usain Bolt and how it applies today (@54:55)Support the show

We often hear from students and former students that their coach wants everyone on the team to do something the same way. In this episode we discuss that all players are not physically and athletically the same and maximizing their performance may mean that having a set philosophy is not the best thing.Support the show

This week's lineupWarmup SegmentListener Question: My daughter was called out after being hit with a batted ball while standing on second base. Is this the correct call? (@8:39)Paige's Power Play: Free Parent Training (@12:21)Interview with Justin McLeod of D1 Softball (@15:17)Infield Fly Rule (@42:30)Action Coach Tip: Story telling (@50:48)Support the show

This is a podcast that every coach and parent of a team should listen to. The financial situation of a family plays a part in the dynamics of a team. Coaches are not expected to investigate a family's financial situation, but they have to understand that a family commits to a team based upon the coach's plan during the formation of the team. Every team will have families with a diverse range of financial abilities and every one on the team needs to understand and respect that. It is the head coach's duty to stay within the financial boundaries set during the commitment time or have a plan to finance extras.Support the show

This week's lineupWarmup SegmentListener Question: What is you reaction to this survey of parents on their expectation of playing softball? (@10:10)Paige's Power Play: How to stop worrying about what others think. (@17:50)"How do you coach in an environment where the players feel they owe you nothing and you owe them everything" Geno Auriemma  (@21:21)Maximizing your coaching staff. Do everything or spread the responsibilities? (@33:05)Support the show

 Lots of teams talk about having team bonding activities. The coaches discuss whether these are important for teams and have a benefit. They talk about the challenges of planning them and the trade off with less practice time.Support the show

This week's LineupWarmup SegmentListener Question: Parent is worried about statement a coach is making. (@10:18)Paige's Power Play: How to help your daughter play with boldness. (@18:43)College Camp Strategy for a catcher (@21:50)Discussion of statement "My job is to find someone better than you, your job is to make sure I can't"(@31:53)Community Service (@41:06)Support the show

Head coaches have to be a manager and can't take responsibility for every task. This is especially true in games. You cannot keep your finger on the pulse of the game and try to  look after everything else. You lose focus on the game if your worrying about the lineup, dugout, bullpens, substitutions, etc.Support the show

This week's lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: Should paying team dues guarantee you a certain amount of playing time? (@13:00)Paige's Power Play: How to stop being her own worst enemy. (@15:53)College softball is an Equivalency sport. What does that mean? (@19:06)Suggestions to someone applying for a coaching position. A listener is applying for a high school coaching position and wanted some advice. (@30:00)Take time before the beginning of the season to have a plan for the seaason. (@35:24)Support the show

Coaches, if you are working hard to get your team to perform and it isn't working we need to change something. We need to step back and take a look at what we are doing and make some adjustments. Our job is to determine why they aren't getting what we are teaching. It could be they just don't understand, don't have the skills or other factors. So, do something different.Support the show

This week's lineupWarmup SegmentListener Question: Listener questions philosophy of not trying to hit ground balls. (@8:52)Paige's Power Play: Parent training (@22:25)Are we in a "changing of the guard" period in college sports? (@27:07)Should a player be comfortable when talking to the coach? (@41:01)People develop habits and their habits determine their success. (@47:34)Support the show

To play the game successfully it takes practice and game experience. Coaches need to understand which skills are only learned in practice and skills that have to be learned in games. If we mix them up, players are going to be confused and make the wrong changes.Support the show

This week's lineupWarmup SegmentListener Question:  What is the role of a parent in determining the coachability of a player? (@11:02)Paige's Power Play: Parent Training (@15:13)Strong recommendation for a movie to help players. (@18:50)Aristotle Quote relating to sports: “Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives - choice, not chance, determines your destiny.” (@27:05)Goals and word of the year (@33:28)Support the show

Coaches have a strategy for a game that involves lineups, pitching and playing positions. Sometimes it just isn't working. Be willing to break from your strategy to adapt for what is working today.Support the show

Warmup SegmentWarmup SegmentListener Question: Is it important to be part of a large organization? (@14:52)Paige's Power Play: Even dads understand that the mental game is important.(@23:38)Coach Tory and Coach Don take opposite sides on the major changes that have been made in the game of softball. (@27:27)Hitters need to understand the ingredients in a good swing and what is making them successful day after day. If they don't understand what, it will always remain a mystery. (@47:17)Benefits of reflection. (@54:35)Support the show

We hear it all the time. Well team X is practicing even though the weather is atrocious, so we need to. Team X is playing in tournaments every weekend so we must. Just because other teams are doing something does not necessarily mean it is best for your team. Make decisions based upon what makes your team better at the end.Support the show

This week's lineupWarmup SegmentListener Question: How much should a 10U team practice? (@9:28)Paige's Power Play: Prepare for a new year (@15:12)Is it important for teammates to be friends? (@18:25)Why is bunting rare now? (@28:03)Body language is important (@33:01)Support the show

In our game we use items that can turn into weapons. Bats and balls can do serious damage to humans. Coaches have to have safety procedures that everyone knows and be willing to hand out consequences to individuals that do not adhere to them.Support the show

This week's lineupWarmup SegmentListener Question: Group vs Individual Lessons (@8:25)Paige's Power Play: Creating a vision board (@15:30)NCAA proposal on paying athletes (@18:46)Another NCAA Recruiting Term (@33:58)Why we should enjoy coaching (@39:23)Support the show

The coaches discuss how to tell if it is time to retire from the coaching ranks. There are several things to consider and a decision that all coaches at all levels have to make.Support the show