What to look for in finding a new team

[klinder]

This article is for coaches who are having upcoming tryouts and for parents and players who are looking for new teams. It gives you perspective and ideas on what to look for in trying to find a good fit for all.

https://www.aspirehighersports.com/node/107

Building a successful positive culture starts with vision, communication, and buy in where "we "is more important than "me" no matter what level 8U all the way up to the pros. Championships are won when everyone gets credit for their contribution and egos are eliminated.

If any program is interested in having an Aspire Higher team building/mental training session this fall please email me at klinder@aspirhighersports.com or call 330-221-5197.

 

[DougL]

Good stuff Karen, thanks. For players looking to play in college you have to find a organization with a solid recruiting process/system in place. Some helpful things to ask/look into are:

1. Recruiting history. How many players does the org have playing in college and what % at each level. DIII, NAIA, DII and DI. That will tell you their focus and reach as an organization.

2. Coaches Recruiting History. Ask the coach, have they placed players into college softball. If the answer is no, ask if the organization has a dedicated recruiting coordinator and will work directly with your daughter. Ask the coach to show you on his phone all the college coaches he has in there.

3. Recruiting Aids / Guides. Does the organization provide training for their families on the recruiting process and do they have handouts/guides for the parents to learn from.

4. Schedule. Very important. Being in a showcase is not as important as being in the right showcase and not a important as being in the right pools. For instance, Scenic City, the super pools are where the college coaches hover around. Coaches will 'pop' out to the remote locations to see a player, but the real action is in the Super Pools.

Ask the coach if they intend and can get in the Super Pools. Ask the coach who runs the showcases, ie Stingrays, Diamond 9, they intend on playing - and ask him/her to see the TD's cell phone number. If they can not show you, they will not likely be in the right pools. You have to have connections and relationships!

5. Team / Coach History. How has the coach done in previous seasons? Does the team compete and win? Does he and the org have a track record. Ask what tournaments they won in the past 2 years... ASA State, USSSA State, Dayton Metro, GAPSS, Stingrays, etc. If the answer is none, you have your answer.

6. Does the coaches daughter play. If so, what position, etc. If not, the coach is free to make the right choices for the TEAM and all the players.

7. Team Turn-over. Ask how many players left the team last season, how many are coming back.

8. Ask about Roster size and the teams goal. A true recruiting team will carry 3 pitchers on avg, 10 position players. The GOAL is to get the players college offers with money. If the coaches DD pitches and they carry 2, you have your answer there to #6 above.

That should get this thread rolling, I'll add more later. Looking forward to the discussion.

Coach Lenos
President, Ohio Hawks
Gold 04 Head Coach

www.facebook.com/OhioHawks
www.OhioHawks.com

 

[CARDS]

For the foundation years (8-14U especially) make sure the team has coaches with the ability to instruct and instill the basic fundamentals of success not only in modeling good instruction and developing routines but also building on the mental approach to the game that will include things outside the field of play that will make the player stronger. Parents can ask to see practice plans and coaching credentials, heck even asking about team accounting and schedule forecasting can help give you an idea of coach/team organization and planning.

Finding coaches that have invested into themselves at the younger ages will not necessarily guarantee that the coach can deliver quality instruction but, does demonstrate the willingness of the coach to extend themselves to practice what they preach or as some say" walk the talk" of development. Doing so can also help a coach at the older ages with building relationships with TDs, HS, College coaches, sanction directors and other members of professional coaching network through NFCA, NFHS etc. that Doug eluded too.

As far as the parent coach stuff that would not be in a top five on my list. Heck a large percentage of the established non parent coaches started out as a parent coach. I honestly have seen parent coaches stick with a program and their players more so than non parent coaches with most of the organizations in SW Ohio anyway over the years.

Another thing would to be realistic on the abilities of the player and expectations of the team and organization. There are parents and coaches that place unrealistic expectations on what their daughter can bring to the table and what the team can bring to their daughter. Having realistic expectations can help avoid the dreaded "over commit and under deliver" we see pop up every winter after a bad fall experience.

Parents of pitchers and catchers invest a lot of time and money into the position so most expect their daughter to be a key contributor at those positions. Be realistic on where your daughter fits in with the team and even the team schedule. Coaches need to be upfront and honest about where each player fits into their plan for the team. Outside of Ohio there are a lot teams with rosters 15/18 ladies especially at 14u and above showcase style teams. More Ohio teams are starting to model this and carry more multi age players so if if you find yourself considering a team with a large roster be comfortable with where your DD will fit in.

As you attend tryouts make sure the family can commit to the team. Travel schedules, fee schedules, practice schedules, fundraisers, outside training etc. can overwhelm families new to travel softball if they do not properly plan especially if the family has multiple kids or the player is involved in other activities.