How to Cope with High School Softball

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Just had this conversation with my dd's tonight. Had to explain to them again that the coach will put them where it best suits the team. I told them if you are that worried about where he is putting you, then go and ask him for his reasons or if you have done something wrong. I would rather have them be direct with the coach so he can tell them what I tell them. If I get lucky, they might listen to him because they surely won't want to hear it from their evil dad.

The one thing that might surprise some of these freshman is the amount of pressure in high school games. When you are playing league rivals for bragging rights or it has been a rivalry for a long time can bring a whole new kind of pressure. Before anyone takes me to task about there not being pressure in travel ball, I am well aware of the pressure in travel ball, just stating that the pressure that comes from league games can be pretty intense. The travel kids are smart enough to know that losing a pool play game stinks but you can still win the tourney. Losing a league game may cost you a league championship. My dd's dealt with this all last year, as we had a very good pitcher but not a lot of offense so that every defensive play had to be made. DD's performed very well under this pressure and I believe it helped them come travel season.

Might just be the most I have ever typed since becoming a member on OFC, three years ago.

 

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Could somebody explain " squish the bug" to me I have honestly never used this term and have never been taught it but have heard it on here a few times...What is it ...sorry for not knowing if i should..

"Squish" or "Squash" the bug was/is a term used referring to the hitter's back foot. It was meant as a verbal cue to remind batters to turn their back foot toward the pitcher (toes pointing toward the pitcher) on their swing and helping to "get the hips through." The idea was that you imagined a bug under the front of your back foot and as you turned your hips and foot you would "squash the bug" under that foot.

 

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I love the position complaint.

Either your kid can play ball or they can not. If they can only play one position they are not a player. They are a specialist.........and not long for this world. **Pitchers are special and are never in any discussion of normal softball girls...LOL I am saying pretty much any position EXCEPT pitchers.

As you move up the food chain of softball you are going to have teams of all SS, P, and Catcher. That is because that is where the best athletes play and the best athletes are the ones that keep playing on the best teams. All girls should understand 3 postions in my opinion: infield corners, middle infield , and outfield. Now they need to understand the basic back-up responsibilities of all the outfield positions also.

My wife was an All-State catcher when she played in HS and played 4 years of Varsity. But her Freshman year she played 1st, her Soph year she played 3rd. Then her Jr and Sr years she played Catcher. Do you honestly think she complained? She would have played outfield. Where ever the coach said. Get on the field and stay on the field by any means necessary.

The problem with HS sports is that you are tied into the coaches vision and that is your only option. And unfortunately they will pick there team using criteria that is of their choosing. While in travel SB you can find team/coaches that match your vision. HUGE difference and a hard one to accept after 5+ years of travel for many girls and parents.

 

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"Squish" or "Squash" the bug was/is a term used referring to the hitter's back foot. It was meant as a verbal cue to remind batters to turn their back foot toward the pitcher (toes pointing toward the pitcher) on their swing and helping to "get the hips through." The idea was that you imagined a bug under the front of your back foot and as you turned your hips and foot you would "squash the bug" under that foot.

It should also be added that at one time it was a style of hitting that did not really advocate the transfer for weight. So that the girls could not really drive the ball with a bunch of power. It kind of suggested keeping you weight back the whole time (my understanding).

It is a dangerous word in the fastpitch community. Most hate it and will not use it. I am actually surprised a coach would use the term. I do not think it is a bad word but the baggage it carries is an issue.

 

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"Squish" or "Squash" the bug was/is a term used referring to the hitter's back foot. It was meant as a verbal cue to remind batters to turn their back foot toward the pitcher (toes pointing toward the pitcher) on their swing and helping to "get the hips through." The idea was that you imagined a bug under the front of your back foot and as you turned your hips and foot you would "squash the bug" under that foot.

...and the flaw in teaching "squish the bug" is:

In good swing mechanics, the heel lifts and the foot turns AS A RESULT of the core rotation, NOT as a result of consciously rotating on the ball of the foot. With all the other parts of the swing being what they should be, the back foot should be a "no teach". It is merely an indicator of how well the core rotation is executed.

 

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In response to the original topic, someone said on a different thread that most of the complaints are probably from freshman and sophomore players and parents. I agree because we come in with certain expectations and some are unrealistic. Now that my dd is a Jr. I see how fast it goes and will try to relax and enjoy it.

 

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Great post to start the thread!

 

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"Squish" or "Squash" the bug was/is a term used referring to the hitter's back foot. It was meant as a verbal cue to remind batters to turn their back foot toward the pitcher (toes pointing toward the pitcher) on their swing and helping to "get the hips through." The idea was that you imagined a bug under the front of your back foot and as you turned your hips and foot you would "squash the bug" under that foot.

Thanks In all my years I have never heard that...intresting...

 

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With my dd's freshman of hs ball, i'm not expecting much. I expect to see some playing time and that was about it. Even if she's performing great at practice because off all of the hardwork she's putting in (which has actually been a nice surprise), i'm still not going to expect much. The reason, she's the type that will sit on the bench, not complain, and will perform when called on.

 

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In response to the original topic, someone said on a different thread that most of the complaints are probably from freshman and sophomore players and parents. I agree because we come in with certain expectations and some are unrealistic. Now that my dd is a Jr. I see how fast it goes and will try to relax and enjoy it.

Yeah but..... Watch out for the parent's of seniors who get beat out by a Freshy or Sophy!

 

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there are good high school coaches and there are bad ones, no different then summer teams and organizations!

 

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You are quite correct. Some HS lovers probably think that this thread should be labelled "How to cope with Tournament Ball"...

It's one of those questions that doesn't have one correct answer. Like arguing religion or politics.

The benefit of Tournament Ball is that we have a choice of who coaches our daughters.

 

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In response to the original topic, someone said on a different thread that most of the complaints are probably from freshman and sophomore players and parents. I agree because we come in with certain expectations and some are unrealistic. Now that my dd is a Jr. I see how fast it goes and will try to relax and enjoy it.

Amen. Relax being the operative word. When you are a good player who loves the game things tend to work themselves out. Maybe just not as fast as you would like or expect.

 

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My dd is a high school senior my best advice is to sit back a enjoy the ride high school goes by at 110mph. You always want to look back and have great memories of your childs high school years

 

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Some good posts in the thread. With regard to playing position, I always tell girls that you might be our best first baseman, but our best overall lineup has you in left field, or something similar. Of our six incoming freshmen for this coming fall, three have already told me they will be playing SS for their high school teams, although none were recruited by us to play shortstop.

The other point someone made that needs to be recognized is the pressure level of some high school games. With a bigger crowd and no pool play, it can get intense. When one loss means no shot at a conference title or the end of your season, almost no tournament ball can replicate that pressure. When you toss in the emotional tie that athletes developed with their high school probably since elementary school, it can be really nerve-wracking for a freshman.

And I totally agree with spartansd that good players should be able to play any position, except pitcher and catcher. If you can't take a day of practice and then move from left to right field or from second base to third base, or whatever, then you probably aren't much of a player. I don't understand this whole position thing where "you're setting me up to fail!!!" In my years of playing ball, I never once heard anyone say they couldn't switch from any infield or outfield position to another because they had "never played there." Good grief, field the ball, catch the ball, throw the ball. If you can do those things, you can play infield or outfield.

 

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Agree with Joe's post. A college coach asked my DD at his camp, where do you play. Where the coach needs me ! DD was just told today she will be playing 3b , instead of SS or CF, where she played in the past.

 

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The benefit of Tournament Ball is that we have a choice of who coaches our daughters.

We do??? When did that start? lol

 

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You do, but it might not be so pretty after you drive it off the lot.;&

 

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I absolutly luv high school softball like fastpitch dad stated girls play with there friends to compete for a high school state championship , dont have alot of time to prepare for the season with the weather and other sports going on but in the end if you get to the big game with girls who dont play travel is awsome.Also if the team wins the school gets a big flag and trophy that future classmates get to see for as long as the school is open,its something that they will never forget,plus they get to play at firestone stadium, Although i like travel ball high school softball to me is more memorable.

 

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High school ball is a culture shock to many incoming freshmen as they are being thrown in a talent pool with girls with a larger variance of ages. Most have spent their entire life being paired with girls their own age and now will be judged on their ability to execute with others that may be up to 5 years older. For many, it takes time to adjust but the chosen few will still shine.

That brings up another point where I guess I'll be sticking up for school coaches. As mentioned; it is what it is and for the first time many players and parents are going to hear an honest assessment of the player's ability to perform. For possibly the first time in her career, your daughter will be working in a closed practice situation. The school coach will be evaluating the team's performance and "coach-ability" without the influence of parents. Do yourself a favor and set a precedent with your daughter early. Make sure she understands the need to follow instruction and be open-minded about decisions made by the current coach. After all; it is the coach making decisions with the personnel at hand and not a recruited team of self proclaimed position experts that have a support group blowing smoke up their skirts.

Absolutely a top 10 thread and great opening post. Thanks fpitchdad for sharing!!!