default
Member
A a coach I am always looking for any edge I can get to succeed in a very difficult game.
Players as well must also be looking for "clues" that can give them an edge and lead them to a faster path to fastpitch mastery. These clues are all around them yet sadly, in my experience, few young players ever look for them...and in the process lose out on a whole lot of opportunity to get better quicker!
It has been said that success lies at the intersection of preparation and opportunity. In my opinion opportunity is always present so the only real variable in the formula for success is whether or not your athlete is prepared. And the best way to be prepared is to become a student of the game, whereby through careful attention and observation she can learn many of the nuances of the game it takes to set her self apart from the crowd and succeed at an elite level.
Whether it be watching to learn the umpire's strike zone, the pitcher's sequence of pitches (change up on two strikes only; first pitch rise ball or screw), how the defense is positioned in relation to hitting or base running, or watching how the opposition's hitters, fielders, pitchers and base runners play...the clues and information they provide are all free for the taking!
Like I told the group of players I spoke to last night, "you can choose to tune into the opportunity (and mindset) to always be learning or choose not to." But I guarantee you the elite players that are playing at the top college softball programs ALL cultivated the mindset of looking for clues when they were in the dugout or on the field, be it games or practice.
The Bottom line is the game of fastpitch softball is a difficult game that takes a very long time to master. In my opinion it is the most difficult game for a young athlete to succeed in. As such any edge your athlete can get by simply paying attention and looking for the clues that are all around her will elevate her game and get her closer to her true softball potential.
Remember...thoughts are things...so choose them wisely!
Players as well must also be looking for "clues" that can give them an edge and lead them to a faster path to fastpitch mastery. These clues are all around them yet sadly, in my experience, few young players ever look for them...and in the process lose out on a whole lot of opportunity to get better quicker!
It has been said that success lies at the intersection of preparation and opportunity. In my opinion opportunity is always present so the only real variable in the formula for success is whether or not your athlete is prepared. And the best way to be prepared is to become a student of the game, whereby through careful attention and observation she can learn many of the nuances of the game it takes to set her self apart from the crowd and succeed at an elite level.
Whether it be watching to learn the umpire's strike zone, the pitcher's sequence of pitches (change up on two strikes only; first pitch rise ball or screw), how the defense is positioned in relation to hitting or base running, or watching how the opposition's hitters, fielders, pitchers and base runners play...the clues and information they provide are all free for the taking!
Like I told the group of players I spoke to last night, "you can choose to tune into the opportunity (and mindset) to always be learning or choose not to." But I guarantee you the elite players that are playing at the top college softball programs ALL cultivated the mindset of looking for clues when they were in the dugout or on the field, be it games or practice.
The Bottom line is the game of fastpitch softball is a difficult game that takes a very long time to master. In my opinion it is the most difficult game for a young athlete to succeed in. As such any edge your athlete can get by simply paying attention and looking for the clues that are all around her will elevate her game and get her closer to her true softball potential.
Remember...thoughts are things...so choose them wisely!
