coachtomv
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This is something that always bothers me.
10-12u Is not about trophy's and wins, its all about development.......
13-14u Is not about trophy's and wins, its all about preparing to get recruited........
15-18u Is not about trophy's and wins, its all about being recruited.......
IMHO, Its always about wins and championships, at all levels. That's why we work so hard and keep score. That's what drives the players and the passion for the game. That's why colleges have competitive sports and want winners.
Every single time we take the field, 10-23u, scrimmages, practices, camps, drills, charity events, local tournaments or national championships, we should expect to give 100% toward the team goal of winning.
If we approach the game with a passion for the process, put in the work, get with like minded players and coaches, play at the appropriate level for our abilities, then we will develop well rounded young players with the drive to win and to win consistently. You have to be developed and work to get better to win, not to say oh well I think we got better, but lost again, at some point you need to win or it falls apart.
The only measurable in the equation is wins-losses-championships. Not to mention the fact if we are so focused on developing for the future and recruiting for years in the future we can lose site of the reason they do it, to play, and win now. Now and the future are not mutually exclusive, we work hard to get better and win now which plays itself out as they move into new challenges. Our jobs (coaches/parents) are to put them in the best situation and keep them on the path to their future, but focused on today, and keep the passion for the game strong and not suck the life out of it with too much pressure about the future.
Keep them grounded, all we can control is today. I would like to see as much of a passion for "now" as much as this mysterious future that noone can predict. Lets enjoy the moment, keep working to get better, and the future will fall in line as we move forward and not be in such a hurry. Some of these girls best softball experiences are happening right now.
Personally, I love the showcase schedules and putting the players in the position to be seen. However, I feel they need a team goal(s) for each season as well. Each team should have the goal of playing in some sort of major event(s) or nationals each year, depending on their level of play. Give the girls some opportunities to win and build confidence, a winning culture, and then finish that up with a big one at the end, PGF, ASA, NSA, USSSA, regional, national, whatever fits the teams talent level. They should be focused on the season at hand, let the coaches/parents worry about the rest and just play ball.
We also build our brand by winning tournaments and playing in big events, this helps the player, team, and organization in recruiting, both for their teams now/future and their players going on to college.
Not to mention college coaches love winners with goals. I am pretty sure they are focused on today as much or more as the next recruiting class as well. My 2 cents.
10-12u Is not about trophy's and wins, its all about development.......
13-14u Is not about trophy's and wins, its all about preparing to get recruited........
15-18u Is not about trophy's and wins, its all about being recruited.......
IMHO, Its always about wins and championships, at all levels. That's why we work so hard and keep score. That's what drives the players and the passion for the game. That's why colleges have competitive sports and want winners.
Every single time we take the field, 10-23u, scrimmages, practices, camps, drills, charity events, local tournaments or national championships, we should expect to give 100% toward the team goal of winning.
If we approach the game with a passion for the process, put in the work, get with like minded players and coaches, play at the appropriate level for our abilities, then we will develop well rounded young players with the drive to win and to win consistently. You have to be developed and work to get better to win, not to say oh well I think we got better, but lost again, at some point you need to win or it falls apart.
The only measurable in the equation is wins-losses-championships. Not to mention the fact if we are so focused on developing for the future and recruiting for years in the future we can lose site of the reason they do it, to play, and win now. Now and the future are not mutually exclusive, we work hard to get better and win now which plays itself out as they move into new challenges. Our jobs (coaches/parents) are to put them in the best situation and keep them on the path to their future, but focused on today, and keep the passion for the game strong and not suck the life out of it with too much pressure about the future.
Keep them grounded, all we can control is today. I would like to see as much of a passion for "now" as much as this mysterious future that noone can predict. Lets enjoy the moment, keep working to get better, and the future will fall in line as we move forward and not be in such a hurry. Some of these girls best softball experiences are happening right now.
Personally, I love the showcase schedules and putting the players in the position to be seen. However, I feel they need a team goal(s) for each season as well. Each team should have the goal of playing in some sort of major event(s) or nationals each year, depending on their level of play. Give the girls some opportunities to win and build confidence, a winning culture, and then finish that up with a big one at the end, PGF, ASA, NSA, USSSA, regional, national, whatever fits the teams talent level. They should be focused on the season at hand, let the coaches/parents worry about the rest and just play ball.
We also build our brand by winning tournaments and playing in big events, this helps the player, team, and organization in recruiting, both for their teams now/future and their players going on to college.
Not to mention college coaches love winners with goals. I am pretty sure they are focused on today as much or more as the next recruiting class as well. My 2 cents.