What is coaching? It is a way of relating to people in order to help bring out the best in them. I suspect there are many similarities in coaching and in leading or managing any kind of company or business organization. We all have coaches in our lives - people who help guide, teach and motivate us to be the best we can be. They are our parents, teachers, friends, and sports team coaches. It is indeed a special role, and one I have loved. Over the years that I have been involved in college coaching, I have learned a great deal. I learn new concepts every year from my teams and from the experiences we share together.
I have formulated a number of principles over the years to guide me as I assume the privilege of leading another team through a year of learning, practice, improving, competing and becoming the best team we can be. These are the principles that govern my duties as coach.
1) Believe Strongly in What You are Doing and That What You Are Committed To is Important
I believe in Augustana College, in its mission, and that it has a great education, great facility and administrators, a great atmosphere and a great athletic program. I feel very good about recruiting a student to Augustana because of this.
I believe what I am doing is important because I have the chance with my role as a coach to really be involved in young people’s lives at a time when they need counsel and direction. They are growing up, making decisions about their future, struggling with problems - family, school, roommate(s), boyfriend. It’s good to be able to support them as they go through this part of their lives.
Problems such as academic concerns, family illness and sports injuries, as well as boyfriend or roommate problems are common and significant. Support at these times in a college student’s life can be crucial.
I also believe in the value of athletics for women - what it teaches about discipline, teamwork, excellence and commitment. I believe it provides excellent experience in leadership, helps cultivate lasting friendships, and allows women to have the same chance at an athletic scholarship as men do.
2) Lead By Example
Or, practice what you preach. I believe being fit is especially important in my work. I work out every day and it helps me to stay in peak condition for my job. During practice and warm-up for games, the coaches run with the team and go through warm-ups with the team. When we work concessions or other fund-raising projects for the team, the coaches are involved as much as the players. Don’t be afraid to let the players know you are still learning, that you may be wrong sometimes, and that there will always be problems that need to be solved.
3) Create a Family Atmosphere
Do some fun things together. Gather at the coach’s house for a meal. Work at fund-raisers together. Volunteer together. Last January, our team volunteered at our local soup kitchen, buying groceries, cooking and serving the meal for 300 guests, and eating with the people who came. What a great experience to share! We also have a Christmas party, with a cookie decorating party and wrapping of presents for needy families. The key is doing some fun and meaningful things together as a team.
4) Never Talk Down Your Competition
Whether you are recruiting or competing, talk your own program up.
5) Have Respect For….
•Yourself, by taking good care of yourself.
•Your opponent, but not over or under estimating them.
•The officials - they are an essential part of the game.
•The coaches - they are our leaders.
•The game - if you don’t, it will humble you!
6) Create a Challenging Schedule
You get better by facing tougher competition. We see good teams on our trips south to Kansas, Missouri and Florida, as well as scheduling tough tournaments in our own region.
7) Learn What Each Player Needs for Motivation
Everyone needs some kind of inspiration. For some, it is an in-your-face confrontation, but for others, it is lots of positive encouragement.
8) Be Honest!
9) Communicate
Communicate all the time, with everyone: one-on-one, in small groups, with special groups. Communicate with assistants, team managers, captains, seniors, pitchers and catchers, juniors, sophomores, the whole team. Tell them how they’re doing, where they stand, what they need to do better, how you see their roles on the team. Be honest.
10) Be Enthusiastic and Positive
Avoid giving instruction from the negative. Instead of “Don’t do it that way,” try to give instruction positively: “Do it this way.” Instead of “Don’t make your stride that long,” say “Shorten your stride for better power.” If you are not enthusiastic about what you are doing, it will be contagious. Teams tend to reflect the coach’s personality and approach to the game and to life.
11) Drill on Fundamentals
Remember, it is unrealistic to expect players to do something in games that they have not practiced and mastered in practice.
12) Learn to Focus
Our theme is to play the game the same way with the same intensity for every pitch of every game no matter who the opponent is. It doesn’t always happen, but it is a goal.
13) Raising Money and Managing Your Budget Dollars Wisely Helps Build Team Cohesiveness, Appreciation and Ownership.
Many softball programs must rely on some fundraising for auxiliary funds. Our program is no different. What I have found is that these functions can be valuable team-building experiences and can create ownership in the program. It depends on your approach.
I have found when you work for something, it means more. Working together for a common goal builds team camaraderie. Each of our own children has helped pay for at least a portion of their college education.
14) Don’t Believe What Players Say About Each Other, and Don’t Repeat It to Anyone Else.
Listen to the complainer, ask questions, clarify the story and ask for her opinion about what the outcome should be.
15) Tell Players What You Expect of Them and Keep On Telling Them!
Just because you say it doesn’t mean they hear it.
16) Create Pride In Your Program.
Do it the hard way: through hard work and success; through items of clothing - sweatshirts, jackets, t-shirts and uniforms - with neat team logos; through publicity, through your own effort.
17) Establish Traditions
Through doing some of the same things every year, you develop a sense of solidarity and significance in your program. Examples include home tournaments, family weekends, senior game day, a fall retreat, volunteering, a spring trip and special meals.
18) Developing Leadership
Help people within your organization grow and develop and your organization will be better for it. Help your assistants know what their roles are and give them feedback about how they’re doing. Help the seniors and other team leaders understand their roles and give them praise and appreciation for their efforts.
19) Coach Within Yourself
You can’t be someone you’re not, or conduct yourself as a coach they way you see someone else do it. Get comfortable with yourself and do it your way.
Conclusion
You don’t have to be a good player to be a good coach. You can have limited experience as a player and still be effective as a coach if you are willing to learn what it takes to have a successful program and have a passion for doing so. Openness, care for your people and a willingness to do whatever it takes will take you a long ways. Have fun and don’t take yourself too seriously, but at the same time, work hard and believe passionately in what you’re doing!
Softball Fielding Tips
•Pick the right glove for your position and your size. Do not assume that the bigger the glove is the easier it will be for you to catch with it. Choose one that fits well and that does not feel too heavy for your hand to get the ball in and out of the glove quickly.
•Take care of your glove. It should not be flat, look like a taco and open and close like a book. Whenever you are not using your glove, you should always leave a ball in it and wrap a shoe lace around it to make sure that its keeps its original shape. Make sure to keep it clean too.
•Spend time refining your throwing mechanics and perfecting all of your throws. Good throwing mechanics will minimize your chance of developing arm or shoulder pain and will allow you to throw with more power with less effort. Perfecting your throws is crucial because in a 1-0 game, you can’t afford to throw the ball away.
•Know your primary position inside out. To be the best you can be, you have to know everything there is to know about playing your position. You should also familiarize yourself with at least one secondary position. Versatility is always an asset for a softball player.
•Take care of your glove. It should not be flat, look like a taco and open and close like a book. Whenever you are not using your glove, you should always leave a ball in it and wrap a shoe lace around it to make sure that its keeps its original shape. Make sure to keep it clean too.
•Spend time refining your throwing mechanics and perfecting all of your throws. Good throwing mechanics will minimize your chance of developing arm or shoulder pain and will allow you to throw with more power with less effort. Perfecting your throws is crucial because in a 1-0 game, you can’t afford to throw the ball away.
•Know your primary position inside out. To be the best you can be, you have to know everything there is to know about playing your position. You should also familiarize yourself with at least one secondary position. Versatility is always an asset for a softball player.
Softball Pitching Tips
The DO’s
1.Always try to make your pitching arm pass over the head (12 o’clock position) while your weight is on the drive leg.
2.Always try to swing the arms up with the body.
3.Always try to swing arms up with the body.
4.Always land with your stride leg pointed between 30 and 45 degrees.
5.Always try to release the ball at the hip.
6.Always push your drive leg off the pitching rubber.
The Don’ts
1.As you bring your arms up for the pitching motion, your pitching arm will make a 360 degree circle while your balance arm will go up about 90 degrees and come back down. Do not let your balance arm swing off to the side; it will diminish the power of the hip snap.
2.Do not lean over as you bring your arms up. If you do, your natural 360 degree arm circle will begin out front and cause you to let go late.
3.Do not land side ways on your stride leg. If you do you are likely to develop knee, hip, or ankle problems.
4.Do not release the ball out in front of the body (except on the change-up). The ball should be released behind the shoulders.
Here are some tips for fastpitch pitchers to improve or adjust your Drop, Rise, and Curve and change up.
Pitching a Fastpitch Drop
•Try taking a shorter stride to raise your release point.
•Keep your pitching arm close to your body to avoid injury
•Lean a bit forward when releasing so that your head and shoulders are over you front foot. Land on the ball of your foot.
•To drop your ball more decrease your speed to 90 percent of your maximum speed.
Pitching a Fastpitch Rise
•To increase the rise in your fastpitch pitch try spreading your fingers more and squeezing the ball out of your fingers as you release. Doing this will give your pitch more spin.
•A sideways spin will flatten out this pitch.
•Don’t try to force the ball to rise; it is the spin that should control this.
•To make the ball rise in a fastpitch pitch instead of curving try one of these solutions while pitching;
•Look to see that your elbow is not distancing itself from your body when you release.
•Look at your right shoulder to see if it is too high when you release.
•Your wrist snap may be sidewaysPlay with different grips or finger pressures and try to relax them.
•If the ball is rising to high while pitching your fastpitch rise try one of the following solutions;
•Shorten your stride.
•Monitor where you are releasing the ball and make sure you are not holding on to the ball too long.
•Relax your grip, focusing on the thumb pressure.
•Lower your shoulders to get under the ball instead of bending at the back and getting behind the ball.
Pitching a Fastpitch Curve
•Pay attention that you don’t lean to much to the side your glove is on. Otherwise you may lose control and throw a drop ball instead. Allow your wrist and shoulders to create a spin. Also remember that while pitching a curve ball in fastpitch your palm should be facing the sky when you release.
•When pitching a curve ball in softball keep in mind that it is not about the speed of the pitch, it is about the spin that you put on it. If your ball is hanging in the air you may be trying to pitch to fast. Also make sure that you are dragging your back foot and not stepping as that would cause your shoulder to bring your shoulder forward.
• Has your ball been rising instead of curving? Adjust your pitching arm so its not folding against your side when you release. Let your elbow move away from your body. Also raise your pitching shoulder.
•Visualization tools may help as well. Before you start your pitch visualize a line or series of dots from your mound to the outside corner of the plate.
1.Always try to make your pitching arm pass over the head (12 o’clock position) while your weight is on the drive leg.
2.Always try to swing the arms up with the body.
3.Always try to swing arms up with the body.
4.Always land with your stride leg pointed between 30 and 45 degrees.
5.Always try to release the ball at the hip.
6.Always push your drive leg off the pitching rubber.
The Don’ts
1.As you bring your arms up for the pitching motion, your pitching arm will make a 360 degree circle while your balance arm will go up about 90 degrees and come back down. Do not let your balance arm swing off to the side; it will diminish the power of the hip snap.
2.Do not lean over as you bring your arms up. If you do, your natural 360 degree arm circle will begin out front and cause you to let go late.
3.Do not land side ways on your stride leg. If you do you are likely to develop knee, hip, or ankle problems.
4.Do not release the ball out in front of the body (except on the change-up). The ball should be released behind the shoulders.
Here are some tips for fastpitch pitchers to improve or adjust your Drop, Rise, and Curve and change up.
Pitching a Fastpitch Drop
•Try taking a shorter stride to raise your release point.
•Keep your pitching arm close to your body to avoid injury
•Lean a bit forward when releasing so that your head and shoulders are over you front foot. Land on the ball of your foot.
•To drop your ball more decrease your speed to 90 percent of your maximum speed.
Pitching a Fastpitch Rise
•To increase the rise in your fastpitch pitch try spreading your fingers more and squeezing the ball out of your fingers as you release. Doing this will give your pitch more spin.
•A sideways spin will flatten out this pitch.
•Don’t try to force the ball to rise; it is the spin that should control this.
•To make the ball rise in a fastpitch pitch instead of curving try one of these solutions while pitching;
•Look to see that your elbow is not distancing itself from your body when you release.
•Look at your right shoulder to see if it is too high when you release.
•Your wrist snap may be sidewaysPlay with different grips or finger pressures and try to relax them.
•If the ball is rising to high while pitching your fastpitch rise try one of the following solutions;
•Shorten your stride.
•Monitor where you are releasing the ball and make sure you are not holding on to the ball too long.
•Relax your grip, focusing on the thumb pressure.
•Lower your shoulders to get under the ball instead of bending at the back and getting behind the ball.
Pitching a Fastpitch Curve
•Pay attention that you don’t lean to much to the side your glove is on. Otherwise you may lose control and throw a drop ball instead. Allow your wrist and shoulders to create a spin. Also remember that while pitching a curve ball in fastpitch your palm should be facing the sky when you release.
•When pitching a curve ball in softball keep in mind that it is not about the speed of the pitch, it is about the spin that you put on it. If your ball is hanging in the air you may be trying to pitch to fast. Also make sure that you are dragging your back foot and not stepping as that would cause your shoulder to bring your shoulder forward.
• Has your ball been rising instead of curving? Adjust your pitching arm so its not folding against your side when you release. Let your elbow move away from your body. Also raise your pitching shoulder.
•Visualization tools may help as well. Before you start your pitch visualize a line or series of dots from your mound to the outside corner of the plate.
Softball Hitting Tips
•Spend twice as much time on your hitting as you do on your defense. Hitting is a tough skill to learn, refine and master. It takes a lot of time to become a highly skilled hitter and ultimately, team selections are often made based on who can contribute offensively.
•Select the heaviest bat you can swing without losing bat speed or developing faulty mechanics. This will give you maximum power.
•Hold the bat with your fingers. You have considerably more strength and control with your fingers rather than your palms.
•Adjust your placement in the box according to the type of pitcher you are facing. For example, move up in the box when facing dropball pitchers and move back in the box when facing riseball pitchers.
•Don’t change your swing right before the season or during the season. A new swing takes too much time to learn. You can make minor adjustments but no big chances. The best time to change your swing is right after the season.
•Stay loose at the plate. Tensed muscles are slow muscles and to be successful at the plate, you need to be quick. Relaxed muscles fire more quickly.
•Make each swing count. You shouldn’t be swinging just for the sake of swinging. Each swing should have a specific goal whether it is to work on a technical element, drive the ball in a specific location, or adjust to a specific pitch.
•Don’t focus on your batting average but on your on-base percentage. This is a much better indication of your overall performance at the plate. Reaching a base on an error or a walk is a good as getting a hit.
•Select the heaviest bat you can swing without losing bat speed or developing faulty mechanics. This will give you maximum power.
•Hold the bat with your fingers. You have considerably more strength and control with your fingers rather than your palms.
•Adjust your placement in the box according to the type of pitcher you are facing. For example, move up in the box when facing dropball pitchers and move back in the box when facing riseball pitchers.
•Don’t change your swing right before the season or during the season. A new swing takes too much time to learn. You can make minor adjustments but no big chances. The best time to change your swing is right after the season.
•Stay loose at the plate. Tensed muscles are slow muscles and to be successful at the plate, you need to be quick. Relaxed muscles fire more quickly.
•Make each swing count. You shouldn’t be swinging just for the sake of swinging. Each swing should have a specific goal whether it is to work on a technical element, drive the ball in a specific location, or adjust to a specific pitch.
•Don’t focus on your batting average but on your on-base percentage. This is a much better indication of your overall performance at the plate. Reaching a base on an error or a walk is a good as getting a hit.
How to Throw a Softball
Overhand
Know that the overhand throw is both easier and more accurate.
Grip the ball with your fingertips, using hardly any of your palm. Use either two or three fingers and your thumb to hold the ball, folding the others in toward your palm.
Turn your head toward your target.
Rotate your body sideways, extending your glove toward the target for balance.
Pull the ball back.
Throw - your arm goes up and out to your target, your wrist snapping just as the ball is released. Your thumb comes off the ball first, and then your fingertips do. Follow through by moving your arm out and down across your body.
Sidearm
Use the sidearm throw if the distance of the throw is shorter or you don't have time to straighten up before throwing. This is a much faster throw.
Place your weight on your rear foot, your upper body slightly rotated and flexed forward.
Bend the elbow of your throwing arm, keeping it higher than your wrist, and bring it back between your waist and shoulder.
Cock your wrist with the back of your hand facing up. As your weight transfers forward, your upper body rotates toward the side opposite your throwing arm.
Bring your arm around to your side - almost parallel to the ground.
Rotate your forearm, snap your wrist and release the ball with your arm following through.
Know that the overhand throw is both easier and more accurate.
Grip the ball with your fingertips, using hardly any of your palm. Use either two or three fingers and your thumb to hold the ball, folding the others in toward your palm.
Turn your head toward your target.
Rotate your body sideways, extending your glove toward the target for balance.
Pull the ball back.
Throw - your arm goes up and out to your target, your wrist snapping just as the ball is released. Your thumb comes off the ball first, and then your fingertips do. Follow through by moving your arm out and down across your body.
Sidearm
Use the sidearm throw if the distance of the throw is shorter or you don't have time to straighten up before throwing. This is a much faster throw.
Place your weight on your rear foot, your upper body slightly rotated and flexed forward.
Bend the elbow of your throwing arm, keeping it higher than your wrist, and bring it back between your waist and shoulder.
Cock your wrist with the back of your hand facing up. As your weight transfers forward, your upper body rotates toward the side opposite your throwing arm.
Bring your arm around to your side - almost parallel to the ground.
Rotate your forearm, snap your wrist and release the ball with your arm following through.
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