Everything Fastpitch - The Podcast

This week's lineupWarmup SegmentListener Question: Are softball superstitions good or bad? (@13:24)Paige's Power Play: What visualization is like (@18:37)Importance of non-softball training (@25:47)Slow Pitching is not an excuse for hitting problems (@38:14)Be x Do = Have (@48:49)Support the show

Our game has many different ways that a player can injure themselves. As coaches we can't prevent the freak accidents. Even professional athletes get hurt and they have expert coaching staffs. But we can be aware enough to help our players do things correctly and understand any current issues they have that must be taken into consideration with our plans.Support the show

This week's lineupWarmup SegmentListener Question: Footwork for right handed first basemen (@14:05)Paige's Power Play: We can be too humble (@20:12)Why have we gotten so combative in games lately? (@23:29)Helping catcher's adapt to different pitchers (@31:43)Learn from your peers (@39:53)Support the show

Newton's first law of motion states that “an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion".  This applies to softball and the coaches discuss how players should be moving into a  ready state instead of reacting from a stationary position. Support the show

This week's lineupWarmup SegmentListener Question: Batter/Runner and Catcher's obligation on a dropped 3rd strike? (@13:15)Paige's Power Play: Why taking a break is bad is a myth (@19:00)Interview with EAS recruiting service (@22:31)Please call the strike zone (@39:46)Work your A's off (@53:53)Support the show

The coaches discuss the impact of equipment on the game of softball. Their decades of experience give them a unique perspective to the changes.Support the show

This week's lineupWarmup SegmentListener Question: How much should my daughter warm up before each game? (@12:21)Paige's power Play: Free Parent Training (@19:05)Part 2 of Interview with Justin McLeod of D1Softball (@21:38)Observations from games I've seen at the beginning of the season (@42:25)Quote from Usain Bolt and how it applies today (@54:55)Support the show

We often hear from students and former students that their coach wants everyone on the team to do something the same way. In this episode we discuss that all players are not physically and athletically the same and maximizing their performance may mean that having a set philosophy is not the best thing.Support the show

This week's lineupWarmup SegmentListener Question: My daughter was called out after being hit with a batted ball while standing on second base. Is this the correct call? (@8:39)Paige's Power Play: Free Parent Training (@12:21)Interview with Justin McLeod of D1 Softball (@15:17)Infield Fly Rule (@42:30)Action Coach Tip: Story telling (@50:48)Support the show

This is a podcast that every coach and parent of a team should listen to. The financial situation of a family plays a part in the dynamics of a team. Coaches are not expected to investigate a family's financial situation, but they have to understand that a family commits to a team based upon the coach's plan during the formation of the team. Every team will have families with a diverse range of financial abilities and every one on the team needs to understand and respect that. It is the head coach's duty to stay within the financial boundaries set during the commitment time or have a plan to finance extras.Support the show

This week's lineupWarmup SegmentListener Question: What is you reaction to this survey of parents on their expectation of playing softball? (@10:10)Paige's Power Play: How to stop worrying about what others think. (@17:50)"How do you coach in an environment where the players feel they owe you nothing and you owe them everything" Geno Auriemma  (@21:21)Maximizing your coaching staff. Do everything or spread the responsibilities? (@33:05)Support the show

 Lots of teams talk about having team bonding activities. The coaches discuss whether these are important for teams and have a benefit. They talk about the challenges of planning them and the trade off with less practice time.Support the show

This week's LineupWarmup SegmentListener Question: Parent is worried about statement a coach is making. (@10:18)Paige's Power Play: How to help your daughter play with boldness. (@18:43)College Camp Strategy for a catcher (@21:50)Discussion of statement "My job is to find someone better than you, your job is to make sure I can't"(@31:53)Community Service (@41:06)Support the show

Head coaches have to be a manager and can't take responsibility for every task. This is especially true in games. You cannot keep your finger on the pulse of the game and try to  look after everything else. You lose focus on the game if your worrying about the lineup, dugout, bullpens, substitutions, etc.Support the show

This week's lineup:Warmup SegmentListener Question: Should paying team dues guarantee you a certain amount of playing time? (@13:00)Paige's Power Play: How to stop being her own worst enemy. (@15:53)College softball is an Equivalency sport. What does that mean? (@19:06)Suggestions to someone applying for a coaching position. A listener is applying for a high school coaching position and wanted some advice. (@30:00)Take time before the beginning of the season to have a plan for the seaason. (@35:24)Support the show

Coaches, if you are working hard to get your team to perform and it isn't working we need to change something. We need to step back and take a look at what we are doing and make some adjustments. Our job is to determine why they aren't getting what we are teaching. It could be they just don't understand, don't have the skills or other factors. So, do something different.Support the show

This week's lineupWarmup SegmentListener Question: Listener questions philosophy of not trying to hit ground balls. (@8:52)Paige's Power Play: Parent training (@22:25)Are we in a "changing of the guard" period in college sports? (@27:07)Should a player be comfortable when talking to the coach? (@41:01)People develop habits and their habits determine their success. (@47:34)Support the show

To play the game successfully it takes practice and game experience. Coaches need to understand which skills are only learned in practice and skills that have to be learned in games. If we mix them up, players are going to be confused and make the wrong changes.Support the show

This week's lineupWarmup SegmentListener Question:  What is the role of a parent in determining the coachability of a player? (@11:02)Paige's Power Play: Parent Training (@15:13)Strong recommendation for a movie to help players. (@18:50)Aristotle Quote relating to sports: “Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives - choice, not chance, determines your destiny.” (@27:05)Goals and word of the year (@33:28)Support the show

Coaches have a strategy for a game that involves lineups, pitching and playing positions. Sometimes it just isn't working. Be willing to break from your strategy to adapt for what is working today.Support the show