Tag Archives: coaching help

Softball Coaching Tips: DP/Flex Strategies Explained

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The dp/flex rule allows much more than many coaches realize. It can be a bit confusing and complicated, but if you take some time to at least get familiar with some of the uses, the ones that can help your team the most, it will give you options you never knew you had.

One document that came in handy for me was the dp/flex strategies printout available at nfhs.org (DOWNLOAD HERE). Like I said, at first it was a bit confusing, but actually writing out a lineup with names of players on your team may help you grasp the concepts and dp/flex strategies being shared. You may not understand all the different possible uses, but just choose one or two that you feel will help your team most and get familiar with how to implement the strategy and use it in a game situation.

Then…give it a shot in a real game or scrimmage and let me know how it goes!!!

Softball Coaching – 7 Random Thoughts of the Week

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This week I dusted off my coaching shoes and got back on the field a little earlier than I had planned.  :)   I’m starting to feel the softball coaching wheels in my head beginning to kick into gear again.  During this week, I had some random coaching thoughts that, in themselves don’t warrant an entire blog post, but I still feel like I need to say them somewhere, so I’m going to jot down a few here in this post.

7 Random Softball Coaching Thoughts

  1. I really don’t care much for the use of pitching machines in batting practice.
  2. New players help remind you that there may be things you “assume” players know, but sometimes they don’t.  It’s always better to cover concepts you expect players to know even if you think they “should” already know it.

    3. Continue reading →

5 Softball Coaching Tips for You (#16-20)

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Here’s another set of 5 Softball Coaching Tips for you. After you read them over, remember to take a few minutes to think about each one, then figure out how you can use these tips to make a few positive changes in your coaching. Enjoy!

1. Be Aware of Your Body Language – not only your words speak to your players

2. Remember the Process – results aren’t everything. Just because a big, strong player can throw hard, doesn’t mean she’s got great throwing mechanics. You do her a disservice to ignore her mechanics just because the end result (a hard throw) was achieved.

3. Know THIS Season’s Rules – they always seem to change from year to year. Keep up to date with the most current rules! You don’t want to a) look like an idiot or b) hurt your team because you aren’t aware of the rules. I supposed I should add in “know this tournament’s rules.” Not a good feeling when your team loses because of your poor time management in a game as a result of not knowing the rules of the tournament you are in (or losing by a tiebreaker you weren’t aware of during the game).

4. Success Requires Preparation – don’t allow your competition to defeat you simply because they chose to put more effort into their preparation.

5. Own It - don’t look to cast blame on others in areas where YOU can make positive changes.

Read Previous Softball Coaching Tips…

Softball Coaching Tips 1-5

Softball Coaching Tips 6-10

Softball Coaching Tips 11-15

5 Softball Coaching Tips for You (#11-15)

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fastpitch softball coachingHere’s another set of 5 Softball Coaching Tips for you.  After you read them over, remember to take a few minutes to think about each one, then figure out how you can use these tips to make a few positive changes in your coaching.  Enjoy!

  1. Remember to keep the “big picture” in mind. This will be a big help in guiding the decisions you will need to make as a coach.
  2. Share the “burden.” Don’t try to do “everything” yourself.  Not only is it overwhelming, it’s not the most effective way to coach.  Allow your assistants and others involved in the team/program to make big contributions by delegating tasks that line up with their strengths.
  3. Share the “wealth.” Help other coaches develop!  Too many are so concerned with guarding their “secrets,” but many forget that there is a lot to be learned by teaching and helping others.  Plus always remember that no matter how much or how little someone else knows, they are likely to know something you don’t or can show you a new perspective that will open up the way you think to new opportunities to get better.
  4. Be flexible in the methods you use and approach you take. Not every athlete responds the same way to a particular method/approach.  Not every team responds the same way to a particular method/approach.  Be willing to find what works best for THIS player, for THIS team.
  5. Treat your players like customers (what?!). According to a well respected “coaching guru” coaching is the ultimate in client/customer service.

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Read Previous Softball Coaching Tips…

Softball Coaching Tips 1-5

Softball Coaching Tips 6-10

Coaching Softball Poll: How Often Do You Hit?

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youth softball hitting
Hitting a moving object with another moving object is often said to be one of the toughest things to do in sports.  Many agree that hitting takes a lot of practice.

So, this poll (leave a comment below to vote) is about how often you practice hitting.

In what percentage of your practices per week would you say you practice hitting?

  • Is it every practice? (you do some kind of hitting drill at every practice)
  • Is it only half? (you practice hitting in about half the practices you have each week)
  • Is it less more than half?
  • Less than half? (you focus more on defense or other skills)

How often do you hit in practice?

Leave a comment below to vote in this poll.  Can’t wait to see what you have to say!

Coaches Clinics Are So Cool

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Last weekend I had the privilege of seeing Coach Heather Tarr and Coach JT of the University of Washington in action here in Hawaii.  The clinic for the girls was pretty fun to watch and there was quite a good turnout which was nice to see. But the real treat for me was the coaches clinic on Sunday night after the player’s sessions were over.

Honestly, I hadn’t planned on going.  The coaches clinic was late on Sunday evening at a place about an hour away from where I live and I had to wake up at 5:00am the next morning.  However, I got a call from Coach Tony (the coach I’ve worked with for years at Kapolei) encouraging me to come to the clinic.  I also have to thank Coach Kent of Chaminade University for making it all possible!

I ended up talking to my husband – I wasn’t about to drive all that way at night by myself – and we both went to the clinic.  It started at 7pm and we didn’t leave there until after 10pm.  Listening to both coaches and and their players (via video) was super cool.   I honestly could not believe how much energy they both had after two long days of clinic sessions at the field! It was impressive and cool.

I can honestly say, that I’ve never been to any type of coaches clinic and been disappointed.  Even if I had no idea what I’d be getting out of it or had no idea what the philosophy or the strengths of the speakers were, I have always come away happy I went!  ANY time you have a chance to attend a clinic or a camp, especially where speakers or instructors have something to say specifically for coaches, take advantage of it! I only wish there were more clinics and camps closer to home that I could get to more often!

Softball Practice Tips

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Yes!  It’s finally ready for you.

If you find yourself having trouble thinking of what to do for practice, I’m going to take some of the burden off your shoulders and give you some tips and ideas to use each and every week for 6 full months!

That’s right, I’ll be your very own Fastpitch Assistant.  I will stay in touch on a weekly basis to give you ideas you can use to improve your practices and your team.

Learn more about how you can get the practice help you need starting today!