Joining NFCA: Worth the money?

Just wondering if joining the NFCA as a high school coach is worth the money. It's only $80 a year, which isn't bad, but if it's a waste of 80 bucks then I won't do it.

What are the benefits (the website lists benefits, but I want to hear from people who have used it)? Are there other similar organizations I should check out instead? Are there other organizations I should also join?

My goals are simple: Become the best coach I can be and develop whatever skills, contacts, etc. necessary to help my girls going forward. Will spending the money help me do that?

I've been a member since 2000 and I find it to be very worthwhile. Like you I was hesitant at first but I'm glad I did join.

The biggest benefit to me as a travel coach has been the Coaching College. You get to spend an entire weekend with a relatively small group of fellow coaches at all levels focused on a particular aspect of the game. You can also attend as a non-member, but you pay an extra $50, so right there you've knocked the cost of the organization down to $30 if you attend one class a year.

Another great educational benefit is the Fastpitch Delivery newspaper they put out. Some of the info is irrelevant to me, such as the minutes of the D1 head coaches meeting, but they have a lot of "how-to" articles (including great info on the mental game and general coaching), profiles of other coaches, news about softball generally and so forth.

Honestly I have never gone to the convention, but if you're inclined to that sort of thing it looks like it's good. Lots of great sessions on all aspects of the game, plus networking opportunities with other coaches. Plus I believe you can buy a lot of DVDs, books and toys there.

Pretty sure they still have an insurance policy that covers you personally. I've never had to use it, fortunately, but nice to know it's there.

Then there's the credential it provides. When you're competing for players, it's nice to be able to show you're a member of this organization. Hardly anyone knows what that means, so you can tell them it's the organization originally started for D1 college coaches. That impresses some people.

As with any association, the value comes with how much you take advantage of what they offer. I will say if you love learning about the game it's a great resource overall.

Thanks for the info, Ken. This was exactly what I was looking for.

I would second Ken's opinions. I've just been a member a year or two but I am always excited to get the Fastpitch Delivery in the mail. I sure hope to get to the convention this December, maybe make it my birthday present to myself. The annual Top Recruit Magazine is also very good info for players considering college ball.

I've been a member for going on 6 years now. Like the others, I find it very worthwhile. The only complaint I might have is that I wish some of the coaching college weekends were a little closer to me. The closest I've been to home on those has been a 6 hour drive. I'd love to go to the convention but its kind of cost prohibitive for me.

YOCOACH said:

I've been a member for going on 6 years now. Like the others, I find it very worthwhile. The only complaint I might have is that I wish some of the coaching college weekends were a little closer to me. The closest I've been to home on those has been a 6 hour drive. I'd love to go to the convention but its kind of cost prohibitive for me.

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I know what you mean. I've been to two classes I had to fly to because they were just too far away. But I didn't want to miss them. When I first started they had a couple in Chicago, but then I guess Gene Lenti lost interest and no one picked up the mantle.

I took the plunge last night, and I've been poring through the information. I really like the videos of drills, though I wish there were more than three. The practice plans appear to be incredibly detailed. I'm glad I have time to look through all the materials. Looks like there's a lot here, and that's just with what they give you when you sign up. I haven't had a chance to check out anything else yet.

Looks like a good investment so far.

Just wait until the first issue of Fastpitch Delivery arrives. You'll be in hog heaven.

Is it worth it for rec coaches? I'm always looking for drills and practice plans, do they have ones that will work for players who are still working on the basics of throwing and catching and such?

Yes - as a member, you have access to a great book of drills and practice games. Some are definitely "advanced", but almost all of them can me modified in some way for rec level. (Which I have done.) Can you get drills off the internet? Yes. But these are designed to be printed, and have consistent formatting, so if you have some assistants, it's easy enough to hand them the page and say "here - do this over there" at the start of practice. (or email it to them, if you're one of those weird, pro-active "planner" types. )

Each year, you get another book of drills. The newsletter is also now digital. In all, well worth the $80.