I imagine since the days of the early Olympics in ancient Greece athletes, coaches, families and fans have contemplated the impact self-confidence has on athletic performance.
More recently behavioral psychologists have proven a correlation between how game performance impacts self-confidence...
As a freshman in high school patience is the key. As well, most varsity coaches (at least in SoCal) don't like parental interference. High school is a four year proposition so I would encourage your daughter to chill and work hard. If she is as good as you say she is the cream will rise to the...
As an 18 Gold travel coach in SoCal and father of a former pitcher the sooner you can remove yourself from the day to day process of her development the better it will be for her. The father- daughter dynamic is just too hard for her. She desperately wants to please you but daughters tend to...
I'm a big fan of playing, so once player and parent get beyond the ego boost of making a varsity team the question is...will she play. As a high level travel coach I'd much rather see my players play during the high school season than sit. High school ball is always a pecking order, so the...
Unfortunately fielding is a huge part of the game. If she aspires to play in college her opportunities will be severely limited unless she's a lights out pitcher or can crush the ball 250 feet with regularity. Focus on defense is a choice for her. She clearly has the potential to be as great a...
I'm with you for the most part. As a coach at the 18 Gold travel level the bunt is rarely used. It's kind of a no-no at the showcase level as college coaches want to see the girls hit. However, in a tournament I'll bunt in the first inning to advance the runner; even squeeze to get a lead.
If...
I feel your pain brother! When my daughter started pitching at 8 I thought she would never "get there." Now, 10 years and 1,200 games later as a coach I can assure you that your daughter is likely exactly where she needs to be at this stage of her development.
My strongest recommendation would...
Doug...good post. I feel your pain! I had a mom not on board so my daughter never really had the unconditional passion for the game. It's so hard, particularly as a dad to get our daughter's to see the big picture...to try our best to save the regret they may inevitably feel. You did your best...
California has a similar rule. As a travel coach I think it is a good rule. In southern California our girls play upwards of 125+ travel games per calendar year (plus 30 or so high school games), so a little three month break from the rigors and pressures of travel is a good thing. It gives the...