Procrastinators or is it just the emotional last minute quick fix?

[radness]

Never fails, procrastinators...
Or maybe it's people looking for an emotional last minute quick fix ?

Every year the exact week befor people start their first tournaments of the summer I get phone calls from coaches and parents saying need to help these players_____ _______

This catcher needs help with ________.
This hitter needs help with _______.
Can you help this player throw better.

Coaches asking can I give the parent your phone number? Coaches asking can you come out and work with our catchers. Parents calling about their kids performance level. Really??? going to try and fix that a couple days before your tournament???

So I'm bringing it up
As a BIG reminder 'a mission statement'
for anyone who will read this...

Planning and preparation starts months and months in advance of game time!!!!

Very little of the time is there an immediate Quick Fix that's going to stick in the games to come this weekend.

If you want to be a better softball player start ahead of time not at the last minute.

Phewwww had to say it!

If there's anything to add to make this an even stronger reminder to prepare ahead of time please do!

 

[_MIA_]

This might sound harsh, but most people (eg parents) are average by definition and hence their frame of reference is that of an average person..

 

[radness]

Most people (eg parents) are average by definition and hence their frame of reference is that of an average person..

Yes understandable.
From that, do think average does plan but there are some that certainly don't.

Perhaps it means that suddenly some 'average'
realize they don't want to 'be average'
and probably should try a little learning time?

 

[_MIA_]

Yes understandable.
From that, do think average does plan but there are some that certainly don't.

Perhaps it means that suddenly some 'average' realize they don't want to
'be average' and probably should try a little learning time?

Being average (in anything) entails many things: ability, preparation, work ethic, etc. There are some parents who realize why they were/are average and want more for their kids and hence do a better job than what they did (or what was done for them)...and some don't ever make that realization. At some point it is the athlete's job to take over their own development but parents lay the foundation.

 

[radness]

Average (in anything) entails many things: ability, preparation, hard work, etc. There are some parents who realize why they are average and want more for their kids and hence do a better job than what they did (or what was done for them)...and some don't ever make that realization. At some point it is the athlete's job to take over their own development but parents lay the foundation.

Definitely agree the individual makes the most impact in their individual preparedness.

 

[_MIA_]

Definitely agree the individual makes the most impact in their individual preparedness.

Not at 8,9,10 YO..once they get to late MS/HS sure.

 

[radness]

Not at 8,9,10 YO..once they get to late MS/HS sure.

The point is planning,
of which that as a young person would be guided by the parent.
That said, absolutely even at a young age the little person applying themselves to doing tasks will bring the most productivity and growth.

Plan to have productive growth!

 

[Orange Socks]

This might sound harsh, but most people (eg parents) are average by definition and hence their frame of reference is that of an average person..

Interesting you say this. I was just having a somewhat similar conversation with my small group this morning. The #1 Panamanian 100m is the fastest runner in his country. Probably feeling pretty good about himself right. Qualifies for the olympics. Finishes 7th out of 8 in his heat. He then realizes he is not as fast as he thought in comparison to other #1 sprinters in other countries.

Kid get on a new team looks around and realizes they are no longer great...in comparison to her new teammates. The bar has been raised and now the parents scramble to get their kids coached up. Happens every year all over the country at all levels. College recruit's first fall practice is gonna be eye opening for many. Uh oh.

 

[_MIA_]

Interesting you say this. I was just having a somewhat similar conversation with my small group this morning. The #1 Panamanian 100m is the fastest runner in his country. Probably feeling pretty good about himself right. Qualifies for the olympics. Finishes 7th out of 8 in his heat. He then realizes he is not as fast as he thought in comparison to other #1 sprinters in other countries.

Kid get on a new team looks around and realizes they are no longer great...in comparison to her new teammates. The bar has been raised and now the parents scramble to get their kids coached up. Happens every year all over the country at all levels. College recruit's first fall practice is gonna be eye opening for many. Uh oh.

There is a kid on DD's team who is a pretty good hitter, best hitter on the team. Hits bombs against mediocre pitching. She is a strong kid and her mechanics are ok but as she moves up the holes in her swing will be exposed. The parents have no clue what is out there and how she compares to other kids. I have literally heard them tell her she is going to be better than Jocelyn Alo..and they were dead serious. I had to walk away when I heard this.

While I think supporting your kid is (obviously) great, and part of this is giving them confidence, another part of that support is being realistic about where your kid is at because if you are not you may miss the boat on what they need to do to get them where they want to be.

 

[Orange Socks]

There is a kid on DD's team who is a pretty good hitter, best hitter on the team. Hits bombs against mediocre pitching. She is a strong kid and her mechanics are ok but as she moves up the holes in her swing will be exposed. The parents have no clue what is out there and how she compares to other kids. I have literally heard them tell her she is going to be better than Jocelyn Alo..and they were dead serious. I had to walk away when I heard this.

While I think supporting your kid is (obviously) great, and part of this is giving them confidence, another part of that support is being realistic about where your kid is at because if you are not you may miss the boat on what they need to do to get them where they want to be.

Parents don't know what's down the road until they get down the road.

Last year my DD2 was playing a JV HS game. Low level skills. Mom in front of me yells out when her DD steps in the box. Let's go Helena! You've been here before. Show them how to do it! She turns around to me and says she played baseball since she was 6 years old.

Oh really? She must have quit after 5th grade. If she was that good she should have been on the even crappier Varsity team. Face palm.