Recent content by John Michael Kelly
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The Confidence-Performance Connection: 6 Pivotal Strategies
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...- John Michael Kelly
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- Forum: Mental Game Discussions
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Confront a coach or not to confront?
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...- John Michael Kelly
- Post #88
- Forum: Coaching Softball
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Help, I'm ruining dd's love of the game!
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...- John Michael Kelly
- Post #10
- Forum: Softball Pitching
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HS Ball question
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...- John Michael Kelly
- Post #18
- Forum: Softball Discussions
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Thnking about just concentrating on pitching and hitting
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...- John Michael Kelly
- Post #13
- Forum: Being a Softball Parent
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I just don't get the bunting obsession
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...- John Michael Kelly
- Post #51
- Forum: Coaching Softball
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9 year old struggling with accuracy
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...- John Michael Kelly
- Post #3
- Forum: Softball Pitching
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DD "B" is no longer a pitcher.
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...- John Michael Kelly
- Post #49
- Forum: Softball Pitching
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Alabama high school softball "outside participation rule"
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...- John Michael Kelly
- Post #138
- Forum: Softball Discussions
