Motivation

I've seen it with some of the best TB teams. Sometimes they just get flat. Its aggravating as all get out and it doesn't seem to matter what you do or say its just gonna be what it is. Players aren't the only ones who go flat. I've seen coaches do it too. I don't think it has anything to do with burnout or lack of motivation. I think sometimes you just can't get those competitive juices flowing.

Thanks ARK I have to say I agree with your opinion,,,,But, I will still try every game to perfect that pregame speech...

Lackawanna Lightning said:

Thanks ARK I have to say I agree with your opinion,,,,But, I will still try every game to perfect that pregame speech...

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Never underestimate the power of a good motivational speech. Also try and keep your energy high during the game. The girls will feed off of your enthusiasm. I think great coaches learn to minimize those dreaded lulls.

ArkFastpitch said:

Never underestimate the power of a good motivational speech. Also try and keep your energy high during the game. The girls will feed off of your enthusiasm. I think great coaches learn to minimize those dreaded lulls.

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Totally agree. Enthusiasm and energy of the leader can motivate the players more than anything else. You should try motivational speech.

I have seen this in both softball and high school wrestling. I think it is a part of their age and hormonal imbalance - both genders!! lol

I have however, also learned a few things: One is that we coaches, older and having been there and done that and able to reflect on what was, what could have been and should have been, if not careful, can begin to become frustrated at what appears to be a lack of interest or intermittent interest. We must remember that when we were twelve to sixteen, we probably did not have the eye of the tiger in all things athletic. Those that do have that constant, consistent competitive edge have a passion for the sport they are participating in - it's not just a social activity that they "pretty much enjoy." Secondly, In recognizing this, I have learned to manage the, "leading the horse to water concept" - I am always prepared to give my athletes a good, informative, thorough practice; that is my responsibility and commitment as the coach. However, taking that information and training and elevating it to that level of intense practice that produces consistent, exceptional and exhaustive effort at game/match time is largely in part ... on the athlete/collective whole (i.e., team). Provided I am upholding my end of the deal as the coach, YOU TOO (athlete) must step up. Learning to manage this eliminates some of the stress I see other coaches go through. Frustrating to observe/witness?? Absolutely. Stressed and angered by it?? No. And that is the point ... minimized stress that permits that truly motivational speech that does not spew anger and frustration but rather promotes a desire for athletic success.

CH

Very well said.. motivation is the key to make things happen!! The expert in anything was once a beginner.

Change in mood among teens are seen very quick as compare to others no matter what the factor it is. If you don't interact for a few day leading by them by example. When you meet again - Ask a lot of questions what they have done during holidays, be flexible with them, crack some jokes, don't impose stress for the couple of initial hours, provide bracelets with a motivational quote.

Damn! I was just about to post that I'm happy the power bracelet thread is no longer on top.

Very well said.

Lackawanna Lightning said:

As I mentioned in a previous thread. i coach a 14u Travel team that practices year round. My question/problem is this..The girls are very talented and very committed to the team,,love practice,, tournaments etc...They actually get angry when i cancel an event due to weather etc.. Then why is it on certain days of tournaments they arrive flat , no energy, no motivation hustle etc.. Parents say they are going to bed early and eating proper diets.. I confused...When they "want" to exert the effort the product is outstanding, when they DONT want to its pretty obvious...any opinions welcome....Thanks

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Sometimes being flat is not necessarily to do with mental training. A yearly training plan will allow you to plan when you want your players to be on and use the rest of the time to build them up to that great performance. If you are practicing year round, there is a chance that even though they are saying the want to play all the time and they are getting sleep as the parents say, their bodies and minds are saying different. Plan for team events where you would have a practice during the off season and build mental training sessions into your season plan. Make some tournaments more important than others as you move towards the more important ones to minimize the mental and physical fatigue that they might experience. Talk to your players and find out if they like practicing year round or are they having fun together as a group and want to be in the same place at the same time often.

Maybe start a volleyball or other team sport with them in the off season so they are still training together but not experiencing fatigue with softball. Perhaps incorporate physical training into your program with a qualified instructor during the off season so they are improving for softball but not always throwing the ball. Then there's the developmental process that these adolescent athletes are experiencing through their bodies and minds that has nothing to do with softball. Check into Long Term Athlete Development and read the segment on the Train to Train developmental stage. It will give you some insight into what your athletes might be experiencing developmentally.

The most important component of planning is recovery and regeneration, mentally and physically. If you plan for success when it is required rather than every single tournament, you will have success.