So are you saying his first DVD is likely to produce better results, or are the techniques taught in his newer DVD's better?
Day 2 of Howard Kobata!
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So are you saying his first DVD is likely to produce better results, or are the techniques taught in his newer DVD's better?
- Jan 22, 2011
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I had Howard work with my league’s 10u-C, 10u-B, 12u-C, and 12u-B summer teams each for two hours. I took him out to lunch before the second evening of clinics. Very interesting gentleman and definitely wants the girls to improve.
After being around B/C All-Star teams for 12 years my goal was to expose the girls to proper footwork, good ball exchange, being aggressively efficent to the ball and getting rid of it quickly.
He talks to the girls before the clinic starts to set expectations. To paraphrase it, that he is going to be tough on them and he has high expectations, but this is what they need if they want to be successful and play at a high level. He mixes high expectations with a good sense of humor.
He communicates the message that he’d rather play less skilled girls who work hard in practice and try their best than ‘good athletes’ that don’t put in the work.
My DD really enjoyed working with him. The girls who really want to work at improving their skills thought he was tough, but they learned things, and would like to work with him again. I’m planning on having him work with our teams again this fall.
Most of the stuff is ‘common sense’ that the girls should be taught, but coming out of a rec environment the girls really haven’t been exposed to. He also has unique drills to explain what he wants and gets them lots of reps in during a 2 hour clinic.
For my daughter I think it was good as a pretty good B level player to be exposed to the skill set and execution speed she’ll need if she wants to play at a high A level.
Over 8 hours I never heard him make any comments about body type. If a girl wasn’t paying attention, he called her on it. If a girl was struggling a little, he asked her if she was ok and challenged her to do better. He made a couple PG-rated analogies or jokes, but in today’s world most girls have already been exposed to that. I did wince a little at one or two comments, but I’ve known most of these girls for at least 2 or 3 years, if not longer.
I think a couple times he could of slowed down and explained a little better when a girl was confused, but he was trying to cover a lot in two hours.
I asked a couple of the weaker skilled players he was a little tough on what they thought. They said he was tough, but they learned from him.
His infamous ‘You are too slow’ line is shorthand to say if you aren’t doing the proper footwork, you are going to give the runner 2-5 steps on you.
In general, I’d say the few that said they didn’t enjoy it were those whose parents have helicopter parenting tendencies.
If your girls want to play at a high level, I highly recommend having Howard work with your teams.
After being around B/C All-Star teams for 12 years my goal was to expose the girls to proper footwork, good ball exchange, being aggressively efficent to the ball and getting rid of it quickly.
He talks to the girls before the clinic starts to set expectations. To paraphrase it, that he is going to be tough on them and he has high expectations, but this is what they need if they want to be successful and play at a high level. He mixes high expectations with a good sense of humor.
He communicates the message that he’d rather play less skilled girls who work hard in practice and try their best than ‘good athletes’ that don’t put in the work.
My DD really enjoyed working with him. The girls who really want to work at improving their skills thought he was tough, but they learned things, and would like to work with him again. I’m planning on having him work with our teams again this fall.
Most of the stuff is ‘common sense’ that the girls should be taught, but coming out of a rec environment the girls really haven’t been exposed to. He also has unique drills to explain what he wants and gets them lots of reps in during a 2 hour clinic.
For my daughter I think it was good as a pretty good B level player to be exposed to the skill set and execution speed she’ll need if she wants to play at a high A level.
Over 8 hours I never heard him make any comments about body type. If a girl wasn’t paying attention, he called her on it. If a girl was struggling a little, he asked her if she was ok and challenged her to do better. He made a couple PG-rated analogies or jokes, but in today’s world most girls have already been exposed to that. I did wince a little at one or two comments, but I’ve known most of these girls for at least 2 or 3 years, if not longer.
I think a couple times he could of slowed down and explained a little better when a girl was confused, but he was trying to cover a lot in two hours.
I asked a couple of the weaker skilled players he was a little tough on what they thought. They said he was tough, but they learned from him.
His infamous ‘You are too slow’ line is shorthand to say if you aren’t doing the proper footwork, you are going to give the runner 2-5 steps on you.
In general, I’d say the few that said they didn’t enjoy it were those whose parents have helicopter parenting tendencies.
If your girls want to play at a high level, I highly recommend having Howard work with your teams.
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You just have to look around. Id say Trosky is good. Antonelli has some good ideas. Medina is ok too.
Chris Delorit
Member
Absolutely, you've offered some very good references. There's also an elevated level of experience and communication packaged with the skills among the names you've mentioned.
Chris
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- May 17, 2012
- 2,806
- 113
I find his double play footwork to be some of the best in the business. Specifically the SS and 2B footwork. What is it you do not like?
Then I need to teach you properly!
So you think kicking back with the back foot ( on the bag ) on a pivot from 2b and then turning to throw is good?
- May 17, 2012
- 2,806
- 113
No and I have never seen Kobata teach that either. If you are describing the inside move for a SS you are doing it wrong. I suggest you go back and re-watch the DVD's or go to one of Howard's clinics.
