Pitching Coach Certifications

JJsqueeze said:

I know nothing of what Tincher teaches because he plays his instruction close to the vest. No demo clips on his site, nothing on youtube, seems like he feels he has a trade secret. That and the franchising aspect of what he is doing is a real turnoff. I am all for a good PC making a good buck and I have paid a pretty hefty hourly fee to see a top notch instructor and I don't think there is any substitute for one, but the idea that a coach can bring in a group of PCs, give them a few days of training and send them off as certified is kind of a red flag for me.

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After watching a video on fluid dynamics... JJ has me thinking about this. Hypothetically speaking... can you all take a minute and add your thoughts to what you believe would make certification of instructors palatable and effective?

Given all you've learned on this site... and within your own experiences, what steps would be required to bring someone up to a level where you'd feel comfortable taking your DD to them... and labeling them as a quality PC?

In other words, what detailed processes should one be required to do? No wrong answers here... but I would greatly appreciate DETAILED feedback (i.e. think before you speak)... the more detail, the better! Thanks! ~JS

Here's a quote from a DFP member in another thread, that pretty much sums it up for me:

drc9805 said:

I've said it before but if you give Java a girl who wants it... he will more than likely have her playing big time softball even if her physical attributes aren't quite what most people consider ideal. My DD has only worked with him once as we are many states away but the time and effort he put into that one weekend is truly amazing. I can almost guarantee you there is no instructor out there that will put more time into your DD not only during the lesson but while he's at home studying video of her and preparing for the next step. It may already be this way but, if Java lived in a state where softball is just about as big as male dominated sports then he would have a waiting list a mile long. But, I would bet his lessons would still be one-on-one, an hour long, and the cost would be reasonable. Most instructors who produce a few decent kids open their lessons up to 2 to 3 students at a time for 30 minutes (maybe an hour if you're lucky) and run them through with no time to even ask a question and I'm betting there isn't a thought about most of them as soon as the lesson is over. As stated... Mike will not let your DD just go through the motions. He is very cool and will have fun with your DD but she will push herself or it won't be long before he tells you this just isn't for you. If you live out of state and can afford it, I truly recommend you visit him!

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I think the biggest challenges are:
a) finding the right people with similar drive and enthusiasm.
b) training these people to truly understand and properly convey the learning progression, without it being a cookie-cutter solution for every new student.

Another important consideration:
Most PC's (and hitting coaches) I know of run their business in a very "assembly line" fashion. They are happy to see 4-5 kids a night, 45min each; happily collect payments from parents; without a lot of stern instruction.
What I mean by "stern" is: Is the instructor willing to really break a kid's mechanics down, to the point where she is not making a full pitch or hitting front-toss; for an extended period until true progress has been made?
I see a lot of kids funnel through our local indoor facility, week after week, further ingraining either pitching and/or hitting "flaws" though repetition without "stern" correction.

On the other side of this.
I asst coach with DD travel 14U team. I work with kids at practices. And I personally experience how difficult it is to get many young girls to respond to my instruction and really take it seriously.
I am by no means an expert, but I do know a few things, and probably consider myself somewhat qualified to convey the means to address common mechanics flaws in young pitchers and hitters.
But, there is more to it than just knowledge! Good PC's and Hitting coaches not only teach the correct mechanics, but also have an infectious way about them that keep the young athlete very engaged,
and *willing* to do the hard (and often-times frustrating) work. Can that be taught and "certified"? I am not so sure...

Speaking frankly...

javasource said:

After watching a video on fluid dynamics... JJ has me thinking about this. Hypothetically speaking... can you all take a minute and add your thoughts to what you believe would make certification of instructors palatable and effective?

Given all you've learned on this site... and within your own experiences, what steps would be required to bring someone up to a level where you'd feel comfortable taking your DD to them... and labeling them as a quality PC?

In other words, what detailed processes should one be required to do? No wrong answers here... but I would greatly appreciate DETAILED feedback (i.e. think before you speak)... the more detail, the better! Thanks! ~JS

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Some things I would consider to be important to a "certification process."

1. Coaches resume including playing\coaching experience. Educational background would be helpful here too.

2. Provide a summary of what is taught with video of previous students that coincides with the summary of teaching.

3. Milestones\Report Card-type progress that is documented on paper.

I'm sure I can come up with more once my mind is less cluttered from work-stuff...

I can tell you very factually that Tincher wants his certified pitching coaches to either have pitched in college or put a daughter through college. It also takes more than a few days to get certified. It could take months or even years he told me...and what is actually required to become certified is still all shrouded in cloak and dagger secrecy...like he invented this stuff LOL

CP

The good news is that the general pitching coach approach and knowledge is so stone age, it should be easy to develop a program that really shows well to parents. Simply having a video analysis package would be far more than most PCs do.

The bad news is that it is really hard to leverage a brand in this business. For all the respect we have on this board for our gurus, out there in the dirt there is ZERO name recognition. The only time I have noticed a recognition was when DD was at a tryout at a nationally known team and was asked who her PC was, she said she does not see one regularly but sees Rich Balswick a few times a year....she was offered a spot immediately

So when it comes to certifications based on brand names of pitching coaches I think there is a narrow band of folks that would be impressed. Folks that already know the names will largely want to be coached directly by a coach with a strong name (I for one would rather travel up to NorCal a few times a year than seek out a Tincher Certified instructor in San Diego) as opposed to someone with a certification tied to a gurus name. Most other folks really do not get as crazily involved in this stuff so they blissfully live their softball parenting lives never knowing the names of the great pitchers or pitching coaches. I get about 10% name recognition when I mention Monica Abbot out there in the general TB parent world.

BUT and this is a Niki Manaj sized BUT.....if we had run across a pitching coach that used video and could break it down....could explain the motion...could explain why certain pitches moved certain ways based on spins....had a track record of success either directly or through their coaching pedigree...then we would have never gone it alone in the first place.

So I do not think any level of certification could reel me back in to trusting a coach that I have not personally corresponded with and seen their work for a good deal of time, but when we first looked for one, I could have easily been turned into a loyal customer by someone that knew WTF they were doing.

1) Have a well defined methodology of teaching that uses technology-this will kill the competition. Video alone with a good breakdown will be more than most do, add in MPH readings and spin readings along with the special project you and Rick are working on (whatever it is) and it will be a great way to differentiate from the standard PC.
2) Strong track record that shows that this method has resulted in success in the past-As good as your knowledge is, I only trust it and you because I was able to try it for free over a long period of time and see results. I know nothing about girls you have trained. I don't need to know now, but that trust curve would have been a lot shorter if I knew that you had trained Keilani Rickets (you didn't did you?) Contrast that to Rick- I trusted his info. much quicker because he pitched and was able to train his kid to be a world class pitcher, so it was far easier for him to bridge the credibility gap with me that it was for you when I first "met" you both.
3) Direct involvement from the head of the "cert"...At least a little, let's a parent know that their kid matters. I am talking about an email that says..."hey...this is Mike and Rick (I am making assumptions here but I love trying to read between the lines) and we just saw Sally's video from her last lesson. I wanted to let you know that we reviewed it and we thoroughly support the course of action Joe Shmoe is taking with her. Specifically what he said about her need to get more contact at release....if you look at the attached video....blah blah blah...you get the point.
4) Did I mention the power of technology? The more the better...gather stats on the pitchers in the program on speed and spins and publish it to parents with a percentile rank, plan of action, expected increases etc.
5) Newsletters-keep the pitching family updated with the successes of their sisters.


So in a nutshell, no amount of certification could have convinced me a PC was good, but the right PROGRAM would have made the certification moot anyway. If we had run across something like this from the get go I would still be able to play golf because I would have the peace of mind that my kid was getting good instruction.

lots of assumptions, and hopeful wishing that you and Rick are partnering on something, in my post, so disregard if I am off base. but I'm not.

Hoping that cat comes out of the bag by Christmas!

One thing I would like to see weather for a certified instructor or not is some video of the instructor actually pitching and then compare themselves to other top notch professionals and be able to discuss the absolutes that have to happen.

Be able to discuss arm and body movements without getting "technical". Compare to other sports.

Have some sort of step by step procedure with hows and why's.

If possible be able to help with recruiting.

Name recognition would help but their are a lot of parents and coaches that dont do their homework when it comes to pitching. And it would be nice if the "named" instructor would go on tour every once in a while and have camps.

I think I am on the same page as JJ with this.

Good luck Java...

First off... I hope more people continue to put forward these very helpful responses! Thank you Corlay, Chris (still waiting for more!), Dial and JJ.

Secondly, I have no idea what JJ is talking about... me and Rick, that is... I know a lot of coaches drop in here to: go shopping, learn, share, and whatever else... so this is the kind of thread that I think can make a real difference in our little isolated world of softball. Coaches stand to learn a lot from feedback.

I'm going to throw some of the ideas already discussed into a list that I'll continue to edit as more people respond. I'll try to add all ideas... whether we all agree or not... so, if I miss something, let me know. Feel free to comment on the items in the list... but please add to it!

A Certified Coach should:

• Take an idividual approach with each student
• Offer Extended 1-on-1 sessions
• Come to clinic knowing who and what they are working on/with that day.
• Perform/Request video updates/analysis periodically
• Maintain a detailed 'File' for each student
• Provide value consistent with received compensation
• Have an exit strategy/policy for those that do not continually improve
• Be able to offer a progression for each student, regarldess of ability
• Be able to isolate motions with drills
• Have a resume listing experience
• Provide follow-ups after clinic
• Have a video library of student-athletes performing the instruction
• Track progress via a system that documents growth
• Have previous experience pitching, or have a kid that pitched through college
• Be certified in a program that requires more than a few days for certification
• Provide a video analysis service
• Know Rich Balswick
• Be able to explain the motion to other pitching coaches, leading them
• Be able to explain the ins-and-outs of ball movement
• Have a proven track record using their methodologies
• Embrace technology, or die
• Publish their students names/accomplishments
• Be comfortable offering something up for free... a try before you buy
• Have a network of experts that he/she can turn to
• Have a direct line available to - as well as involvement from - those that certified him/her
• Provide/publish a competitve field as well as acknowledement of student successes/milestones
• Provide consistent reviews to parents with expectations for future success
• Provide an organization newsletter
• Provide video analysis of themselves pitching
• Offer layman descriptions on complicated subjects
• Be able to provide cross-sport comparisons
• Offer a step-by-step procedure
• Provide a referral network for organizations/colleges
• Be able to offer recruiting services/assistance
• Host camps and/or remote seminars/sessions
• Adjust content/demeanor to students individuality
• Believe the sport is more important than the paycheck (monetization)
• Closely monitor individual successes - IOW, subscribe to that students experiences
• Require homework and follow-up with it
• Build a brand
• Embrace Social Media
• Build relationships with local travel programs
• Brand via tournaments
• Have networking goals locally
• Be able to provide procurement incentives via branded exclusivity
• Have a logo/slogan that is marketable
• Communicate expectations to students/parents
• Exhibit patience with each kids development. i.e. perform mastery before advancement
• Be able to teach a kid to throw the ball underhand correctly, before they teach them to pitch
• Always be accessible via some level of communication
• Be accountable for communication and have a best practice/policy for responses
• Provide ease of scheduling via technology
• Operate locally, but think international
• Develop a system that allows team coaches to be in the loop with student development, doubling as a networking option

What about intangibles? A few mentions of this already... Considering that you all hail from very unique backgrounds/specialties... are things like personality, work ethic, etc... measurable/trainable?

Keep on keeping on! Have to get back to my weekend reviews and a bunch of emails! Here's to hoping Rick emailed me with a proposition that I don't know about...

List looks good. I would like to add something but lack the correct $10 words. Must be have a personality that works with the kids and be able to adjust from kid to kid. One kid responds to a joke and the nxt needs a challenge, while the third responds to being pushed. A good coach would be able to read and adjust on the fly to reach most students

Java....here's a few additional thoughts. Obviously the quality of the instruction has been touched on quite a bit and is probably the MOST important.


- High energy personality…able to MOTIVATE, MOTIVATE, MOTIVATE (Ever hear Sue Enquist speak?)
- PASSIONATE in what they do, not just there for the buck
- Follow their students. Newspaper clipping, social media posts, etc. that will recognize students successes
- Prescribe detailed “Homework” for students, obviously cannot be a cookie cutter approach. Kids need to walk out of a lesson with a detailed “What to work on” Put it on paper.
- Keep the cost reasonable
- Build a Brand – I’m going to disagree with JJ on this one. I believe it can be done, it will take time, but the door is wide open. JJ, you’re not the average parent. If every parent did what you did, every local HE, hand on top of the ball, wrist snap, slam the door pitching coach would be out of business. There’s a dozen of them in my area and none of them are worth a lick, and some of them are busy enough that it’s their full time job.


These next few tie in with “Building the Brand”

- Recognize and document the coaches successes (obviously via their student’s successes)
- EMBRACE SOCIAL MEDIA
- Build ties to local travel programs and assist in team placement if necessary
- Have a presence at tournaments, hell, HOST a few. Put your “Name” on it
- Network with local rec leagues/coaches so they know you exist
- Ultimately, if you’re program is truly working, you’ll be producing consistent results. Consistent results will spread the word. Free Marketing.
- Build ties with a few vendors of the trade to offer exclusive discounts to your students on their “stuff”…like the Pocket Radar guy, or Rev Fire guy that pop on here every once in a while
- Need a really cool logo and slogan Like the New England Catching Camp…love theirs… “Thou Shall Not Steal”

I believe that one of the most important aspects is to keep it real with regard to the expectations of the players and the parents. I do not work with kids under 14U, and god bless those of you who do. Many of my students come to me for remediation when what was working at 10U-14U all of a sudden does not fly at 16U-18U. As a result we often have to go back and learn to do things correctly to get the foundation that will set them up for long term success at the higher levels. Currently I have a pair of very talented 16U players who are back to throwing only FB and CU. Until they master these pitches using proper IR/BI, etc. they will throw nothing else. That said it is critical for a PC to manage the expectations of both players and parents that this is a long term commitment and that Sally cannot throw 5 great pitches until she throws 1 great pitch. She will probably not be gaining speed over night and may even lose some speed as she learns and masters the basics. You will spend a long time on lock it, unlock it etc. As Boardmember and others have said, you cannot learn to pitch until you learn how to throw.