- May 20, 2015
- 1,086
- 113
in terms of batters box......have the girls develop a routine......we push a little dirt to 'clear away' a previous AB or pitch......we step one foot out to get signs while taking 3 deep breaths (deep breathing does elicit a physiological response of calming)......step back in box, focus on something small (paint ship on plate, pebble) then bring that focus to the pitcher
they can do the same in the field......find a routine for your fielders......catcher calls out situation, everyone moves to position, deep breaths....pitcher starts motion, they go into their creep or hop or whatever they do pre pitch
pitchers better have a routine in the circle.....they should be OCD enough that they do the same thing every time right down to knowing if they like their breath all the way in when they throw, all the way out, halfway......if they don't, get them to develop the routine
i've found that the routine helps eliminate stress.......when things go bad, or off script, or even when something great happens......their ability to return to and focus on routine keeps them grounded
i am a reformed joysticker for sure......so now when i say something, or when i get excited or give some one a verbal kick in the seat, it has impact and is necessary.......i've even found myself at times forcing myself to get "angry" and "yell" if i feel that's what they need at that time......we've also done a lot of work at practice focusing on their communication skills (starbursts as a reward worked well haha) and getting them to think and own the game and talk to each other
over the years i've also stressed that they will pick each other up when some one misses a play.......they've gotta flush the turd and be confident that a) they will make the next play and b) their teammates will pick them up.......we've talked a lot about being bar fighters, standing back to back taking on all comers......and they've really started to buy into this concept......we also have used the Proactive coaching covenants for desired behaviors, and have done some work with keeping each other positive and displaying behaviors and reactions that help the team vs hurt it
it all takes time, and the psychological side of coaching i think becomes more and more important as they age.......we are first year 16u now, and while there is difference in talent for sure, most girls at this age can play.......the teams that like playing with each other, that like fighting for each other, that are in a good place mentally and are strong mentally, do better
one thing i've always heard and preached and agree with: there are (generally speaking) fundamental differences in coaching female athletes and male athletes......often times males need to win to be happy, females need to be happy to win........now i'm not saying boys that are happy might not win more, or that everyone is the same.......but we've really tried to focus on the "happy" piece, to the point of where we really consider all aspects of a player before adding them, including their parents, because of this idea........we have girls that like working together at this point, and it works
i'm rambling at this point.......but aside from what everyone has said at this point, i'd work on developing routines that everyone can fall back on, a mental rallying point in a skirmish, so to speak......and take a look at some of the proactive coaching stuff, it really focuses on positive behaviors we WANT to see, and can help teach athletes to head off the issues before they become issues
they can do the same in the field......find a routine for your fielders......catcher calls out situation, everyone moves to position, deep breaths....pitcher starts motion, they go into their creep or hop or whatever they do pre pitch
pitchers better have a routine in the circle.....they should be OCD enough that they do the same thing every time right down to knowing if they like their breath all the way in when they throw, all the way out, halfway......if they don't, get them to develop the routine
i've found that the routine helps eliminate stress.......when things go bad, or off script, or even when something great happens......their ability to return to and focus on routine keeps them grounded
i am a reformed joysticker for sure......so now when i say something, or when i get excited or give some one a verbal kick in the seat, it has impact and is necessary.......i've even found myself at times forcing myself to get "angry" and "yell" if i feel that's what they need at that time......we've also done a lot of work at practice focusing on their communication skills (starbursts as a reward worked well haha) and getting them to think and own the game and talk to each other
over the years i've also stressed that they will pick each other up when some one misses a play.......they've gotta flush the turd and be confident that a) they will make the next play and b) their teammates will pick them up.......we've talked a lot about being bar fighters, standing back to back taking on all comers......and they've really started to buy into this concept......we also have used the Proactive coaching covenants for desired behaviors, and have done some work with keeping each other positive and displaying behaviors and reactions that help the team vs hurt it
it all takes time, and the psychological side of coaching i think becomes more and more important as they age.......we are first year 16u now, and while there is difference in talent for sure, most girls at this age can play.......the teams that like playing with each other, that like fighting for each other, that are in a good place mentally and are strong mentally, do better
one thing i've always heard and preached and agree with: there are (generally speaking) fundamental differences in coaching female athletes and male athletes......often times males need to win to be happy, females need to be happy to win........now i'm not saying boys that are happy might not win more, or that everyone is the same.......but we've really tried to focus on the "happy" piece, to the point of where we really consider all aspects of a player before adding them, including their parents, because of this idea........we have girls that like working together at this point, and it works
i'm rambling at this point.......but aside from what everyone has said at this point, i'd work on developing routines that everyone can fall back on, a mental rallying point in a skirmish, so to speak......and take a look at some of the proactive coaching stuff, it really focuses on positive behaviors we WANT to see, and can help teach athletes to head off the issues before they become issues