Strategies and Tactics

Guest Post by Mike Tully

My 4-year-old grand-daughter put her arms around me, kissed me goodnight and then said, “Your hair smells like beach house.”

One sniff of my newly washed hair took her mind to memories of our family vacation.

Her train of thought is one that can take you to greatness in sports, with a technique called anchoring.

It’s based on a principle so simple that even a 4-year-old noticed it. As mammals, we are wired to associate physical sensations with emotions. For instance, you probably have a song that reminds you of some person, place or thing. Tasting a certain food may bring to mind some memory, like grandma’s kitchen. To this day, the smell of the sun hitting a telephone pole on a warm day takes me back to my childhood, when we spent our summers sitting around a big wooden picnic table.

You can use this principle to lock in all the good things you do in sports. All you must do is perform some action every time you do something you would like to repeat.

Guest post by Ken Krause, Life in the Fastpitch Lane blog

The other day I had a hitting lesson with a girl named Erin, a girl I converted to a slapper last year and who is now playing at the 16U level. As we were working on various techniques she can do to take advantage of what the defense gives her, she told me something that just warmed my old heart.

She told me after the last tournament she went to her coach and asked her if it would be ok for her to make some decisions on her own regarding what to do with the next pitch, based on what she saw with the defense. Apparently the coach had been calling a lot of bunts — Erin is the leadoff hitter — despite the fact that the defense was playing her in close.

To me, that's a great thing on two levels. First, she approached it the right way. Rather than just ignoring the coach or giving up, she went to her with an idea. Second, she knew enough and was confident enough in her own abilities to want the choice of what to do.

Keeping What You See in Perspective
Guest post by Ken Krause, Life in the Fastpitch Lane blog

Softball fanatics love evaluating what those at high levels of play are doing. We may even watch the mechanics of some of the top players in Major League Baseball. As fanatics, we love to study those mechanics and try to learn from them in order to help our players, or our own children (male and female) become the best they can be.

There is a danger in all of this, however. Namely an inability to keep what you see in context.

While the mechanics of some of these great hitters make a good model and a good goal, it's important to be realistic in your expectations. Because like it or not, there is a huge difference between a 28 year old MLB player and a 12 year old girl.

Let's start with the obvious: a grown man is much stronger than a young girl. Not just in the upper body, but in every aspect. Take the strongest 12 year old girl you've ever seen and put her in a cage match with a 28 year old male professional athlete, and the girl is going to lose. Badly. So expecting a 12 year old girl to have the exact same swing mechanics, including the explosiveness, of a 28 year old MLB player is not very realistic.

Guest post by Ken Krause, Life in the Fastpitch Lane blog

This past weekend I was watching a 16U game when I saw something that made me shake my head. With one out and runners on first a second, a routine ground ball was hit to the shortstop, who fielded it cleanly — and then proceeded to throw it to first for the out.

Never once did she consider throwing it to third to get the lead runner. Nor did she consider flipping it to second for a possible double play. In her mind, the play was to first, as though there were no runners on base.

In the meantime the runners on first and second became the runners on second and third. The next batter cracked a long single to left center and two runs scored. Final score? 2-1 in favor of the team that was at bat at the time.

I was shaking my head, of course, because the situation seemed pretty obvious to me. I couldn't understand how a 16U shortstop wouldn't just know instinctively where the play was. Apparently, however, no one had taught her game sense.

Guest post by Ken Krause, Life in the Fastpitch Lane blog

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to see the movie Moneyball starring Brad Pitt as Oakland As GM Billy Beane. If you're not familiar with the original book — which is a great read by the way — it chronicles the story of how Beane changed the game of baseball by focusing on a few key statistics rather than the conventional wisdom of the time, which was (and still is in some cases) whether a player "looks" like a ballplayer.

Of course, Beane didn't do it alone. He was assisted greatly by Paul DePodesta, a young Harvard graduate (here played by Jonah Hill and using the pseduonym Peter Brand) with a fondness for Bill James' Baseball Abstract, computers and a love of stats.

You can read about the values of the movie from countless professional movie reviewers. What I found interesting was Beane's reasons for taking such an interest in this radical approach, and the differences between his public and private faces while doing it. Those are things I think most of us can relate to.

Guest post by Ken Krause, Life in the Fastpitch Lane blog

Yes, it's hard to believe we're already in the thick of tryout season. All the comfort of knowing what the days ahead will look like is gone, replaced by that feeling in the pit of your stomach over all the uncertainty that will be dominating your thoughts for the next week or two.

That feeling applies to both players and coaches, by the way. For the players it's obvious, especially if you're trying out for a new team.

Suddenly you're being judged and evaluated by a group of strangers who don't know your track record. You have to perform right here, right now if you want to be selected. It can be very nerve-wracking, which doesn't help your performance any.

Yet it can also be stressful for coaches. You can look at all the skills you want, but it doesn't answer how a player will perform in a game situation, what type of teammate she will be, how high maintenance her parents will be, what kind of game knowledge she has, etc.

Guest post by Ken Krause, Life in the Fastpitch Lane blog

Yes, it's that time of the year again. The fastpitch softball summer is season is coming to a close, and with it players (and their parents) are starting to look at next year.

For some, the decision will be easy. They like their team, they like their coaches, they want to stay right where they are. For others, it's not quite as clear-cut.

If you're in the former group, congratulations. Glad to hear it, although this article probably won't be of much interest to you. If you're in the other group, though, you have a lot to think about in the next few weeks (or days).

Where you go likely will depend on your situation and what you want out of the game. If you're a starter but just unhappy with the coaching, or with some of your teammates, or some other general aspect of the team, you may just be looking for a change of scenery. But if you feel like you haven't been getting a fair opportunity, you may have to make some tough decisions.

Guest post by Ken Krause, Life in the Fastpitch Lane blog

My area recently got hit by an incredible microburst this week that did a lot of damage to trees and caused the power to go out all over. People have had to abandon their homes and live in hotels until power is restored. It's a mess.

What does that have to do with fastpitch softball? We've all experienced those "microburst innings" — the ones where everything seems to go wrong at once.

Your pitcher walks the first hitter. The next batter hits a sharp ground ball that should result in an out, but instead ends up with an error and runners on first and second. Then a good, solid hit brings in a run, and an overthrow brings another one. Before you know it everything is out of control and you're wishing you were somewhere else — anywhere else.

It can happen to anyone — even the best of teams. You see it in the WCWS.  You see it in professional baseball. But it's always hurts worse when it's happening to you.

There are many coaches out there doing their best to teach instead of just yell which is great. I believe you coach best when you get to know your players and have the heart of a teacher vs just using a dictator style of coaching. (You know the one where you just yell as loud and often as possible to "make" your players listen.)

I'm all for positive coaching, however don't forget that if you DO have players that do better when you put some pressure on them or are "hard" on them, it's perfectly fine to get on them!

I'm not saying this from one coach to another. I'm actually saying this as a parent.

I have one daughter who is one who needs more encouragement with firmness. My other one does much better when someone just gets on her back! If you try to be nice to her she doesn't do as well. When you push her and get on her and even yell a little, she does better.

I recently read an article at TheGuardianOnline.com which was so full of softball awesomeness, I just had to share it with you.  It's no wonder this team is experiencing success this season and quite impressive under a first year head coach!

Here are some of my FAVORITE highlights from this article…

…everyone has identified their role and what it takes for the team’s identity of success…
Too many players and coaches miss out on that part after the "and!"

"It’s important that every player that wears a jersey realized they are just as important as a starter," …. "It is a constant reminder they need to be prepared to produce."
I could not agree more. Many times "bench" players are asked to "accept" their role, but this often diminishes their importance within the team environment. Make sure everyone on the team grasps how important and critical EACH team member is.

We have to get the little things done.
The "big" things don't always go as we plan. Sometimes they happen. Sometimes they don't. The "little" things are usually what we have the MOST control over. Make excellence in those "little" things a priority and I'll bet more of the "big" things fall into place.

Guest Post by Dalton Ruer

This is the time of the year when many people feel the need to write down their “New Year’s Resolutions.” This tradition of becoming introspective and looking forward to a “better life” dates all the way back to 153 BC when the mythical king of early Rome, Janus, was placed at the head of the calendar. Janus had two faces and could look back on past events, while also looking forward to the future. Webster’s defines the word resolution as “a formal expression of opinion, will, or intent.” Which sounds really good, but let me share why I don’t think that really works.

Many people would like to have a million dollars in the bank and the reality is that nearly every American could accomplish that quite easily. All they would have to do is live like many other cultures in the world, as large extended families all in the same residence. The reason we don’t is that we are much more committed to making our own rules, being independent, and not having to deal with other peoples issues than we are to having a million dollars in the bank. So while our “intent” on January 1 is to save more, we aren’t willing to actually take the actions necessary to do it for more than 2-3 days, because those actions conflict with the “dreams” that we have of “doing what we want.”

Guest post by Ken Krause, Life in the Fastpitch Lane blog
Fastpitch softball hitting is challenging under any circumstances. But sometimes factors combine to make it even more difficult than usual.

A pitcher with better than average speed or movement on her breaking balls is one example. An umpire with an extra-wide, low or high strike zone is another. Even the field conditions or weather can play a part. It is at that time that smart coaches will often suggest that their hitters make an adjustment in the batters.

Sometimes that works. But often it turns into a battle of wills between the coach and the hitters. Because even though the coach is right that moving up in the box will allow the hitters to hit the drop ball before it breaks, or the riseball before it gets too high, the hitters still don’t want to do it.

It’s not that they’re being obstinate, at least on purpose. It’s that hitters often don’t feel comfortable moving to an area in the batter’s box they’re not used to.

I recently read an article in the Wall Street Journal about athletes and mental game skills.  I didn't even know the WSJ had a section for sports.  Wow!.

Anyway, in this article they talk about some very interesting things including one of THE simplest ways to improve your mental game - deep cleansing breaths.

That's right.  If you've ever paid attention closely enough, you'll see that a lot of professional and collegiate athletes use this technique.  Actually I've seen a lot of high school aged athletes do it too now that I'm aware of the fact that it's a great mental game trick!

I can't tell you enough how much this ONE strategy can help improve your mental toughness and your performance.  Most recently I noticed that Danielle Lawrie does it before every pitch.

Seriously, if breathing techniques can help you remain calm during something as miraculous as giving birth, trust me, it works in softball too. 

If this is not something you already do.  Give it a try.  Also, try observing athletes and see just how many use this technique to stay calm, confident, and focused during competition.

Guest post by Ken Krause, Life in the Fastpitch Lane blog

Saw this quote from Michael Crichton today and couldn't help but think about what we do at Discuss Fastpitch:

"Whenever you hear the consensus of scientists agrees on something or other, reach for your wallet, because you're being had."

Change the word "scientists" to "softball experts" and you can see why I'm including it here.

Seeing differing opinions can get rough sometimes. It's tough for those seeking information to help themselves, their teams or their daughters to know who to believe when opinions and suggestions seem to oppose one another.

It can really be tough to read when those opinions are expressed with a fervor you would normally expect to be reserved for religion or politics rather than how to hit or pitch a ball. Yet it's those differences that help us all advance the level of our knowledge.

How do you know who's right? Here's the simple answer: no one is right, at least 100%. Different people have different things that have worked for them. Mostly, they are shades of the same color.

I love teaching girls how to sacrifice bunt. I mean I LOVE it. Partly because of the importance in the game, but more importantly because sacrifice is such an important part of life. Which is why it absolutely breaks my heart that in this game I love I see so much incredible sacrifice from parents, and so little from the players.

Performing a sacrifice bunt actually requires very little skill. The only true requirement is a simple desire to sacrifice ones self for another. The ability to bunt or not bunt, is a simple indicator of where the players heart is at. Because at the end of the day, at the end of the season, the most important things are not what can the team or coach do to help you. They are: “Where is your heart?” and “What are you willing to do to help the team?” Because those are the things that will carry you through the rest of your life.

Guest post by Ken Krause, Life in the Fastpitch Lane blog

It's a common dilemma many coaches face at this time of year. With school in session and limited time with your team, do you spend the time you have on practicing, or do you try to get in as many games as you can – especially if you live in a cold weather area?

There are certainly arguments to be made for both. Games are nice, of course. Parents like them, players like them, and they do give you an opportunity to see what your team can do in game situations.

On the other hand, playing games without adequate time to practice can be a recipe for disaster. Odds are between school and school activities, not to mention practices for other sports that are in-season, your players don't have a whole lot of time to throw, catch, hit, etc. during the week. So what you may find is your team gets progressively worse as the fall season rolls along.

I know that was my experience a few years ago. Some teams (including ours) put together somewhat of a fall league. Each Sunday we'd play double header against one of the other teams.

Next Stop on the Softball Performance 10th Anniversary Tour we're going to take a look at a very popular softball coaching resource.

Reflecting on the Season
Guest post by Ken Krause, Life in the Fastpitch Lane blog

Now that fastpitch softball has pretty much become a 12-month sport, it's amazing to look back on how much work and preparation goes into such a short season. Whether you're a high school coach with a spring season who gets his/her players from the end of February to the beginning of June, a travel coach with high school players whose season goes from early to mid-June to the beginning of August, or a travel coach with younger players whose season starts around mid-April, it seems like you wait forever to get things going then it's over.

If you're a player it probably goes even faster. There's dragging yourself to practice day after day, weekday games and weekend tournaments, thinking it will never end. Then one day you look up and it's time to say goodbye to your teammates one last time. Where does the season go?

It's a lot like they say about parenting — the days are long but the years are short. Sometimes it seems like a tournament day lasts forever, especially if you're not doing too well. Yet before you know it it's time for tryouts once again.

It's Day 5 of the Softball Performance 10th Anniversary Tour and today we're going to give you a peek into a cool event where you can see Marc Dagenais and a bunch of other great softball people live and in person!

It's the 2011 Softball Cruise Clinic and you still have a chance to get your spot on board. Watch this video from Fastpitch.tv featuring Angela Tincher to learn more about the event!

Enjoy…

Previous Stops Along the Softball Performance 10th Anniversary Tour…
Day 4 - Your Chance to Win some Very Cool Ringor Gear
Day 3 - Free Report for Softball Coaches on Reducing Parent Conflict
Day 2 - SoftballTeamTraining.com: simplest way to train your entire team on the field with little or no exercise equipment
Day 1 - SoftballTools.com: revolutionary softball training aids to raise your game