In this week’s video, I give you a detailed introduction to the foam roller, a self-massage tool that is used to improve flexibility by reducing stiffness in muscles and connective tissue. Unfortunately, most people never see a foam roller until they are already injured and end up in physical therapy, but I’m telling you to buy one now.
Read MoreIf we haven’t made it clear enough, strength training is NOT OPTIONAL if you want to be a serious softball player, especially if you have aspirations of playing in college. I’ve also lived through a teenaged softball career, and I remember clearly how busy I often felt and how when I was feeling overwhelmed, the workout was often the first thing to go. Though it’s a little late for my pitching career, I’m now working out more than ever, and I’ve come up with a simple little system that keeps me from slacking off.
Read MoreYou don’t want to stumble across a grizzly bear cub if it’s mother is around the corner. And sometimes, the parents of the girls on your softball team can be just as scary.
Read MoreAre you stronger, faster, better than you were at this time last year?
With your spring and summer seasons (in season) just around the corner, it’s time to step back and honestly evaluate the results of your off season work and make good use of the pre-season to prepare yourself for game conditions. The transition should not be that difficult if you spent the off season pushing the envelope to make yourself a better athlete.
As spring approaches, many of my athletes are worried about ‘how much running’ their coaches will have them do during tryouts. As a former athlete, I remember this fear all to well. What do the mile-run or post-practice conditioning have to do with a speed and power sport like softball? Coaches, are preseason fitness tests hurting your athletes?
Read MoreThere is something you can do as a coach that is almost completely in your control and has nothing to do with teaching skills or managing tough game situations. Yet, it can easily strengthen your team, especially if you’re involved with a school program. This post is aimed mainly at coaches of school teams, but it’s good advice for rec/travel coaches as well.
Read MoreI’ve been coaching softball for many years now, but I was a player for even longer. I, as any long-time player does, had coaches I respected and coaches behind whose backs I complained endlessly. While one might argue that simple competence means nothing if a coach does not promote a healthy emotional environment, a positive spirit, and responsible behavior, it is the essential foundation for good coaching. A coach may be an extraordinarily pleasant and caring person, and try wholeheartedly to cultivate these feelings within the team; but without skill and tremendous knowledge of the game, a coach will not earn the respect of his/her team.
Read MoreOne of the most difficult things about being injured for an athlete is the time spent inactive during recovery. While you definitely shouldn’t push yourself, there are some simple windmill pitching drills that are likely safe for you to do while you’re recovering. They’re not intense or complicated, but they can be enough to keep you sharp.Today’s video will take you through an easy routine. ALWAYS ask your doctor before proceeding to work out.
Read MoreAs I mentioned in my first post of this coaching series, your primary objective as a coach at all times should be to facilitate the physical AND emotional growth of the athletes under your watch. Aside from your general demeanor, the most concrete way to handle this is by setting goals. A sports team, especially one comprised of teen girls, is a delicate ecosystem, and like many other aspects of coaching, goal setting can easily become counterproductive if not done sensitively. Today we’re going to discuss how to set solid, productive team goals.
Read MoreThis wasn’t exactly my original plan for article #2 in my coaching series, but with Colin Kaepernick leading the 49ers to the Superbowl in Alex Smith’s place, I’m reminded that we all need to talk about concussions—in fact, I don’t think we can really talk about concussion safety enough.
For any of you who don’t follow football, Alex Smith began this season as the 49ers starting quarterback, and was doing pretty darn well before suffering a concussion mid-season. He wasn’t out of commission for long, but Colin Kaepernick did so well in his place that Smith lost his job, for no reason other than that he got hurt. I could rant on and on about concussions in professional football and how having to worry about losing your job if you have one is not a good situation…but we’ll keep this about coaching and parenting young athletes.
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