http://fastpitchlane.softballsuccess.comQuick Bloghttp://fastpitchlane.softballsuccess.com/2008/02/10/confidence-game.aspx#comment-1214302
In a nutshell, I plan to be invited to all of my players' weddings about 10 years from now...I expect a hug and a dance at the reception. Nothing would be better than that! Think about the kids for once, coaches.]]>Coach BB2008-07-21T22:35:26Zhttp://fastpitchlane.softballsuccess.com/2008/05/08/sometimes-ignorance-is-justignorance.aspx#comment-1214218
I am very interested in these posts by other coaches. I too struggle to see the sense in running on game day. My punishment for not listening/paying attention/hustling is reduced play time. Period.

The girls that hustle/listen/try hard get to play the most. Practice is where a coach builds fundamentals and corrects mental mistakes. Game day is the day to show me your stuff and have fun. If I haven't taught or coached you enough in practice, game day is not the place for me to try and make up for it and lose my cool and take frustrations out on you or the team. I do, however, use games as tools to point out strategies and unusual game events. Always between innings or after games. These are great learning experiences. I NEVER berate a player in front of their teammates. I say, "Ride your team on game day and you go home early". Happens every weekend.

My goal is to get my players to love the sport or the team or me enough to give it their ALL and overachieve beyond their normal abilities. Useless running contradicts that goal.

The only time we run is after a challenge. We have a throwing competition to start every practice. The winning pair gets to walk back to the dug out while the rest of the team runs a lap. They love the competition. It gets intense.

By the way, my team is of the 9U variety. (Another full year of 10U ball!). I feel good coaching is universal whether its a 9U team or an 18U Gold team. Make it fun or what's the point?]]>BB2008-07-21T22:00:40Zhttp://fastpitchlane.softballsuccess.com/2008/07/05/the-challenges-of-being-head-coach.aspx#comment-1180397
I like your comment about having a reputation and making sure it's the one you want. That's a great philosophy. I just may have to steal that from you!]]>Ken Krause2008-07-08T21:01:25Zhttp://fastpitchlane.softballsuccess.com/2008/05/12/the-principle-of-interchangeable-parts.aspx#comment-1180387Ken Krause2008-07-08T20:57:42Zhttp://fastpitchlane.softballsuccess.com/2008/07/05/the-challenges-of-being-head-coach.aspx#comment-1179329
Bruce, it's endless decision making and mostly on the fly. I think one of the most important factors in putting together a comp team is judging how your parents/kids are going to react to mistakes. This is why I school my daughter and players that you have a reputation, make sure that it is one you want.]]>Coach Greg2008-07-08T13:00:29Zhttp://fastpitchlane.softballsuccess.com/2008/05/12/the-principle-of-interchangeable-parts.aspx#comment-1179102chris2008-07-08T11:18:16Zhttp://fastpitchlane.softballsuccess.com/2008/06/16/pitchers-hitting.aspx#comment-1126937
At 14s, my pitchers hit. They are athletes and are always in the game.]]>Greg2008-06-17T16:08:39Zhttp://fastpitchlane.softballsuccess.com/2006/12/22/your-favroite-fielding-drills.aspx#comment-1124799Ron2008-06-16T23:32:13Zhttp://fastpitchlane.softballsuccess.com/2008/06/16/pitchers-hitting.aspx#comment-1124656Ron2008-06-16T22:05:27Zhttp://fastpitchlane.softballsuccess.com/2008/06/10/great-article-in-the-nfca-fastpitch-delivery-newspaper.aspx#comment-1124496Ken Krause2008-06-16T20:31:29Z