Proud Papa
First, I am proud of all my children whether they succeed or fail, it makes no difference to me. I prefer to put them in a position to succeed, then, win or lose, it doesn’t matter, it is a life learning lesson no matter what happens. Tonight, my youngest daughter decided she was going to succeed, and she did!
I think it might have been the large fry and small Dr. Pepper we had before we went to the field, lol, I don’t know for sure, but next time she pitches you can guarantee that is what she will be having on the way to the field!
She has worked hard. She comes to every single pitcher/catcher practice and clinic we hold. She never really has been given the opportunity to pitch even though she has been coming to all of these practices for over 3 years. She has had control problems in the past, and was unable to stay out there. Not tonight! Tonight she was on fire, throwing strike after strike. It was beautiful to watch!
She has been saying for days she could do it, but I have to admit I had my doubts. Our coaching staff was wondering as well, but she was fantastic. The best game she has ever had, bar none. To cap it all off, she finally stayed behind the ball, turned on a pitch, and hit it over the left fielder’s head for a triple! Woohoo!
Why all this success suddenly? Because she is not afraid of failure. We have done everything in our power to create an environment where success is awesome, but failure simply brings you one step closer to success. In the sales world the saying goes, “every ‘no’ you get brings you one step closer to a ‘yes’.” This is also true in sport.
Every strike brings you one step closer to a hit, when pitching, every ball brings you one step closer to a strike, and in life, every failure brings you one step closer to a success.
What is your greatest success story? We would love to hear it.
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It’s All About the Fundamentals!
Teaching kids is actually fairly simple if you break it down to their terms. The problem we adults have is we tend to underestimate the ability of a child to learn and comprehend. I never cease to be amazed by how much a child can learn when they are constantly drilled on it. Do they get it right away? Almost never, in fact, I have said the same things over and over again for almost 20 years.
The Light Bulb Moment
I don’t know why or how it happens, but one day you see a light of comprehension in their eyes! With some it happens almost immediately, others a while later, some a lot later! But all of them, (99.9% anyway) get it, and when they do, they transform!
Fundamentals
This is where the fundamentals come in. Drill, drill, drill, and when you are done drilling? Drill again! A good friend of mine said a few weeks ago that the entire sport is about the practice. In practice you get 100-200 reps/drill, in a game you may field 1 or 2 balls and swing the bat maybe 5 or 6 times. It is too late to learn “in-game”, you have to have productive practices that focus on fundamentals.
Basic Fundamentals
A coach at any level can gain great advantage by simply focusing on the basics and assuring all of the kids perform them properly. (Assuming a right hander, reverse for that coveted lefty)
Throwing:
- Place Arms in front of chest w/ hands together and ball gripped for throwing
- Step forward w/ right foot pointed in a 90 degree angle towards the outside
- Bring left foot up and across body pointing left knee in same direction as the right foot (hands still together at chest)
- Thigh Sky – Arms separate bringing glove hand and throwing hand to the thigh then glove hand points straight out (pointer or gun sight) throwing hand goes to the sky w/ elbow bent at a 90 degree angle. Important!!!! Palm should be pointed outward! Say peace to the fence.
- Step towards target, aiming w/ pointer/glove hand while bringing pointer elbow in. Bring throwing hand “over the top” and land on front foot.
- Push over front foot and follow through pushing w/ plant leg for maximum velocity.
- ALWAYS throw on a bee-line (straight). Never w/ an arch. Better to one-hop a throw than airmail one. At least a low throw can be cut off.
Image retrieved March 24, 2008 from http://www.qcbaseball.com/skills/pc_throwing2.aspx
Hitting and Fielding Fundamentals to come later!
What do you think the most important fundamental is? Post a comment below and let us know about it.
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