WEEK TEN:

WEEK 10 OF THE SOFTBALL COACH

THIS WEEK HAS SEEN A RENEWED ATTITUDE IN COMMITMENT FROM OUR CANBERRA DIAMONDS SOFTBALL SQUAD.

          I sat down with all the players and explained what it takes to make a winning team. In our case we want to improve on last years performance and make the playoffs. Last year they lacked team disciplin and the team was basically split in to. They were told if they came to trainings and met a skills and fitness level, there chances of taking the diamond and playing regularly would be much greater. Assistant coach’s were brought into the disccusion, our training and fitness program was mapped out so we are now on the same page.

            Hitting and pitching have been identified as our major weakness. I have talked about pitching before and doing the same pitching style for years makes it very difficult for pitchers to accept change. Basically if there to last a game they must be the fittest player on the field. Sometimes they take advantage of this as top level pitchers are very hard to find. Our goal is to have 3 pitchers that can stand up to this very strong Australian and New Zealand League. Also we must keep in mind none of these girls get paid and it can easy cost 3-4 thousand dollars for a season, and this does not count the high cost of petrol travelling to and from training.

           If all teams have strong pitching then you need strong batters with speed and the ability to bunt and make contact. We are spending a lot of time on contact hitting, putting the ball in play, and cutting down on our strikeouts. If you have confidence in the batters box you have half the problem solved. The base runner and batter must know signals and know what the coach wants at all times. As i tell my players every pitch can change the situation in a game. I have 12 signals so you can see why batter and base runner must know exactly what you want. I have a policy you run every hit out, if you don’t you get to view the game from the bench with me.

           Right now our hitters are learning how to conceal a drag bunt or hard slap. This takes time and patience but i see a lot of promising signs. We practice at close range with tennis balls then work towards live pitching. We also have a lot to do with hip rotation, as a lot of our hitters can not hit with power as they don’t transfer their weight.

          Our pitchers are doing 2 extra sessions a weak plus drills i have given them to do at home. Turn the door knob left and then right 50 times a day, i can see the difference in one pitcher who could never throw a rise ball. Stand by the fence and this will make sure your arm circle is high and straight. Every practice i see a little bit of improvement so i think when they call play ball we will be ready.

     Right now its time to put my coaching directors hat on. We have a coach’s meeting coming up in 2 weeks and it is my duty to keep the coach’s informed of any new training ideas, drills for practices, and keep the coach’s informed of what they must do to maintain there level, or what they must do to go up a level. There are 6 levels of coaching and certain criteria is needed for each level plus a police check for any male coach’s working with female or minor teams. That’s all till next week “keeping smiling” and any progress is a step in the right direction.