With coaching, comes a great deal of responsibility and opportunity.  I believe that, that responsibility should be embraced and utilized, as an opportunity to have a positive impact on your player’s lives.  Without having an agenda of wanting to make a difference in the people you coach, you will never be able to fully take advantage of that opportunity.  Teaching life-skills is just as important as X’s and O’s.  Gaining respect from your players is imperative.  Treating them with the same respect that you expect, will go a long way to achieving this.

I believe that there are four initial, necessary ingredients in order to be a successful coach and have a winning program.  First, is to create a positive environment in which your players can prosper.  Second, is to be an excellent communicator and always be open to two-way communication.  Third, is to be consistent in the way that you handle everything.  And finally, a coach must be organized in every area.

It certainly doesn’t hurt to have talented players.  But with the principals already mentioned, recruiting and keeping good athletes in your program will be much easier to achieve.  Once you have done this, you will then have their respect and attention.

I speak of “attention” because I have found that in this generation of athletes, it is one of the most difficult things to get on a consistent basis.  Technology has led to shorter attention spans.  And in order for my philosophy to bring out the best in my players, I must have their attention.

I believe that you excel in all competitive sports by being smarter, better prepared, and more focused than your opponent.  The team or player with the “mental edge” is most times the victor.  Therefore, taking the time to teach the “nuances” and “situational” aspects of the game are critical to success.  Attention to detail. If a player is prepared for any situation that arises, he or she will have a clear advantage over their opposition.

This is why I believe that a good coach can be easily identified by how his team performs in the cerebral areas of the game.

Create that positive environment, communicate clearly, and be consistent and organized.  Now you have their respect and attention and a better chance of them buying in to your philosophy.  In my case, I call it the “mental edge.”

The term “softball mom (or dad)” is one that most everyone that has been involved in the sport for any length of time has heard.  This moniker can both be used in an endearing or negative connotation.  The supportive parent who always has their child where they need to be, to play their games or practices regardless of work or inconvenient times, can accept this description proudly.  Unfortunately, there is another definition that isn’t so positive or productive.  It’s the parent who meddles in everything.  The one who is always in the coach’s ear, complaining about playing time, what position their child should be playing and just how great a player in general their kid is.

At a Showcase, the very last thing a coach wants to endure is a parent talking up their offspring as if she is the clone of Jennie Finch or Crystal Bustos.  Parents, for your daughter’s sake, please refrain from this!  As a parent you can certainly ask any questions regarding that coach’s particular school.  Limit any conversation to that and expressing appreciation for their time.  I am aware of several situations where a player that had great interest from a particular school was immediately taken off their recruit list after conversations with parents.  So much of what coaches judge their evaluations on are first impressions.  Make yours as uneventful as possible.

As has been well-chronicled for some time now, social networking sites and applications such as Facebook and Twitter have inundated almost every area of American’s lives.  It is doubtful that anyone not living under a rock has a friend or relative with one or more of these accounts, if they don’t already have one, themselves.  Peer pressure is just way too strong to refrain, especially for someone in their late teens.  So going on the premise that it is inevitable that eventually we all will participate in this pop culture phenomenon, the question becomes how to make it a positive and productive experience.

It’s strictly for entertainment purposes you say? That is all well and good, as long as your level of “entertainment” participation doesn’t end up affecting your “real” life.

As an athlete who has chosen to be on a path that will ultimately bring about college and life-changing opportunities, putting your best foot forward in everything that you do is imperative.  This holds true in the area of social networking as well.

The popularity of this communication connection has actually provided a very useful tool for coaches and schools to evaluate the character of the athletes they are recruiting or considering recruiting.  When a school offers a scholarship to an athlete they are making a huge commitment on behalf of their school and own ability to judge talent and character.  Consequently, the depth of their investigation of an athlete has increased greatly over the years, and has boiled over into the social networking area.

There are already several examples that I myself have observed, where   highly-recruited athletes have had scholarship offers pulled because of posts or pictures on a social networking site.  Posting pictures of yourself partying or in a drunken stupor with a drink in your hand, cannot in any way bring about anything positive into your life.  Unless of course your only goal is to perhaps have all of your friends anoint you the number one party animal of your group.

Schools are looking for mature athletes with high moral values.  I admit it. I personally partake in social networking.  I purposely “befriend” the players currently playing for me as well as ones I am interested in recruiting.  No coach wants to be surprised or blind-sided by one of their player’s bad behavior not only damaging their own reputation, but that of the team or institution they represent.

Don’t think that there aren’t ways to view anything and everything that you may assume only the person it is meant for will see.  And remember, when it comes to recruiting, perception is reality! Be smart and be accountable!

One word…Exposure!  If you are a coach of a travel ball team that is in existence to help your players get to college and you truthfully have the type of players that have the potential to play at that level, then showcases are for you.

These events are held in pre-determined locations, where many college coaches have already agreed to attend. These coaches are all there for the same reason, to evaluate talent.  Nowhere else will you find such a captive audience to view your player’s abilities. Their evaluations will help determine their chances of being recruited and also their strengths and weaknesses compared to other players.  Participating in a Showcase will also provide you and your players with experience competing in a pressure-filled environment.

Questions That Should Be Asked Before Attending 

Before committing to or attending a Showcase, you should find out their “track record.”

How many years has this Showcase existed?  How many athletes that have attended in the past have received athletic scholarships?  Most importantly, what coaches from what schools have committed?  Also, are there “all-star” games available that players can be evaluated in, in addition to your own team’s games?  All of these questions should be able to be answered by the tournament director.  Be sure to ask these questions at the time of registration before committing.  The last thing you want to do is spend time and money attending a Showcase where very few schools are represented

What You Shouldn’t Expect At A Showcase 

Coaches attending a Showcase prefer to keep their identities private as much as possible.  This enables them to observe players from all areas of the location, without participants and family changing their normal habits or routines just because they know a coach is watching.  So don’t expect a coach to announce themselves prior to a game.  There will be no scholarships handed out at these events.  The Showcase is strictly to allow coaches to evaluate and put players on their “radar” so to speak.  Coaches may approach a player and interact with them.  But this is usually just for them to find out a little more about the player.  It is of course, a good sign that there is some interest there.  Even if a coach is already are familiar with the player, and are aware of past high school or travel-ball accomplishments, don’t expect them to treat her any differently.  And finally, do not expect a coach to expect them to perform perfectly.  These coaches are not only evaluating your player’s performance, but also their future potential.

What You Need To Do At A Showcase 

The first thing you should do prior to the Showcase is to have a meeting with your players to prepare them for what they are about to experience.  Make them aware that they may be watched from the moment they arrive.  I once had a situation with my travel-ball team, where as I arrived at a Showcase for our first game, several of my players were already there.  One in particular immediately got out of her car, grabbed her bat, and found a clear area to practice her swing.  At the same time, another player was playing and rolling around in the grass with her younger brother.  Both players performed well in the games that weekend.  The first player I mentioned received several emails after the Showcase from coaches, complimenting her and expressing interest in her going forward.  The other player not did receive any correspondence from anyone.  Was it just a coincidence? Although we will probably never know, I doubt it.  Be sure players are in full uniform at all times, with their shirts tucked in, always looking neat and organized.  During downtime between games, players need to behave maturely.  No horseplay!  Don’t let your players make the same mistake the previous player I mentioned made.

Be sure they hustle at all times.  This doesn’t mean just during games.  Players should run   even when moving from station to station during warm ups.  Always make sure their focus is on the task at hand.  They should always know every situation that is occurring in your games.  They need to show leadership and cheer on and encourage their team.  Coaches are very aware of players that pick each other up.  They should never point fingers or react negatively to a teammate or her performance.  Attitude is extremely important!  It is especially important in how a player reacts to failure.  They need to always remain composed and refrain from any negative body language.  Also, get dirty and play as aggressively as possible.  Coaches love aggressive players.

In between games or while moving from one field to another, make sure you look like a team. Have all your players together in an organized approach to their next destination.

If there is downtime where your players are eating, have them consuming healthy food and not fast-food or sweets.  Nutrition is always an important consideration.

Enter your players (with their parent’s support) in any “all-star” games provided by the Showcase, even if there is an additional cost.  Traditionally these games are offered at the time of registration and do carry an additional individual cost for each player.  What these games provide is an opportunity for the players to interact with the coaches attending, as they are the ones actually coaching these games.

What You Should Avoid Doing At A Showcase

Always being on time is something that should be a normal course of action for any successful athlete.  Anyone participating in a Showcase is most likely already playing on a team that demands punctuality.  Avoid being late for any game or function at the Showcase.  By always paying attention and listening to where they need to be, a player will limit the chances of any misunderstandings.  Coaches look for players with a high responsibility level.  Players must also avoid wearing jewelry (another aspect that should already be automatic from playing in travel-ball tournaments).  Remember, when competing in sports, they are no longer just young ladies.  They are female athletes.

A player should never show arrogance or give any indication that she feels she is better than her teammates, or other players attending.  Humility will go a long way with coaches.  Attitude and poise are extremely important.  Under any circumstances, a player cannot act upset or angry if they do not perform well.  They also should never smile or laugh if they make a mistake, but remain composed and immediately move on to the next play.  As a coach, you need to show the same decorum, not bringing any negative attention to your team by getting into lengthy discussions or arguments with the umpires.

Coaches and players should not complain or speak negatively within earshot of anyone.  College coaches are looking for positive individuals who not only carry themselves that way, but can also influence teammates constructively.

Closing

Remembering and utilizing all of these principles when attending a Showcase, could be the first or maybe even the last step in helping reach your player’s dreams of a College Scholarship.  As a coach and recruiting advisor, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a young athlete receiving a Scholarship for the hard work that they have done both on and off the field.

Let’s not lose sight of how important it also is to be successful in the classroom.  Coaches love players that they know will be eligible to play once they arrive at their school.  With full rides at a minimum, it is very possible to receive additional academic financial aid on top of athletic funds.

1.)Why should I attend a Showcase?

A.)To be seen by as many coaches at the same location

B.)Receive an unbiased, honest opinion of your abilities

C.)To evaluate your own ability compared to others

D.)Determine your chances of being recruited

E.)Experience competing in a pressure-filled environment

2.)What questions should be asked before going?

A.)Which schools/coaches have committed to attending?

B.)How many other teams/athletes will be attending?

C.)What is the track record of the Showcase?

D.)Are there “all-star” games you can be evaluated in, in addition to your
own team’s games?

3.)What you shouldn’t expect:

A.)Coaches announcing themselves prior to games

B.)Offering scholarships at the event

C.)Coaches expecting you to perform perfectly

D.)Treat you any differently because of your past accomplishments

4.)What you need to do:

A.)Inform coaches you are attending, prior to the Showcase.

B.)Be aware that you may be being watched from the moment you arrive.

C.)Be in full uniform at all times, with shirt tucked in.

D.)Behave maturely during any downtime.

E.)Hustle! Run at all times. Even when moving from one station to another
during warm ups.

F.)Focus completely

G.)Enter the “all-star”games provided by the Showcase, even if there is an
additional cost.

H.)Be a leader. Cheer on and encourage your team. Coaches are very aware of
players that pick each other up.

I.)Attitude is extremely important! Especially in how you react to
failure. Remain composed and refrain from any negative body language.

J.)Get dirty. Coaches love aggressive players.

5.)What you should avoid:

A.)Arriving late

B.)Acting like you are better than your teammates, or other players
attending

C.)Wearing jewelry

D.)Getting upset if you don’t perform well

E.)Complaining or speaking negatively within earshot of anyone

F.)Not listening to where you are supposed to be

6.)Follow up

A.)Email any and all coaches that took any time to speak with you, thanking
them for their time.

B.)Don’t be afraid to ask them advice regarding areas of your game that need
improvement and what schools might be interested in an athlete of your ability.