Hanover
Thunder Softball Association
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Hanover
Thunder Softball Association
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Events/Notices
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Coach’s CornerBelow
is some “food for thought” for
Thunder players, coaches, parents, and
supporters… Vocabulary:
Today’s Letter = “P” We
have 5 vocabulary words for review
starting with... Pervasive
= defn:
adj.
Having the quality or
tendency to pervade or permeate (to
spread throughout) Ever
wonder why a yawn is contagious?
Why, particularly in sports, do
good plays in the field, rally’s at
the plate, and team spirit seem
infectious, spreading throughout to
energize the team?
Is it subconscious (something
that just happens that you don’t think
about)?
Whether subconscious or not, the
enthusiasm, attitude, and actions of
individual players is something that is
truly contagious.
Body language that demonstrates
defeat, lack of confidence, or
frustration quickly spreads through your
teammates (and supporters).
Confidence, determination, and
positive body language is what leads to
those rally’s (although “rally
caps” also work well).
Show your teammates (and team)
that you are a leader and make that
positive “vibe” become pervasive. Preparation
= defn.
training, groundwork I
have a great attitude and mental outlook
on my golf game.
I feel (in my mind) that each
ball will be solidly struck and that I
will be able to get the right speed on
that 15 foot putt.
However, when I actually put on
the golf spikes and tee it up, I stink.
Lucky to break 100 on a par 72
course.
What’s missing?
Preparation.
I play 2 or 3 times a year.
Practice, repetition, drills, and
hard work is what lowers your score –
it’s what makes you better.
A good attitude will help and is
an important part of success, but
success doesn’t come without hours of
behind the scenes (non-game day)
practice and preparation. See Tiger Woods for
more on preparation. Perseverance
= defn.
to persist in or remain constant
to a purpose, idea, or task in the face
of obstacles or discouragement Perseverance
is the sense of urgency, determination,
and resolve to attain a goal even
(especially) when things are NOT
going well.
It goes hand-in-hand with
preparation and practice.
Perseverance means NEVER saying
“I Can’t” – trying 3 times or 4
times or 100 times and not succeeding
does not mean you are doomed for
failure.
Are you listening to coaches, are
you reading books, are you researching
techniques on the internet, are you PRACTICING?
As an old saying goes,
“Endeavor to Persevere”...another cliché
that relates to perseverance says “you
will NEVER make the shots you DON’T
take”.
The average and great are many
times separated by the wall between
those who try
and fail and quit and those
who try and
fail and try again
(persevere).
When you miss the last 10
fastballs at the batting cage – do you
step-out and pack up your gear OR do you
PERSEVERE – stay in the cage and not
leave until you rip 5 in-a-row back up
the middle? There is nothing on a
softball field that you girls cannot
do…you CAN hit a 55 MPH fast ball, you
CAN adjust on an 0-2 count and pound a
change-up, you CAN run down that
fly-ball.
Just because maybe last time you
didn’t, doesn’t mean you can’t.
Did you drop your shoulder?
Did you react to the batter’s
swing quick enough?
Did your body convert the things
your brain (and maybe coaches) told you
to do into the right action?
See Preparation (again).
Possibilities
= defn.
Potential for favorable or
interesting results …win
that next tournament… Perspective
– defn.
A mental view or outlook,
subjective evaluation of relative
significance We
are players.
We are coaches.
We are parents. We are supporters.
Together we are a TEAM…we choose
to spend a portion of our lives in this
endeavor…but there is more to our
lives than Thunder softball… …A
loved one having a baby... Multiple
Choice: Why
do coaches (and parents) get upset at a
player taking a third strike, “yell”
at a player who has thrown to the
“wrong” base, or make players run
when a mistake is made? A.
They
are sadistic, crazy people who have
always dreamed of being a tyrannical
high school football coach B.
They
are living vicariously (look that one up
for yourselves) through the players C.
They
are power hungry dictators who like to
pick on people smaller than them D.
They
are just plain mean OR…. E.
They
want the absolute best for their players
(daughters and friends) and truly want
them to succeed, to be the best they can
be, to know the benefits of working hard
for something, to experience the joy of
competition and the camaraderie of being
a part of a special team The
experiences that we have as a TEAM will
be things that we will hopefully look
back on and cherish.
The friends we have made, the
relationships we have strengthened, and
the growth and development we will have
seen in this group of girls will be what
really matters in the end – as long as
we keep things in PERSPECTIVE…
Quick
Review…
Pervasive
– remember that your attitude, body
language, and actions can and do impact
those around you (ie. your team). Preparation
– without it, there is little chance
for success Perseverance
– short-term failure or disappointing
results must not stop you from working
to achieve your (team’s) goals Possibilities
– your goals and dreams should be
limitless and possibilities endless Perspective
– when you see yourself or those
around you acting like it’s the end of
world because a group of aspiring 12
year-old girls lost a softball game –
take a deep breath, count to 10, and
think of what is “really” important
– THEN go
back and refresh yourself on the other 4
P’s!!!
Good luck to those of you participating in Little League All-Stars and let's look forward to a rewarding Thunder experience during the late Summer/Fall season...
Coach Jim |
