Practice Expectations
1. Look Forward to Practice/Game: Leave your off field concerns off the field, they will be there when practice is over. Enjoy softball!!! Throw your problems (teachers, parents, boyfriends) into the garbage can as you walk onto the diamond.
2. Set a Mission for the Day: Think about one thing you want to work on that day. You may want to work on throwing more accurate, getting more bunts fair, or getting a better lead on the bases. Don’t try to get better at everything each day, you won’t be able to do it.
3. Focus During Fundamental Throwing: Don’t just ‘get loose’ or ‘play catch’. Make sure you throw correctly, don’t develop bad habits. Practice hitting targets on your partner. Try to throw at their head, chest, right shoulder, left shoulder, ect.... I guarantee this will make you better. I realize that every throw will not be perfect, but I will not tolerate a sloppy warm up. There is too much at stake this year. You are part of a program that expects that any two of you can throw a ball and have it be caught. Also, I don’t expect Fundamental Throwing to be a gossip session.
4. Simulation: Make practice as much like a game as possible. Run the bases as hard as you can, pretend you are trying to get a bunt down in a game, pretend you are trying to get a runner out during Concentrated Infield practice. If you do make an error or a mistake, practice getting your focus back and move on to the next pitch.
5. Challenge Plays: There will be times when I will ask you to attempt a challenging (game like) play in practice. The more you are challenged and taken out of your ‘comfort zone’ in practice the easier games will be. Afterward I want you to ask yourself how you performed in the situation. Asking yourself this will help you find your focus during games when things don’t go your way and you feel yourself ‘losing it’.
6. Cell Phones Stay In Cars: Cell phones are a distraction. If you need to use it you can ask during a break. Cell phones will be put away 10 minutes prior to arriving at an away game and it stays on the bus.
7. No Pouting or Bad Attitudes: There WILL be a time when something does not go your way. A negative response will NEVER make you a better softball player. Tell your team “My bad, pick me up” and move on.