Coaching the Mental Game of Softball

Have you ever watched the World Series (college softball of course) and thought, “That player is super-human” Like there's no way the rest of us or my girls could ever do that. We put players like today's guest on a pedestal for good reason, because they are amazing competitors! But really? They got there with a specific skill set. Certain tools in their toolbox that allowed them to bounce back faster, stay confident and perform consistently even against the toughest opponents. That skill set is the mental game. I know you know that since you're listening to this podcast! But do you know what it actually looks like? When you pull back the curtain and see the day to day commitment… the tough times pushing through adversity and that voice in your head telling you you can't? Today's guest is going to tell you how she has overcome adversity and worked her mental game to help her become one of the elite pitchers of our time And if you like what she has to say… you're going to want to check out our upcoming Next Level Bootcamp!  This virtual, 5-day team workshop will give your players the foundation they need to become the confident, mentally tough player you know they can be! To learn more, head to http://mss.com/teambootcamp (mss.com/teambootcamp). Now, let's get to the show!

Was this the last weekend Alicia had with her team? Or did they pull it out and make it to the next round of playoffs??? Listen in to today's episode to find out!

But wait, there's more! Listen in for some tips on connecting with your athletes & one of the most popular drills Alicia has shared to date!

Part 2/3 here! Find out if that Figure-It-Out moment actually worked.

It's been a hot minute, but we're back & have a treat in store for you! Listen in to today's episode (and then two more!) as we get caught up on how Alicia's team has been doing over the past several weeks. It's a roller-coaster, Coach. Buckle up!

In honor of our fast-approaching Difference-Makers Bootcamp, we wanted to re-share this GEM of an episode with Sue Enquist. Listen in, get inspired, then come learn more from this rockstar in Bootcamp! We kick off this Sunday, April 18th and go all week! Learn more at mentalsweetspot.com/coachbootcamp Oh, and it's not just for softball coaches anymore, so tell your other sport coach friends to come join us!

Are you a passionate softball coach who believes in developing the whole person? Do you like making a difference? Then what are you up to next week?! Today's bonus episode is an audio version of our sales page all about the Difference-Maker's Bootcamp (which is quickly approaching & kicks off April 18th!) Think you might wanna join me, other passionate coaches & Sue Enquist for a completely unique coaching clinic EXPERIENCE? Listen in, then head to mentalsweetspot.com/coachbootcamp!

Alicia's been at this for a while, so you'd think she's experienced it all by now. Not the case! This season brings new challenges: Covid protocols and the need for flexibility An almost brand new team Young leadership with little experience in the well-known culture Listen in to hear how Alicia is tackling a season that will certainly provide a challenge, but one she's ready for!

When coaches contact us to ask about consulting for their team, the first question is always, "What does that look like?" So we're pulling back the curtain on what Alicia does with the teams she works with! Even if you can't bring someone like Alicia in yet, we share some nuggets she's learned along the way to help make mental training more impactful!

If I could wave a magic wand and you had ALLLL the time and money you could ever want to use with your team... What would that feel like? Amazing? Freeing? Like your options were limitless? What if I told you you could get these ⬆️ things without adding one minute to the day or a dime to your budget?

Coaching is exhausting - usually in all the best ways! But we all know there are energy sucks out there that end up affecting our performance. So, is there anything we can do about it? Or do we just have to suck it up and grind it out? Listen in to hear our take on it!

If you're our people (and you are!), you're not in this gig for the glory. But the Hall of Fame is a symbol of the impact a coach has made in our sport - and we all want that! To make a difference in the lives of the girls we work with & eventually leave the softball world a little better than we found it. So why not be LIKE a Hall-of-Fame-Level coach now?! Listen in to find out how!

Now you know how to deal with negative thoughts from yesterday's episode. Today, we're flipping to the positive side! And who better to lead the conversation than Jon Gordon?! If you've ever asked us for a book recommendation, his books ALWAYS make the list. And for good reason! Listen in today as Jon shares his wisdom and advice for being a positive coach who ALSO gets the best out of their athletes!

First everyone said to be positive. Now they're saying "toxic positivity" is a thing. Both are right. Maybe we're biased here, but it seems to keep getting proven over and over again... >> There's a sweet spot for everything! So what should we do about those pesky negative thoughts? Without getting to fluffy or woo-woo? In today's episode, we share an ancient story with some great advice!

Raise your hand if you know what a "mental error" is. If you didn't raise your hand (at least in your head) - you are a coaching unicorn! lol It happens all too often. It's when a player makes a mistake that under normal circumstances she absolutely wouldn't. (Like chucking the ball over the first baseman's head) That's what sparked today's convo as we talk about the real issue: lack of focus! mentalsweetspot.com/softball-podcast

We're making progress on ending the stigma around mental health, but we've got to keep going! Part of that process is realizing the brain needs training too! That's what we discuss on today's episode with Locked In Mental Performance's Derek Mayson!

Everyone knows the phrase "softball is 90% mental" ... and those same coaches also sheepishly admit they don't actually COACH the mental game that much. But we want to and we're getting closer! Listen in to today's guests as they share our favorite thing - *actionable* ways to develop our girls' mental game. P.S. They PERFECTLY (unintentionally) made a case for our Fail Forward Practice Bundle. After this episode, you'll definitely want to snag it for yourself so you can start building resilience like they do! (mentalsweetspot.com/failforward)

As coaches, we have the honor of being role models. But it's not all rainbows and butterflies. Though we didn't start the interview with the goal of talking about being a role model, that's where the conversation turned and you'll see why! From travel ball to the Olympics, professional to parent... We discuss all the ways she's been (and continues to be) an impressive leader for our young women to look up to.

The mental game train is picking up speed these days, but there are still questions about how EXACTLY this part of the game can help our teams. That's why we asked today's guest to join us to share some expected outcomes like improved team cohesion and even some BIG personal benefits they didn't expect going into this!

Tips from one of the best in the biz on developing strong, resilient COMPETITORS!

NO coach goes into a season hoping for drama, stress & disappointing performances. But they happen, right?! Pretty much like clockwork, honestly - no coach or team is immune. So how to certain teams seem to rise above it? More specifically, how do the coaches of those teams LEAD their girls through the hard stuff, SHOWING them how to trust the process? That's part of what we discuss in today's case study with Coach Bootcamp alumnus, Aryn Henneke!

Coach development has come a long way. For most of us, we've had to figure it out as we go along. And to be fair- we've done a pretty good job! But coaches don't settle for "pretty good" so we've brought in someone who's leading the way in Coach education to discuss what we have to look forward to!

Every athlete & coach KNOWS what this means to them.  But every once in a while, the love gets lost. Join us today as we share stories of losing that inner drive... and how to get it back for GOOD!

We tell our girls all the time that they have to work hard to achieve their dreams. Today's guest PROVES that to be true! Along with the mental game of course ;) Today we have Olympian, National Champion & ESPN Analyst Danielle Lawrie to share her journey and some insight into what it takes to get to her level.

Coaching isn't for everyone, but for those of use who "get it," it's truly a calling. We have the opportunity to affect our athletes' lives in a positive way, and that is a gift. AND... Each of us approach it differently! In today's episode with my (Mel's) good friend, Jeanne Hess, we talk about growing as coaches, enjoying the journey and getting clear on who we are.

Have you been looking for ideas to help your team come together and work as a unit? Today's guest has some excellent ideas and tips for doing so! He also shares pointers from one of the most iconic programs in sports history: the Yankees! So if you want to learn what it takes to build a team of leaders who play for each other, listen in!

Technology isn't what sets the top teams apart. It's how they USE it. I'm sure by now you've noticed the trend around using technology in our sport. You can measure speed, spin rate, power... almost everything! But the technology itself isn't what helps your players. What helps them get motivated, build confidence and make improvements... is how YOU use that data! Listen in today to learn more about one of our FAVORITE technologies: The Smart Coach radar by Pocket Radar! We love it because it's accurate, gives you data PLUS video together, and it keeps things SIMPLE. That way, you can focus on what matters most: coaching! ----- Want to WIN A SMART COACH radar? If you enjoyed this episode and want to help us reach more Sweet Spotters like you, we are running a giveaway! Between now (Monday, October 19th) and next Monday, October 26th at midnight EST, you have a chance to win your very own Smart Coach Radar! All you have to do is follow 3 simple steps: Head to Facebook & like today's post Leave a comment with your takeaway from the episode Share it with a friend you think would enjoy the show too! If you want to learn more about the radar and how you can use it, check out mentalsweetspot.com/pocketradar

Whether you're a first-time coach or 20-year veteran, work at 10u or DI, if you want to make a difference by developing strong young women, you're a Sweet-Spotter!

When you Build Up Her Self-Confidence, you help her have https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/morewinsmorefun?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZWVAq0VFbtCbGgelJfp-0M0ZmU1IumMm2E2-E5PL-nVwsUTNPUc4cpV-vcdPjzRNJ0PLESqozAQjjAEKRfelZhLCWBqE-bn-I8x8ZvI6NVKYcAfQEVe8Op-gsVLsK4pffPq_smlMVTqbMo_92ZUQlwKOu5TobVJjHDzE-thSgY31pmuBGg6DIjxrkFnvONXrvg&__tn__=*NK-R (#morewinsmorefun) ----- Self-confidence can be fragile, and it's heartbreaking to watch our girls struggle. In this episode we talk about one of the biggest confidence killers: comparison.

Keeping our girls motivated to put the work in is not an easy task. They get tired, bored, distracted, or worse: they're doing it for the wrong reasons. Today we talk about how to keep your players motivated using our new format! How to Win More Games & Have More Fun Focus on the process Show them you care about their growth, not the outcome Ask their input so they take ownership of their journey Next Level Advice for Players: The journey can seem long, but trust the process and the outcome will take care of itself Difference-Maker Tip for Coaches: Have empathy for this generation whose minds work a little differently than ours and you'll be able to keep them motivated Real Life Listener Question: How do you stay proactive with your communication vs reactive?

When you hang up the clipboard and someone asks you what you're most proud of, it most likely won't be the wins. I'll be the impact you had on your girls. Helping a player come out of her shell Getting another to see the importance of a team Seeing them grow into strong, confident young women That's the dream for us Sweet Spotters, right? That's exactly what Alicia discusses with some of her former players in today's special 100th episode!

We've got another awesome episode lined up for you today! We're talking to a private instructor this time and the specific, actionable ways she trains her athletes to help them overcome the dreaded fear of failure. So many girls deal with this and just as many coaches struggle to figure out how to get them over this hurdle! That's where we come in! Tiffany Deering shares her story of getting over her fear at the University of Michigan and how she uses that now to train fearless competitors... not robots!

Many coaches we talk to want quick, actionable things they can do with their girls to build their mental game. Bonus if they can be worked right into the practice plan or games. That's exactly what today's guest shares!

What will it take to get your girls to COMPETE? Jake Thompson of Compete Every Day has an idea! First of all, thank you for your patience with this episode release. Been all-consumed by our Bootcamp, but now I'm back! And man do I have a great guest for you today :) We often hear from coaches how frustrating it can be that this generation just doesn't seem to COMPETE. But is it really just the way they are? Or is it something that can be trained? That's what we discuss in today's episode!  Hint: It CAN be trained!

You're probably noticing a trend in coaching... Coaching the PERSON before the PLAYER It might be a little intimidating at first. Your reaction may even be like mine was: "I just wanna coach softball!" But then when you step back and realize why you're doing this... To help develop strong young women on & off the field To teach them life lessons through softball To make a difference Then you realize you're already on the right track! So listen in to today's guest, Alabama's Coach Patrick Murphy, as he shares some practical ideas for teaching those people skills!

Tips from one of softball's GOATs: Natasha Watley! Your players may not know today's guest as well as I do because she played before the softball on TV boom... But they SHOULD!  She's the type of person you want your athletes to emulate. She's Hard-working and committed to getting her job done - even when it's hard! Great at staying focused on the present and the task at hand Confident in her ability to achieve any goal she sets because she knows she'll work for it! So this would be a great episode to share with them :)

It's one of the most exciting times of the year! A new season is here! August is actually the start of the calendar in my head. It's time to Imagine the possibilities for your team Bring them together for a common mission Figure out the best path to those goals! Nowadays these plans revolve around working on 3 main things for most of Our People: Getting (and keeping) our girls motivated Holding them accountable for the work it takes Building their confidence in their ability to execute This is where the momentum seems to slow for most people. We have great intentions and ideas. Plus we sure as heck put in the time reading, learning and growing as coaches to help our girls develop these skills. What if you could not only give your entire team a running head start but also keep that momentum going all year? A head start in ownership, empowerment and confidence. Think that could help you build a stronger team that stays strong all season? Allow us to show you how!

One superpower I think we have in the sports world is the ability to bring a diverse group of individuals together for a common purpose. That skill is why I'm proud to be a part of the softball community. We are one of the most inclusive groups I've ever seen, and I hope to continue that trend. Because if we don't, we could miss out on amazing softball minds like today's guest! Listen in as she shares her perspective on diversity and unifying a team toward a common goal: being a top 25 team!

Regardless of who's in the other dugout I'm willing to bet you've been here before... You have a strong team that's experienced success before, but now... They're falling short of expectations Nobody is really sure what the issue is, and You're starting to wonder if you can get out of the rut Fortunately - we all know that last one is just frustration. Of COURSE we can get out of the rut! It just takes some reflection, planning and a fire inside to succeed. That's exactly what today's guest, Eric Oakley of Kent State, is focusing on with his team this upcoming season. And the best part is... They can even work on this during COVID :) Enjoy! - Mel & Alicia

Do you have that player (or players) who Is super hard on herself Doesn't handle failure well Feels really bad when she makes mistakes I'm pretty sure we all have! That's exactly what Paige Tonz helps players overcome in her programs for female athletes :) Enjoy! - Mel & Alicia

Interested in our upcoming (Sunday, July 5th) bootcamp but wanna make sure it's worth the time you'll put into it? Then listen in to these two case studies from past bootcampers and hear what they got out of the experience! Ready to join us or wanna learn more? Head to CultureBootcamp.com!

Do you ever feel like the coaches who've made it to the highest level are in a league of their own? You're not really wrong. The best of the best have worked their butt off to get there and they've put a lot of hard lessons to good use to stay there. But they're not so different from the rest of us! Take Hutch & Bonnie Tholl of Michigan... Are they softball rockstars? Absolutely. Are they coaches who care first and foremost about developing strong young women... just like us? Yep! So listen in today and try to imagine how you can do these things with your girls too! Then if you want to put those ideas into action, join the next round of the Softball Coach's Culture Bootcamp! Just head to CultureBootcamp.com (CultureBootcamp.com) to learn more. Enjoy the show!

Your culture won't work If you're not being true to yourself Most of us want to be authentic, but it's not always that easy, right? » Second-guessing if we're doing all we can for our girls » Constantly looking for ways to improve, sometimes forgetting the strengths we already have » Falling back on trying to be like the coaches we had or look up to It's all well-meaning, but it's not going to get us where we want to go. When all is said and done at the end of the season, the best thing you can do for your girls is be honest and be you! Want some help getting clear on exactly what this looks like for you? The next round of the Softball Coach's Culture Bootcamp will kick off Sunday, July 5th! (And just wait til you hear our special guest this round! #luckycoaches). Doors open next Monday, so keep en eye/ear out for that link!That's all for today! Have a great week! Mel & Alicia

Have you ever wondered how some teams just seem more bought in? That magical team that seems to play for each other and put the team first? Well today's guest shares some practical tips on HOW to cultivate that type of culture! From star pitcher and national runner-up at Michigan to full-time pitching coach, Sara Driesenga is about to bring you a great episode in developing ownership within your players!

Mental training can feel like a big topic - there's so much to cover! From confidence to competitiveness, courage to composure... It can quickly become overwhelming trying to figure out what to cover first. If you've ever felt lost on where to start, today's guest shares some GREAT ideas that are simple, usable with any age, and wildly impactful!

Team cohesion is one of the things every team needs, but it's not so easy to come by. Maybe you can take a page out of one of our former guests' books and bring in a ringer! Today's guest is the school counselor at Waskom High School. Sound familiar? It's where former guest Iyhia MacMichael works! This is a great example of making use of the resources you have access to and getting creative in order to help your players. You're going to love this episode! P.S. If you have anything to do with recruiting, whether you're helping girls find their college homes or you're the college searching for players... You're going to want to listen for the free summit we have coming up!

If you're waiting for things to get back to normal, DON'T! I get it, I miss softball as it was too. At this point, I'm wishing my kids were older so they could play catch with me! I never thought I'd miss short-hop drills, analyzing swings and creating practice plans as much as I do! But I don't want you to miss out on the unique opportunity COVID has created for us: the opportunity to get better at coaching the whole person! What was normal, anyway? Did you have a consistent plan for developing competitive, confident leaders? One that worked for nearly every single player you worked with? Yeah me neither. So let's take a closer look at Coach Alameda and her Florida State team - one of the most successful and CONSISTENT programs in the nation. They have classroom time once a week, they focus on tracking "one more," they take advantage of opportunities the game presents. She even says, "[The mental game] is the next factor of being successful. If you live it and work on the skillsets mentally, it is the difference for you to have the edge. I 100% believe it's why we are where we are." We've created a system for coaches at every level to achieve this type of success. But first you have to get clear on what your culture is. Lonni's advice for coaches was: "Be who you are. We're all a work in progress." So join us in our bootcamp where you will create a blueprint for your Dream Team culture... Based on what you and your girls want to achieve and who want to be on that journey. Just head thedreamteamblueprint.com/join to learn more & sign up!

  If there's one thing we know about kids these days...It's that they need to know you care about them! You've heard this before about this generation, right? They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care? Creating a team culture that feels like family isn't just about love and hugs though. It's about » Setting a high standard, » Holding them accountable, and then » Having their back if they need support That's just part of what we discuss on today's episode with Coach Megan Bartlett!   Want to create your own blueprint for a culture like this? That's exactly what we'll help you do in the Dream Team Blueprint Bootcamp! In just 5 days, you will have a complete blueprint for the team culture of your dreams. Plus, you'll have the game plan to actually execute it! To join the waitlist (doors open Sunday, May 3rd & the Bootcamp Warm-Up will be the following Sunday evening) click here! (https://forms.aweber.com/form/45/779868145.htm)   That's all for this today! Hope so see you back here next week! Alicia & Mel

We make an impact regardless of the situation.Even when we're all on lockdown! It has been a ROUGH spring for coaches. We miss our girls, we're having to adjust to being off the field for the first time in forever, and all we want is to get back to what we love! » Watching our girls' hard work pay off on the field » Seeing the look on their face as they have that aha moment » Going home exhausted but happy after a long day at the field - because you know you made an impact.   I know these feelings all too well, since taking a break from coaching nearly 3 years ago. It's not easy, but I promise you:  You're still impactful. Because it's who you are.   Looking for some resources for making a bigger impact on the mental game while we're apart?   We'll be running another round of our Dream Team Blueprint Challenge in a couple of weeks! This 5-Day challenge is a low cost, high impact way to set the foundation of a strong team culture. We talk practical tips, activities for lockdown, and how to continue to do what we love: develop our girls into strong young women! The challenge will drop in a couple of weeks! Head to mentalsweetspot.com (http://www.mentalsweetspot.com) to join the waitlist! That's all for this today! Hope so see you back here next week! Mel & Alicia

Practical StrategiesTo finally focus on team culture like you've wanted to!     Almost every coach who has joined our group has said they want to build a united culture but haven't focused on it as much as they'd like.   They've simply been busy with a million other things.   Now that we don't have to practice plan, prep for games and get everything in order for traveling... We can finally focus on team culture! Now, we realize that not everyone has more time. Many have less now. But this is our opportunity to commit to culture once and for all, so we've got your back! For those ready to commit, we offer a brand new 5-day culture-building challenge (https://www.softballmentaltraining.com/register/dtb) ! If that's not for you, take the lessons from this episode and apply them yourself! :)       alicia + mel

Use our proven, repeatable processTo build a rock solid culture that feels like family!   We recently asked our Facebook group how we could be of service and someone brought up a great question: "What lessons can I help my girls learn while we are apart? What are the best resources for teaching self motivation, positive self talk, and other things that we shove to the side for more time on the dirt?" My answer immediately was, "Our resources!" But that wasn't my only response. Alicia and I have been working in the background to find a simpler way for coaches to implement the mental game every day without feeling overwhelmed and like it's one more thing to do. The new Dream Team Blueprint is that solution! In 7 simple but impactful steps, you can:   » Revolutionize the way you develop the whole person in every practice » Have a purpose for each and every practice » Make an even bigger impact on your girls - even if we can't meet in person!    BONUS TIP! Listen all the way 'til the end for a special invitation to put these ideas into action!  Alicia & Mel