What Your Team Should Look Like on Game Day
College and high school softball seasons are in full swing all across the country. This means summer softball is right around the corner. In a few weeks, the traveling and club softball teams will be taking the field for league games and weekend tournaments. Many of these teams have been practicing all off-season together and will be eager to take the field. It’s important that coaches, parents, and players meet before the season to go over expectations. The teams who establish a set of guidelines for accountability and who look the part will be the ones who limit distractions and keep their eyes on the prize throughout the season.
Uniforms: If you turn on any college game, or attend one in person, you will notice how sharp the uniforms look on game days. From the second the college players step out of their locker room on game day, their uniforms are tucked in, and their socks are pulled up. It’s important that teams look professional on game days. This should be an expectation upheld by players and coaches. When teams look professional, they will draw attention from opponents and college coaches. Teams who show up dressed the same, with their uniforms tucked in, and their socks in place look like they are ready to go and compete to get the job done.
Sprint: When softball players step onto the playing field, they should sprint at all times. This includes sprinting in warm-ups, on and off the field to positions, to the fence and back in between innings, to the bathroom, back to the dugout after striking out, etc. Teams who hustle at all times will raise the bar and again draw attention to themselves. Sprinting on and off the field helps to keep the game momentum in your team’s favor. If coaches enforce sprinting at all times to players at the younger levels, it will instill a habit and work ethic that the player will carry with them for the rest of their career.
Energy: The elite teams will have energy in the dugout and on the field at all times. What this should look like in the dugout is having everyone on the team stand and cheer at all times. Next time you watch a college softball game, pay attention to what’s going on in the dugout. Rarely will you see anyone taking a seat on the bench. College teams cheer loud and proud and are on their feet right up next to the fence throughout the entire game. Even if you don’t find yourself in the starting nine on the field, everyone has a role on a team. Bench players serve an important role in providing the noise and support from in the dugout. Softball teams feed off of each other’s energy, and this will help keep everyone engaged in every single pitch.
Be Present: This goes with the energy paragraph above. It’s important that softball players, coaches, and parents be present in practice and on game days. This means leaving distractions such as cell phones, friend drama, school stress, whatever it may be, outside of the dugout. The softball field should serve as a player’s safe haven or sanctuary. It’s a safe place where players get to come together and compete with their teammates to achieve a common goal they have set together. Teammates should learn how to hold each other accountable and not just rely on the coaches to enforce the team standards and rules. Everyone has a role, and if every single player can buy in and fulfill that role, the team will be set up for success.
Have Fun: This one is for coaches, parents, and players. No matter what the team goal is for the season, it’s important always to have fun. Once players stop having fun, it’s time for them to hang up their cleats. It’s critical for coaches and parents to keep players focused on the team goals, but at the same time, keep it light and enjoyable for them. Winning is fun, but the players are going to remember the relationships and friendships they formed with their teammates more than any medal they won. Team bonding is a huge piece that keeps teams connected and allow teammates to grow and learn from each other. The teams who have fun and who have team chemistry are more likely to succeed on the field than the teams who play as individuals.
Leave it All on the Field: Softball players should be exhausted after a weekend tournament if they leave it all on the field. If you exit a game or a tournament, and you aren’t physically and mentally drained, you could have given a little more. No matter what position or role you serve your team on game days, every single player should be mentally invested in every single pitch. This includes coaches as well. It doesn’t matter if your team is on offense or defense, the dugout should be matching the volume of the opposing team. Again, softball players feed off of each other’s energy, and they always have their teammates backs. If you leave the field mentally and physically exhausted every single time, you did your job. By giving it your all, you are helping to set your team up for success.
