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What Little League Doesn't Teach You About Commitment
What Little League Doesn't Teach You About Commitment

Our latest guest speaker at the Practice Pro Recruiting Cohort was Coach Brandon Elliott, one of the most accomplished coaches in NCAA Division III softball history. During our conversation, Coach Brandon shared a lesson he credits to Marquette men's basketball coach Shaka Smart. It perfectly described something I've seen over and over again in pitching instruction. It's also one of the key questions he asks every player—and one of the qualities he looks for when recruiting.

Are you interested...or are you committed?

Commitment means continuing to do something long after the excitement that made you start has faded. He explained that many athletes confuse being interested in softball with being committed to softball.

The Interested Athlete

An interested athlete:

  • Loves playing when it's fun.

  • Enjoys success.

  • Is excited when things are going well.

  • Works hard when it's convenient.

  • Loses enthusiasm when practices become difficult.

  • Wants the rewards without always embracing the work.

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What's Your "Wow" Factor?
What's Your "Wow" Factor?

Right now is an exciting time in the softball world. Maybe you're trying out for a travel team, deciding which organization is the best fit, attending a college exposure camp, or playing in tournaments where college coaches are watching. No matter what stage you're in, there's one question every athlete might be asking:

What makes me stand out?

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to sit down with two outstanding college coaches—my cousin, Coach Erica Hanrahan and Coach Laura Matthews—to talk about what it really takes to play softball at the college level. Looking back on that conversation today, the advice they shared is even more relevant.

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3 Reasons Your Coaching is Broken: And How To Fix It
3 Reasons Your Coaching is Broken: And How To Fix It

Over the past 8 years of coaching 100+ players per week on softball pitching, I noticed the following trends in phrases that parents and coaches, including me, say that confuse fastpitch players. These phrases are "broken" because they confuse girls on pitching mechanics. Here are some ideas of what to say instead.

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Putting in the work on those runs in! 🥎💪 Consistency at the plate = confidence on the field. . . #practicepro #softballpitching #pitchingschool #softballpitchingschool #runins
Samanta is on a mission to beat her speed record! . . #practicepro #softballpitching #pitchingschool
Working on the ‘scoot drill’. This drill helps with driving off the mound straight, and not opening too soon! Give it a try! . . #practicepro #softballpitching #pitchingschool
Audrey + Sasha battling it out for their teams!
In honor of Thanksgiving tomorrow..we asked the girls to tell us what they are grateful for. Take a moment to appreciate the things in life, tell us in the comments what you’re grateful for! . . #practicepro #softballpitching #pitchingschool
End of class game and we put on the pressure 😎. This is the Game of 5 - start with 5. If you got the spot, you go down one. If you miss, you go up one. If you get to 10 you lose = have to do 10 push ups If you get to 0 you win = No push ups. . . #practicepro #softballpitching #pitchingschool
💥Pitching drill: The snow pump drill is a game-changer for staying straight and resisting the urge to open too soon. Try it out! . . #practicepro #softballpitching #pitchingschool
6 oclocks! (Psst..not the time, it’s a drill) It’s the last part of our arm circle breakdown. Notice how when she pitches she doesn’t take a step? This is so you can focus on your arm circle and follow through.
Even an injury can’t stop Jolene from improving her game! 💪 She showed up to class and focused on fine-tuning her leg mechanics. Progress doesn’t stop.. it just adapts. . . #practicepro #chicagosoftball #softballpitching #softballpitchingschool
Parent Pitch! It’s always fun to be able to include parents in our classes. . . #practicepro #softballpitching #pitchingschool
Putting in the work on those runs in! 🥎💪 Consistency at the plate = confidence on the field. . . #practicepro #softballpitching #pitchingschool #softballpitchingschool #runins
Samanta is on a mission to beat her speed record! . . #practicepro #softballpitching #pitchingschool
Working on the ‘scoot drill’. This drill helps with driving off the mound straight, and not opening too soon! Give it a try! . . #practicepro #softballpitching #pitchingschool
Audrey + Sasha battling it out for their teams!
In honor of Thanksgiving tomorrow..we asked the girls to tell us what they are grateful for. Take a moment to appreciate the things in life, tell us in the comments what you’re grateful for! . . #practicepro #softballpitching #pitchingschool
End of class game and we put on the pressure 😎. This is the Game of 5 - start with 5. If you got the spot, you go down one. If you miss, you go up one. If you get to 10 you lose = have to do 10 push ups If you get to 0 you win = No push ups. . .
💥Pitching drill: The snow pump drill is a game-changer for staying straight and resisting the urge to open too soon. Try it out! . . #practicepro #softballpitching #pitchingschool
6 oclocks! (Psst..not the time, it’s a drill) It’s the last part of our arm circle breakdown. Notice how when she pitches she doesn’t take a step? This is so you can focus on your arm circle and follow through.
Even an injury can’t stop Jolene from improving her game! 💪 She showed up to class and focused on fine-tuning her leg mechanics. Progress doesn’t stop.. it just adapts. . . #practicepro #chicagosoftball #softballpitching #softballpitchi
Parent Pitch! It’s always fun to be able to include parents in our classes. . . #practicepro #softballpitching #pitchingschool