The NFCA speaks on learning how to never give up and give your all, no matter the obstacles that stand in front of you.
All coaches are looking for signs of leadership and toughness from their players. They will see these signs when their athletes trulyunderstand what it means to give their best effort one pitch at a time. So often, unfortunately, athletes allow the situation to keep them from this lofty goal. Many do not truly max out their effort untilthey think it is a particularly important game, opponent or audience.
Some "gamers" coast along early in the contest and truly put out their best effort only when they fall behind or the contest is close in the late innings. Many others push at the start, then coast if they get a lead. Others quit working hard when way behind, subconsciously thinking that a comeback is too unlikely to deserve their best effort.
Most have a natural letdown when the opponent is perceived to be weak. Hopefully, athletes learn the dangers of taking any situation lightly and the joys of walking through the door when opportunity knocks. Hopefully, athletes learn to compete one pitch at a time.
Coasting is not the only reason athletes fail to relentlessly give their best effort. Normal competitors have trouble staying confident when things are not going well, and they do not perform as well when they are not confident.
Some athletes become negative when it is too cold, too hot, too steep, too bumpy, too far, too dry, too wet or too dirty — even though they know they give a better effort when they are positive and having fun.
Many lose intensity in particular situations, like a 3-0 count, 0-2 count, two outs and none on, or hitting with none on base (RBI lovers). Some stop putting out their best effort when they perceive — whether it is true or not— that the umpire, a teammate or a coach is putting out less than his or her best effort. Whatever the situation, all of these examples represent a lack of mental toughness, a lack of leadership by example, and a missed opportunity to practice giving another best effort performance.
Describing a competitor as relentless is high praise. She works hard all the time! To be consistently motivated, a leader must get to know her own strengths and weaknesses. Everyone has weaknesses, but not everyone gives in to them.
If something does not work, leaders change it. Some athletes play down to the level of their competition. Some take a mental break during "less important" games or drills. Some coast because they believe that they will be able to "turn it up a notch" later. Many let up when they are tired or facing long odds.
The relentless competitor's motto is, "best effort – one play at a time." It does not matter if that play is at practice or in the 15th inning; it does not matter if that play is comparatively easy or comparatively difficult. Their best effort is exactly what is good enough. Not any less.
Leaders appreciate the importance of practice, the importance of now, the importance of habits. Therefore, they take care of their bodies with good nutrition, weight training, flexibility work, stress management and time management. They make adjustments continually. Staying within their comfort zone is not important to them. Winning is.
A competitor who recognizes that her intensity lacks consistency either adjusts on her own or seeks assistance. Asking for help isperceived by some as a sign of weakness, but a leader knows it is a sign of strength. After testing the new ideas she finds, she repeats what works and changes or drops strategies that do not.
Perhaps a competitor, friend, supervisor, colleague, coach or family member motivates her. If so, she goes out of her way to spend time with that person. Or perhaps her key is a book, a song or a saying. Maybe a new habit of reading or reciting the right power phrases at the right times maintains her motivation.
Taking the time at the beginning (of the day, practice, etc.) to set intentions with a few minutes of meditative imagery is extremely powerful. She must know her job to do her job to the best of her ability. Do it once, and then do it again and again, and notice that the discipline gets easier as momentum is established.
Persistence gets an athlete to her goal. A lack of it keeps her from it. "Relentlessness is a good quality. I don't care what you do for a living," Hall of Fame baseball manager Tony LaRussa said. Pushing forward all the time is too much to ask of most people, but athletes who can do it get rewarded.
The Energizer Bunny-type at practice become coaches' pets for a reason — they get more done. When most athletes' body language and attitude say, "I'm tired," theirs says, "What else?"
Superlative competitors persevere through adversity. They have the confidence to say, "Keep going. I will get it done!" They have the will to win. There is a big difference between saying she wants these things and acting that out, although saying it is certainly the first step.
Industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie said, "The average person puts only 25 percent of his energy and ability into his work. The world tips its hat to those who devote more than 50 percent of their capacity, and stands on its head for those few-and-far- between souls who devote 100 percent."
Team exercise:
Self-assess your relentlessness at the end of each practice by giving yourself a relentlessness grade on a scale of 1-100 for today. Then, at the beginning of the next day, remember the grade you gave yourself yesterday and set a goal that is a bit higher. Of course, the ideal is to strive for perfection – 100 percent— but if that is not realistic (since humans have flaws), do not expect it. One appropriate strategy is to make a goal for today that is five percent higher than yesterday's score.
About NFCA:
Established in 1983, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) is the professional growth organization for fastpitch softball coaches from all competitive levels of play. Although collegiate coaches comprised the majority of the organization's membership in the early days, today they are joined by high school, travel ball, professional and international coaches, along with umpires, clubs, businesses and fans of fastpitch softball. Growing from 40 members in 1983 to over 5,700 today, the NFCA boasts members from all 50 states and 11 international countries – Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Italy, Switzerland and Sweden.
There are many services offered to the membership, highlighted by education, events, awards and networking opportunities. All-America teams, scholar-athlete accolades, coaching achievements, off-the-field contributions and various grants and scholarships make up the awards program. An annual National Convention, eight regional Coaches Clinics, in-person seminars (NFCCs), tournaments and camps contribute to the Association's continued event presence.
In addition to all of the above, education remains our top priority. Featuring a grassroots Coaching Tools package compiled of practice plans, drills and evaluation forms, the NFCA also disseminates podcasts, webinars, a mentoring program, publications, legal counsel and accurate and credible information surrounding the sport.
The national office, located in the Crescent Hill community of Louisville, Ky., and the headquarters of 11 employees, 19 Board members and seasonal interns, moved to the Bluegrass State in 2012.
