I observed parents and athletes at two great exposure events this last week and here are a few tips to the young women seeking to do the little things better in a camp or recruiting tournament.
These things will be seen by your coach, your opponent, the umpire, and college coaches.
1. Make eye contact with your coach regularly or the coach at the station or field you’re on so you’re locked in and listening
2. Smile & demonstrate good body language, even if you make a mistake, you’re not playing well, you’re not playing, or you’re in a session with a coach you don’t know or didn’t know would be there (your engagement w your team should be bigger than your personal feelings).
3. Speak to each coach or lead when you’re with them or at their station (could be an athlete teaching and you could create a relationship that you can learn from)
4. Be engaged
5. Have conversations w coaches and teammates about the game and what you’re seeing, evaluate athletes in a way to grow yourself . Ex: what is she doing I can learn from…
6. Check in at all events yourself, if you’re in middle school and above (you speak or walk forward to the adults or athletes at check in)
7. Stretch and throw and warm up with intention
8. Go about each thing you do with respect and passion to the game, umpire and opponent.
9. Mentally be smarter in the fourth inning than you were at the start (bc you have been engaged)
10. Give your best at every small task you do: on deck, in dugout, pre game, in game, and post game stretch. Own your actions and emotions. Own your development. Own your process.
Lets go! Couldn’t be more proud of you Matt! You earned this thru your hard work and dedication! We cant wait to watch you! Walsh is getting a good one! #Compete