Everything Fastpitch - The Podcast
578 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 days ago - ★★★★★ - 79 ratingsEverything Fastpitch is a podcast hosted by Coach Tory Acheson and Coach Don McKinlay. Tory and Don are former college coaches that are now full time instructors and travel ball coaches. Since retiring form active collegiate coaching they have committed themselves to providing educational materials to the fastpitch community. This podcast is one of the resources they are providing. Their website has 500+ blog posts and they have a YouTube channel. All of these cover fastpitch softball from coaching and training beginner athletes up through college athletes. It is a great resource for players, parents and coaches. Whether it be training tips, mental aspects, coaching methods, recruiting etc. it is all covered, hence the name Everything Fastpitch.
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Episodes
The Comfort Zone, Stretch Zone and Panic Zone
April 12, 2024 20:00 - 13 minutes - 9.13 MBPlayers need to advance their skills by practicing skills that are out of their comfort zone but not into their panic zone. In this episode we discuss the three zones that people fall into when performing tasks. The comfort zone where we are totally comfortable. The stretch zone where we are being pushed beyond what we are comfortable with. And finally the panic zone where we are asked to perform a task that we are incapable of performing. The coaches give you advice on how to use this know...
How to manage bullying / Reaction time for hitters
April 10, 2024 20:00 - 25 minutes - 17.9 MBA listener asks for some advice for bullying on a team whether this be physical, mental or isolating some players. This is a topic that all coaches should be on the watch for, Training hitters for fast pitchers. Hitting is reaction time and there are some drills that we can do to help them. Support the show
Coaches who yell / Too many travel teams / Look Good, Play Good
April 03, 2024 23:00 - 47 minutes - 32.3 MBThis weeks lineup: Coaches who yell. Some advice to coaches and parents who scream and yell during games and practices. Too many travel teams. There are more players than ever and that is great, but we don't have enough pitchers to support the number of teams. Changes need to be made and the people putting these teams together need to be more realistic of how far up the food chain they can go. Look Good, Play Good Support the show
Why communication is more critical for softball than baseball
March 29, 2024 20:00 - 11 minutes - 7.87 MBThis week we help coaches whose primary experience is in the baseball world understand the difference between communication required in softball as opposed to baseball. Support the show
Batting entire lineup vs. nine / Mental work helps confidence / Moving young players vs. specializing / College Softball observations / Slumps
March 27, 2024 20:00 - 51 minutes - 35.3 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Strengths of batting the entire lineup or nine hitters (@12:09) Paige's Power Play: Mental work helps confidence (@22:36) Moving players around at a young age (@25:28) College Softball observations (@33:17) Slumps (@44:54) Support the show
Basic skills have to come first
March 22, 2024 20:00 - 9 minutes - 6.7 MBWe have all seen it, players cannot execute the very basics of playing catch but they are practicing run downs, relays, etc. No matter what level you coach at, but especially those with inexperienced players, you have to be able to throw and catch. It may be boring, you might have to divide your players into groups but you have to work on throwing and catching until the players are competent, before moving onto anything else involving throwing and catching. Support the show
Hitting stations for practice / Getting Past Perfection / Advertising national, premier, gold, etc teams / Lack of respect for stars in women's sports
March 20, 2024 20:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBThis week's Lineup Warmup Segment Listener Question: What are ways to set up hitting stations for practices? (@12:00) Paige's Power Play: Getting Past Perfection (@15:58) Why do organizations advertise having national, premier or gold level teams.(@18:51) Lack of respect for stars in women's sports? (@27:34) Support the show
Practice with the same effort as in the game
March 15, 2024 20:00 - 10 minutes - 7.08 MBWe see this too often. In a game we are hitting with 100% effort, but in our training we don't practice at 100%. It doesn't make since to practice at a different level of effort than how we want to perform in a game. Make adjustments. Support the show
Superstitions - good or bad / What visualization is like / Non-softball training / Slow pitching - not an excuse / Be x Do = Have
March 13, 2024 20:00 - 51 minutes - 35.5 MBThis week's lineup Warmup Segment Listener Question: Are softball superstitions good or bad? (@13:24) Paige's Power Play: What visualization is like (@18:37) Importance of non-softball training (@25:47) Slow Pitching is not an excuse for hitting problems (@38:14) Be x Do = Have (@48:49) Support the show
It is our responsibility to help athletes from hurting themselves
March 08, 2024 21:00 - 18 minutes - 12.6 MBOur game has many different ways that a player can injure themselves. As coaches we can't prevent the freak accidents. Even professional athletes get hurt and they have expert coaching staffs. But we can be aware enough to help our players do things correctly and understand any current issues they have that must be taken into consideration with our plans. Support the show
Footwork for right handed first basemen / We can be too humble / Why have we gotten so combative / Helping catchers adapt to different pitchers / Learn from your peers
March 06, 2024 21:00 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBThis week's lineup Warmup Segment Listener Question: Footwork for right handed first basemen (@14:05) Paige's Power Play: We can be too humble (@20:12) Why have we gotten so combative in games lately? (@23:29) Helping catcher's adapt to different pitchers (@31:43) Learn from your peers (@39:53) Support the show
Defensive Ready Steps
March 01, 2024 21:00 - 9 minutes - 6.59 MBNewton's first law of motion states that “an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion". This applies to softball and the coaches discuss how players should be moving into a ready state instead of reacting from a stationary position. Support the show
Obligations of Runner and Catcher on a dropped 3rd strike / Why taking a break is bad is a myth / Message from a recruiting service / Please call the strike zone / Work your A's off
February 28, 2024 21:00 - 56 minutes - 38.9 MBThis week's lineup Warmup Segment Listener Question: Batter/Runner and Catcher's obligation on a dropped 3rd strike? (@13:15) Paige's Power Play: Why taking a break is bad is a myth (@19:00) Interview with EAS recruiting service (@22:31) Please call the strike zone (@39:46) Work your A's off (@53:53) Support the show
Has new equipment changed the game?
February 23, 2024 21:00 - 13 minutes - 9.02 MBThe coaches discuss the impact of equipment on the game of softball. Their decades of experience give them a unique perspective to the changes. Support the show
How much warm up for a pitcher / Part 2 of interview with Justin McLeod of D1Softball / Observations from early season games / Apply a quote from Usain Bolt
February 21, 2024 21:00 - 1 hour - 43.2 MBThis week's lineup Warmup Segment Listener Question: How much should my daughter warm up before each game? (@12:21) Paige's power Play: Free Parent Training (@19:05) Part 2 of Interview with Justin McLeod of D1Softball (@21:38) Observations from games I've seen at the beginning of the season (@42:25) Quote from Usain Bolt and how it applies today (@54:55) Support the show
Rethink any set philosophy you have for all players to follow
February 15, 2024 14:00 - 12 minutes - 8.57 MBWe often hear from students and former students that their coach wants everyone on the team to do something the same way. In this episode we discuss that all players are not physically and athletically the same and maximizing their performance may mean that having a set philosophy is not the best thing. Support the show
Clarification on being hit by batted ball / Interview with Justin McLeod of D1 Softball / Infield Fly Rule / Story telling
February 14, 2024 21:00 - 54 minutes - 37.7 MBThis week's lineup Warmup Segment Listener Question: My daughter was called out after being hit with a batted ball while standing on second base. Is this the correct call? (@8:39) Paige's Power Play: Free Parent Training (@12:21) Interview with Justin McLeod of D1 Softball (@15:17) Infield Fly Rule (@42:30) Action Coach Tip: Story telling (@50:48) Support the show
Each family's financial situation affects team dynamics
February 09, 2024 21:00 - 19 minutes - 13.3 MBThis is a podcast that every coach and parent of a team should listen to. The financial situation of a family plays a part in the dynamics of a team. Coaches are not expected to investigate a family's financial situation, but they have to understand that a family commits to a team based upon the coach's plan during the formation of the team. Every team will have families with a diverse range of financial abilities and every one on the team needs to understand and respect that. It is the head...
Reaction to a survey / Stop worrying about what others think / Reaction to a quote by a top coach / Maximizing coaching staff
February 07, 2024 21:00 - 40 minutes - 28.1 MBThis week's lineup Warmup Segment Listener Question: What is you reaction to this survey of parents on their expectation of playing softball? (@10:10) Paige's Power Play: How to stop worrying about what others think. (@17:50) "How do you coach in an environment where the players feel they owe you nothing and you owe them everything" Geno Auriemma (@21:21) Maximizing your coaching staff. Do everything or spread the responsibilities? (@33:05) Support the show
Team Bonding Activities - Good or Bad
February 02, 2024 21:00 - 9 minutes - 6.85 MBLots of teams talk about having team bonding activities. The coaches discuss whether these are important for teams and have a benefit. They talk about the challenges of planning them and the trade off with less practice time. Support the show
Concern about a coach's message / Help your daughter with boldness / College Camp Strategy for a catcher / Strong Statement of a coach / Community Service
January 31, 2024 21:00 - 44 minutes - 30.7 MBThis week's Lineup Warmup Segment Listener Question: Parent is worried about statement a coach is making. (@10:18) Paige's Power Play: How to help your daughter play with boldness. (@18:43) College Camp Strategy for a catcher (@21:50) Discussion of statement "My job is to find someone better than you, your job is to make sure I can't"(@31:53) Community Service (@41:06) Support the show
Head coach can't do everything
January 26, 2024 21:00 - 11 minutes - 8.04 MBHead coaches have to be a manager and can't take responsibility for every task. This is especially true in games. You cannot keep your finger on the pulse of the game and try to look after everything else. You lose focus on the game if your worrying about the lineup, dugout, bullpens, substitutions, etc. Support the show
What does Equivalency sport mean / Suggestions for applying for a coaching position / Start with a plan
January 24, 2024 21:00 - 38 minutes - 26.5 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Should paying team dues guarantee you a certain amount of playing time? (@13:00) Paige's Power Play: How to stop being her own worst enemy. (@15:53) College softball is an Equivalency sport. What does that mean? (@19:06) Suggestions to someone applying for a coaching position. A listener is applying for a high school coaching position and wanted some advice. (@30:00) Take time before the beginning of the season to have a plan for th...
If you want something different, you have to do something different
January 19, 2024 21:00 - 9 minutes - 6.45 MBCoaches, if you are working hard to get your team to perform and it isn't working we need to change something. We need to step back and take a look at what we are doing and make some adjustments. Our job is to determine why they aren't getting what we are teaching. It could be they just don't understand, don't have the skills or other factors. So, do something different. Support the show
Hitting ground balls intentionally / Parent training / Changing of the guard in coaching / Player talking to a coach / Habits
January 17, 2024 21:00 - 56 minutes - 39 MBThis week's lineup Warmup Segment Listener Question: Listener questions philosophy of not trying to hit ground balls. (@8:52) Paige's Power Play: Parent training (@22:25) Are we in a "changing of the guard" period in college sports? (@27:07) Should a player be comfortable when talking to the coach? (@41:01) People develop habits and their habits determine their success. (@47:34) Support the show
Skills learned in games and practices are different
January 12, 2024 21:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MBTo play the game successfully it takes practice and game experience. Coaches need to understand which skills are only learned in practice and skills that have to be learned in games. If we mix them up, players are going to be confused and make the wrong changes. Support the show
Role of parent in coachability / Parent Training / Movie Recommendation / Aristotle Quote / Goals and word of the year
January 10, 2024 21:00 - 36 minutes - 25.3 MBThis week's lineup Warmup Segment Listener Question: What is the role of a parent in determining the coachability of a player? (@11:02) Paige's Power Play: Parent Training (@15:13) Strong recommendation for a movie to help players. (@18:50) Aristotle Quote relating to sports: “Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives - choice, not chance, determines your dest...
Lessons from an NBA game. Don't stick with a plan when it isn't working.
January 05, 2024 21:00 - 12 minutes - 8.94 MBCoaches have a strategy for a game that involves lineups, pitching and playing positions. Sometimes it just isn't working. Be willing to break from your strategy to adapt for what is working today. Support the show
Is a big organization better for a player? / Hate it - Love it Debate / Hitters need to know the ingredients of a good swing / Benefits of reflection
January 03, 2024 21:00 - 1 hour - 41.3 MBWarmup Segment Warmup Segment Listener Question: Is it important to be part of a large organization? (@14:52) Paige's Power Play: Even dads understand that the mental game is important.(@23:38) Coach Tory and Coach Don take opposite sides on the major changes that have been made in the game of softball. (@27:27) Hitters need to understand the ingredients in a good swing and what is making them successful day after day. If they don't understand what, it will always remain a mystery. (@47...
You don't have to keep up with the Joneses
December 29, 2023 21:00 - 11 minutes - 8.2 MBWe hear it all the time. Well team X is practicing even though the weather is atrocious, so we need to. Team X is playing in tournaments every weekend so we must. Just because other teams are doing something does not necessarily mean it is best for your team. Make decisions based upon what makes your team better at the end. Support the show
How much should a team practice? / Should teammates be friends? / Why is bunting rare / Body language
December 26, 2023 21:00 - 38 minutes - 26.5 MBThis week's lineup Warmup Segment Listener Question: How much should a 10U team practice? (@9:28) Paige's Power Play: Prepare for a new year (@15:12) Is it important for teammates to be friends? (@18:25) Why is bunting rare now? (@28:03) Body language is important (@33:01) Support the show
We have to manage safety protocols
December 22, 2023 21:00 - 13 minutes - 9.32 MBIn our game we use items that can turn into weapons. Bats and balls can do serious damage to humans. Coaches have to have safety procedures that everyone knows and be willing to hand out consequences to individuals that do not adhere to them. Support the show
Group vs Individual Lessons / Creating a vision board / NCAA on paying athletes / NCAA Recruiting Term / Why we should enjoy coaching
December 20, 2023 21:00 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MBThis week's lineup Warmup Segment Listener Question: Group vs Individual Lessons (@8:25) Paige's Power Play: Creating a vision board (@15:30) NCAA proposal on paying athletes (@18:46) Another NCAA Recruiting Term (@33:58) Why we should enjoy coaching (@39:23) Support the show
How do you know when it is time to retire as a coach
December 15, 2023 21:00 - 12 minutes - 8.52 MBThe coaches discuss how to tell if it is time to retire from the coaching ranks. There are several things to consider and a decision that all coaches at all levels have to make. Support the show
Beneficial to be home team? / Vision Board Workshop / Recruiting Period Definition / Pickup Players / Same page on lessons
December 13, 2023 21:00 - 1 hour - 41.4 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Is it really beneficial to be the home team? (@20:08) Paige's Power Play; Vision Board Workshop (@24:20) Another NCAA Recruiting Period definition (@28:54) Pickup Players (@35:13) Coaches and Parents need to understand what a player is working on during lessons. (@47:43) Support the show
Followup to dealing with multi-sport athletes
December 08, 2023 21:00 - 13 minutes - 9.16 MBThis week we followup from our discussion last week about players playing multiple sports. Last week we primarily discussed the transition from season to season and the overlap. This week we discuss dealing with players that play other sports that coincide with softball and the problems that creates. Support the show
Right size bat / Don't be afraid to go first / Practice player vs. game player / College Club Softball / Unseen leaders
December 06, 2023 21:00 - 51 minutes - 35.7 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Coaches want a smaller player to use a 33" bat. Is this the right decision? (@14:52) Paige's Power Play: Don't be afraid to go first! (@22:13) Good player is not a good practice player. What can I do? (@27:06) Club Softball in College is a good option. (@39:13) Unseen leaders in softball and business (@46:29) Support the show
Multi-sport athletes and supporting them
December 01, 2023 21:00 - 14 minutes - 9.8 MBMany softball players play other sports and seasons overlap now more than ever. We need to take this into consideration and plan activities for the individual player based upon what they are doing in another sport. You have to help them during transitions and overlaps to prevent injuries, fatigue and just being tired. Support the show
Will leaping change the game? / Avoid letting a mistake turn into a bad day / Are there softball dead spots? / Pay attention to changes in the game
November 29, 2023 21:00 - 45 minutes - 31 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: How much will allowing leaping change the game? (@12:38) Paige's Power Play: How to avoid having a mistake turning into a bad day.(@18:17) Are there any places that are softball dead spots? (@21:55) Coaches pay attention to changes in the game. (@30:27) Support the show
Build a punch list for your team
November 24, 2023 21:00 - 9 minutes - 6.89 MBTo be properly prepared, a coach needs a master list of everything that needs to be covered in getting a team ready for the season. Then they need to keep a punch list of things that need to be improved. This helps in creating a practice plan and to keep things from falling through the cracks. Support the show
College coaches don't seem interested in 16U anymore / Benefit of a year's mentorship / NCAA terms explained / Impact of negative comments
November 22, 2023 21:00 - 47 minutes - 32.7 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Why are college coaches not very interested in 16U teams now? (@13:51) Paige's Power Play: Benefits of a year's mentorship. (@19:43) NCAA terms explained (@24:18) Impact of negative comments (@32:14) Developing players and employees (@40:35) Support the show
Balancing expectations and the mental game.
November 17, 2023 21:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBWe need to understand a player's individual mental makeup and expectations. Their individual characteristics has to be considered in coaching and teaching players. We have to get them to understand the game fully and comprehend what is good and bad. Support the show
Are prospects and suspects treated differently? / Empowering your athlete / D1 school adding Softball / The game doesn't care about feelings / Problem players and parents d
November 15, 2023 21:00 - 49 minutes - 33.8 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: On every team there are players that are prospects and some are suspects. Are they handled differently? (@13:57) Paige's Power Play: How to help you athlete feel empowered. (@19:01) D1 school adding Softball (@22:56) The game doesn't care about feelings. (@31:03) Problem players and parents and their impact. (@40:19) Link to MagicMind Discount Code:" fastpitch20" Support the show
Are prospects and suspects treated differently? / Empowering your athlete / D1 school adding Softball / The game doesn't care about feelings / Problem players and parents
November 15, 2023 21:00 - 49 minutes - 33.8 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: On every team there are players that are prospects and some are suspects. Are they handled differently? (@13:57) Paige's Power Play: How to help you athlete feel empowered. (@19:01) D1 school adding Softball (@22:56) The game doesn't care about feelings. (@31:03) Problem players and parents and their impact. (@40:19) Link to MagicMind Discount Code:" fastpitch20" Support the show
We don't learn physical skills through our ears
November 10, 2023 21:00 - 12 minutes - 8.38 MBSometimes coaches spend a lot of time talking about how to improve a skill or handle a situation. Talking can be helpful if it paints a picture for the recipient so that they can visualize it, otherwise it is of minimal benefit. The message is - spend more time performing the skills than talking about them. And learn how to explain things better. Support the show
Is it a waste of time at practice for outfielders to practice in the infield or vice versa? / Interview with one of the nation's premier strength and conditioning coaches. / Doing better next time!
November 08, 2023 21:00 - 1 hour - 57.3 MBThis week's lineup Warmup Segment Listener Question: Is it a waste of time at practice for outfielders to practice in the infield or vice versa?(@12:18) Paige's Power Play: Notes from an interview with a former collegiate soccer player. (@22:24) Interview with Tommy Moffitt, one of the nation's premier strength and conditioning coaches . Bio: @28:17) Doing better next time! (@1:20:06) MagicMind Support the show
Small physical adjustments sometimes help
November 03, 2023 20:00 - 9 minutes - 6.58 MBA small physical adjustment sometimes is a useful tool to help a player that is struggling. The coaches discuss how to help players understand this concept. Support the show
Best way to announce a lineup / Trust, Trust, Trust / Part 2 of Justin McLeod interview / Fundamental changes in College recruiting / Keeping enthusiasm with a struggling team
November 01, 2023 20:00 - 51 minutes - 35.2 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: What's the best way to announce a lineup? (@10:10) Paige's Power Play; Trust, Trust, Trust (@15:57) Second part of interview with Justin McLeod (@21:08) Fundamental changes in College Recruiting (@34:16) Keeping enthusiasm with a struggling team (@44:21) Support the show
Preparation and practice for the DP/Flex and Bench players
October 27, 2023 20:00 - 11 minutes - 7.69 MBWe have finished our tour around the field discussing coaching the different defensive positions. But we need to consider the importance of the DP/Flex and bench players and how we need to train them. Support the show
Questions about response from college coaches / Building trust in myself / Interview with Justin McLeod / The aging of umpires
October 25, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 48.2 MBThis week's lineup: Warmup Segment Listener Question: Once I have contacted a college coach, how long should I wait for a response? (@12:03) Paige's Power Play: Building trust in myself (@27:02) Interview with Justin McLeod (@30:17) The aging of umpires (@57:48) Support the show