Sam Traylor, assistant coach of the
Harford Xtreme Showcase, has excellent advice for bench players of
any sport or, actually, any endeavor whatsoever.
The bench is not a lost opportunity, he insists. Instead, it is a real opportunity.
“It is easy to be positive and full of energy when you are the standout star playing every inning of every game,” he maintains.
It is more than “big” he says. “It is huge!!!” he asserts.
“As Harford Xtreme Showcase head coach Charlie Weimer so rightly says on a regular basis, 'the mind is a powerful thing',” he adds.
***
and Yourself From the Bench
by Stacie Mahoe
from Coach John Peter's SoftballTips.com
Almost every player comes upon a time in their career where they find themselves on the bench...
Here are some things I learned about helping your team and continuing to improve as a player while "sitting on the bench."
1. Support teammates every single inning – top and bottom.
Yes, this means chatter. This means letting those starters know you're there, you're paying attention, and you support them 100% no matter what the situation...
2. Know the situation and help your defense.
This helps both you and your team. You can be the one who prevents a mental error by reminding your teammates out on the field what the situation is before the play happens...
3. Keep track of opposing batters.
Make notes of opposing batters, where they hit, if they chase high pitches, if they got burned on a change, if they have power, speed, etc. Then alert your defense when someone with exceptional speed or power comes up to bat. Remind your teammates on defense where the batter went the last time...
4. Study the opposing pitcher.
See if you can pick up any tendencies or cues that the pitcher may have. Maybe they use a certain pitch at a certain point in the count. Maybe they present their change up a little differently than their other pitches. Maybe she's always throwing the first pitch for a strike. Maybe she's starting off inside, then finishing off the count outside. What is her favorite "go to" pitch? Anything you can pick up and alert your team to can be helpful in the success of your team's offense...
5. Study the opposing coaches.
See if you can figure out a signal. Oftentimes coaches give defensive signals (pick offs, 1st and 3rd plays, etc), pitching signals, and hitting/offensive signals. Can you figure one of them out?
6. Help keep the dugout tidy.
This may sound simple and unimportant, but it can actually be a big help. Oftentimes the players on the field have to get in and out of the dugout quickly as they change over from offense to defense...
7. Pay attention to signals.
Earlier we talked about opposing team's signals, but this time we're talking about your own team's signals. Practice reading all the signals being given by your coach....
8. Stay warm.
Last but not least, stay warm throughout the game. You never know when your team may need you in the game...
Remember, just because you are not on the field it doesn't mean you're not important. Your team still needs you "in the game."
The bench is not a lost opportunity, he insists. Instead, it is a real opportunity.
“It is a BIG OPPORTUNITY to show what you are made of,” claims Coach Sam.
“It is easy to be positive and full of energy when you are the standout star playing every inning of every game,” he maintains.
“Now is your opportunity to show who you really are, and be more energetic, positive, and utilize your time on the bench to encourage and be a positive influence!”
It is more than “big” he says. “It is huge!!!” he asserts.
“Players on the bench can have a significant impact on the success of the team and can literally mean more to the team than players in the game,” he continues.
“As Harford Xtreme Showcase head coach Charlie Weimer so rightly says on a regular basis, 'the mind is a powerful thing',” he adds.
“Keep working hard, be the most positive and energetic person on that bench,” says Coach Sam, “and the opportunity to shine WILL come.”
and Yourself From the Bench
by Stacie Mahoe
from Coach John Peter's SoftballTips.com
Edited, condensed version of a much larger article at softball-tips.com/instruction/helpfrombench.html. Highly recommend that the full article be read.
Almost every player comes upon a time in their career where they find themselves on the bench...
Here are some things I learned about helping your team and continuing to improve as a player while "sitting on the bench."
1. Support teammates every single inning – top and bottom.
Yes, this means chatter. This means letting those starters know you're there, you're paying attention, and you support them 100% no matter what the situation...
2. Know the situation and help your defense.
This helps both you and your team. You can be the one who prevents a mental error by reminding your teammates out on the field what the situation is before the play happens...
3. Keep track of opposing batters.
Make notes of opposing batters, where they hit, if they chase high pitches, if they got burned on a change, if they have power, speed, etc. Then alert your defense when someone with exceptional speed or power comes up to bat. Remind your teammates on defense where the batter went the last time...
4. Study the opposing pitcher.
See if you can pick up any tendencies or cues that the pitcher may have. Maybe they use a certain pitch at a certain point in the count. Maybe they present their change up a little differently than their other pitches. Maybe she's always throwing the first pitch for a strike. Maybe she's starting off inside, then finishing off the count outside. What is her favorite "go to" pitch? Anything you can pick up and alert your team to can be helpful in the success of your team's offense...
5. Study the opposing coaches.
See if you can figure out a signal. Oftentimes coaches give defensive signals (pick offs, 1st and 3rd plays, etc), pitching signals, and hitting/offensive signals. Can you figure one of them out?
6. Help keep the dugout tidy.
This may sound simple and unimportant, but it can actually be a big help. Oftentimes the players on the field have to get in and out of the dugout quickly as they change over from offense to defense...
7. Pay attention to signals.
Earlier we talked about opposing team's signals, but this time we're talking about your own team's signals. Practice reading all the signals being given by your coach....
8. Stay warm.
Last but not least, stay warm throughout the game. You never know when your team may need you in the game...
Remember, just because you are not on the field it doesn't mean you're not important. Your team still needs you "in the game."
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