July 30, 2015
WYC 051 – Youth Softball – Jenn Starkey from FastPitch Fit talks confidence, teaching players to go not stop, and the MVP Leadership Academy
What does it take to be a winning youth coach? Listen in as Jenn Starkey shares stories and discusses her journey to becoming a successful youth sports coach.
Jenn is a Softball Coach, Sushi Lover, Yogaholic, and an Expert Marketer on a mission to help young leaders find they leverage they need to go ALL IN. Jenn has created a leadership program for youth athletes and is currently working on a book titled “A League Of Your Own”- a book written that talks all about what it means to be a leader in your own life.
Facebook: /FastpitchFit
Youtube: /FastpitchFit
Book: ‘A League of Your Own’ – loyobook.com
Listen Now:
Listen in ITunes: Itunes link
Listen in Stitcher: Stitcher link
Quote
‘If you can’t explain it to a 6 year-old, you don’t understand it yourself’ – Albert Einstein
My Cringe & ‘Ah-Ha’ Moments
- Learning to not let the emotions of the game and the emotions of coaching affect your personal life – One rule Jenn has with the parents is that if they want to have a discussion – they need to schedule an appointment (so you’re not being interrupted throughout the evening)
- One cringe moment – Failing to act when a parent was out of line
Teaching Children & Keeping it Fun
- ‘If you can’t explain it to a 6 year-old, you don’t understand it yourself’ – Albert Einstein
- Use funny words, ask a lot of questions, ask them how they feel
HUGE IDEA #1:
- Steps in teaching:
- A good strategy is to ask the kids if they want to learn something new before you teach it – increases buy-in
- Then demonstrate what doing it the right way looks like. If you can’t physically demonstrate it yourself – have someone else do it, or even show a video.
- Now break it down into steps and explain the why on what they are doing
- Then do a dry run
- Then go game speed
Self-Confidence and teaching kids to achieve peak performance
- Give genuine compliments on how the player makes the team better
- The best way to keep the pressure from mounting is to keep the game fun – and practice pressure situations in practice
HUGE IDEA #2:
- 7 confidence Hacks:
- 20 minute video: fastpitchfit.com/confidence-hacks/
- #1- Extra Practice
- #2 Anchoring
- #3 Unleash the Alter Ego
- #4 Power Pose
- #5 Master Self Talk
- #6 Visualization
- #7 Play Up!
- As a player – it’s your job to go; as a coach – it’s my job to stop you. So be aggressive until I tell you to do otherwise.
Culture – Discipline/Rewards/Teambuilding
- Make sure you are only punishing things that the kids can control
- Jenn has a baby elephant story, and a baby elephant award at the end of each week of practice is given to the kid who has worked the hardest and been the best teammate
- The Tony Robbins triad for you to change how you feel:
- Move your body
- What you focus on
- What you say
Connecting with Kids
- MVP Leadership Academy
- Book: ‘A League of Your Own’ – loyobook.com
Winning
- Winning is an outcome, the goal is growth
The One that Got Away
- Jenn believes in having a post-game review – then moving on
Best Stolen idea
- Jenn’s dad attitude about being a coach – He said he is a parrot – learn from the best and do the same things.
Coaching/Leadership Quote or Book
- Anything by John Wooden or John Maxwell
Parting Advice
- Athletes aren’t going to remember what you say – they are going to remember how you make them feel. Write down how you want your kids to feel when they look back.
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