2023 VIRTUAL SOFTBALL COACHES Convention

---

IMPORTANT UPDATE...PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK JUNK OR SPAM EMAIL BOX AT LATEST BY END OF DAY SUNDAY JAN 29TH AS CONVENTION WELCOME EMAILS TO ALL REGISTERED COACHES WILL BE SENT OUT JAN 29TH.  THANK YOU!!

Training Foundation presents our 2023 Virtual Softball Coaches Convention (4 days) beginning Wednesday, February 1st at 6pm MST.  All Speakers represent either current Division 1 Coaches, former Division 1 athletes, current and former National Team members and Olympians, or those categorized at the top of their fields in growing the game of Softball.   This convention will be geared towards Coaches and or Parents working with athletes from the grassroots level to those in their teens. ALL Coaches and Parents can benefit from the tremendous line-up of Speakers we have been able to secure. Truly an unbelievable experience to either begin your coaching career or continue your learning from some off the best. 

NOTE: For those Canadian Coaches registering that are also maintaining Softball Canada certification you may self-report our 2023 Virtual Convention to receive PD points in your Locker as part of the Self Reporting Program. If choosing to do so please email AJ at ajfystro@gmail.com after registering to receive full documentation and instructions to obtain credits. 

MEET YOUR SPEAKERS AND CONVENTION SCHEDULE (all times MST): 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST

6:00PM - 7:30PM - PITCHING: AMANDA SCARBOROUGH (Texas A&M) - THE SECRETS TO COACHING PITCHERS IN HEALTHY MECHANICS, UNSHAKEABLE CONFIDENCE AND A COMPETITIVE FIRE!! @pitchingangel - Coach Maximizer Series with Amanda Scarborough (pitching-angel.com) - Simplifying mechanics in a way that's easy to understand.  "I have first-hand experience coaching pitchers and working with other coaches, parents, and teams all around the world. I know what challenges you face and what guidance you need to help your pitcher deal with adversity.  And I’ve compiled my top coaching methods to help YOU guide your pitcher towards reaching her full potential, growing her velocity and accuracy over time, and becoming tough as nails in the circle!"  

The 3 Needs for Every Pitcher:

1. Clear Mechanics - Build consistent, solid form to improve velocity, movement and command. 

2. Drills and Workouts - Create a plan that's easy to follow with a variety of drills and focused workouts. 

3. Mental Training - Strengthen a mindset that is full of belief and empty of doubt. You aren't alone. 

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD 

6:00PM - 7:00PM - MOBILITY + MOVEMENT: TRACY HAYES - WHAT REALLY MATTERS FOR SOFTBALL PLAYERS @mobilitychick - Tracy has been featured on MLB.com for her movement and mobility work and has quickly become a highly sought-after speaker on the importance of quality movement patterns and mobility, how to train transitions, and living your most authentic self.  Known in pro-sports circles as “MobilityChick”, Tracy’s 12-Week Offseason Mobility series launched within the MLB community in 2020 has garnered the attention of players and strength coaches from 26 of the 30 MLB organizations, from A-ball players to All-Stars.  

All Coaches registering will also receive the following resources to utilize from Tracy: 

1.  A 20-minute warmup taking athletes through a full-body mobility routine to prep the body + brain with efficient movement patterns for improved thoracic rotation, better hip mobility + deep foundational stability. Downloadable video + Printable PDF will be included

2. Access to a Youth Mobility Warmup: A must-have mobility warmup focusing on developmentally appropriate movements to prepare the youth athlete’s body on a physical and neurological level for practice/games. Includes 3 Videos + 3 PDFS with developmentally appropriate suggestions for cueing and positioning for all ages.

7:30PM - 8:45PM - INFIELDING:  MORGAN STUART (University of Washington) - DEVELOPING DEFENDERSSTEP BY STEP @defenselessons -  Known as a role model for girls in the sport, Morgan advocates for players looking for their voice because that’s the type of player she started out as.  Her focus is to train defense specifically, but coaching doesn’t stop at the physical skills. Through her in-person and remote lessons, Morgan guides players through learning the fundamentals as well as building their mental armor against fear of failure, bad self-talk, and doubt in themselves.

Morgan’s session will include:

1. How she implements mentality practice into each lesson

2. Walk through of mechanics includes in her Black Book of Drills

3. How to plug in drills to your practice

Registrants will be provided a special offer a the end of her session!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4TH

8:30AM - 9:45AM - HITTING: ASHLEY BURKHARDT (Purdue University) - Teaching Hitters How to Take Ownership of Their Swing, Their Mentality and Their Success @ashleybtraining - "From competing and coaching with and against some of the best in our game for over 20 years, I’ve learned the difference between the good and the great when it comes to a complete hitter. In our session you’ll get a breakdown of what to look for in your hitters’ mechanics, key drills and challenges to focus on while training your players and how to teach confidence in the work that you do with them each and every day. All in all, we want our athletes to look forward to their practices and getting better, and when we focus on the right things, they’ll be excited to keep leveling up their own game!”  -  Website: www.ashleybtraining.com // YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/AshleyBurkhardtTraining // Podcast: When the Cleats Come Off: https://www.ashleybtraining.com/podcast 

10:15AM - 11:15AM - OUTFIELDING: KELSEY LALOR (Boise State/Current Member of Team Canada) - Developing Elite Level Outfielders @kelseylalor - By competing on the International stage since the age of fifteen I have learned what it takes to be an elite outfielder. By first developing solid fundamentals, we can then work alongside our athletes to build efficient and effective movement patterns on defence. In our session we will talk through the basics of outfield and how to progress them as players improve, building arm strength, and the best drills to use during practice to prepare your players for the game. We will also breakdown what separates the best outfielders from the rest of their competitors. As hitters get better, our outfielders become increasingly important, so we want to give our athletes all the tools they need to be successful on defence. 

11:30AM - 12:30PM - PRACTICE PLANNING:  CASSIE MATLOCK (University of West Alabama) -  PLANNING PRACTICE TO EXECUTE SUCCESS @cassie_matlock - 

Having competed in the NAIA, NCAA DII, and internationally, I’ve had the privilege of working with programs, coaches and players of all types. Despite the many differences there are several elements that are universal when it comes to a great practice, and great practices make great teams. In our session I’ll give you insight into what these elements are, and how you can implement them into your own practices. I’ll also help you create practice plans that align with your resources and abilities, and create a culture of growth for your team and program.

In this 2 part session Cassie will be providing all Coaches with a Pre-recorded session  before the Convention with Practice Planning options.  Coaches will then have the ability during the Live session to hear more from Cassie as well as  the opportunity for a further Q&A.  

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH

8:00AM - 9:15AM - CATCHERS: AMANDA CHIDESTER (Current Assistant Coach Michigan/Team USA) - Building Your Catchers in Practice @chiddy3 -   From National Pro Fastpitch Player of the Year in 2019, a member of the USA Softball Women's National Team on-and-off since 2012, Amanda will share her experiences at Michigan and with Team USA.  "I have learned and have been challenged when skill is not enough. As a catcher there are intangibles that can make a good catcher great, I will be sharing with all of you what I have learned.  In my session I will take coaches through the core skills every catcher needs to practice consistently; receiving, transfer, throw downs, and fielding bunts." 

9:45AM - 11AM -  COACHING THE ATHLETE OF TODAY: VICTORIA HAYWARD (Current Associate Head Coach San Diego State/Team Canada) - Developing Relationships, Building Trust and Maximizing Your Impact @victoriahayward -  Victoria has both coached and competed at the highest level of the game.  An Olympian and 15-year veteran of the Canadian National Team turned Associate Head Coach, Victoria has been integral in developing high-performance, high-trust cultures and knows what it takes to win.  In this session, you will dive deep into your identity as a coach and how to work with this generation of athletes in order to maximize both your relationships and your on-field performance. 

________________________________________________________________________

REGISTRATION DETAILS: CONVENTION FEE: $125(CDN) 

Whether a Parent or a Coach.. all welcome. No borders!!   

To inquire about a Group or Association registering please contact AJ at ajfystro@gmail.com

To register individually CLICK the link below.  All participants will be emailed a link to the LIVE sessions prior to February 1st.

https://checkout.square.site/merchant/RBB74SNBHZTVJ/checkout/BTGCVJ6ZDQBFZ3WWTN73HTFW

Please direct all questions to AJ Fystro with Training Foundation at ajfystro@gmail.com 

SHARE WITH THOSE YOU KNOW TO HELP SUPPORT THESE COACHES GIVING BACK.