Coach John Wojcik - Finesse 14U

 4462 W. Highland

Highland, MI 48357

FINESSE COACHING STAFF PHILOSOPHY

Welcome Sports Moms and Dads

Your child is involved in sports and you want to be the best Sports Mom or Dad you can be. I'm sure you'll agree that many valuable life lessons are learned through participation in sports. That's probably one of the many reasons you got your child started in sports. But how do you keep sports fun for your children so that they want to keep learning? How do you help them excel while learning and developing as an athlete and as a human being? This page provides tips, tools, and resources to insure that your child has the best possible sports experience.

Things to Remember

1. Your child is NOT you. Therefore, she will have different strengths and weaknesses than you have/had as an athlete and as a human being. They will also be different from their siblings. Help your child, as an individual, excel in their strengths and continue to improve on their weaknesses.
2. Your attitude & behavior "trickles down" to your child. Demonstrate sportsmanship in your actions & words.
3. It's a GAME - it's supposed to be fun!

The Attitude of Champions

What makes a champion different from the average person? Do they have more skills or expertise? Are their circumstances perfect? Are they endowed with exceptional natural talents? Do they have more money or greater opportunities? Or, is it simply good luck? The answer is that none of these things by themselves can create a champion. In fact, most top performers have had to deal with challenges above and beyond the average. So, what makes the difference? Studies show again and again that the difference is the champion's attitude. True champions have a unique, positive outlook--an unfailing belief that focused, consistent effort will yield successful results. Here's an example from the world of baseball... Babe Ruth is remembered as one of the greatest baseball hitters in history with 714 home runs. Yet, his averages show that his skill was not unsurpassed. His technique--although impressive--was not particularly unusual. The thing that made "the babe" so great was his tenacity and his willingness to keep trying. He would often swing so hard at the ball that a missed hit would send him sprawling to the ground. But, when he connected, watch out! Once when asked the question, "Babe, what do you do when you get in a batting slump?" he replied, "I just keep going up there and keep swinging at them. If I strike out two or three times in a game or fail to get a hit for a week, why should I worry? Let the pitchers worry, they're the guys who're gonna suffer later on." What a great attitude! Nearly forty years later, when Hank Aaron was about to break Babe Ruth's record, author Og Mandino called the office of the Atlanta Braves and asked, "I know that Hank has 710 home runs, and needs only five more to break Ruth's record, but I was wondering--how many lifetime strike-outs does he have?" The answer was 1,262 strike-outs. Imagine that! He was the best of the best, and still struck out almost twice as many times as he hit a home run. The difference between a champion and the average person is that the champion keeps trying when the average person quits--her attitude drives her on. She refuses to consider the possibility of quitting because she is so totally convinced that success is imminent. I challenge you to adopt the attitude of a champion. Don't be afraid to fail, be afraid of missing opportunities when you don't even try.  

The statement "Playing time is earned, not given" is the foundation of our coaching philosophy. Most teams have starters and role players. However, starters will not receive any special treatment. Everyone on the team is expected to put the best interest of the team first, before any thought is given to individual accomplishments. No individual, coach or player, is more important than the team. What specifically does "Playing time is earned, not given" mean?  The amount of playing time each player receives will depend on attitude, skill level, and commitment to the team, absences, injuries and game/tournament situations.

Team pride is another cornerstone of our competitive athletic program. Winning builds pride, but so does hard work and commitment to individual and team goals. My staff and I will instill in each player the belief that hard work pays off, and the harder she works, the more they will achieve. While winning is a goal for everyone, at the same time each player should focus on her effort - not the outcome. A team can always control its' effort, but seldom the outcome of a game.

Teaching and repetition are two of the tools we will use to prepare each player to be the best softball player she can be. Starting with fundamentals, working on techniques and individual skills and teaching team defense in depth. We will take every opportunity to teach and demonstrate teamwork, sportsmanship and respect for everyone, starting with the coaches and your parents.  Believing that "Perfect practice makes perfect." players should properly practice the skills being taught, on a repetitive basis, so that these skills become as natural as walking and talking. All Team members will set goals for themselves and the team. These goals should be challenging enough to require each player to extend beyond present skill level. Each player will have the opportunity to achieve success and/or failure in game situations. Each player’s primary competition should be on their team, not on the opposing team. Strive for constant competition among pitchers, catchers, infielders and outfielders. By practicing often with excellent players, each player will have the opportunity to become the best she can be. The underlying philosophy is ---- players compete with other players or teams rather than against other players or teams.

Mental preparation (ICE) is as important as physical preparation for any team sport.  

Intensity  Exhibit an exceptional focus and concentration.  

Composure  Keep cool under pressure.   

Enthusiasm  Have fun, enjoy the game of softball.

Finesse Winter clinics at Total Softball in Wixom

start on December 6, 2009. 4:00 – 8:00pm 

Players are to be on time with shirts tucked in. Wear tennis shoes and workout clothing. Be prepared to sweat! Bring all your gear: glove, bat, helmets, catchers gear, and sliders. 

Defense – 4-5:30pm      Offense – 5:30-7pm    Performance Training – 7-8pm 

For more information click here ---> http://www.eteamz.com/finesse/news/index.cfm?cat=9066

Finesse 2009 – 2010 Winter Clinic Schedule 

http://www.totalsportscomplex.com/