The Softball Shift
Welcome to **The Softball Shift: Coaching Softball from the Inside Out**—the go-to podcast for softball coaches dedicated to enhancing their team's mental game and fostering a winning team culture. Hosted by seasoned coaches Mel Rushing and Alicia Smith, who bring over 30 years of combined experience in sport psychology, leadership, and performance coaching, this podcast offers actionable strategies to develop mentally tough athletes and cohesive teams. Each episode dives into topics such as mental training techniques, building resilience, effective communication, and leadership development, providing you with the tools to elevate your coaching game and lead your team to success. Whether you're a seasoned coach or just starting out, **The Softball Shift** is the leader's guide for coaching the mental game of softball.
- Update frequency
- every 8 days
- Average duration
- 31 minutes
- Episodes
- 159
- Years Active
- 2018 - 2025
Introducing the Clutch Mentality Bootcamp Podcast
Interested in attending the Clutch Mentality Bootcamp but have some questions? This (10 min) series can help you decide!
Ready to join? Head to https://www.mentalsweetspot.com/clutchmentality
Get Them Mentally Ready for the Day - Rewire App Introduction
Imagine being able to screen your girls before practice to get a true idea of what you're going to get out of them that day?
Instead of HOPING you notice the signs. Hoping you don't miss one player a…
Get Your Team to Bring the ENERGY - w/ David Lindsay
Ever look at your team mid-practice (or mid GAME) and think... Are they ALIVE?
There are so many things that drain their energy, then before you know it the energy is gone and you might as well call …
Case Study: Bootcamp alum & Professional HC Candace Fenton-Brockbader
In today's episode, we chat with Bootcamp OG Candace Fenton-Brockbader! You're going to find so many moments in this episode you can relate to. She is a GEM!
How Culture Kept Us In Coaching
Coaching is hard. You know what I mean. Not the on-field stuff.
It's the attitudes... The lack of competitiveness... The people talking smack about how you're doing things. It can be draining.
Honest…
The Top 3 Culture Killers (And How to Deal with Them)
Culture can be complicated.
You have to get 12-20+ players on the same page, understanding what it takes to achieve the goals they want. As vital as any coach like you knows culture is... it can be d…
Advice from the TOP softball coaches
We coaches are contantly looking forward. What's next. Where is there room to improve. What can we do better as a coach? But sometimes the answers are already there for us - if we just take a peek in…
Sometimes You Have to Loosen Your Grip- Mattawan Season Finale
As much as we as coaches want to control the situation and do everything in our power to help our girls succeed... T
here are some times when we have to realize - it's not about us.
Sometimes we have …
When They Don't Seem to Give A [shhh] - Mattawan Part 2
Have you ever felt at a loss? Scratching your head... maybe even pulling-your-hair-out level... No clue what to do to get them to CARE?
You're certainly not alone. Every coach has been in this spot w…
Getting Them To Focus on the Positive - Mattawan's 2023 Season Part 1
We've said it before and we'll say it again: just telling them this game is a game of failure DOESN'T make them stop obsessing on their fails.
I know you've experienced this! So what is the magic ans…
How to Feel Proud Even When You Lose - LC Finale
Coaching is NOT easy. You of all people know that.
There are ups and downs - in both on-field performance AND the emotions - that are easy to get wrapped up in.
The best seasons are ones where we as …
Learning Lessons Every Day (Win or Fail) - LC Part 5
I think we all can agree - it's MUCH easier to see what's going wrong than it is to notice what's going right. Honestly- that's our job as coaches!
But we also know how distracting and harmful it can…
What to Do When the Energy Isn't There - LC part 4
We've all experienced those games when the team we KNOW they're capable of just didn't show up.
The energy was off.
They were more quiet than usual... maybe tired? Maybe upset about their performance…
Creating A Culture System w/ JP Nerbun
There's no doubt about it: Culture is the key to a great season. Even if performance isn't quite there, a strong culture makes it worthwhile.
Put the two together? You've helped create an unforgettab…
Stronger Relationships, Faster Adjustments - LaGrange 2023 Season Part 3
If you're listening to this episode, you've likely listened to Alicia's past seasons and learned the same thing I have: strong relationships are the secret weapon. We've all had that moment where we …
Getting Them to Believe in Themselves - LaGrange 2023 Season Part 2
The ultimate goal for coaches like us... The coaches who care most about developing the person THROUGH the sport of softball... Is getting our girls to truly BELIEVE they're capable. That they're cap…
Less is More - LaGrange College 2023 Season Wk 1
It's that time of year for spring softball!
Since us covering Alicia's season has gotten so much great feedback, we've decided to follow my team this year as well!
For those who don't know, I'm in year…
From Their Biggest Critic to Their Best Coach - Ray Santiago
Have you even wondered why your girls are so hard on themselves? Why can't they let things go, even when you're doing everything to convince them they're fine? You don't yell... You tell them you bel…
Developing Confident Young Women - w/ Harvard HC Jenny Rohn
Most coaches WANT to develop strong young women, but not all of them actually know HOW to build those people skills into their training plans.
Today's guest does so with everything from challenge dri…
Being the Coach They'd Choose Again - w/ Jessica Bracamonte
We get into coaching because we want to help. But you don't get to stay there unless athletes CHOOSE to play for you year in and year out.
There will of course be some turnover for various reasons, b…