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
Where to start with the mental game - w/ Lindsey Wilson
We're in the middle of an amazing era of sport where performers are starting to tap into the power of their minds and COACHES get to be a part of that process!
And that can sometimes be overwhelming …
Redefining Success - w/ Mike Candrea
I don't brag often, but I think we're going to win BEST GIFT this season.
Because today we're joined by one of the most influential coaches in our game - and one of the best humans we've been so fort…
What Today's Athlete Really Needs - w/ Lauren Ammon
We're definitely coaching a different breed of athlete these days - but that shouldn't come as a surprise.
Every generation has their own version of the "kids these days" gripe - it's simply evolutio…
Our Role In Building Their Confidence - w/ Shay Haddow
Most of our girls could use an extra dose of confidence. Some seem do be on empty. Which means we as coaches have the amazing opportunity to build them up.
And who better to get tips on that a mental…
How Elite Level Coaches Get There - w/ Roberto Arroyo
You don't know what you don't know. Which is why coaches who reach the elite levels KEEP seeking out opportunities to learn & grow.
And that's how we got to meet today's guest! He has already develope…
We Eat Pressure for Breakfast - Mattawan's 2022 Season (Part 3)
It's not magic. But it sure does feel like it when everything clicks and your girls play FEARLESSLY.
If you've followed this podcast for a while, you know alicia has a knack for getting her girls to c…
There's LOTS of Crying in Softball - Mattawan's 2022 Season (Part 2)
You know the line (and if you don't, you're on the bench until you watch A League of Their Own!). But as funny as that scene was, we do NOT live in that world anymore. Not only IS there crying in sof…
When the Girls Buy In Right Away - Mattawan's 2022 Season (Part 1)
Every coach goes into a season with a vision of what they want this team to do this year. Now imagine if your girls could buy into that vision immediately AND perform hot out of the gate? Sound like …
Lessons from my favorite (& least successful) season - LaGrange College 2022 Season
Have you ever had every intention of pushing something off for just a little bit... and then a million things happened and before long it seems like FOREVER has passed?
Of course you have... You're a…
It Takes An Army -- w/ Alabama's Montana Fouts
Have you ever watched the World Series (college softball of course) and thought, “That player is super-human” Like there’s no way the rest of us or my girls could ever do that.
We put players like tod…
First Round of Playoffs -- Alicia's HS Postseason
Was this the last weekend Alicia had with her team? Or did they pull it out and make it to the next round of playoffs???
Listen in to today's episode to find out!
What to Do When They're Not Competing -- Alicia's HS Season 3/3
But wait, there's more! Listen in for some tips on connecting with your athletes & one of the most popular drills Alicia has shared to date!
What to Do When They're Not Competing -- Alicia's HS Season 2/3
Part 2/3 here! Find out if that Figure-It-Out moment actually worked.
What to Do When They're Not Competing -- Alicia's HS Season 1/3
It's been a hot minute, but we're back & have a treat in store for you!
Listen in to today's episode (and then two more!) as we get caught up on how Alicia's team has been doing over the past several…
Advice From A True Difference-Maker -- w/ Sue Enquist
In honor of our fast-approaching Difference-Makers Bootcamp, we wanted to re-share this GEM of an episode with Sue Enquist. Listen in, get inspired, then come learn more from this rockstar in Bootcam…
How to Be A Difference-Maker -- Audio sales page for our upcoming (4/18) Bootcamp
Are you a passionate softball coach who believes in developing the whole person?
Do you like making a difference?
Then what are you up to next week?!
Today's bonus episode is an audio version of our sal…
Mattawan High School 2021 Season -- Week 1
Alicia's been at this for a while, so you'd think she's experienced it all by now. Not the case!
This season brings new challenges:
- Covid protocols and the need for flexibility
- An almost brand new team
- Y…
What It's Like to Train the Mental Game
When coaches contact us to ask about consulting for their team, the first question is always, "What does that look like?"
So we're pulling back the curtain on what Alicia does with the teams she work…
When There's Not Enough Time... Or $$$ -- Difference-Maker Tips
If I could wave a magic wand and you had ALLLL the time and money you could ever want to use with your team...
What would that feel like?
Amazing? Freeing? Like your options were limitless?
What if I t…
How to Stop Wasting Energy -- Difference-Maker Tips
Coaching is exhausting - usually in all the best ways!
But we all know there are energy sucks out there that end up affecting our performance.
So, is there anything we can do about it? Or do we just h…