Jess Nicola has been involved with softball for over 15 years including a successful four-year career at Monmouth University (N.J.) where she was a two-time honoree as a 1st team All-NEC catcher. For the last eight years she has been an instructor at Frozen Ropes, a softball/baseball facility. She also manages a 12U team and gives individual and team instruction.

Today, Jess is going to talk about instinct and what it means to a softball player and how you can work on improving yours through preparation…

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What is “instinct?”

The dictionary defines “instinct” as “a natural or innate impulse, inclination, or tendency.” It’s something that comes from within naturally, but it can be enhanced.

Being involved with younger athletes I feel the concepts of instinct and understanding are lacking. Many athletes are no longer students of the game. As a coach I feel that it is nearly impossible to teach instinct, I believe improving one’s instincts comes from playing, being involved, or watching the game.

In my opinion, younger kids are not involved enough with the game outside of organized teams.

I also feel many young players today watch the games for the wrong reasons. Instead of watching the players in detail—where they move on every play or how they react to situations—most kids are paying more attention to the “Hollywood” aspect. As a coach listening in, you hear players talk more about what players are wearing, what brand equipment they have, about the flashy batting stances, etc.

My goal as a coach is to have players understand the game in and out. Although I
believe I cannot teach instincts, I feel I can better prepare them for game situations, i.e. covering bases, where to throw the ball, verbal communication. My girls may not be the biggest or strongest players, but they will be students of the game and strong teammates!

 

 

Instincts + Reaction = Success

Instinct in softball can be connected to reaction. Reacting to situations, knowing at all times where to throw the ball or where your runners are, if you see an open bag cover it. In hitting, instinct is seeing the pitch you want and going after it.

Younger hitters today hesitate. They aren’t sure of the pitch, they are guessing and not just going with the instinct of “I want that one” and attacking the pitch. Pitching is a different field. Really, the only instinct situation a pitcher should be in is where and what pitch to throw.

Yes, coaches may call the pitch, but they can’t throw it. It is up to the pitcher to know where to place the pitch in certain situations. For example the girl is a good hitter and we don’t want the ball near home plate or being up 0-2 on a batter and not giving the hitter anything to good to hit.

 

Preparation allows instincts to take over

I feel one of the biggest factors that made me successful was knowing the game and being a leader. I was a catcher for my college career and at all times I was the coach on the field. I was always talking and directing players and knowing where the play was or where the ball had to go.

Back in travel ball when I was getting recruited, I had two games where instinct and preparation came into play. Being ready and prepared, looking out for opportunities, you can make instant decisions where your gut tells you what to do.

One time I was playing center field, there was a runner on second. She took her lead and as she was walking back I saw no one was covering the back. I sprinted in, my catcher saw me and threw it. Yes, we picked that runner off of second.

Another situation left a scar on my knee so it’s a memory I will never forget!

We were playing another local rival in a night game. Every one was hyped up. We went into an international tie breaker. We were the home team so we got our chance to score. The inning went on and I was the potential winning run on second with two outs. My teammate hit a ground ball past the short stop. My third base coach was waving me home.

When I saw the catcher setting up for a play at the plate, I knew I had to do whatever I could to get by her and not get thrown out. I instinctively knew—and had prepared for this—that the way she was set up I couldn’t go through her, I’d have to go around her.

Sure enough with a slide by her in a cloud of dust, I was safe and we won the game. After my teammates came running out, one of my teammates noticed that I had sliced my knee open down to the bone. An unfortunate result, but hey, we won!

 

Experience and instinct go hand and hand

You think back to the days of playing street ball where the garbage can was the first baseman. We didn’t have a coach saying throw to one or hustle to get the ball, you knew if you wanted to get the kid out you had to hustle and get it to one quickly.

On the flip side when you were batting there was no such thing as pitch selection or proper base running, you wanted to win. These street games taught many athletes how to think and react to their own instincts and to want to win.

As a coach I feel skills are very important but we also need to teach these players to be students of the game, to understand situations, to become familiar with different situations, so when players face them in a game they can just react…. react on instinct.

Physical mistakes are going to happen, but mental mistakes happen just because of a lack of focus or experience.

The more experience players get the better they’ll be. With all the experience they gain the confidence to play and will sharpen their instincts to know that when there’s a base open, go cover it—it doesn’t matter if you are the right person or not.

Another big tip to athletes is be open-minded and learn. Know that not all coaches criticize… if we’re doing it right, we are teachers and are here to help.

Finally, know that the more you listen to your coaches, the more you’ll learn, be prepared, have confidence and the better your game will be. It will come, instinctively, because you’ll trust yourself!