ELIZABETH, Ind. — The NFCA Coaches Clinic hit a home run for the second straight year as it wrapped up its two-day run Saturday at the Horseshoe Southern Indiana Hotel and Casino.
Featuring a stellar lineup of nationally-known coaches, the two-day educational event sponsored by Strike Tec Systems, MPC Promotions and Republic Bank, provided a first-rate opportunity for softball instructors at all levels to learn from some of the game’s best.
“What a terrific event!” said NFCA Executive Director Carol Bruggeman. “Our world-class speaking line-up captivated our 323 attendees with their knowledge of the game and secrets of success. Everyone left the clinic excited to implement new drills and concepts into practices and games for the upcoming season.”
The clinic, which provided coaches a snippet of the engaging, creative instruction showcased on a larger scale at each year’s NFCA National Convention, featured a five distinguished instructors: Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso, Kentucky head coach Rachel Lawson, LSU skipper Beth Torina, UCLA head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez and President of Softball Excellence, Cindy Bristow. A similarly strong lineup is planned for the third edition of the NFCA Coaches Clinic, which returns to the Horseshoe Southern Indiana on Jan. 5-6, 2018.
Exhibitors, nine in all, were also an important part of the event as Strike Tec Systems, National Scouting Report, Boombah, Inc., Marucci Sports, Schutt Sports, BSN Sports, M.A.S.A Mid-American Sports Advantage, Sportdecals Sport and Spirit Products, Inc. and Athletx showcased their latest products and made new connections with coaches in attendance.
Adding to the fun, all attendees were entered into prize drawings during the speaker changeovers both days. Brittany Triplett of Graves County High in Mayville, Ky., won the grand prize of a free registration to the third annual NFCA Coaches Clinic, scheduled for Jan. 5-6, 2018, at the Horseshoe Southern Indiana.
Attendees were not limited to just Indiana and neighboring Kentucky. Coaches traveled from all over the United States and one from our neighbors up north, Canada. Those states represented were- Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.
“Fastpitch softball continues to excel because experienced coaches willingly share information with motivated high school, travel ball, and college coaches to help grow the sport.,” Bruggeman said. “This connection was evident at our NFCA Coaches Clinic this weekend.”
On Saturday, Gasso led off with her presentation on “Championship Defensive Strategies,” which preceded Inouye-Perez’s “Game Day Preparation.” Gasso returned to the stage to showcase offensive drills in her “You Need to Score to Win- Offensive Strategies.”
Gasso and Bristow closed out the morning session, presenting on “Coaching the Female Athlete” and How to Improve All the Different Sill Levels within Your Team,” respectively.
Following lunch, the emphasis on drills amped up. Inouye-Perez shared her knowledge in “Favorite Team Practice Drills” and Lawson showcased “Hitting Drills for Success.” Bristow wrapped up the clinic with “Offensive Drills to Improve Competitiveness.”