The company I work for is called the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Throughout the year we do different things and run different sorts of events. However, the summer is our recruiting camp season. The NFCA runs recruiting camps in different areas that allow incoming 8th graders through freshly graduated seniors attend and showcase their skills for college coaches.
We open the camps to any coaches who want to attend regardless of their membership with us. We create coaches booklets, which have the athletes profiles in them for recruiting purposes. The process to prepare for these camps is extensive and this year I was put in charge of it. This is a new task for me and in addition to that we have new measurable testing to implement into the camps.
What I mean by measurable testing is a station during the camp where the athletes are tested on raw skills such as vertical jump and shuttle run times. In the past we have used a 3rd party company to do the testing and report back to us but this year we have decided to do it on our own and actually change up some of the tests and standards.
The NFCA also hired a new Director of Events so the whole camp process is a bit different for the 2014 season. My first job is to work with the Director of Events and the Director of Education on preparing the new measurable testing. We all had a meeting to decide how many attempts of each the athletes would get, how much time we would need to run them through and what equipment we would need to do this successfully.
This required multiple meetings and some research with collegiate strength and conditioning coaches. Because we were going to hire someone of that nature in the local area where the camp is to help facilitate this we wanted input on how to make it successful.
Below are the NFCA Measurable Skills:
1. CATCHER’S POP TIMES
Catchers get three opportunities to receive a pitch and throw to second base. The second baseman must catch the ball for a time to be recorded.
2. PITCHER’S SPEEDS AND SPIN MEASUREMENT
Pitchers rotate through 10 stations and throw approximately four pitches at each station. The pitches requested are as follows: curve, drop, rise, screw, fastball/change-up, best pitch and a speed/spin measurement.
3. AGILITY
The athlete starts on the clock and runs five yards in one direction, changes direction and runs 10 yards, and changes direction and runs five more yards. Time is recorded using a stopwatch and/or a timing eye.
4. SPEED
The athlete starts behind a line, sprints 20 yards and the time is recorded using a stopwatch and/or timing eye.
5. THROWING VELOCITY (OVERHAND)
The athlete throws overhand into a net and this throw is measured in mph using a radar gun. Approximately four attempts.
6. MUSCULAR STRENGTH
The athlete squeezes a grip strength dynamometer for 2-3 seconds to get this measurement of muscular strength, three attempts.
7. BALL EXIT SPEED
The athlete hits a ball off tee into a net. Ball exit speed is measured with radar gun. Approximately 5 attempts.
8. VERTICAL JUMP (JUMP MAT)
The athlete stands on the mat, loads down and swings both arms up and jumps as high as possible. Jump mat operator records all three attempts.
We open the camps to any coaches who want to attend regardless of their membership with us. We create coaches booklets, which have the athletes profiles in them for recruiting purposes. The process to prepare for these camps is extensive and this year I was put in charge of it. This is a new task for me and in addition to that we have new measurable testing to implement into the camps.
What I mean by measurable testing is a station during the camp where the athletes are tested on raw skills such as vertical jump and shuttle run times. In the past we have used a 3rd party company to do the testing and report back to us but this year we have decided to do it on our own and actually change up some of the tests and standards.
The NFCA also hired a new Director of Events so the whole camp process is a bit different for the 2014 season. My first job is to work with the Director of Events and the Director of Education on preparing the new measurable testing. We all had a meeting to decide how many attempts of each the athletes would get, how much time we would need to run them through and what equipment we would need to do this successfully.
This required multiple meetings and some research with collegiate strength and conditioning coaches. Because we were going to hire someone of that nature in the local area where the camp is to help facilitate this we wanted input on how to make it successful.
Below are the NFCA Measurable Skills:
1. CATCHER’S POP TIMES
Catchers get three opportunities to receive a pitch and throw to second base. The second baseman must catch the ball for a time to be recorded.
2. PITCHER’S SPEEDS AND SPIN MEASUREMENT
Pitchers rotate through 10 stations and throw approximately four pitches at each station. The pitches requested are as follows: curve, drop, rise, screw, fastball/change-up, best pitch and a speed/spin measurement.
3. AGILITY
The athlete starts on the clock and runs five yards in one direction, changes direction and runs 10 yards, and changes direction and runs five more yards. Time is recorded using a stopwatch and/or a timing eye.
4. SPEED
The athlete starts behind a line, sprints 20 yards and the time is recorded using a stopwatch and/or timing eye.
5. THROWING VELOCITY (OVERHAND)
The athlete throws overhand into a net and this throw is measured in mph using a radar gun. Approximately four attempts.
6. MUSCULAR STRENGTH
The athlete squeezes a grip strength dynamometer for 2-3 seconds to get this measurement of muscular strength, three attempts.
7. BALL EXIT SPEED
The athlete hits a ball off tee into a net. Ball exit speed is measured with radar gun. Approximately 5 attempts.
8. VERTICAL JUMP (JUMP MAT)
The athlete stands on the mat, loads down and swings both arms up and jumps as high as possible. Jump mat operator records all three attempts.