As softball season approaches, I see the same pattern every single year.

Parents start asking:

“Should my daughter be throwing more?”
“Is she behind?”
“What should we be working on right now?”

And I get it. Preseason can feel like a countdown clock. Everyone’s posting workouts, lessons, velocity numbers, new gear, new goals. It’s easy to feel like if you’re not doing more, you’re already falling behind.

But here’s the truth most people won’t tell you:

Preseason isn’t about cramming reps or chasing quick results.
It’s about building a foundation that allows your daughter to stay confident, healthy, and consistent once games begin.

And as a parent… you play a bigger role in that than you may realize.

Because preseason isn’t just what happens in the cage or circle. It’s what happens at home, in the car ride, in the way you talk about progress, and in the expectations you unintentionally create.

Let’s make this season different.

The Biggest Preseason Mistake Parents Make

Most families think preseason success comes from doing more:

• More pitching

• More hitting

• More practices

• More pressure

But more isn’t better if the work isn’t intentional.

What I’ve seen over years of coaching is this:

Girls who burn out, lose confidence, or break down mid-season didn’t “underwork.”
They overworked without a plan.

They trained hard… but not smart.
They added volume… without building a base.
They chased intensity… instead of consistency.

Preseason should not feel chaotic.
It should feel clear.

What Preseason Is Really For

Preseason has three main purposes:

1. Reinforce fundamentals

2. Build physical and mental durability

3. Create confidence before the pressure hits

Notice what’s missing?

Stats. Lineups. Wins.

Those come later.

Right now, your daughter needs:

• Repetition with purpose

• Confidence in her mechanics

• Trust in her preparation

When preseason is done right, she walks into the season thinking:
“I’m ready.”
Not: “I hope I’m good enough.”

Fundamentals First (Yes, Even for Advanced Players)

This is where parents often get confused.

“My daughter already knows how to pitch.”
“She has multiple pitches.”
“She’s played travel for years.”

That’s great… but fundamentals are not a “beginner phase.”
They are a maintenance phase.

The best pitchers and players in the world spend more time on basics than anyone else. Why?

Because fundamentals:

• Reduce injury risk

• Improve consistency

• Create repeatable success under pressure

Preseason is the perfect time to slow things down and clean things up—before game speed exposes gaps.

If you wait until mid-season to address fundamentals, you’re trying to fix the plane while it’s already in the air.

The Mental Side Matters More Than You Think

Most parents focus preseason conversations on mechanics and performance.

But confidence is what actually carries a player through the season.

Ask yourself:

• Does my daughter feel prepared… or pressured?

• Does she understand progress… or only results?

• Does she know mistakes are part of growth… or something to fear?

Your words matter.

Preseason is when confidence is built quietly, long before crowds, umpires, and scoreboards enter the picture.

A confident player doesn’t panic mid-season.
She doesn’t spiral after a bad outing.
She doesn’t fall apart when things get hard.

She trusts her work.

What Parents Can Do (That Actually Helps)

You do not need to be a coach to be a powerful part of your daughter’s success.

But you do need a simple plan for how to support her—without accidentally adding pressure.

Here’s what helps the most:

1) Create consistency, not intensity

Short, focused sessions beat long, exhausting ones every time.
A steady routine builds confidence faster than “grind” days.

2) Ask better questions

Instead of: “How did it go?”
Try:

• “What felt better today?”

• “What are you working on right now?”

• “What’s one thing you’re proud of?”

Those questions teach her to measure growth, not perfection.

3) Reinforce effort, not outcomes

Confidence comes from preparation—not flawless performances.

Praise the controllables: attitude, focus, consistency, recovery, resilience.

4) Protect rest and recovery

Strong seasons start with healthy bodies.

Rest isn’t laziness. It’s training.
If she’s always sore, always exhausted, always “pushing through”… that’s not toughness. That’s a warning sign.

Preseason Sets the Tone for the Entire Year

Here’s something I wish every parent understood:

Your daughter doesn’t need to peak in February.
She needs to be steady in April and May.

The players who succeed long-term:

• Trust their foundation

• Understand the process

• Don’t spiral when things get hard

And that starts now.

Preseason is where belief is built.
Where habits are formed.
Where confidence is planted.

And the parents who make the biggest difference aren’t the ones who push the hardest.

They’re the ones who guide the smartest.

Want a Clear Preseason Plan as a Parent?

If you’re reading this and thinking, “Okay… I want to do this right, but I’m not totally sure what the plan should be,” I’ve got you.

I’m hosting a FREE Preseason Parent Training to walk you through exactly how to support your player in preseason—without burnout, without guesswork, and without pressure taking over your home.

You’ll learn what to focus on right now, how to build a smart routine, what to say (and what NOT to say), and how to help your daughter carry confidence into the season.

To get the link to sign up:
➡️ Comment “free zoom” on my Instagram and I’ll send it to you.

Final Thought for Parents

Your daughter doesn’t need you to push harder.
She needs you to guide smarter.

If you help her:

• Focus on fundamentals

• Respect the process

• Build confidence from preparation

You’re setting her up for more than a good season.

You’re setting her up for growth—on and off the field.

And that’s always the goal.

— Coach D

Want to keep learning how to better support your daughter this season?
We’ve created dozens of blogs for softball parents just like you — covering fundamentals, confidence, mindset, and how to guide your athlete without added pressure.
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