Yeah, I know - the concept sounds a little strange, huh? Could softball uniforms actually make you play better? I mean, is there really such a thing as a certain jersey, pants/shorts, or even socks that would increase your batting average, let you hit with more power, or give you a better shot at turning a double play? And just say for a minute that a softball uniform *could* do this...*how* could it do this?
But let me describe myself a little first, and why I know what I'm talking about. Currently, I'm a strength coach who has been studying training, athletic conditioning, and fitness in general for almost 20 years. Growing up, like any other strength coach, I played a number of team sports - football, baseball, soccer, and then later on, dabbled in some martial arts. It's literally my job to make somebody throw further, hit better, and run more quickly. If my athletes don't improve on the field, court, diamond, mat, ring, or wherever they compete, then I'm failing them as a coach.
And I do my job pretty darn well.
But, let's get back on track - softball uniforms, and if they can really improve how you play.
If you're doing any kind of physical work, the clothing you don should allow you to do that actual activity with proficiency. Let's take exercise for a moment. Do you have any idea how technologically advanced fitness apparel is today? How much money has been spent researching training equipment and accessories? How about that light, "moisture-wicking" shirt you wear during the summer to keep you cool and dry, but still allows you to totally move freely? Or how about shirt that allows you to move just as freely, and is still almost as light, but keeps you totally warm during the winter months? Needless to say, the days of regular cotton athletic t-shirts aren't coming back. And how about shoes? Who knew they'd ever get so advanced!
Given all that, it's not really all that different in softball. Your uniforms can't just be a fashion statement - they have to let you play, be fast, move as you need to, spring into action...all while not breaking down after just a few times worn. However, just because something was designed for maximum performance, doesn't mean it'll let you play better softball. "Jordans" are awesome basketball shoes, no doubt - but I don't think replacing your spikes with them is a good idea. Just like you wouldn't wear hockey gloves in left field. The rest of your uniform is no different - you have to not only look the part, but able to be and play the part.
Then there's the whole psychological factor of simply looking good. Now, I know that I just said that looking good isn't as important as the ability to perform - and that's true. However, when you can hit the field, with the rest of your squad, and look good not only yourself, but as a team - well, it's raises morale as a whole. And this is something you simply just can't discount.
Jay Schroeder is a sports-performance coach based in Arizona. Known for creating highly advanced and scientific workouts, Jay is experienced as a coach, and everything he has an athlete do has just one game plan - to make them better performers on the field. However, even though Jay is totally concentrated on making his athletes better athletes, he still has them doing what he terms "vanity work". This isn't there to make them faster or stronger - but instead to just help them look better.
Wait - Schroeder concerns himself with how his athletes look? Why? That has nothing to do with performance, right? Jay determined years ago that it did. See, when his trainees had better physiques, they felt better about themselves. When they felt better about themselves, they were more confident. When they were more confident, that confidence transitioned over into the field of play, and they played more confident (and therefore, better).
Don't you think this same psychological element would work with your softball uniforms? You bet it would. Take two teams that are otherwise equal, and the team that looks polished and professional will have the advantage. Not only will they feel better about themselves and have higher morale, but their competition will respect (and possibly even fear) them more, as well.
But let me describe myself a little first, and why I know what I'm talking about. Currently, I'm a strength coach who has been studying training, athletic conditioning, and fitness in general for almost 20 years. Growing up, like any other strength coach, I played a number of team sports - football, baseball, soccer, and then later on, dabbled in some martial arts. It's literally my job to make somebody throw further, hit better, and run more quickly. If my athletes don't improve on the field, court, diamond, mat, ring, or wherever they compete, then I'm failing them as a coach.
And I do my job pretty darn well.
But, let's get back on track - softball uniforms, and if they can really improve how you play.
If you're doing any kind of physical work, the clothing you don should allow you to do that actual activity with proficiency. Let's take exercise for a moment. Do you have any idea how technologically advanced fitness apparel is today? How much money has been spent researching training equipment and accessories? How about that light, "moisture-wicking" shirt you wear during the summer to keep you cool and dry, but still allows you to totally move freely? Or how about shirt that allows you to move just as freely, and is still almost as light, but keeps you totally warm during the winter months? Needless to say, the days of regular cotton athletic t-shirts aren't coming back. And how about shoes? Who knew they'd ever get so advanced!
Given all that, it's not really all that different in softball. Your uniforms can't just be a fashion statement - they have to let you play, be fast, move as you need to, spring into action...all while not breaking down after just a few times worn. However, just because something was designed for maximum performance, doesn't mean it'll let you play better softball. "Jordans" are awesome basketball shoes, no doubt - but I don't think replacing your spikes with them is a good idea. Just like you wouldn't wear hockey gloves in left field. The rest of your uniform is no different - you have to not only look the part, but able to be and play the part.
Then there's the whole psychological factor of simply looking good. Now, I know that I just said that looking good isn't as important as the ability to perform - and that's true. However, when you can hit the field, with the rest of your squad, and look good not only yourself, but as a team - well, it's raises morale as a whole. And this is something you simply just can't discount.
Jay Schroeder is a sports-performance coach based in Arizona. Known for creating highly advanced and scientific workouts, Jay is experienced as a coach, and everything he has an athlete do has just one game plan - to make them better performers on the field. However, even though Jay is totally concentrated on making his athletes better athletes, he still has them doing what he terms "vanity work". This isn't there to make them faster or stronger - but instead to just help them look better.
Wait - Schroeder concerns himself with how his athletes look? Why? That has nothing to do with performance, right? Jay determined years ago that it did. See, when his trainees had better physiques, they felt better about themselves. When they felt better about themselves, they were more confident. When they were more confident, that confidence transitioned over into the field of play, and they played more confident (and therefore, better).
Don't you think this same psychological element would work with your softball uniforms? You bet it would. Take two teams that are otherwise equal, and the team that looks polished and professional will have the advantage. Not only will they feel better about themselves and have higher morale, but their competition will respect (and possibly even fear) them more, as well.
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