Coaching Softball - What Makes A Championship Team?

When coaching softball, many coaches wonder "what makes a championship team?". What are the elements that describes a very successful team. I think with the recent conclusion of the Women's College World Series. It was relevant to address that topic.In 2008, Arizona State University has won it all. The Sun Devils are NCAA D1 champions. The ultimate goals of any college team. This is quite an accomplishment.So, that leads to a question: what makes championship team?Let's see what Jeff Jenssen, a well-team known expert in the area of team-building that done a lot of work with folks coaching softball, has to say about that.He starts by saying that: "Teams do not win on talent alone". I think we all agree with that. Talent gives you a greater chance of winning but doesn't guarantee anything."Talent without teamwork = trouble". Again, I think it's a given. We could say softball is the most individual of team sports.However, an analysis of winning teams clearly shows that teamwork plays a key role in their success."Success = talent + teamwork". As I coach, I couldn't agree more.What are the common characteristics of championship teams?Here's what Jeff Jessen describes as the 7 common characteristics of championship teams:1) Common goal shared by all (i.e. winning the championsip)2) Commitment3) Complementary roles (i.e. various individuals taking pridein filling specific roles)4) Clear communication5) Constructive conflict6) Cohesion (i.e. players like and respect each other)7) Credible coachingI can't really argue with any of those. Having been involved in coaching softball for a long time, It's easy to see how each of these elements are important for success.Can we affirm that ASU had all 7 characteristics?Honestly, I have no idea. I would have to presume that they did to some extent but I can't really tell because I wasn't around the team and I didn't follow them closely enough to know.A strong belief that I have is that success is not random. It just doesn't happened like this. It's the results of many things and one of them is: good and successful coaching.To me, that's where everything starts. Coaches have so much influence on their program that their program is often a reflection of who they are, what they do, and how they work.However, I've been coaching softball long enough to admit that sometimes, a coach doesn't control everything. A few things that can seriously derailed a program:- bad apples (negative leaders, uncommitted athletes, etc.)- bad parents (we have all been there, haven't we?)- lack of support from organizations- politics in sport- etc.Anyhow, I believe that good and successful coaching is responsible for more than 80% of a program's successes.Let me ask you: are you the best coach you can be? Being and even more effective coach will allow you to develop championship teams.All of the resources contained in the Super coaching Bundle will help you become an even more successful and highly effective coach. However, I have a warning for you: as soon as you start having a bit of success and fun on the field, coaching softball can be highly addictive. Ask any softball coach that has been around the game for a little bit. They'll tell you.