How Do You Create a Unicorn?

Softball unicorns are players who excel in pitching, catching, hitting, and fielding. These players are rare because it takes a lot of continued development to master all of these skills. But how are these unicorns created?

To understand how unicorns are unintentionally created, we must look at how young players are utilized. Typically, young unicorns practice playing many different positions unintentionally because they are asked or volunteer to do so. In contrast, other players are assigned to play specific positions exclusively, which limits their opportunities to develop skills necessary to play all positions. Early development of skills and experience at many different positions is key to creating unicorns. Otherwise, a lack of skill development at other positions can take pitchers and catchers out of the game.

When a player becomes interested in pitching or catching, proper development and consistent training are crucial. Early development is important because players will start to figure out whether they want to stick with the skill or move on. Once a pitcher or catcher develops enough skill to start playing in games, developing their mental endurance is important. Placing players in stressful situations and talking them through the emotions and struggles that come with those situations is important for their mental development. The ability to stay in games through physical and mental strength makes great players, or unicorns.

Pitchers and catchers are expected to perform in the box like every other player. Holding them to the same standard as other position players and training them to separate their performance in the field and their performance in the box are necessary. Coaches should not give more breaks to pitchers and catchers for their hitting development. In fact, pitchers and catchers are in the best position to learn about hitting strategies, struggles, and pitch selection than any other player.

Lastly, actual development during games and practices is essential. Practicing stressful situations to develop potential unicorns' mental strength and endurance is crucial. Utilizing them during times when a job needs to be done and listening to their thoughts and feelings is key to fully developing a unicorn. Unicorns are players who can develop multiple skills at a high level. They will put in the work, but when they are not 100%, they cannot give less and still feel mentally strong.

When developing a player who can be a unicorn, prioritizing trust and care of the player in the development process is crucial. Trusting that the player can rise to the challenge and handle the pressure through opportunities is key to the physical development. Caring about the stress and pressure the player will undergo through these opportunities and working with the player through these situations is key to the mental development of the unicorn.

See one of the best unicorns speak to the media about her approach and reflections on facing the best team in NCAA D1 softball.