Howard Kobata Clinic in Texas

[TX Collision Coach]

Well we hosted Howard this past weekend and had a good turnout of girls. The only drawback was we had to be inside because of the weather. All I can say about what I saw and how the girls progressed is "WOW". It was a great experience and all the girls learned a lot. Howard definately worked them hard and had high expectations for their performance. I hope they all enjoyed the experience. I can't wait til he comes back.

Kurt

[DirtDivas10U]

I just had my girls with Howard on the previous Wednesday. He has great concepts and I have already begun impressing these concepts on our girls. He is awesome.....intense....demanding......and comical.....but really great experience for the girls.

BTW, did you get his videos?

[pafan]

My daughter is attending one this month; he came through our area last year and she didn't go and we have since regretted it. We have his DVDs and they're just outstanding.

[3Bsnag]

Kurt,
Thanks so much for hosting an outstanding clinic!

DD got so much out of it and then asked if we could move to California so we could do regular lessons with him. I jotted some notes down for future practicing and even got to experience another "I told you so" moment with my daughter.

[AP96]

He is great! I have seen progress with my DD. I had a coach last season who implemented Kobata in his workouts and the whole team benefited from it. We have now scheduled him 1st Monday of every month as part of our spring season.

[NORCALGOLD]

I saw alot of howards classes and technique back about 5 years ago.Has his technique changed or evolved from what his fundamentals or technique was back then.Because the past 5 years.I have not seen his technique being taught at any of the college programs or on the USA Team or the Jr. Team .I have seen the the girls I know of, that were his students at younger age,when they get to some of the more succesful college programs they stopped using the kobota methods as they became very succesful infielders in the college game and on into the USA team.

[3Bsnag]

I don't know what his clinics looked like 5 years ago, but I think he would be a terrific instructor for an advanced 12U player through 16U. Anyone outside those age groups would absolutely still benefit. An extra set of eyes might catch a hitch that a regular coach may miss. However, there were some things he taught that I thought were better suited for a 16/18 player that had sound fundamentals.

For his way vs colleges, that just depends on which college. We had 2 well known coaches here last summer that taught completely different fielding techniques.

Personally, my 16U player got this out of it:
1. Rt foot correction for push off on a throw
2. Someone else telling her she needs to speed the transition up
3. She really like that he wasn't fluffy and corrected specifics.

[NORCALGOLD]

Has anyone seen the techniques that kobota stresses currently being used in any of the top Gold or College programs.I am not seeing it being used or taught.

[jimc]

Have never been to a clinic but I did purchase his videos years ago. We implemented his techniques when our girls were 10u. We are now 18u and I believe our girls have benefited greatly from his teachings. We used and continue to use both the throwing drills and the fielding drills. I am a big fan of his footwork and quick release. We have changed our fielding technique over the past two to three years from absorbing the ball (Kobata) to scooping out. We still use his aggressive style and attack the ball. I would definitely recommend Kobata's videos as a defensive philosophy.