We’re excited at Extra Inning Softball to partner with OnDeck Measurements (ODM®). We will be posting top performers from 2018 ODM® testings held across the country, including OnDeck Softball events.
Derek and Joann Allister and OnDeck Softball are known for discovering and launching the softball careers of many of today’s top players at all levels and are continually finding the next generation of standout athletes.
Through their tryouts, Jamborees and Elite Camps, OnDeck runs players through drills, competition and testing through their OnDeck Measurements division.
Here’s more on what this consists of as explained by Derek…
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In 2011 at the request of the college coaching community, OnDeck Softball created and launched OnDeck Measurements (ODM®) – a system of testing softball athletes for pure athleticism based upon speed, quickness, strength, and mechanical proficiency.
To date, ODM® has tested almost 30,000 athletes at the Middle School, High School, College, and Professional levels and is recognized as the unquestioned leader in these softball measureables. This trademarked brand is now one of the most identifiable symbols in the sport and is being used by players and coaches across the softball landscape.
OnDeck Measurements (ODM®) consists of a series of 11 tests that identify in a player both strengths and weaknesses related to pure athleticism.
Contrary to the past, this data is collected using the most modern technology, laser timing systems, and self-check safeguards.
While others in this testing space use either hand-held watches and/or programs that require the unreliable on-site input of data, ODM® relies upon the best instruments available and meticulously collected numbers with an actual paper trail.
This attention to detail definitely separates ODM® from others who try to emulate them.
Players are using their ODM® numbers to establish a baseline of objective data and to measure themselves against their peers and college players. This snapshot of their athleticism allows the young player to identify their weaknesses and address those immediately.
College coaches use ODM® to evaluate the athleticism of their own teams and prospective recruits. It is fine to subjectively say a player is fast, but that has no meaning unless you know what fast is.
The game is littered with slappers who seem to consistently get thrown out by a step. All sorts of young players believe they are good shortstops. But only OnDeck Softball can tell you how fast that slapper really needs to be; or if that heralded shortstop is laterally quick enough to succeed at the next level.
This is why ODM® is a must for everyone in the softball world.
As important as it is for every prospective college student to take their SAT or ACT, it is equally as important for every prospective college softball player to get their ODM® numbers. By getting this personal data, every young player and her parents can better understand her unique abilities.
Additionally as important as it is for every college coach to know their own players, it is imperative that they understand exactly how athletic each and every player is. By knowing this the college coach can make personnel decisions based on objectivity, as opposed to subjectivity.
ODM® will continue to lead the way in the world of softball’s objective testing. The future holds only better and more important data for the sport, and ODM® will be helping players and college coaches every step of the way.
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Note: starting this week, Extra Inning Softball will begin running ODM scores from OnDeck Events. Stay tuned for the first series of ODM marks to come out later today!
Here’s an interview we did with Derek in February at the Irvine workout.
