On the softball field, sophomore Jemma Tsang intently watched the Redwood Middle softball team practice their batting. As the girls started to bat, Tsang realized one was not keeping her back foot planted to swing.
“Think about swinging in golf,” Tsang told the hitter.
For the rest of practice, the girl’s form improved tremendously, even allowing her to hit balls into the outfield.
Tsang is among the many high school athletes who coach younger children playing the same sport and learn many lessons from the experience.
Like the girls she coaches, Tsang started playing softball when she was 8 years old. Since then, she has played on numerous teams, including LGCS Magic and NorCal Legends. Currently, she plays on NorCal Legends and is a starter shortstop on the varsity softball team in the spring.
Tsang started coaching when head coach Chris O’Reilly of the Redwood Middle team offered her the opportunity this year. As an assistant coach, she primarily focuses on instructing newer players, helping them to develop their basic skills. O’Reilly focuses on the more experienced girls.
“When I was younger, I used to have older players coach me, so it was a full circle moment that I got the opportunity to coach younger kids,” Tsang said.
Basketball player carries on family tradition in coaching
Junior Payton Steffen, the daughter of varsity head coach Manny Steffen, is following in her dad’s footsteps by coaching two girls’ basketball teams: a third to fourth grade team and a fifth to sixth grade team through a league that plays at Los Gatos High.
She started playing basketball in second grade. Like the girls she coaches, Steffen played in recreational teams in Los Gatos all throughout elementary school. Currently, she plays on Top Flight Elite and for the school’s varsity team.
Steffen started coaching a month ago after being offered the opportunity by her club coach Sara Giles, who also coaches the girls’ varsity team at Los Gatos.
Both students appreciate the opportunity to coach. For Tsang, it gave her another perspective on softball.
“I think [coaching] actually helps me develop my own skills because I have to teach them how to do it, and in doing so, I reflect on my own skills,” Tsang said.
Steffen learned the importance of being a role model and gained a new understanding of coaching.
“I definitely learned how important it is to be a really good role model for the girls and someone they can look up to, so that they keep playing,” she said. “Also, my dad is the coach here, and obviously, it’s a lot different to coach a high school team, but I understand more of how that works.”
Both girls plan on continuing to coach throughout high school.
“I really hope that I’ll be able to coach more teams in the future because I think it’s been such a fun experience, and I really enjoy it,” Tsang said.
