Watch as Coach Justin Swenson explains and shows practice video of this 2-bag baserunning drill. They use 2 bags at 1st base so multiple runners get reps, jumps, and reads. Baserunners work on the pitcher’s […]
How We Call Pitches with Brendan Eygabroat – Univ. of Massachusetts Boston
Watch as Coach Brendan Eygabroat answers a question on who calls the pitches during a game. As a former catcher, he has called the pitches with the catchers using Own the Zone wristbands. Recently, their […]
Stealing Third Base
By: Mike Roberts Originally Published in: Baserunning Provided by: Human Kinetics Once a runner arrives at second base, he has a freedom not available at first or third. Even though a throw from the pitcher […]
Changeup Grips with Mike Bell – Univ. of Pittsburgh
Watch as Coach Mike Bell discusses the changeup and shows examples of the grips for the circle change, split/fosh, 3 finger and the BP fastball.
The Importance of Developing Trust with Athletes with Mike Deegan – Denison Univ.
Watch as Coach Mike Deegan explains that if you really want to influence players it is not about data or proper launch angle but about developing the players’ trust. The ability to be honest with […]
Catching: Footwork Techniques with Todd Coburn – The Catching Guy
Watch as Coach Todd Coburn explains, and a catcher demonstrates using different footwork techniques depending on pitch and batter location.
Outfield: Fielding Ground Balls Hit to the Side with Devan Ahart – Wayne State Univ.
Watch as Coach Devan Ahart explains, and outfielders demonstrate fielding balls hit to either side. The outfielder on a ball hit to the right side wants to open up to their deep angle and make […]
Culture Is Not a Sign or Saying with Seth Greenberg – ESPN
Seth Greenberg explains that building your culture takes time. Culture is not a sign or saying but how you live every day and how you carry yourself. It involves being consistent and setting expectations and […]
The Count
By: Todd Guilliams Originally Published in: High-Scoring Baseball Provided by: Human Kinetics The count plays an important role in determining whether the hitter achieves a quality at-bat. “It is central to the question of situational […]
Cuts & Relays with Mark Martinez – San Diego State Univ.
Watch as Coach Mark Martinez answers a question on cuts and relays. Individually they work on footwork in their throwing progression and every other long toss simulates a rhythm throw on a relay. Infielders are […]
Weighted Ball Warmup with Blake Allen – DePauw Univ.
Watch as Coach Blake Allen discusses, and a player demonstrates this weighted ball warmup series that forces catchers to overexaggerate wrist and glove movement.
Defining Mental Toughness with Jack Clark – Univ. of CA, Berkeley
Watch as Coach discusses mental toughness and how the term is valued and used a lot but has no clear definition. He states how critical it is that definitions are consistent within an organization so […]
Pitching: Reverse Throws with Bryan Conger – Cincinnati Reds
Watch as Coach Bryan Conger explains that if players are going to be successful they can’t make excuses and, as a coach, you can’t accept them. Complaining goes in conjunction with making excuses and both […]
Infield Footwork and Hand Skills with Jason Crain – Alma College
Watch as Coach Jason Crain explains, and an infielder demonstrates fielding backhand and forehand grounders. The average time from home to first base is 4 to 4.5 seconds so it is key that the infielder […]
Hitter’s Two-Strike Approach with Austin Wates – Kansas State Univ.
Watch as Coach Austin Wates explains how he uses Fall practice to determine if he needs to give his hitters a two-strike approach. The most common approach is to expand the zone by extending another […]
A Lot of Try
By: Coach Mickey Marley Originally Published in: Game Ready – 52 Takeaways for Winning Previously, I shared that my daddy was a professional cowboy in Texas. Kid Marley had many clever sayings related to his […]
Pitching: Knee Pinch Drill with Sean Kenny – Univ. of Georgia
Watch as Coach Sean Kenny discusses, and a player demonstrates this knee pinch drill to help pitchers develop efficient arm movement and rhythm with their foot strike.
Baserunning: 2nd to 3rd Scenarios with Rusty Stroupe – (Retired) Gardner-Webb Univ.
Watch as Coach Rusty Stroupe discusses his baserunning rules for 2nd to 3rd base and explains the one scenario where you are allowed to break the rules.
How the “Why?” Generation Is Making Coaches Better with Stephen Mackey – 2Words Character Development
Stephen Mackey gives an interesting take on how today’s generation always asking ‘why?’ can make your coaches better. When coaches communicate, they should always start with ‘yes’ and not ‘no’. If you start with ‘no’, […]
Infielder’s Action and Pivot Circles with Billy Boyer – Univ. of Washington
Watch as Coach Billy Boyer explains, and infielders demonstrate using the action and pivot circles when the short stop is executing a double play. The infielder approaches the bag at full speed and starts to […]
Catchers’ Hip Mobility Circuit with Blaze Lambert – Abilene Christian Univ.
Watch as Coach Blaze Lambert explains, and a catcher demonstrates these hip mobility band stretches. This is an everyday pre-practice circuit that involves three different stretches used on both legs for about 10-15 seconds. This […]
Networking
By: Dan Gould & Cliff Mallett Originally Published in: Sport Coaches Handbook Provided by: Human Kinetics The old saying that “it’s not what you know but who you know” doesn’t always hold true, but having […]
The Role of a Coach with John Smoltz – (Retired) Atlanta Braves
Watch as John Smoltz discusses how baseball is changing, but the role and impact of the coach will never change. He reviews his experiences with coaches from youth through professional baseball.
Defining Commitment with Jeff Janssen – Janssen Sports Leadership Center
Watch as Jeff Janssen discusses defining commitment with your athletes and obtaining their feedback. It is important to question where they feel their commitment level is in regards to practice, social life, and acceptance of their […]
Making It Exciting for Athletes and Fans with Noah Sanders – Univ. of Arkansas at Little Rock
Watch as Coach Noah Sanders discusses how creating a fun and exciting training environment for your athletes can help to increase buy-in and motivate them to be successful.
Using Spin Trainers for Pitchers with Sean Kenny – Univ. of Georgia
Watch as Coach Sean Kenny discusses a pitcher’s spin efficiency and how he uses plastic ring (that he gets off eBay in a pack for about $14) to teach elite athletes efficiency during a pre-throw […]
When to Squeeze with Matt Lisle – Univ. of San Francisco
Watch as Coach Matt Lisle explains that the best time to squeeze is when the opponent least expects it. The following game situations are reviewed: runner on 3rd with less than 2 outs and the […]
The Importance of Mindset
By: John Klessinger Originally Published in: A Coach’s Manual Provided by: Championship Productions “Confidence is a very fragile thing, and it certainly is something that has to start with your mental approach and your ability […]
Catchers Throwing Sequence and Footwork Drills with Johnny Cardenas – Stephen F. Austin State Univ.
Watch as Coach explains, and catchers demonstrate their daily practice throwing sequence. The catchers use a ladder to work on footwork motion, momentum, and direction for throws to 2nd base. They also work with connection […]
Digital Distractions: Impact on Athletes Today with Todd Gongwer – Kardia Transformation Group
Watch as Todd explains the impact that digital distractions have on today’s athletes. He will discuss in detail how the following factors impact a team dynamic and make teaching, in general, more difficult. What is […]