Coaches Insider

Let’s Score Runs! with Dan McDonnell – Univ. of Louisville

Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 11:04:32 +0000

Watch as Coach Dan McDonnell discusses scoring runs. Coach stresses the importance of running bases every day in practice, placing a special emphasis on first base. He showcases footage of a number of baserunning drills and shares helpful coaching points that will help your team score more runs.

Buffet of Catching Drills for Receiving, Blocking, and Throwing with Tom Griffin – Carson-Newman Univ.

Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 09:04:10 +0000

Watch as Coach Tom Griffin discusses catching drills for receiving, blocking, and throwing. He stresses the importance of training catchers in leadership, fundamentals, movement, instincts, awareness, stance variety, and decision-making. He provides helpful drill footage and coaching reminders for each catching skill.

Infield Drills for All Seasons with Adam Rosen – Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 08:13:38 +0000

Watch as Coach Adam Rosen discusses infield drills for all seasons. Coach highlights the importance of positional versatility, athleticism, and consistent intention on each rep. He shares practice film that showcases multiple drills in his throw series, emphasizing specific coaching tips to improve players' skills. He also offers four glove keys players can implement to become more effective in catching ground balls.

Outfield Play: Where Hits Are Laid to Rest with Andre Butler – Graveyard Mentality

Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 08:12:11 +0000

Watch as Coach Andre Butler discusses outfield play. Coach emphasizes the importance of instilling an aggressive and confident mentality in outfielders. He shares footage of drills that will help coaches achieve this while improving players' skill levels in diving safely, taking away hits, reading fly balls, reacting quickly, and maintaining situational awareness.

Changing the Game on the Basepaths with Bill Kurich – Webster Univ.

Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 08:11:42 +0000

Watch as Coach Bill Kurich discusses changing the game on the basepaths. Coach makes sure to practice base running every day, emphasizing scoring runs, not stealing bases, as his team's biggest priority. He shares footage of multiple drills integral to developing a fast and aggressive offensive identity that places pressure on opposing teams. He stresses the importance of creating anxiety during practice to ensure that players are properly prepared for the chaos of game day.

How the Comprehensive Assessment Approach Impacts Pitching Development with Neal Cotts and Brett Graves – Premier Pitching Performance

Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 08:10:23 +0000

Watch as Coaches Neal Cotts and Brett Graves discuss how the comprehensive assessment approach impacts pitching development. Graves recommends analyzing four main areas that impact pitching outputs, including range of motion, biomechanics, pitch and quality, and strength and conditioning. Using the data obtained from these crucial assessments, coaches can effectively profile players, better understand their individual skill sets, and tailor drills to their personal needs. Cotts shares footage of a few individualized drills that target smaller aspects of the pitch, including stride and hip rotation, lead leg stability, and arm action timing.

Championship Culture the Bama Softball Way with Patrick Murphy – Univ. of Alabama

Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 08:09:39 +0000

Watch as Coach Patrick Murphy discusses championship culture. He offers several feel-good personal stories from his time as the head softball coach at the University of Alabama, highlighting themes of accountability, celebration, personhood, unconditional love, servant leadership, and affirmation. He stresses the idea that teams thrive when they exist in a supportive environment and guides fellow coaches through achieving it in their own programs.

Patrick Murphy is the Head Softball Coach for the Alabama Crimson Tide Team.

From the Dugout to the Hall of Fame: A Hitting Conversation with Jim Thome – Chicago White Sox & Clint Hurdle – Colorado Rockies

Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 08:08:06 +0000

Watch as Jim Thome and Clint Hurdle take part in a hitting conversation. They answer a number of questions that guide them through sharing the knowledge, insight, and ideas they have gained through years of experience in the world of baseball.

Offensive + Emotional Freedom: Building a Hitting Environment Through Connection and Curiosity with Justin Dedman – Bradley Univ.

Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 08:07:59 +0000

Watch as Coach Justin Dedman discusses offensive and emotional freedom. He highlights the importance of finding a balance between systems and autonomy, ensuring both individuality and order in a program. Then, he showcases hitting footage, emphasizing crucial points such as fastball timing, grip, movement, and adjustability.

Confined but Refined: Drills for Anywhere with Nick Derba – Univ. of Maine

Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 08:06:34 +0000

Watch as Coach Nick Derba discusses working through drills in a confined space. He offers multiple drills suitable for an indoor practice plan that are easily modifiable, applicable to all age groups, and require minimal instructional need. He showcases footage of drills for baserunners, infielders, catchers, pitchers, hitters, and outfielders, providing helpful pointers for each.