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’, […]
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.
Catchers Throwing Sequence and Footwork Drills with Johnny Cardenas – Lipscomb 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 […]
Controlling the Running Game System with Justin Scali – Piedmont Univ.
Watch as Coach Justin Scali discusses, and players demonstrate their verbal system for controlling the running game and why the focus is not on getting outs.
Infielders’ Daily Fundamental Drills with Bryan Aughney – Our Lady of the Lake Univ.
Watch as Coach explains and shows practice clips of his daily fundamental drills for infielders. They start with 3 different knee barehand drills for 10 minutes. Getting to their feet, the infielders will now work […]
Baserunning Checklist: Runner on Third
By: Todd Guilliams Originally Published in: High-Scoring Baseball Provided by: Human Kinetics Know how many outs there are. The stakes are magnified because you are only 90 feet (27.4 m) from scoring a run. Have […]
Outfield: 360 Fly Ball Drill with Kerrick Jackson – Univ. of Missouri
Watch as Coach Kerrick Jackson discusses, and players demonstrate this 360 fly ball drill to practice tracking a ball and making an explosive movement in the right direction.
Pressure Is a Privilege with Scott Shepperd
Pitchers should throw more often with less effort. Coach wants his pitchers to do drills off the mound in game-like situations. The more you cover situations in practice the more your pitchers will thrive under […]
Hitting: Focal Points with Robert Ruiz – Westmont College
Watch as Coach Robert Ruiz explains focal points: internal cues vs external cues. Coach does not talk a lot about mechanics, but places more emphasis on external focal points.
Leave the Resume in the Office with Adam Moseley – Hoover HS (AL)
Watch as Coach explains that players do not care about the resume or past of their coach, they care about the NOW. He recommends ‘leaving your resume in the office’ and focusing on your current […]
Why I Call the Pitches with Deskaheh Bomberry – Sacramento City College
Watch as Coach explains that the main reason he calls pitches is that he has way more information than the catcher will ever have. He allows his pitchers to change the pitch call whenever they […]
Pitchers’ Report Cards After Games with Chris Litton – College Station HS (TX)
Watch as Coach explains and shows examples of report cards that coaches can give to their pitchers after a game. The form can be generated and sent to players, so that they have a visual […]
Optimism
By: Alan Stein, Jr. Originally Published in: Raise Your Game Confidence comes from an understanding of your own agency, your own influence, and your own ability to make things happen. Bob Rotella is a sports […]
3 Things for Building a Successful Pitcher with Alex Sogard – Wright State Univ.
Watch as Coach Alex Sogard discusses 3 things that are necessary for building a successful pitcher that require no skill on the mound.
Baserunning: Don’t Get Picked Off on the Bunt with Rusty Stroupe – (Retired) Gardner-Webb Univ.
Watch as Coach Rusty Stroupe discusses his biggest pet peeve when it comes to baserunning and shares a couple rules related to bunt scenarios.
Med Ball Ground Balls Drill with Andy Schatzley – Rocket City Trash Pandas
Watch as Coach Andy Schatzley explains, and infielders demonstrate this med ball ground balls drill that emphasizes posture, stability, and leg strength. This is a 3 to 4 set drill in which the med ball […]
Coaching Rundowns with Mark Martinez – San Diego State Univ.
Watch as Coach answers a question about his coaching points for rundowns. He believes in zero throws by running down the baserunner and making the tag. He emphasizes that whoever has the ball must run […]
Baserunning: Reading a Right-Handed Pitcher with Seth LaRue – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Watch as Coach explains, and baserunners demonstrate reading a right-handed pitcher in a stealing situation. The first type of read is the pitcher’s front shoulder turning in, indicating he is going to the plate. If […]
Repeating Success
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics Coaching Better Every Season – a lofty standard indeed, yet a very attainable one. The time-tested principles and strategies of quality […]
Defensive Rotations with Heath Autrey – Corsicana HS (TX)
Watch as Coach explains and shows a breakdown of his defensive rotations. The sessions are set up into 6- to 8-minute segments for player retention. Have the field set up to be efficient and organized. […]
Using a Jaeger Band to Control a Catcher’s Shoulder Movement with Brian Whatley – San Diego Padres
Everything involved in receiving starts with the shoulder. Using a Jaeger Band helps strengthen the catcher’s shoulder and pec and forces them to concentrate and slow down their movements which helps prevent jumping at the […]
Never Criticize Giving Up Hits with Scott Shepperd
Reward and praise pitchers as much as possible and never criticize them for giving up hits. If the pitcher is throwing strikes, and if the batter gets a hit, you have to live with it. […]
Enjoy the Competition with David Pierce – Rice Univ.
Watch as Coach explains that in today’s baseball, all coaches are striving to eliminate player distractions and get them locked in so that they can be their best. The goal is to have your players […]
Pitch Selection Process with Eddie Smith – Utah Valley Univ.
Watch as Coach responds to a question about pitch selection and what he tells his hitters. He wants the hitters to be their own best coach by understanding how they are going to be pitched. […]
Outfielders: X-Breaks Drill with Darren Fenster – Univ. of Miami
Watch as Coach explains, and outfielders demonstrate the X-Breaks Drill. Coach does not like the traditional drop step but wants the players instead to “open up and go” with the idea of staying in motion […]
Stealing Home with Tyler Gillum – Savannah Bananas
Watch as Coach explains his philosophy on stealing home plate. The runner on third base takes his primary lead of 8 steps and will continue walking to 13 steps unless he is shut down by […]