Watch as Coach Blake Allen discusses, and a player demonstrates a variety of drills and skill development exercises for catchers of all levels. Coach Allen also explains the importance of training your catchers in multiple […]
Developing a Pitching Philosophy and Game Day Management with Ben Norton – Butler Univ.
Watch as Coach Ben Norton explains his overall pitching philosophy and process for developing athletes at Butler. Coach Norton also discusses a variety of drills and bullpen games that he uses to push his pitchers’ […]
The Impact of Communication on Coachability with Rich Benjamin – Indiana Wesleyan Univ.
Watch as Coach Rich Benjamin discusses the importance of coachability and how using open-ended questions during communication can help to develop this skill. Coach Benjamin also explains the biggest tension around culture and why he […]
Pitching Philosophy and Day-To-Day Programming with Alex Sogard – Wright State Univ.
Watch as Coach Alex Sogard discusses his overall pitching philosophy and process for developing athletes at Wright State. Coach Sogard also demonstrates a couple drills that are a part of their pitching warmup routine and […]
Culture: The Difference Between Winning and Losing with Mike Deegan – Denison University
Watch as Coach Mike Deegan explains the importance of developing a culture with a clear purpose that allows you to build trust with your athletes. Coach Deegan also discusses the four core values of Denison […]
Hitting Development: Practice and Application with Justin Dedman – Miami Univ. at Ohio
Watch as Coach Justin Dedman discusses his philosophy for developing hitters and how you can simplify launch angle for your athletes by using a numbering system. Coach Dedman also shares a variety of charting systems […]
Baserunning: Leads for Stealing 3rd Base with Jared Broughton – Piedmont Univ.
Watch as Coach Jared Broughton explains that the runner on 2nd base should start the lead from the back point of the base and walk out at a slight angle from that point. The lead […]
Fly Balls in a Twilight Sky
By: Coach Bob McCreary Provided by: Baseball By The Yard Twilight baseball. A beautiful yet challenging sky for players. Now that summer weather is approaching, more night games will begin to be played around the […]
Character – Derek Jeter
By: Joseph M. Hoedel, Ph.D. Provided by: Character Development & Leadership “Obviously, you’re known for what you do. But you still want to be known as a good person.” At the tender age of eight-years-old, […]
Leadership: Create a Thriving Environment with Greg Frady
Watch as Coach Greg Frady explains the importance of creating an environment where everybody can thrive. In the ideal program players depend on each other, work together and have each other’s back.
Mental Game: No Excuses with Trey Fowler – Kennesaw State University
Watch as Coach Trey Fowler explains that if players are going to be successful, they can’t make excuses and, as a coach, you can’t except them. Complaining goes in conjunction with making excuses and both […]
Baserunning – Runner on Second Base
By: Todd Guilliams Originally Published in: High-Scoring Baseball Provided by: Human Kinetics Knowing the positioning of the defense is more important when you are on second base because more balls will be hit behind you. […]
The Challenges of Reinforcing and Punishing with Shaun Larkin – LA Dodgers
Watch as Coach Shaun Larkin discusses the mindset of an athlete and how most players are afraid to fail because of the perceived consequences. Coach Larkin constantly reminds his players that it’s okay to fail.
Baserunning: Reading the Pitcher with Jared Broughton – Piedmont Univ.
Watch as Coach Jared Broughton discusses reading a right-handed pitcher. The pitcher’s body language, most times, will tell you what the pitcher is going to do. The baserunner starts his count as soon as the […]
Pre-Game Drills for Catchers
By: Coach Bob McCreary Provided by: Baseball By The Yard As teams get older, catching becomes more of an impact position on the field. Having the unathletic kid strap on the equipment and kneel behind […]
Pitching: Training with a Softball for the Curve and Slider with Steve Smith – Auburn Univ.
Watch as Coach Steve Smith explains, and pitchers demonstrate using a softball to help with their spin on the curve and slider. Throwing the softball assists the pitcher in staying out front and allowing them […]
Baserunning – Reading the Pitcher from the Windup Position
By: Mike Roberts Originally Published in: Baserunning – By Human Kinetics Provided by: Human Kinetics A baserunner has a lot to keep track of when the pitcher throws from the windup position. The runner must […]
Catching: Position and Movement with Johnny Cardenas – Lipscomb Univ.
Watch as Coach Johnny Cardenas explains, and a catcher demonstrates position and movement. If pitchers are around the zone it is OK for the catchers to keep their body still and use their hands to […]
How to Make Training More of a Game Environment with Jay Johnson – Univ. of Arizona
Watch as Coach Jay Johnson mentions how everyone likes to play games, but winners and champions love to practice. If you can develop your team culture so that practice has the same urgency as games, […]
Tip for Catchers to Help Their Coach on Close Pitches
By: Coach Bob McCreary Provided by: Baseball By The Yard “COME ON, UMP! WHERE’S THAT PITCH? LET’S GO!” Sit close to a field and you will hear a lot of variations of the phrase above. […]
Hitting: Swing Direction with Taylor Dugas – Northwestern State Univ.
Watch as Coach Taylor Dugas explains that the ideal swing direction is when the barrel is moving through the middle of the field resulting in line drives.
Critical Reflection
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics Unlike reflective practice, critical reflection is not focused on solving a specific problem. Critical reflection is used more sparingly, but still […]
Baserunning: Read the Cut with Rusty Stroupe – (Retired) Gardner-Webb Univ.
Watch as Coach Rusty Stroupe discusses baserunning and why it is important to teach your athletes how to read the cut.
Developing a Quality Practice Design with Shaun Larkin – LA Dodgers
Watch as Coach Shaun Larkin discusses the components of a quality practice design. He emphasizes foundation principles, decision making, speed variation, stressors/consequences, and tech/feedback.
Teaching Athleticism with Jason Thompson – Alamo Heights HS (TX)
Watch as Coach Jason Thompson discusses how some kids have had the athleticism coached out of them to where they are mechanical. He believes in de-emphasizing the teaching of mechanics, and instead, teaching the approach […]
Two Things Hitters Can Control
By: Todd Guilliams Originally Published in: High Scoring Baseball Provided By: Human Kinetics All hitters have control over two things: (1) when they swing and (2) when they stride. When to Swing All hitters must […]
Identifying and Coaching to Your Strengths
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics The traditional approach to coaching is sometimes referred to as a deficits-based approach because coaches focus their energy on identifying and […]
Pitching: Lead Leg Maneuvers with Steve Smith – Auburn Univ.
Watch as Coach Steve Smith explains, and pitchers demonstrate this lead leg maneuvers stability and direction drill. This drill is for controlling the lower half of the body, especially the front side.
Do You Play or Do You Compete?
By: Coach Bob McCreary Provided by: Baseball By The Yard A lot of kids across the world play baseball. Not as many compete. There is a huge difference between the two. A kid who plays […]
Pitching: Arm Care with Matt Hiserman – Univ. of San Francisco
Watch as Coach Matt Hiserman discusses arm care for his pitchers. Consistency is the biggest key and the best arm care for each individual is the one that each pitcher believes is best for him.