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.
Are You Asking Yourself the Right Questions?
By: Coach Bob McCreary Provided by: Baseball By The Yard When players self-analyze, they often limit themselves to a few basic questions like… How many batters did I strikeout? What is my batting average? How […]
Accountability – Cal Ripken Jr.
By: Joseph M. Hoedel, Ph.D. Provided by: Character Development & Leadership “All I ever wanted to do was play well and play every day.” In 1994 major league baseball players went on strike. For the […]
Pyramid of Teaching Success in Sport
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics The Pyramid of Teaching Success in Sport is a popular athlete-centered coaching philosophy framework. Legendary American college basketball coach John Wooden […]
Pitching: Mental Game (Breathing) with Deskaheh Bomberry – Sacramento City College
Watch as Coach Deskaheh Bomberry discusses how breathing is the #1 skill that he emphasizes with his pitchers. Being able to take a deep breath when stressed can bring a pitcher back into the moment, […]
The Art of Stealing Third Base
Baseball, being a game of percentages, is the basis for our program’s philosophy of getting runners to third base with less than two outs and scoring them with productive outs. Putting the ball in play […]
Pitching: Build On, Work On with Matt Hiserman – Univ. of San Francisco
Watch as Coach Matt Hiserman discusses his teaching approach which emphasizes strengths and weaknesses. Coach explains the ‘APV’ plan (approach-physical-visual) which is the ‘what, why, and how’ of pitchers improving their performance.
Balancing Development with Winning
By: Bob McCreary Provided by: Baseball By The Yard One of the many challenges that youth level coaches face involves the balance between developing your players and winning games. Many times the two go hand […]
Two Reasons Players Quit with Jason Thompson – Alamo Heights HS (TX)
Watch as Coach Jason Thompson discusses two of the biggest reasons why players decide to leave a program – frustration and boredom. Players must learn how to deal with setbacks and failure and it is […]
How to Maximize Your Warm-Ups
By: Bob McCreary Provided by: Baseball By The Yard I’m not a fan of marathon baseball practices. Occasionally, a two-hour practice may be needed but usually 90 minutes has been my limit for practice time […]
Hitting: Starting the Swing, Step Back Drill with Robert Ruiz – Westmont College
Watch as Coach Robert Ruiz explains and a hitter demonstrates this starting the swing, step back drill. The hitter starts in a normal stance, then steps backs, loading the rear leg and hip which puts […]
Best Players Compete the Best with Jayson King – Univ. of Dayton
Watch Coach Jayson King discuss how in today’s game, coaches are always concerned with teaching mechanics and technique, but in his experience, the best players are the best competitors.
Baserunning – Hook Slide
By: Mike Roberts Originally Published in: Baserunning – By Human Kinetics Provided by: Human Kinetics The hook slide was used often in the early 1900s and made famous by Ty Cobb, but it is almost […]
Pitching: Rocker Drill with Matt Hiserman – University of San Francisco
Watch as Coach Matt Hiserman explains and an assistant coach demonstrates the Rocker Drill. This is a rhythm drill that starts from a stride position with the pitcher moving forward then backward and coming through […]
Coaching Perspectives with Trey Fowler – Kennesaw State University
In this session, Kennesaw State assistant coach Trey Fowler shines a light on his theories for motivating and growing the athletes of today. Pulling from experiences at the elite youth and NCAA Division I levels, […]
Technology in Hitting with Brett Thomas – Blast Motion
In this session, Brett Thomas (former professional baseball player and key Account Manager at Blast Motion) explains the benefits of using blast technology while training athletes of any level how to improve their swing. Throughout […]
Hitting: Two Plate Drill with Edwin Thompson – Eastern Kentucky Univ.
Watch as Coach Edwin Thompson explains and a batter demonstrates this two plate timing drill. The batter uses the front plate for fastballs and the back plate for breaking balls.
Infield: One Hop Outside Drill with Andy Stankiewicz – YSPN360
Watch as YSPN360.com’s Coach Andy Stankiewicz (Grand Canyon University) focuses on soft hands when fielding a sharp, one hop groundball and working to the glove-hand side of the body from a kneeling position.
Improving the 3-1 Play
By: Coach Bob McCreary Provided by: Baseball by the Yard A ball is hit to the first baseman and the pitcher runs over to cover the bag. The first baseman flips the ball to the […]
Baserunning: Safety Squeeze with Chris Hanks – Colorado Mesa University
Watch as Coach Chris Hanks explains, and a baserunner demonstrates the walk and hop technique used by the baserunner on a safety squeeze bunt.
Read the Ball Drill with Barry Davis – Rider University
Watch as Coach Barry Davis explains and players demonstrate this read the ball drill from 2nd and 3rd base.
How to Simplify Practices Using the Round Rock 6 System with Jason Thompson – Alamo Heights HS (TX)
Watch as Coach Jason Thompson explains the Round Rock 6 System of practice organization. Every practice event must fit into one of these six topics: #1 make routine defensive plays, #2 play bunt defense, #3 […]
Horned Frog Defensive Series and Baserunning Philosophies with Bill Mosiello – TCU University
Watch as coach Bill Mosiello explains and players demonstrate TCU’s Horned Frog defensive series. This is a fungo sequence for the entire team that incorporates a variety of position specific plays and base running.
Coaching Perspectives with Nate Thompson – University of Arkansas
In this talk Nate Thompson discusses the perspectives he’s developed as a coach at the University of Nebraska, University of Missouri, and Hutchinson Community College, as well as a player at Dallas Baptist University.
Infield Play with Andy Schatzley – Harding University
Assistant Coach Andy Schatzley of Harding University talks through several philosophies and drills he uses to train his infielders. Coach Schatzley also explains the one question Harding baseball’s coaching staff asks themselves before implementing any […]