Watch as Coach explains how her team meets every week to discuss culture-emphasizing topics such as trust, vulnerability, hard work, competitiveness, grit, and how these all relate to their values as a team. Every day […]
Understanding Mental Health Stressors for Athletes with Steve Young – New Rochelle High School (NY)
It is important to recognize and understand some of the reasons your athletes may be experiencing stress. Mr. Young will explain in detail, with examples, the following causes of stress: time demands, athletic performance, injury […]
Using Assessments to Facilitate Learning
By: Rachel Lawson Originally Published in: Practice Perfect Softball – NFCA Provided by: Human Kinetics The consistent use of players’ and coaches’ assessments serves as a powerful learning instrument that can help counsel the athletes […]
Infield Reaction Drill with Bob Ligouri – Des Moines Area CC
Watch as Coach explains, and infielders demonstrate this reaction drill. One player will be in the middle with her glove facing a thrower with a ball. The player must get in a good defensive stance […]
Levels of Commitment with Jeff Janssen – Janssen Sports Leadership Center
Is your program comprised of people who see the work they put in as an investment or a sacrifice? Watch as Jeff Janssen discusses seven levels of commitment that exist within every program and how […]
Six Steps in Mastering Tough Conversations
Provided by: Raise Your Game Effective coaches and leaders stand firm in telling their people what they need to hear, not necessarily what they want to hear. Trust and truth go hand in hand and […]
Tiered Line-Up Development with Danielle Zymkowitz – Univ. of Wisconsin
Watch as Coach explains how the most important factor in line-up development is understanding what each player can bring to the table. She spends the time learning about her players by asking questions about their […]
Defensive Checklists with Lisa Navas – Univ. of South Florida
Watch as Coach discusses team defense and the checklists she uses for her squad. It is important to cover all possible game situations in practice and constantly make adjustments. There are 8 different base situations […]
How We Lifted Up Our Team This Week
And how you can give your team what they need, when they need it most… Hope you’re staying healthy and sane in this crazy environment! Wanted to share something pretty cool with you today. So, […]
“Kids These Days” – Are the Ones You’re Coaching
By: Cindy Bristow Provided by: Softball Excellence If you’ve found it challenging to coach this generation, these tips might be just in time! Discover how understanding kids these days will make coaching them so much […]
Hit and Run Roles for a Baserunner and Hitter with Chris Malveaux – Univ. of Missouri
Watch as Coach discusses the different roles for a baserunner and hitter in a hit and run situation. The most important responsibility for the runner is not to leave early and be called out. Always […]
Mindfulness for Sport: Capture the Most Important Moment, the Present Moment
By: Danny Ourian Provided by: www.hoopsminded.com What is the most important play in any game? We often say “the next play.” Miss a lay-up, fumble the football, get out on a pop fly ball. As […]
SB to SS Fundamentals on a Double Play with Travis Wilson – Florida State Univ.
Watch as Coach explains, and a second baseman demonstrates footwork for a double play on a ball coming from a short stop or third baseman. The second baseman should cheat a couple of steps to […]
Custom Communication
Provided by: Raise Your Game We don’t know what we’re saying until we know how someone hears it. Communication is also about feedback – making sure there is a two-way exchange of ideas, perceptions, and […]
Outfielder’s Robbing Drill with Caitlin Lowe – Univ. of AZ
Watch as Coach explains, and players demonstrate this robbing drill. The purpose of this drill is to get the timing down, get used to hitting the fence, and get used to reaching the glove hand […]
Assessing Competitiveness Within the Team
By: Lisa (Sweeney) Van Ackeren Originally Published in: Practice Perfect Softball – NFCA Provided by: Human Kinetics To build a competitive environment, the first step is to understand the current team culture. Here are a […]
Cross-Sports Training with Iyhia McMichael – Emerson HS (TX)
Watch as Coach Iyhia McMichael explains how she uses different sports to incorporate drills for her softball squad. She feels that you can pull something from every sport that will allow you to enhance your […]
Harness Assisted Pitching Drills with Myndie Berka – BreakThrew Fastpitch
Watch as Coach explains, and pitchers demonstrate these harness assisted pitching drills. A full body harness helps the pitcher to gain speed by showing how to move faster through the pitch. The ankle harness helps […]
Outfielder’s Route Efficiency and Maintenance with Brandon Elliott – Virginia Wesleyan Univ.
Watch as Coach explains, and players demonstrate this route efficiency and maintenance drill. Many times, the outfielder has a good route to the ball but tends to bend in and this drill emphasizes running straight. […]
Setting Effective Goals
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics Hundreds of studies have been published on goal setting in sport. The consensus is that goal setting is perhaps the most […]
Life Is About Balance with Ricci Woodard – Texas State Univ.
Watch as Coach Ricci Woodard discusses the importance of being a continuous learner in this technology driven era where there are new strategies and ideas coming out daily.
Character – Facing the Tests
Provided by: Raise Your Game Facing the Tests Character is about acting on your values. You might think you have character but believe that in the business world it has to be tucked away, that […]
Soft or Hard, Good or Bad?
By: Cindy Bristow Provided by: Softball Excellence When a hitter takes her stride, how hard or how soft she takes it can really determine whether she becomes a good or a bad hitter. What’s the […]
In and Out Pregame Warmup Drill with Lisa Navas – Univ. of South Florida
Watch as Coach Lisa Navas discusses this high intensity in and out drill series that touches on a variety of fielding mechanics and situational defense.
Turning Parents into Raving Fans of Your Program
So, over the last few weeks, I’ve heard about a ton of frustrations you guys have with parents in your program. I think it’s safe to say dealing with difficult parents is not on anyone’s […]
Position-Group Competitiveness
By: Lisa (Sweeney) Van Ackeren Originally Published in: Practice Perfect Softball – NFCA Provided by: Human Kinetics Beyond skill development, position groups offer an important opportunity to help student-athletes learn how to deal appropriately with […]
Slapping Footwork with Donna J. Papa – Univ. of North Carolina
Watch as Coach Donna Papa explains, and a slapper demonstrates slapping footwork. There are two different types of footwork that a slapper can use: a one step or a slide step.
8 Ways to Make Your Pitchers Better
By: Cindy Bristow Provided by: Softball Excellence As a catcher, you’re working on blocking and throwing and framing and all the fundamentals, but do you know the 8 ways you can make your pitcher better […]
The 8 Situations of Softball with Randy Schneider
Watch as Coach Randy Schneider discusses the eight situations in softball. This list will help simplify a practice session when you want to work on situations. Situations can help create an offense plan that your […]
Team Building Activity Instructions
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics E-File Team-Building Activity Instructions Objective The E in E-File stands for enthusiasm. The activity is designed to teach and reinforce the […]