Watch as Coach explains and shows clips of a catcher’s throwing pivots. Any ball that is over the throwing hand shoulder is a pivot and the catcher is in a good position with the legs […]
Taking Charge
Provided by: Raise Your Game The true test of a great leader is revealed not in what he does but what his people do without him. How does your team act when you’re not there? […]
Self-Evaluation
By: William Taylor and Mike Sheridan Originally Published in: Sport Coaches Handbook Provided by: Human Kinetics We know that expert coaches continually reflect on their own coaching. Therefore, it makes sense that coaches exploring the […]
How Thanksgiving Can Change Your Coaching Career…Seriously!
I started coaching as a favor and it was a huge mistake. I’d recently graduated from college and was working for the NYC Fire Department. My high school wrestling coach reached out to me and […]
A Quick Way to Pitch Faster
By: Cindy Bristow Provided by: Softball Excellence If you’ve been around pitchers for more than 5 seconds you know how obsessed they are with speed. It seems like enough is never enough when it comes […]
Use Video to Educate Your Pitcher and Catcher with Kelly Inouye-Perez – UCLA
Watch as Coach explains how she gets behind and films her pitcher’s best pitch. Film the pitch and loop it so both the pitcher and catcher can view it. This can be separate from your […]
No Excuses
Originally Published in: Game Ready – 52 Takeaways for Winning Guess what is the easiest thing in the world to make? Well, it’s an excuse. Anybody can make one, and most people do. It’s easy […]
Outfielder’s Band Work with Molly Bolibaugh
Watch as Coach Molly Bolibaugh explains, and outfielders demonstrate these band exercises for developing arm strength for injury prevention. This is an everyday routine, and she recommends that you choose the exercises that fit your […]
7 Ways Your Pitcher Can Dominate the Game
By: Cindy Bristow Provided by: Softball Excellence While pitching isn’t easy, closing out a game can be even harder. Have you ever wondered why your pitchers can do so well up to a certain point […]
Infield Drills with Karen Weekly – Univ. of TN
Watch as Coach explains and shows clips of these infield drills. The 4 Corners Drill is not catching and stopping the ball but deflecting and transferring it to the next position. The Toss and Tag […]
Keep Them Interested by Changing Up the Delivery with Christa Williams-Yates – Friendswood HS (TX)
Watch as Coach explains that today’s game has not changed much but the athletes have. To keep the players locked in and prevent boredom, she changes up how she presents and teaches various drills, so […]
Dead Ball Changeups with Jennifer Williams – Dartmouth College
Watch as Coach explains a dead ball changeup, where the pitchers try to stop the ball and momentum rather than creating new momentum like in the flip variety. Coach reviews the different dead ball grips […]
Self-Awareness Test
Provided by: Raise Your Game Self-Test Despite the “self” in self-awareness, to ensure accuracy it is important to solicit intentional and purposeful feedback from those who know you best (your inner circle). As comedians know, […]
Blocked Bullpen Sessions with Melyssa Lombardi – Univ. of Oregon
Watch as Coach explains blocked bullpen examples of mechanics, tempo, and strength and conditioning. Each session is usually 40 minutes in length and consists of five rounds each, emphasizing different exercises or drills. The goal […]
Anxiety, Expectations, and Pressure with Dr. Lee Dorpfeld – Univ. of South Florida
Watch as Dr. Lee Dorpfeld explains how he teaches athletes that you cannot control what is going to happen in the future. All the time wasted on worrying about the future keeps you from the […]
Wade Gilbert’s “Coaching Better” Breakouts Session 2: Winning Your Practices & Athlete Learning
Live Wade Gilbert breakouts session held on July 16, 2020, hosted by Coaches Insider and Human Kinetics. In this session, Dr. Gilbert discusses two main topics surrounding practice and athlete learning: Topic 1: Quality practice […]
Consequences
Originally Published in: Game Ready – 52 Takeaways for Winning I can’t speak for you, but I certainly can for me. I always want to know the consequences that may be involved before I do […]
Wade Gilbert’s “Coaching Better” Breakouts Session 1: Relationships and Winning Your Team’s Trust
Live Wade Gilbert breakouts session held on July 9, 2020, hosted by Coaches Insider and Human Kinetics. In this session, Dr. Gilbert discusses two main topics surrounding trust and building relationships: Topic 1: Building athlete […]
The Basics Really Work with Alan Stein, Jr.
Watch as Alan explains that in today’s world, it is popular to keep chasing what is hot, new, flashy and to ignore what is basic. This is a mistake, as the basics do work and […]
Identifying Which Cues to Use for Each Athlete with Nick Winkelman – The Language of Coaching
Watch as Nick discusses identifying which cues to use for each individual athlete. Before you can influence an athlete, you must try to understand them, and it is important to be flexible and adaptable with […]
Improving Self-Confidence and Self-Worth
By: Cindy Bristow Provided by: Softball Excellence While managing this new world of COVID-19 is challenging, oftentimes confusing, stressful, and even boring, we can also use this time for good and for personal development. To […]
Developing Team Culture with Jennifer Williams – Dartmouth College
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 […]
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 […]