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 […]
Infielder’s Ladder Drills with Colleen Powers – St. Catherine University
Watch as Coach Colleen Powers explains, and infielders demonstrate these ladder drills that emphasize quick hands and feet.
Quality At-Bats with Ricci Woodard – Texas State Univ.
Watch as Coach Ricci Woodard discusses a ‘team’ atmosphere versus an ‘I’ atmosphere. Quality at-bats over individual batting averages and a ‘what can I do for the team’ mindset is recommended for a successful program.
The Biggest Mistake You Can Make This School Year
If only someone had told me earlier in my career! Raise your hand if you have big plans to improve your program this school year. I know I go into every year with a plan […]
Pitching: In-Game Chart Per Inning with Melyssa Lombardi – Univ. of Oregon
Watch as Coach Melyssa Lombardi discusses her in-game pitching chart for each pitcher on the mound. Coach will ask that pitcher what she wants to accomplish in that inning and chart it throughout the game. […]
Infield Partner Rolls with Lisa Navas – Univ. of South Florida
Watch as Coach Lisa Navas explains and shows video of infielders demonstrating partner rolls. Coach also discusses pre-pitch positioning and infielders being set as the pitch is delivered into the hitting zone. It is important […]
Mentoring
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics Networking helps coaches build a support system for regular and ongoing coach learning. Effective networking can lead to opportunities to connect […]
Pitching: Windmill Drills with Lonni Alameda – Florida State Univ.
Watch as Coach Lonni Alameda explains, and pitchers demonstrate these windmill drills. It is important that the coach, pitcher, and catcher are all on the same page in understanding the techniques and fundamentals.
Three Things Pitchers Can Do to Stop a Rally
By: Megan Brown, Ph.D. – Assistant Coach, Boston College Provided by: NFCA Pitchers have a tough job. It is the only job where you can literally get fired on national television, be required to hand […]
Catchers: What We Teach with Melanie Coyne – McNeese State Univ.
Watch as Coach Melanie Coyne discusses how she tries to eliminate as much movement for the catcher as possible. The shoulders should be level and centered to the plate. The catchers can move on designated […]
Learn to Lose Well and Be a Better Coach
By: Samantha Ekstrand, NFCA Legal Counsel How well do you lose? That might seem like an odd question to ask a coach. You are all so competitive. None of you like to lose. But losses […]