Watch as Coach Ralph Weekly explains that this three-plate hitting drill is easy to set up and good for adjusting to different speeds. The hitter starts at the back plate and moves to the next […]
Preparing for Difficult Field Conditions
By: Celeste Knierim Originally Published in: Practice Perfect Softball – NFCA Provided by: Human Kinetics In some areas of the country, teams have to play in difficult conditions. Teams need to practice in these conditions […]
Slapping Footwork with Bob Ligouri – Des Moines Area CC
Watch as Coach Bob Ligouri explains, and a slapper demonstrates slapping footwork. Emphasis is on footwork and load.
A Challenging Pitching Workout That’s Fun
By: Cindy Bristow Provided by: Softball Excellence Looking for a challenging pitching workout that combines control, pressure and fun? I’ve got one for you. A perfect pitching workout for this part of the season. This […]
Infield: Triangle Drill with Megan Smith Lyon – Marshall Univ.
Watch as Coach Megan Smith explains, and infielders demonstrate this triangle drill. This drill consists of one fielder and two rollers and receivers. The receivers will be working on the force play and working on […]
Rewriting the Story Begins Today
By: Jen Croneberger, President – JLynne Consulting Group Provided by: National Fastpitch Coaches Association Truly, it is amazing how many times I have started over. How many times life took me in different directions. I […]
Empowering Your Athletes with Scott Whitlock – (Retired) Kennesaw State Univ.
Watch as Scott Whitlock discusses empowering your players. He explains that captains can be the conduit between you and the team and assist in spreading your team message. Have regularly scheduled meetings with your captains […]
Hitting: Barrel to Path Drill – Challenge U. Softball
Watch as Coach Lisa Rizzo explains and demonstrates this barrel to path drill. The drill isolates the upper half while the batter loads up and hits the ball up the middle.
The Dangers of Cheering
By: Cindy Bristow Provided by: Softball Excellence Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate cheering, I just know its hidden dangers. I’m not saying don’t cheer, but you better know it’s side effects when you […]
Infielders: Catch and Throw Technique Drills with Peter Turner – San Jose St. Univ.
Watch as Coach Peter Turner explains, and infielders demonstrate these catch and throw technique drills. Coach recommends rolling the ball instead of hitting fungos as the pace can be controlled by the coaches and they […]
Pitching Solutions from a Bucket
By: Cindy Bristow Provided by: Softball Excellence Could your pitchers stand to have more break or velocity on the ball? If so, you might be surprised to discover what will help them get it. Discover […]
Pitching: Fastball BOSU Drills with Chelsey Barclay – Univ. of North Carolina
Watch as Coach Chelsey Barclay explains, and pitchers demonstrate these BOSU fastball drills. The drills will start on the knees, then the K position, and finally the full pitch. The focus is getting a firm […]
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 […]
Why a Sequential Practice? with Larissa Anderson – Univ. of Missouri
Watch as Larissa Anderson discusses the benefits of using a sequential practice schedule. A sequential practice allows for multiple reps in a short amount of time and you can cover every game situation in practice.
Pitching: Scouting Philosophy with Lonni Alameda – Florida State Univ.
Watch as Coach Lonni Alameda explains that she wants her pitchers to be able to go “me versus you” and be successful. When scouting your opponents, take in to consideration what type of team they […]
Putting Time on Your Side on the Diamond
By: Barb Kutch, Baseball and Softball Instructor Provided by: National Fastpitch Coaches Association In a sport where there is no clock, timing is everything in softball. While an athlete may appear fast, subjective opinions lead […]
Learn What You Do Well to Be a Better Coach
By: Megan Brown, Ph.D. – Assistant Coach, Boston College Provided by: National Fastpitch Coaches Association Have you ever wondered why kids pick up on certain skills really quick only to take weeks to grasp the […]
Pitching: Batter Silhouette with Lin Casciato
Watch as Coach Lin Casciato discusses how he uses a batter silhouette with a piece of string attached to the elbow to assist pitchers on delivering an inside pitch. The silhouette helps the pitchers feel […]
Understanding Motivation and the Learning Process
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics Effective coaches devote considerable time to identifying and creating training activities for their athletes. But even the most creative and engaging […]
Catching: Catch and Release Drill with Stacy Iveson – Univ. of AZ
Watch as Coach Stacy Iveson explains and a catcher demonstrates this catch and release drill. The catcher receives the ball and rakes the ball to the throwing hand by the ear. The catcher must get […]
Hitting: Strong Barrel Drill with Tony Abbatine – Frozen Ropes
Watch as Coach Tony Abbatine explains and a hitter demonstrates this strong barrel drill. This drill utilizes a truck tire, punching bag, or a stationary wall. The batter is going to contact the tire and […]
The Power of Practice
By:Cindy Bristow Provided by:Softball Excellence Practice makes perfect, doesn’t it? Make sure your practices have the greatest chance of improving your players. For many, practice is just around the corner. Before you start, read this. […]
Hitting: Front Toss Drills with Joe Yegge – Kirkwood CC
Watch as Coach Joe Yegge explains and a batter demonstrates these front toss drills. These power hitting front toss progression drills include Pre-Load, Slow Load, Face the Fire, Fall Into It, and Change Up.
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 […]
Infielders: Backhand Drill with Peter Turner – San Jose St. Univ.
Watch as Coach Peter Turner explains and infielders demonstrate this backhand drill. By using a backhand throw, the ball will get where it needs to go quicker than by rotating to the ball and throwing.
Pitching Journals with Melanie Coyne – McNeese State Univ.
Watch as Coach Melanie Coyne discusses how journaling provides an outlet and feedback for both positive and negative performances. Therefore, she asks her pitchers to keep a journal and to write in it after each […]
Sportsmanship – Mallory Holtman
By: Joseph M. Hoedel, Ph.D. Provided By: Character Development & Leadership “It didn’t feel like it was a decision. It just felt like the right thing to do.” On April 26, 2008, Central Washington University […]
Infielders: Tags Drill with Randy Ward – Loyola Marymount Univ.
Watch as Coach Randy Ward explains and infielders demonstrate this tags drill. Footwork positioning is key and the infielder must own the front corner of the base forcing the runner to slide behind the infielder. […]
Hitting: Sit Down Drill with Tony Abbatine – Frozen Ropes
Watch as Coach Tony Abbatine explains and a hitter demonstrates this sit down drill. This drill emphasizes isolating and quieting the lower half and having the hitter know where the bat barrel is from beginning […]
Practice Evaluations: Building Blocks
By: Donna Papa – Univ. of North Carolina Originally Published in: Practice Perfect Softball – NFCA Provided by: Human Kinetics In developing my program goals, I begin with the end in mind. So my starting […]