Watch as Coach Caitlin Lowe discusses this outfielder’s fly ball ladder drill. This drill works to feel the activation of the quick feet before getting into the fly ball footwork.
Throwing: Towel Whips Drill with Megan Smith Lyon – Marshall Univ.
Watch as Coach Megan Smith explains and an infielder demonstrates this towel whips drill. This drill emphasizes proper throwing mechanics and the towel is a visual reinforcement of mechanics and technique.
Creating a Productive Environment
By: Rachel Lawson Originally Published in: Practice Perfect Softball Provided by: Human Kinetics To prepare a team for the upcoming season, a coach must push the athletes to heights that they would not reach on […]
Hitting: Jeter Tee Drill with Chase Turner – San Jose St. University
Watch as Coach Chase Turner explains and a hitter demonstrates the Jeter Tee Drill. Coach emphasizes on quick and tight movements when hitting inside and outside pitches up the middle and opposite field.
Pitching: Managing Anxiety with Melanie Coyne – McNeese State Univ.
Watch as Coach Melanie Coyne discusses managing anxiety by encouraging her pitchers to embrace their feelings and fears, and not to suppress them. Pitchers should find a teammate or coach that they can discuss their […]
Practicing Indoors: Cone Drills
By: Jen McIntyre Originally Published in: Practice Perfect Softball – NFCA Provided by: Human Kinetics As we begin practice, we run and stretch as normal and then go right into our throwing progression. We emphasize […]
Hitting: Reggie Drill with Tony Abbatine – Frozen Ropes
Watch as Coach Tony Abbatine explains and a hitter demonstrates the Reggie Drill that helps a batter to sit down on low ball strikes to create better hitting angles. This is a great drill for […]
Pitching: Correcting Back Leg Drive with Lin Casciato
Watch as Coach Lin Casciato explains and a pitcher demonstrates using a block board or box to help the pitcher keep the heel from dragging.
3 Reasons for Pitching Blind Balls
By: Cindy Bristow Provided by: Softball Excellence Hold on – before you think I’m suggesting that umpires are blind, or that pitchers should throw balls – read on and then decide. If your pitcher’s ever […]
Side Toss Drill with Mike Candrea – (Retired) Univ. of Arizona
Watch: Side Toss Drill – Mike Candrea
Hitting: Point of Contact with Chase Turner – San Jose State Univ.
Watch as Coach Chase Turner explains, and hitters demonstrate a point of contact drill using a football bag. The hitter swings and hits the bag with bent arms and pushes out as if driving the […]
Pitching – Mentality of Success
By: Connie Clark Originally Published in: Practice Perfect Softball – NFCA Provided by: Human Kinetics Sports performance specialist Dr. Ken Ravizza, one of my mentors, has a saying: “Ain’t no use worrying if it’s in […]
Hitting: Front Toss Drills with Randy Simkins – Utah Tech Univ.
Watch as Coach Randy Simkins explains and a hitter demonstrates these front toss drills.
Base Running: 40-50-60 Leads with Randy Schneider
Watch as Coach Randy Schneider explains and a base runner demonstrates these 40-50-60 leads. The length of a lead is determined by arm strength and actions of the opposing catcher and the percentages of a […]
Hitting: 2 Common Load Mistakes with Tripp MacKay – YSPN360
Watch as Coach Tripp MacKay (Univ. of Texas) talks about 2 common load mistakes. The foot and head should never move forwards or backwards at the same time. Balance must be maintained throughout the load.
Coaching With an Appropriate Leadership Style
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics Leadership is generally defined as a process of influence. A coach’s leadership style, then, comprises the behavioral processes that a coach […]
Pitching – Target Work – Myndie Berka – BreakThrew Fastpitch
Watch as Coach Myndie Berka discusses target work and hitting spots on 2-0 and 0-2 pitch counts.
Infield: Hot Dog Drill with Megan Smith Lyon – Marshall Univ.
Watch as Coach Megan Smith explains and infielders demonstrate this fungo hot dog drill that emphasizes footwork, getting low, and watching the ball into the glove.
Pitching: Spin Drills with Taryne Mowatt – Univ. of AZ
Watch as Coach Taryne Mowatt explains and shows video clips of these spin drills at the 2017 NFCA Convention. She discusses a ball spinner tool as well as using a lined ball.
Increase Your Pitcher’s Movement With This 3 Ball Drill
By: Cindy Bristow Provided by: Softball Excellence Are you trying to help your pitchers get more movement and just can’t come up with anything? I’ve got the drill for you! Use this challenging drill to […]
Fastpitch Softball Pitching: 7 Keys to Success
Fastpitch softball features six basic pitches: fastball, change-up, drop, curve, screw and rise. Pitchers use variations of these pitches (e.g., the drop-curve) to keep batters guessing. But they also need to keep in mind what makes these pitches…
Fielding: Going to the Ball Drill with Mike Stith – OC Batbusters (CA)
Coach Mike Stith explains the Going to the Ball Drill with players fielding grounders
Pitching: Arm Circle 1-2-3 Drill with Mike White – YSPN360
Watch as YSPN360.com’s Coach Mike White (Oregon Ducks) demonstrates the 1-2-3 Drill: a step-by-step breakdown of the pitching sequence that will help young pitchers develop better timing and more powerful delivery.
Parental Involvement Philosophy with Jennifer Haltom – Mansfield HS (TX)
Watch as Coach Jennifer Haltom explains that she embraces parents as part of the softball program. Communication is the key – utilizing email and twitter to keep everyone informed.
Strengthening Team Cohesion
Strengthening Team Cohesion By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics Cohesion is typically thought of as the degree to which a group feels connected and remains united while […]
The Perfect Pre-Game Warm Up
Make sure your pre-game warm up is getting your team confident, prepared and ready to win!
Everybody has to have a pre-game warm up, but not everyone has a good one. It seems like coaches are always looking for a better one, but what makes a…
Defense: Pressure Reps Drill with Sandy Montgomery – Southern Illinois Univ. – Edwardsville
Watch as Coach Sandy Montgomery explains and the defense executes this Pressure Reps Drill.
Travel Ball Format Not Good For The Sport
When the high school season changes into the travel ball season in early June, the sport takes a complete 180. We as coaches constantly preach words such as sacrifice and dedication, and on an everyday basis we talk about teamwork. I have…
Defense: Speed and Agility Ladder Drills with Jen McIntyre – UConn
Watch as Coach Jen McIntyre explains and shows video clips of these speed and agility ladder drills in a 2017 NFCA clinic presentation.
Catchers: Blocking Drill with Stacy Iveson – Univ. of Arizona
Watch as Coach Stacy Iveson explains and catchers demonstrate this blocking drill emphasizing movement and keeping the ball in front of you.