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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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.
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 […]
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.
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
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.
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 […]
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.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
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 […]
Watch: Side Toss Drill – Mike Candrea
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 […]
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 […]
Watch as Coach Randy Simkins explains and a hitter demonstrates these front toss drills.
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 […]
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.
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 […]
Watch as Coach Myndie Berka discusses target work and hitting spots on 2-0 and 0-2 pitch counts.
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.
