Watch as Coach Jen Fisher explains and shows practice video of players working on bunting. This drill works on visual skills of recognizing if the pitch is a strike or not, and recognizing pitch zones. […]
Create a Positive Self-Talk Routine with Zack Etter – Univ. of Massachusetts
Watch as Zack Etter discusses creating a positive self-talk routine when communicating with players. He recommends sharing positive information everyday as today’s players are surrounded by negativity. Create an environment that focuses on the positive […]
The Butterfly Effect
Originally Published in: The Leadership Playbook One person can have such a strong effect on the world such as Martin Luther King, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Michael Jordan, and Mother Teresa. In the same way, […]
Contact to Extension Tee Drill with Larry Wooten – Wade Hampton High School (SC)
Watch as Coach Larry Wooten explains, and a hitter demonstrates this contact to extension tee drill. This drill’s focus is to get the barrel of the bat to the ball with quick hands. Start off […]
Leaders Must Look for Opportunities to Serve with Robert Grasso – La Jolla Country Day School (CA)
Watch as Robert Grasso explains that leaders must look for opportunities to serve. Leadership is not about power, prestige, or a title, but about looking out for others. He explains to the athletes that their […]
The Mantra of “Get Better Every Day” Applies First to Coaching
By: Adam Sarancik Author of: Coaching Champions for Life After 40+ years in coaching, certain things are automatic for me. One of those things is, from the moment a practice, training session, game or season […]
Hitting: Tee Work and Movement Resistance with Shana Easley – Colorado State Univ.
Watch as Coach Shana Easley discusses tee work and the use of resistance bands to work on the batter’s hands and stride. A partner will hold the bungee band back, so the hitter feels what […]
Minimizing Your Athletes’ Anxiety with Robert Schinke – Laurentian Univ.
Watch as Robert Schinke discusses minimizing your athletes’ anxiety. Lack of confidence is the main cause of anxiety for athletes as an upcoming event nears. Focusing on previous negative performances instead of their positive performances […]
Hula Hoop Slapping Drill with Jessica Bracamonte – Univ. of Toledo
Watch as Coach Jessica Bracamonte explains, and batters demonstrate the Hula Hoop Slapping Drill. The focus of the drill is on barrel path and direction. The batter should be in the middle of the hoop […]
Drill Progression to Introduce Blocking to Your Catchers with Kelly Inouye-Perez – UCLA
Watch as Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez explains the drill progression for introducing blocking to catchers. The drill starts with catchers fully geared up and on their knees, working on body blows. The coach throws the ball […]
Leaders Must be Great Communicators with Robert Grasso – La Jolla Country Day School (CA)
Watch as Robert Grasso explains his philosophy of leadership on how athletes must be great communicators. They must be able to communicate with teammates as well as the coaches. He stresses that team leaders should […]
Leading Others
Originally Published in: THE LEADERSHIP PLAYBOOK It is not just enough to lead yourself effectively, you must also have a positive influence on others, John C. Maxwell says, “A leader without a follower is just […]
Infielder’s Flips & Feeds with Marissa Young – Duke Univ.
Watch as Coach Marissa Young leads her infielders through an engaging flips and feeds group drill. In this session, players focus on key techniques, including the outside turn, pivot turn, and cut across. They refine […]
Show Up and Don’t Miss the Game with Randy Fox – FoxPoint.Net
Watch as Randy Fox explains that leaders need to pursue excellence, not perfection, as perfection is not attainable or sustainable. He states that an individual can always be searching for the highest and best level […]
The Team! The Team! The Team!
By: Jamy Bechler Originally Published in The Leadership Playbook The old acronym of T.E.A.M. in which together everyone achieves more is true more often than not. Players need teammates that are willing and able to […]
Triangle and X Drills with Michele Biffle – Langham Creek High School (TX)
Watch as Coach Michele Biffle explains, and infielders demonstrate the Triangle and X Drills. The Triangle Drill has the players working in groups of three with two on the baseline and one fielder. The shortstop […]
Groundballs: Palm Up vs. Palm Down with Josh Bloomer – Arizona State Univ.
Watch as Coach Josh Bloomer explains, and infielders demonstrate this palm up vs. palm down groundball drill. The ball always dictates where an infielder’s glove should be. If a groundball is coming to a fielder […]
Put It Into Practice
By: Dr. Colleen Hacker Originally Published in: Achieving Excellence Provided by: Human Kinetics Coaches and sport leaders cannot control athletes’ feelings of confidence; however, they oversee the environment in which athletes perform. The following suggestions […]
I’m Stressed and I Have the Capability of Calming Down with Dr. Colleen Hacker – Team USA / Pacific Lutheran Univ.
Watch as Dr. Colleen Hacker explains that when you are angry, frustrated, stressed, or have lost focus, your next word or thought should be “and”. Whatever the negative situation is that you need to announce, […]
Rising Above the Noise: Six Ways Student-Athletes Can Overcome Online Bullying
By: Chris Szabo – Rewild Coaching and Consulting After a Tough Loss for student-athletes, the aftermath of a tough loss can be emotionally challenging, especially when the pressure to perform is amplified online. Social media […]
Baserunning: Zone Read Drill with Jen Fisher – Colorado State Univ.
Watch as Coach Jen Fisher breaks down a baserunning zone read drill. This drill focuses on a runner on 3rd base reading ground balls, line drives, and fly balls. The runner must tag up on […]
New Coaches Guide to Teaching Slapping with Kenzi Corn
Watch as Coach Kenzi Corn explains how she teaches slapping. You need to identify good candidates for slapping, focusing on speed, and target players who haven’t found success from the right side. Coach will explain […]
Alternate-K Pitching Drill with Marissa Young – Duke Univ.
Watch as Coach Marissa Young explains and shows practice clips of the Alternate-K Drill. The focus of the drill is to help isolate timing and arm path positioning. The pitcher starts with their arm across […]
Steps Coaches Can Take to Prevent Player Injuries with Dr. Robb Rehberg – William Paterson Univ.
Watch as Dr. Robb Rehberg discusses steps that coaches can take to prevent player injuries. He will explain in detail the following steps: Properly plan activities Provide a safe physical environment Provide proper instruction Supervise […]
A Cornerstone of Effective Coaching: Mastering EQ
By: Julie Hatfield-Still Provided By: Beyond The Game Alliance Emotional intelligence (EQ) is a cornerstone of effective coaching. It directly influences a coach’s ability to manage emotions under pressure, resolve conflicts, and foster an environment […]
Mental Toughness vs. Mental Health: The Strength to Push Through and the Wisdom to Seek Help
By: Tommy Brown Provided by: One Heartbeat I believe in mental toughness. It’s what I do for a living teaching teams, leaders, and individuals how to push through obstacles, develop resilience, and refuse to quit […]
Slapping: BOSU Ball Balance Drill with Jessica Bracamonte – Univ. of Toledo
Watch as Coach Jessica Bracamonte explains, and slappers demonstrate the BOSU Balance Drill. This is a progression drill that incorporates the swing, walkthrough, and running to 1st base. The slapper will get into their crossover […]
Reading a Hitter’s Posture with Rachel Lawson – Univ. of Kentucky
Watch as Coach Rachel Lawson discusses reading the posture of opposing hitters. She describes this as the “game within the game”. If you are calling the game based only on what you see, the batter’s […]
4-3-2-1 Baserunning Drill with Leah Campbell – (Retired) Rockwall High School (TX)
Watch as Coach Leah Campbell explains, and players demonstrate this 4-3-2-1 baserunning drill. The drill starts with 4 singles with the players running to 1st base. On the 1st and 4th single, the players will […]
What Every Softball Coach Should Know About Emergency Preparedness with Robb S. Rehberg, PhD, ATC, NREMT – William Paterson Univ.
Watch as Robb Rehberg, PhD, ATC, NREMT, a certified athletic trainer and nationally registered EMT, shares insights on the critical need for emergency preparedness in sports, especially at the high school level. He highlights that […]