Challenge U. Softball’s Coach D explains this hitting drill on how to drive your bottom half through the ball!
How a Hammer Can Help
Of all the hitting drills I know, this is definitely one of the best! Not only is it simple, but it makes sense to hitters and most importantly, they can transfer it to actually hitting a ball with a bat (something that many hitting drills don’t do!)
Pitching: Changeup Lunge Drill with Melyssa Lombardi
Watch as Coach Melyssa Lombardi explains and a player demonstrates this Changeup Lunge Drill.
Working With Umpires Betters The Game
Last month we discussed the third team on the field: the umpire crew. Here are some thoughts from an umpire’s perspective on how players and coaches can work with umpires for the betterment of the game.
Hitting – Ribbon Drill – George Wares – Central College
Watch as Assistant Coach Alicia O’Brien explains and a player demonstrates the Ribbon Drill.
Infielders – Short Game Coverage Drill – Ehren Earleywine – Univ. of Missouri
Watch as Coach Ehren Earleywine explains and players demonstrate this Short Game Coverage Drill.
Finding Good Assistants Is Like Finding Gold
Whether the current assistant coach has been of value to a softball program is a subject worth review. Head coaches are generally under the scrutiny of the administration and always observed by parents and railbirds. But do assistant coaches get…
Tee Drill – Ricci Woodard – TX St. Univ.
Watch as Coach Ricci Woodard explains and a batter demonstrates this Tee Drill.
Arm Speed Pitching Drill – Diamond Academy
Watch as Diamond Academy’s Coach Stacy explains an excellent Arm Speed Pitching Drill with emphasis on mechanics.
4 Tips for Coaching Low-Velocity Softball Pitchers
Softball coaches like to put pressure on their pitchers to throw the ball fast. After all, the sport is called Fastpitch softball. But not every softball pitcher is built to throw high-velocity pitches. Even those who are, especially younger…
Tennis Ball Fielding Progression Drill – Christina Sutcliffe – Northern IL Univ.
Watch as Assistant Coach Alicia Abbott explains and players demonstrate this Tennis Ball Fielding Progression Drill.
Infield-Outfield Shell Drills – Margie Knight – Salisbury University
Watch as Coach Margie Knight explains and her squad demonstrates these Infield-Outfield Shell Drills.
‘Squash the Bug’ and Other Softball Batting Tips That Don’t Work
In my years of playing, coaching and watching softball, I’ve noticed three softball batting tips that are often drilled into young players. Unfortunately, they do not work. Let’s take a look at these misguided tips, review the problems with…
Hitting Drills for the Outside Pitch – Diamond Academy
Watch as Diamond Academy’s Coach Stacy explains an excellent three drill progression for players working on the outside pitch. These drills will work on bat path, extension, muscle memory, timing, and reaction.
Slappers Hitting Drills with Sharonda McDonald – Michigan State Univ.
Watch as Volunteer Coach Sharonda McDonald explains and a player demonstrates these Slappers Hitting Drills.
A Drill to Get Your Infielders to Bend Their Knees
Getting your infielders to bend their knees, or get down under the ball can be a relentless pursuit. If you’ve ever struggled getting your infielders to get below the ball then you’ll want to check out this great drill. Getting your infielders…
Sacrifice Bunt Drill – Margie Knight – Salisbury State University
Watch as Coach Margie Knight explains and players demonstrate this Sacrifice Bunt Drill.
Two Ball Side Toss – Christina Sutcliffe – Northern IL Univ.
Watch as Assistant Coach Alicia Abbott explains and a player demonstrates this Two Ball Side Toss Drill.
Connective Tissue: The Key to Preventing ACL Injuries
The anterior cruciate ligament is the last thing you want to injure. If you need ACL surgery, you have a 6- to 12-month rehabilitation period ahead of you, and you may not return with the same speed and agility you once…
Slapping – Point of Contact Drill – George Wares – Central College
Watch as Assistant Coach Alicia O’Brien explains and a player demonstrates this Point of Contact Drill.
Timing Slap – Tim Walton – Univ. of FL
Watch as Coach Tim Walton explains and a hitter demonstrates this Timing Slap Drill.
4 Goals for an Outstanding Pitching Warmup
I am constantly amazed at how LONG pitchers take to warmup, and yet how bad most of them pitch at the end of it all. Discover 4 goals every pitcher should have for her warmup. If your pitcher’s warmup more closely resembles wrist-snap-day than…
Outfield Quarterback Drills – Christina Sutcliffe – Northern IL Univ.
Watch as Coach Christina Sutcliffe explains and a player demonstrates these Outfield Quarterback Drills.
Hip Hop and Squat Pitching Drill – Diamond Academy
Watch as Diamond Academy Coaches explain and demonstrate this Hip Hop and Squat Pitching Drill.
Producing Hitters at All Ages
This article is about training batters to become relaxed, confident hitters. Hitters that are prepared and trust themselves, their teammates and their coaches. Trust is key. Players that trust in the team and staff will be more relaxed in the…
Hitting – Change Up Drill – Randy Schneider – Univ. of WI
Watch as Coach Randy Schneider explains and a player demonstrates this Change Up Drill.
Pitching Endurance Drill – Diamond Academy
Watch as Diamond Academy Coaches explain and demonstrate this Pitching Endurance Drill.
Using Rules To Gain A Competitive Edge
Two runners are standing on the same base. Which do you tag? This does not happen often, but when it does, confusion usually reigns. The Brooklyn Dodgers actually ended up with three runners on third base many years ago. So what is the proper…
Chair Hitting Drill – Howard Dobson – Louisiana State Univ.
Watch as Coach Howard Dobson explains and a player demonstrates this Chair Hitting Drill.
3 Plate Change Up Drill – Margie Knight – Salisbury State University
Watch as Coach Margie Knight explains and players demonstrate this 3 Plate Change Up Drill.