Is your program comprised of people who see the work they put in as an investment or a sacrifice? Watch as Jeff Janssen discusses seven levels of commitment that exist within every program and how […]
Six Steps in Mastering Tough Conversations
Provided by: Raise Your Game Effective coaches and leaders stand firm in telling their people what they need to hear, not necessarily what they want to hear. Trust and truth go hand in hand and […]
Tiered Line-Up Development with Danielle Zymkowitz – Univ. of Wisconsin
Watch as Coach explains how the most important factor in line-up development is understanding what each player can bring to the table. She spends the time learning about her players by asking questions about their […]
Defensive Checklists with Lisa Navas – Univ. of South Carolina
Watch as Coach discusses team defense and the checklists she uses for her squad. It is important to cover all possible game situations in practice and constantly make adjustments. There are 8 different base situations […]
How We Lifted Up Our Team This Week
And how you can give your team what they need, when they need it most… Hope you’re staying healthy and sane in this crazy environment! Wanted to share something pretty cool with you today. So, […]
Foul Ball Pop Fly Catcher’s Drill with Kelly Inouye-Perez – UCLA
Watch as Coach explains that catching foul fly ball pop-ups is a skill that needs to be practiced. The catcher must turn their back to the infield on a foul ball behind the plate because […]
Slapping Keys with Karen Weekly – Univ. of Tennessee
Watch as Coach explains the keys for slapping which include: the hands should be inside the ball with a short compact firm swing, use a level swing and do not chop down on the ball […]
“Kids These Days” – Are the Ones You’re Coaching
By: Cindy Bristow Provided by: Softball Excellence If you’ve found it challenging to coach this generation, these tips might be just in time! Discover how understanding kids these days will make coaching them so much […]
Hit and Run Roles for a Baserunner and Hitter with Chris Malveaux – Univ. of Missouri
Watch as Coach discusses the different roles for a baserunner and hitter in a hit and run situation. The most important responsibility for the runner is not to leave early and be called out. Always […]
Resistive Swings Slapping Drill with Donna Papa – Univ. of North Carolina
Watch as Coach explains, and a slapper demonstrates this resistive swings drill. The drill works on getting stronger through contact and strengthening the hand path. The batter should only take five swings at the bag […]
Mindfulness for Sport: Capture the Most Important Moment, the Present Moment
By: Danny Ourian Provided by: www.hoopsminded.com What is the most important play in any game? We often say “the next play.” Miss a lay-up, fumble the football, get out on a pop fly ball. As […]
The Pitcher’s Role with Rachel Lawson – Univ. of Kentucky
Watch as Coach discusses a pitcher’s role and responsibilities. The pitcher must take ownership of pitch calling as they have probably grown up with coaches calling their pitches and this hampers the development of game […]
SB to SS Fundamentals on a Double Play with Travis Wilson – Florida State Univ.
Watch as Coach explains, and a second baseman demonstrates footwork for a double play on a ball coming from a short stop or third baseman. The second baseman should cheat a couple of steps to […]
Custom Communication
Provided by: Raise Your Game We don’t know what we’re saying until we know how someone hears it. Communication is also about feedback – making sure there is a two-way exchange of ideas, perceptions, and […]
Catcher IQ – Know Your Pitcher with Kelly Inouye-Perez – UCLA
Watch as Coach explains the importance of catchers understanding a pitcher’s routine, mechanics, spins, movement, and key words. Having your catchers study film of the pitchers allows them to understand the base and then to […]
Outfielder’s Robbing Drill with Caitlin Lowe – Univ. of AZ
Watch as Coach explains, and players demonstrate this robbing drill. The purpose of this drill is to get the timing down, get used to hitting the fence, and get used to reaching the glove hand […]
Assessing Competitiveness Within the Team
By: Lisa (Sweeney) Van Ackeren Originally Published in: Practice Perfect Softball – NFCA Provided by: Human Kinetics To build a competitive environment, the first step is to understand the current team culture. Here are a […]
Infielder Routines with Colleen Powers – St. Catherine University
Watch as Coach explains, and infielders demonstrate these warm-up routines. The drill needs no gloves, starts slow and then builds speed. The ball is received out in front and brought into the belly button. With […]
Developing a Game Plan for Your Battery with Melyssa Lombardi – Univ. of Oregon
Watch as Coach discusses making a plan in regard to your opponent with your battery. It is not always certain who is calling pitches, but it is important to get it right. Meeting with the […]
8 Things Young Coaches Need for Success
By: Cindy Bristow Provided by: Softball Excellence We all get smarter as we get older, but wouldn’t it be great to start your career again knowing what you know now? For those of you that […]
Harness Assisted Pitching Drills with Myndie Berka – BreakThrew Fastpitch
Watch as Coach explains, and pitchers demonstrate these harness assisted pitching drills. A full body harness helps the pitcher to gain speed by showing how to move faster through the pitch. The ankle harness helps […]
Outfielder’s Route Efficiency and Maintenance with Brandon Elliott – Virginia Wesleyan Univ.
Watch as Coach explains, and players demonstrate this route efficiency and maintenance drill. Many times, the outfielder has a good route to the ball but tends to bend in and this drill emphasizes running straight. […]
Setting Effective Goals
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics Hundreds of studies have been published on goal setting in sport. The consensus is that goal setting is perhaps the most […]
Life Is About Balance with Ricci Woodard – Texas State Univ.
Watch as Coach Ricci Woodard discusses the importance of being a continuous learner in this technology driven era where there are new strategies and ideas coming out daily.
Infielder’s Change of Direction Ladder Drills with Mary Jo Firnbach – Univ. of North Carolina
Watch as Coach explains, and players demonstrate these change of direction ladder drills. The drills work on flyballs, hard hit ground balls, slow roller ground balls, as well as flyballs and ground balls hit to […]
Teaching Defensive Skills with Larissa Anderson – Univ. of Missouri
Watch as Coach explains that she wants to teach everybody everything and make her players great athletes and her athletes great softball players. It is important that all the players practice defensive skills.
Character – Facing the Tests
Provided by: Raise Your Game Facing the Tests Character is about acting on your values. You might think you have character but believe that in the business world it has to be tucked away, that […]
Pitching: Tempo of Movement with Melyssa Lombardi – Univ. of Oregon
Watch as Coach Melyssa Lombardi discusses the impact of tempo on pitching consistency and explains why most issues with mechanics stem from the same problem.
Dirting a Changeup with Lonni Alameda – Florida State Univ.
Watch as Coach explains, and a pitcher demonstrates dirting a changeup. This is a great 0-2 pitch that allows the pitcher to expand the zone by bouncing the ball before the plate.
Recognize, Respond, Refer with Dr. Lee Dorpfeld – Univ. of South Florida
Watch as recognize, respond, refer guidelines for all coaches on a staff are explained. It is important to recognize at-risk athletes and the symptoms of mental health problems that impact performance. Coaches need to respond […]