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 […]
Soft or Hard, Good or Bad?
By: Cindy Bristow Provided by: Softball Excellence When a hitter takes her stride, how hard or how soft she takes it can really determine whether she becomes a good or a bad hitter. What’s the […]
In and Out Pregame Warmup Drill with Lisa Navas – Univ. of South Carolina
Watch as Coach Lisa Navas discusses this high intensity in and out drill series that touches on a variety of fielding mechanics and situational defense.
90-Second Hybrid Defensive Drill with Bonnie Tholl – Univ. of Michigan
Watch as Coach explains this 90-second hybrid drill and emphasizes that the time of the drill can be changed to fit your personnel. This is a 5-station drill covering 3rd, 2nd, and 1st bases with […]
Why Play the Short Game with Karen Weekly – Univ. of Tennessee
Watch as Coach explains that more games are lost than won as players make errors and mistakes by playing too fast. The short game puts pressure on a defense and causes them to play faster […]
Too Nervous Before a Game? 5 Tips to Control Nerves
By: Jeff Zannetti Provided by: Z-Winning Mindset The best athletes know how to use their pregame nerves to help them compete at their best. They are able to stay poised, compete fearlessly, aggressively and with […]
Outfielder’s Hula Hoop Throws Drills with Colleen Powers – St. Catherine University
Watch as Coach explains, and outfielders demonstrate these Hula Hoop throws drills. This is an end of the game throw simulating making the out at the plate under pressure.
Hitting Goals with Ralph Weekly – Univ. of Tennessee
Watch as Coach discusses hitting goals with a brief explanation of each goal. Coach mentions something you should tell your team: “Look fast, adjust to slow. Look high, adjust to low.”
Turning Parents into Raving Fans of Your Program
So, over the last few weeks, I’ve heard about a ton of frustrations you guys have with parents in your program. I think it’s safe to say dealing with difficult parents is not on anyone’s […]
Less Instruction, More Coaching and Teaching with Scott Whitlock – Kennesaw State Univ.
Watch as Coach Scott Whitlock discusses the importance of using practice to put athletes into situations where they are going to improve and develop skills that they will have success using in games.
Missouri Softball Skill Terminology: Footwork with Larissa Anderson – Univ. of Missouri
Watch as Coach Larissa Anderson discusses the importance of developing a consistent terminology within your program that everyone knows and can perform regardless of their position.
All Pitching Plans Start in the Pen with Melyssa Lombardi – Univ. of Oregon
Watch as Coach Melyssa Lombardi discusses the importance of her pitchers to recognize that each one of them is different and she encourages them to do you and do you well. Find out what pitches […]
Parents Need to Take a Step Back with Christa Williams-Yates – Friendswood HS (TX)
Watch as Coach Christa Williams-Yates explains that parents sometimes think a player’s performance is a reflection on them and suggests that they need to take a step back. Parents should focus on the process and […]
Position-Group Competitiveness
By: Lisa (Sweeney) Van Ackeren Originally Published in: Practice Perfect Softball – NFCA Provided by: Human Kinetics Beyond skill development, position groups offer an important opportunity to help student-athletes learn how to deal appropriately with […]
Slapping Footwork with Donna Papa – Univ. of North Carolina
Watch as Coach Donna Papa explains, and a slapper demonstrates slapping footwork. There are two different types of footwork that a slapper can use: a one step or a slide step.
Don’t Take Your Job for Granted with Molly Fichtner – Univ. of Louisiana Monroe
Watch as Coach Molly Fichtner talks about not taking a job for granted. Coach describes the importance of focusing on where you are at and what your school needs. One of her goals is to […]
8 Ways to Make Your Pitchers Better
By: Cindy Bristow Provided by: Softball Excellence As a catcher, you’re working on blocking and throwing and framing and all the fundamentals, but do you know the 8 ways you can make your pitcher better […]
Short Game Bunting Keys with Karen Weekly – Univ. of Tennessee
Watch as Coach Karen Weekly explains that, for her, bunting is the foundation of slapping and that players need to learn bunting first. She will discuss and explain deception, placement, barrel angle, and deaden ball.
The 8 Situations of Softball with Randy Schneider
Watch as Coach Randy Schneider discusses the eight situations in softball. This list will help simplify a practice session when you want to work on situations. Situations can help create an offense plan that your […]
Team Building Activity Instructions
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics E-File Team-Building Activity Instructions Objective The E in E-File stands for enthusiasm. The activity is designed to teach and reinforce the […]
Infielder’s Ladder Drills with Colleen Powers – St. Catherine University
Watch as Coach Colleen Powers explains, and infielders demonstrate these ladder drills that emphasize quick hands and feet.
Quality At-Bats with Ricci Woodard – Texas State Univ.
Watch as Coach Ricci Woodard discusses a ‘team’ atmosphere versus an ‘I’ atmosphere. Quality at-bats over individual batting averages and a ‘what can I do for the team’ mindset is recommended for a successful program.