Watch as Coach Caitlin Blanchard explains and demonstrates this tire slam hitting drill. The batter should hit the tire as hard a possible, as this allows them to feel the connection and power in the […]
Duties and Personalities on a Team
By: Kelly Inouye-Perez Originally Published in: Winning Ways of Women Coaches Provided by: Human Kinetics All the best teams in every sport have strong leadership among team members. But not every team member is going […]
Pitcher’s Load and Posture Drills with Stephanie VanBrakle Prothro – Univ. of Florida
Watch as Coach Stephanie VanBrakle Prothro explains and shows video examples of these four drills to help load and posture. These are great drills for working on pitching movements without pitching. The Standing Glute Activation […]
Building Bat Speed Using Hand Weights with Ralph Weekly – (Retired) Univ. of Tennessee
Watch as Coach Ralph Weekly explains and shows a practice clip of a batter using hand weights to help build bat speed. This is a great exercise when your student-athletes are working circuit hitting and […]
Setting Goals
By: Dan Gould & Cliff Mallett Originally Published in: Sport Coaches Handbook Provided by: Human Kinetics Setting clear goals helps coaches and athletes achieve success. Goals offer direction and purpose for our day-to-day activities; in […]
Slapping: Baserunning Keys with Karen Weekly – Univ. of Tennessee
Watch as Coach Karen Weekly explains how baserunners and slappers need to work together. As the infield adjusts positioning when a slapper is at bat, the baserunner can influence the infielder as a potential threat.
Less Instruction, More Coaching and Teaching with Scott Whitlock – (Retired) 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.
Recognize, Respond, Refer with Dr. Lee Dorpfeld – Univ. of South Florida
Watch as Dr. Dorpfeld explains the necessity that all coaches on a staff understand the recognize, respond, and refer guidelines. It is important to recognize at-risk athletes and the symptoms of mental health problems that […]
Coaching Tips: Athletes Who Have Experienced Trauma with Dr. Lee Dorpfeld – Univ. of South Florida
Watch as Dr. Lee Dorpfeld discusses some tips for coaches who are dealing with athletes that have experienced some form of trauma. These athletes are not trying to push your buttons or be difficult but […]
Why Should Coaches Coach?
Coaches at high levels at prestigious programs need to win to keep their jobs. Winning consistently makes recruiting easier, keeps the fan base energized, the administration and boosters happy, and the financial bottom line healthy. […]
Pitching: Reverse J-Bands Drill with Paige Cassady – North Carolina State Univ.
Watch as Coach Paige Cassady explains, and pitchers demonstrate the Reverse J-Bands Drill. The pitchers are creating a force forward and the J-Bands are pulling the back leg in the opposite direction. This allows the […]
Elements of a High-Performance Culture
By: Carla Nicholls Originally Published in: Winning Ways of Women Coaches Provided by: Human Kinetics Being a part of a high-performance culture team is exciting, yet these environments can be extremely vulnerable and cannot be […]
Slapping Keys with Karen Weekly – Univ. of Tennessee
Watch as Coach Karen Weekly 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 Role of Coaches in Addressing Diversity/Equity/Inclusion/Social Issues with Dr. Karissa Niehoff – NFHS
Watch as NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) Executive Director Dr. Karissa Niehoff discusses the role of high school coaches in addressing social issues such as diversity, equality, and inclusion. She cites an […]
Defining Commitment with Jeff Janssen – Janssen Sports Leadership Center
Watch as Jeff Janssen discusses defining commitment with your athletes and obtaining their feedback. It is important to question where they feel their commitment level is in regards to practice, social life, and acceptance of […]
Pitchers’ Stride Drills with Stephanie VanBrakle Prothro – Univ. of Florida
Watch as Coach Stephanie VanBrakle Prothro explains and shows video clips of a few stride drills for pitchers. The first two drills are working on the pitcher’s left side, using ankle weights and string. Drill […]
Adversity Is Part of the Journey with Seth Greenberg – ESPN
Watch as Seth Greenberg explains that adversity ‘visits the strong and lives with the weak,’ so the only option is to deal with it. He encourages no whining, no complaining, no excuses, and no regrets. […]
Buying In
By: Alan Stein, Jr. Originally Published in: Raise Your Game Buy-in means that the members of your organization choose to embrace, share, and maintain the culture a coach is trying to create. A culture doesn’t […]
Resistance Band Slapping Drill with Jessica Bracamonte – Univ. of Toledo
Watch as Coach Jessica Bracamonte explains, and slappers demonstrate this footwork drill utilizing a resistance band. The drill works by helping slappers stay in the box on a consistent basis. Coach believes in giving each […]
Specific Exercises to Reduce the Risk of Shoulder Injuries with Donna Scarborough, PhD.
Watch as Donna Scarborough – PT, MS, PhD explains, and an athlete demonstrates these specific exercises to reduce the risk of shoulder injury. Donna will present a detailed breakdown of exercises for: strengthening posture and […]
When You Win, Lose, and Rubbing
By: John Klessinger Originally Published in: A Coach’s Manual Provided by: Championship Productions “Be hard on them when you win, and love them when you lose.” – Unknown Years ago, I read this quote in […]
Defensive Philosophy with Larissa Anderson – Univ. of Missouri
Watch as Coach Larissa Anderson explains the core principles and philosophy for the Missouri Tigers Defense. Catching, throwing, and learning the speed of the game are keys.
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 […]
How the “Why?” Generation Is Making Coaches Better with Stephen Mackey – 2Words Character Development
Stephen Mackey gives an interesting take on how today’s generation always asking ‘why?’ can make your coaches better. When coaches communicate, they should always start with ‘yes’ and not ‘no’. If you start with ‘no’, […]
Pitcher’s Spin Progression with Ryker Chason – Univ. of Mississippi
Watch as Coach Ryker Chason explains, and a pitcher demonstrates a curve ball spin progression that works on technique and posture. The pitcher will start close up to the catcher and gradually move back toward […]
Accountability and Empathy with Dr. Greg Dale – Duke Univ.
Watch as Dr. Dale discusses accountability and empathy. Your program should have high standards, and everyone should be held accountable to those standards. He describes empathy as the ability to put yourself in someone else’s […]
Hazing in Athletics
Hazing in Athletics: A Culture that the Realm of Athletics and Coaching May Unknowingly Contribute To! By: Rick Farnham, Retired AD – University of Vermont Athletics have always professed that “sports build character,” but it […]
Communicating Your Vision with Dr. Alex Auerbach – Toronto Raptors
Watch as Dr. Alex Auerbach discusses setting goals on a vision. Great coaches have the ability to communicate to an individual or team on what they can accomplish and convey the belief that they can […]
Building Relationships
By: Dan Gould & Cliff Mallett Originally Published in: Sport Coaches Handbook Provided by: Human Kinetics Ability and desire to relate to athletes are critical in coaching. The coach-athlete relationship provides a foundation for effective […]
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 […]