Watch as Stephen Mackey explains his belief that you can learn everything you need to be successful in the game of life from playing baseball. Physical skills learned have a shelf life but mental skills, […]
Timing Game When Stealing 2nd Base with David Olson – Bellevue College
It takes 3.5 seconds to 3.7 seconds to steal 2nd base. Coach explains that he times all his players on their speed to 2nd base based on a 13 ft. lead. When calling the offense […]
Developing the Secondary Pitch with Scott Shepperd
Developing a secondary pitch. Watch as Coach explains in pitcher’s warmup, at 120 feet he wants them throwing a changeup downhill as hard as they can. The emphasis is on the pitcher’s arm moving fast […]
Back Hip Hitting Drills with Dan Heefner – Dallas Baptist Univ.
Watch as Coach explains, and hitters demonstrate these back hip hitting drills. The ‘RDL Drill’ is a front toss and the hitter uses one leg, does two RDLs and swings away. With the ‘Hitter Start […]
The Basics Really Work with Alan Stein, Jr.
Watch as Alan explains that in today’s world, it is popular to keep chasing what is hot, new, flashy and to ignore what is basic. This is a mistake, as the basics do work and […]
Teaching Situational Hitting in Baseball
In my formative days of playing baseball the majority of the practice focused primarily on fundamentals of the basics. However, rarely if ever was there any discussion of technique. As I progressed into high school […]
Articulate Your Vision with Greg Simmons – Charlotte Christian School (NC)
Building a Culture. Watch as Coach explains the importance of articulating your vision and plan to athletes, parents, and administrators. He explains the evolution of his program from when it started to present day. One […]
Practice Mental Training for Pitchers in Game-Like Situations with Doug Williams – College of San Mateo
Watch as Coach explains that many times, a pitcher is completely different on the mound than they were in the bullpen. The mental approach of the pitcher will impact their mechanics and they must create […]
Developing Breaking Balls with Scott Shepperd
Watch as Coach explains that it doesn’t matter if you call it a curve or slider, they just want their pitchers to have a breaking ball defined by their fastball velocity and it must have […]
Identifying Which Cues to Use for Each Athlete with Nick Winkelman – The Language of Coaching
Watch as Nick discusses identifying which cues to use for each individual athlete. Before you can influence an athlete, you must try to understand them, and it is important to be flexible and adaptable with […]
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 […]
Pitch Count Situations with David Berg – UCLA
Training with a purpose. Watch as Coach discusses putting pitchers in pitch count situations instead of just throwing pitches in practice with no substance to it. The goal is knowing when to use the plate […]
Catcher Warmups with Brian Whatley – San Diego Padres
3 Basic Catcher Movements. Watch as Coach and a catcher demonstrate this warmup drill that incorporates the 3 basic movements of transfer, block and receiving.
Follow Through Is a Hitting Absolute with Scott Laverty – Chapman University
Short to the ball and long through it. Watch as Coach explains that all good hitters, throughout the ages, have a long follow through. The batter stays on plane and the wrists turn and roll […]
Six-Shooter Catchers Drill with Derek Woodley – Hudson Valley Renegades
Watch as Coach Derek Woodley explains, and catchers demonstrate this six-shooter drill. This drill uses tennis balls and weighted balls and works on quick hands. It is important for catchers to move their eyes while […]
Understanding Mental Health Stressors for Athletes with Steve Young – New Rochelle High School (NY)
It is important to recognize and understand some of the reasons your athletes may be experiencing stress. Mr. Young will explain in detail, with examples, the following causes of stress: time demands, athletic performance, injury […]
Developing a Running Form
By: Mike Roberts Originally Published in: Baserunning Provided by: Human Kinetics A baseball player should become a track athlete in a baseball uniform. Improvement in an athlete’s running form, regardless of speed, comes from enjoying […]
Defending a Runner at 2nd Base with Justin Scali – Piedmont Univ.
No look or one look. Watch as Coach explains that the less a pitcher looks at a base runner on 2nd, the easier it is to control him. They use pick plays, inside move plays […]
3rd Base Cutoffs with Butch Chaffin – USA Baseball
Offset the cut men. Watch as coach explains that the cut infielders are tied together on a string about 25 feet apart. The 3rd baseman is lining them up so he can see the end […]
Think Double Out of the Box with Bill Kurich – Webster Univ.
Watch as Coach explains, and players run the bases on a ball hit to the outfield. The players will peek to see where the ball is and know that it is an automatic double. The […]
Accept It or Correct It with Alan Stein, Jr.
Alan Stein, Jr. explains that every single behavior that goes on in your program, on or off the field, is either something you accept or correct. He also explains how eliminating some behaviors, such as […]
Teaching Players to Coach Themselves with Jerry Weinstein – Colorado Rockies
Codependent players. Coach believes that if coaches can teach players to coach themselves, they are doing them a great service. Self-taught lessons have the most lasting effects and players need to figure out a lot […]
Rhythm and Timing Front Toss Drill with Brad Sanfilippo – San Jose State Univ.
One, two, three balls in a row. Watch as coach explains this front toss rhythm and timing drill. The coach will throw three balls in succession to the hitter who will swing, recoil and repeat […]
Building Your Coaching Staff with Eric Borba – Orange Lutheran High School (CA)
Watch as Coach explains that the most important factor in building your program is hiring the right coaching staff. Key ingredients are loyalty and commitment and someone who wants to be a role model. You […]
Baserunning: Getting Out of the Box with Ryan Shotzberger – Univ. of the Incarnate Word
Watch as Coach explains what he wants getting out of the box to 1st base. Using a wiffle ball toss or dry swing, the runner will get out of the box and on the 3rd […]
Teaching Squats with Paul Gehring – Long Island Univ.
There is no focus on weight. Watch as Coach explains, and players demonstrate this technique for squats. The focus is on slow and controlled movements which makes for easy corrections. This can be one of […]
Pressuring the Defense Through Baserunning with David Olson – Bellevue College
Pressure the defense. Watch as Coach discusses how baserunning helps him manage his offense by creating extra runs and opportunities especially for his hitters at the plate.
Pitching Standards with Connor Lambert – Univ. of Portland
Small ball and high-pressure offenses speed up the game. Watch as Coach explains that he wants his pitchers to be 1-3-5 to home plate to give the catchers time to throw someone out and to […]
Building Discipline Into Your Program with Jack Leggett – USA Baseball
Watch as Coach explains the importance of setting the culture for your program. Players must know that you care for them not only as baseball players. Discipline is a big part of life as they […]
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, […]