Quantcast
Channel: Championship Productions Newest Softball Items!
Viewing all 189 articles
Browse latest View live

Keys to Creating Spin and Speed

0
0

with Lonni Alameda,
Florida State University Head Coach;
2018 NCAA National Champions;2018 NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year;
Back-to-Back-to-Back ACC Coach of the Year (2013-15);Back-to-Back ACC Champions (2014-15),
2014 Women's College World Series; three straight NCAA Super Regional appearances (2013-15)

Velocity is a big emphasis for every pitcher - everybody wants to throw it 70 miles per hour! This video featuring Florida State head coach Lonni Alameda does a great job of helping you learn how to spin pitches and improve your velocity. However, the techniques shown by Coach Alameda also work to make your pitching as effective as possible even if you're not close to touching 70 on the radar gun. It's all about locating pitches, changing speeds and moving the ball with the speed that you bring to the table - and you'll learn how to do all of that effectively in this video!

Mindset: Varying Speed and Spin

Coach Alameda begins by teaching the mindset pitchers need to possess when it comes to speed, which doesn't always include needing to throw as fast as possible. She describes how pitchers need to be able to vary their speed to keep hitters off balance. By using five of Alameda's drills, your pitchers will be trained to vary speeds and hit their spots while on the mound. She has goals for each of her athletes and a solid understanding of each of her pitchers and teaches how to develop those goals throughout the season.

Drills and Development

The video continues with Alameda teaching how to beat the batter by using your pitches and abilities against the hitter. She shows several drills and competitive games that will help pitchers learn to be accountable for their own results. One of the best ways to build speed is to use Alameda's long toss series that features multiple variations. In all, you'll get eight different drills to help build more spin and help your athletes work on hitting spots.

Next, you'll get a detailed explanation for how to recognize pitching styles for different pitchers. Coach Alameda is committed to a process of growth and development through honest conversations of accountability. She tries to make sure that the bullpen holds the pitcher accountable and speaks in the same way that the results of a game will in real time.

Better pitching comes from how well you spin it and what you can do with your speeds. Transitioning from hard to soft and soft to hard is essential. This video is 100% committed to this mindset. Allow Coach Alameda to give your speed and spin abilities a boost!

49 minutes. 2019.


Fundamentals of the Fastpitch Motion

0
0

with Lonni Alameda,
Florida State University Head Coach;
2018 NCAA National Champions;2018 NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year;
Back-to-Back-to-Back ACC Coach of the Year (2013-15);Back-to-Back ACC Champions (2014-15),
2014 Women's College World Series; three straight NCAA Super Regional appearances (2013-15)

Need to learn or brush up on the basics of the windmill pitch? This video from 2018 National Championship WCWS-winning head coach Lonni Alameda breaks down the fundamentals of the pitching motion in order to help your pitchers establish a solid foundation on the mound. You will learn the philosophy behind every component of the pitch as well as some advanced strategies to ensure you're always a step ahead of opposing hitters.

Windmill Philosophy

Coach Alameda explains her philosophy of the mechanics of the windmill pitch. She teaches the fundamentals of the pitch from the ground up, broken down into three segments:

  • Upper Half
  • Lower Half
  • Arm Circle

You will learn how to fix inconsistencies with your pitchers by focusing on timing and efficiency.

Windmill Series Drills

Next, watch as Alameda works one-on-one with pitchers using the drills and the daily warm-up routine her players use at Florida State. More importantly, you'll hear how Coach Alameda instructs through "conversation." She emphasizes the importance of getting players talking to prove that they understand what they're doing and how they are addressing mechanical issues.

In total you will get nine pitching mechanics drills that reinforce the essential fundamentals of the windmill pitch. Key drills include:

  • T Drill
  • Full Circle
  • Full Circle - Rock Back
  • Full Circle - Drag
  • Rock Back Drill
  • Walk-throughs
  • Two Feet
  • Inside/Outside Fastballs
  • PIG

Pitching Philosophy

An added bonus to this video is the instruction that Coach Alameda offers on how to develop good pitcher & catcher relationships in the bullpen. She explains the the nuance of this relationship and how to build it based on mutual trust and respect.

Finally, you'll hear Alameda's philosophy in different areas of pitching, including:

  • Strategy
  • Scouting
  • Analytics
  • Situations
  • Pitching staff
  • The Mental Game
  • Preparation

Coach Alameda shows you how the pitching motion can be broken down and offers drills that work on the mechanics of the windmill. She displays how to work from the fingertips to the arm circle and then to the lower half. You'll learn everything you need to know about timing and efficiency and see drills that reinforce solid fundamentals so you can produce complete pitchers in your own program!

64 minutes. 2019.

Drills to Develop the Dominant Pitcher

0
0

with Lonni Alameda,
Florida State University Head Coach;
2018 NCAA National Champions;2018 NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year;
Back-to-Back-to-Back ACC Coach of the Year (2013-15);Back-to-Back ACC Champions (2014-15),
2014 Women's College World Series; three straight NCAA Super Regional appearances (2013-15)

Every softball coach is always looking for ways to improve their pitching staff. While Florida State's Lonni Alameda describes herself as a coach that doesn't focus a lot on drills, this video walks you through a few of her staff's drill series that promote building complete pitchers. More than just drills, this video includes a complete routine for a few simple isolations, rounded out with a comprehensive effort toward sound pitching mechanics.

Drills and Expectations

You'll begin with Coach Alameda's explanation for the various components of the drill series and a detailed discussion of how to manage the bullpen during these drills. She does an excellent job of laying out exactly what to expect from the drills and what each pitcher's goal should be during every exercise.

Next, Alameda progresses into a detailed one-on-one session with one of her young pitchers. You'll be able to watch as they work together to break down individual pitching elements. Coach Alameda's style of teaching through conversation is on full display during this segment.

Developing "Feel" and Competition

Many of the keys and cues that Alameda focuses on while teaching her pitchers are included, and she also shares how she helps pitchers "feel" the specifics of the pitching motion. Coach Alameda emphasizes the importance of a pitcher's ability to feel and adjust for solid mechanics to develop better speed and spin.

Competition and accountability are key aspects of this video. At one point, Alameda has two of her pitchers face-off to battle it out on the path to improvement.

This video is an awesome look into the bullpen of a national powerhouse program. Coach Alameda is at her best when working with pitchers. Watch and learn as she guides your through the daily bullpen routine that she used en route to the 2018 NCAA WCWS National Championship.

55 minutes. 2019.

Developing a Championship Pitching Staff

0
0

with Bob Ligouri,
Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Head Coach;Iowa Girls Coaching Association (IGCA) Hall of Fame;
6x NJCAA World Series appearances;over 950 career wins;has coached 15 All-Americans;
as a High School coach (Dowling Catholic HS - Iowa) - 2x State Champions, 2x State Champion Runner-up

Good pitchers oftentimes have a grasp on certain physical elements of pitching, but in order to become a great pitcher, they must possess a little something more. It's not about just having a pitch - it's about knowing when and where to throw the pitch for optimal results.

In this video, Des Moines Area Community College head coach Bob Ligouri and assistant coach Thana Heller will help you make sure you can bridge the gap and mold your good pitchers into great pitchers.

Development Drills

A fundamentally sound pitcher has an advantage against the competition. In the heat of battle, their pitches won't fail because of a mechanical inefficiency. In this section, Coach Heller gives you a few of the drills that have helped her develop numerous top-tier pitchers.

Critical Success Factors

Learn to take a "thrower" and teach them how to be a pitcher with Coach Ligouri's seven critical success factors. These factors include:

  • Location
  • Pitching sequences
  • Making adjustments
  • Controlling timing
  • Developing accountability
  • Situational awareness
  • Pitch development

Pitchers who are able to master and execute all of these factors are guaranteed to have success on the mound. You will learn how to teach your pitchers to set-up batters, leaving them nearly powerless against your hurler.

Developing the Mental Game

During a game, the pitcher is in the middle of the field, all alone within the circle. With the game on the line, the pitcher will have the ball in her hand, and she alone is charged with throwing that ball past a powerful batter. You'll hear some of DMACC's pitchers discuss confidence, how it is developed and sustained, and what you can do as a coach to help strengthen your own athletes' mental game.

The concepts taught in this video by Coach Ligouri and Coach Heller are a link between the physical and mental side of pitching. You will walk away with new drills to help you link the physical to the mental and strategic side of pitching. Boost your players' effectiveness on the mound and watch their confidence soar!

77 minutes. 2019.

UNC's Softball Series

0
0
SD-05493A:

with Donna Papa,
University of North Carolina Head Coach;
Distinguished member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Hall of Fame (2012);
5x ACC Coach of the Year; over 1,200 career victories

Tired of watching videos that don't cover the aspects of slap hitting you are looking for? If you need more help teaching your players the art of slap hitting, this is the video for you. Slapping can give any offense a unique weapon, and University of North Carolina head coach Donna Papa is one of the best teachers of this skill in the game today!

Slap Hitting Philosophy

Coach Papa guides you through UNC's complete slap hitting philosophy; in this video, you'll learn:

  • How and why to put pressure on the defense.
  • How to increase your opportunities to put the ball in play.
  • Skills for reading defenses.
  • Methods for better bat control.
  • How to improve foot speed.

The drills that Papa presents can make the difference between limited success and complete domination. She includes her perspective on when to use different slapping techniques, including the drag bunt, chop, soft slap, hard slap, and power slap.

Flaws and Fixes

At some point, your players will get into a rut and will require the knowledge of how to fix their slapping technique. Papa includes common mistakes and fixes for:

  • The Stance - How to alter your base, posture, hand positioning and grip.
  • Footwork - Including the difference between a one step and two step approach.
  • Load - The proper positioning to "do damage" as a slapper.

Improving Timing

With more than two dozen drills, this video is loaded with ways to get better and be comfortable in the batter's box. You'll see how isolating pieces of the swing can help you diagnose weaknesses and turn them into strengths. Additionally, Papa explains how to create a progression plan that helps players feel proper slap hitting techniques.

This video represents an opportunity to learn from a Hall of Fame coach. If you want to churn out elite slappers, you'll find everything you need inside!

94 minutes. 2019.



SD-05493B:

with Mary Jo Firnbach,
University of North Carolina Associate Head Coach;
helped lead UNC to the ACC Championship and Regional Finals in 2017;
former Texas A&M University Associate Head Coach;
2008 National Championship game appearance;
former Syracuse University Head Coach (she was the school's first coach in softball ever);
team captain as a player at Southern Illinois University in 1991

University of North Carolina's Mary Jo Firnbach provides an overview and perspective on the hitting training program utilized by the Tar Heels. She includes more than two dozen drills designed to build better hitters, shows how to use isolation techniques to help athletes improve in specific areas, and endorses the value of batting practice on the field so that players can see the flight of the ball off their bat.

Hitting Drills

Firnbach begins by showing a progression of tee work to front toss that promotes hitting from the ground up. Every drill has a purpose, and Coach Firnbach explains the "fix" that each drill offers so that you can identify swing flaws and immediately address them. This section will detail how to help your hitters build strength that translates into more base hits, enhancing your offense overall.

Isolation Techniques

Coach Firnbach uses short bats to isolate and improve the front arm and back arm for a better full swing. Bats of various weights are also incorporated to promote faster bat speed. Firnbach's training includes how to use ramps under the front or back foot of a hitter to improve balance and consistency at the plate.

On-Field Batting Practice

The flight of the ball gives instant feedback to the hitter, and Coach Firnbach makes sure to use drills that force players to hit into certain zones of the field as a great teaching technique. You'll learn how the flight of the ball can communicate the effectiveness of contact points, as well as how to make adjustments that allow players to hit to all fields. As an added bonus, Firnbach gives you competitive drills to use with your athletes to make sure they get comfortable performing under pressure.

This video from Coach Firnbach provides a solid progression of drills that will help softball players of any skill level get better. Don't miss your chance to learn from one of the game's best instructors!

76 minutes. 2019.



SD-05493C:

with Mary Jo Firnbach,
University of North Carolina Associate Head Coach;
helped lead UNC to the ACC Championship and Regional Finals in 2017;
former Texas A&M University Associate Head Coach;
2008 National Championship game appearance;
former Syracuse University Head Coach (she was the school's first coach in softball ever);
team captain as a player at Southern Illinois University in 1991

Do you want to ramp up your defensive practices? Are you looking for ways to incorporate conditioning into more of your workouts? This video featuring University of North Carolina's Mary Jo Firnbach will show you how to add more drills into your training regimen to improve your team's defense.

Infield Philosophy

Coach Firnbach shows how she develops athleticism in her players by using drills that force athletes to charge the ball, take control of the situation and put themselves in position to make a play. She focuses on building from the ground up, beginning with footwork in order to cover more ground and make more plays. You'll see how drills that emphasize a quick first step can help your players take away hits that would have otherwise gotten through to the outfield.

"Everyday" Practices

Next, Firnbach shares drills that can be done regularly to help your infielders be confident and poised. Exercises include:

  • Short Hop Series
  • Line Drill
  • Throwing Slots
  • Ladder Drills

You'll see how to get your players to make more plays on the run, ensuring that the speed of the game is never an issue. Additionally, you will learn how foot quickness and reaction drills can make your defense a force to be reckoned with on the diamond.

Drills and Techniques

In the Catcher Throw Down Series, every infielder receives throws, makes tags, and delivers the ball to a new target. It's a great drill to work all of the catch play that infielders need to master. Firnbach's "Crossfire" is another great drill that will adjust athletes to the speed of the game.

Constructing a complete infield is your first step to defensive domination. Allow Coach Firnbach to help you do just that in this all-encompassing instructional video!

76 minutes. 2019.



SD-05493D:

with Chelsey Barclay,
University of North Carolina Associate Head Coach/Pitching;,
former Cal Poly Pitching Coach and Marshall Assistant Coach; ,
played collegiately for University of Illinois-Chicago and Oklahoma State University,

In this video, Chelsey Barclay introduces a series of pitching drills and training approaches for advanced level pitchers that can provide ideas and guidance to any coach coach working to develop the skill level and competitiveness of their staff.

Coach Barclay's presentation is from the perspective of a pitcher and what works to refine skills to the level needed to compete at the higher level of collegiate softball. Unlike many learn-to-pitch videos targeted at the basic mechanics of pitches, the drills introduced by Coach Barclay work toward mastering the critical elements of throwing each pitch so they are effective.

This video will help you understand techniques for training in three specific areas:

Development of speed through the proper control of body position and resistance. The drills taught by Barclay integrate the use of training aids such as a bosu ball and radar feedback into a training regimen. The drills included are unique, but simple ways to train pitchers to effectively use their lower half to generate speed.

Control of the key aspects of each of the major pitches (change-up, drop, rise, curve and screw) and drills to enhance the execution of these pitches. These drills are pitch-specific and work on refining pitches for spin, speed, location and break point as appropriate for each pitch. The drills clearly demonstrate step-by-step methods for improvement.

Group and team drills to build competition and add game-like pressure to pitching workouts that will pitchers translate performance in practice to game performance.

Each of the drills are demonstrated by 1-3 pitchers, allowing excellent insight into real life performance in a training situation where not every pitch is perfect. Of particular note, the drills for mastering the proper 12-6 spin for rise balls and maintaining the needed body positioning are both unique and excellently presented.

Overall, this view into pitcher training at a high level collegiate program will offer you fantastic insights into practical methods to build and improve your pitching staff. The techniques and approaches of Coach Barclay's drills can be extended and adapted to build a repertoire of bullpen practices. This video is not a "how to pitch" video and is best intended for the knowledgeable pitching instructor or coach working with advanced high school, older travel ball or collegiate players.

90 minutes. 2019.



The Ultimate Infield Practice Plan

0
0

with Mary Jo Firnbach,
University of North Carolina Associate Head Coach;
helped lead UNC to the ACC Championship and Regional Finals in 2017;
former Texas A&M University Associate Head Coach;
2008 National Championship game appearance;
former Syracuse University Head Coach (she was the school's first coach in softball ever);
team captain as a player at Southern Illinois University in 1991

Do you want to ramp up your defensive practices? Are you looking for ways to incorporate conditioning into more of your workouts? This video featuring University of North Carolina's Mary Jo Firnbach will show you how to add more drills into your training regimen to improve your team's defense.

Infield Philosophy

Coach Firnbach shows how she develops athleticism in her players by using drills that force athletes to charge the ball, take control of the situation and put themselves in position to make a play. She focuses on building from the ground up, beginning with footwork in order to cover more ground and make more plays. You'll see how drills that emphasize a quick first step can help your players take away hits that would have otherwise gotten through to the outfield.

"Everyday" Practices

Next, Firnbach shares drills that can be done regularly to help your infielders be confident and poised. Exercises include:

  • Short Hop Series
  • Line Drill
  • Throwing Slots
  • Ladder Drills

You'll see how to get your players to make more plays on the run, ensuring that the speed of the game is never an issue. Additionally, you will learn how foot quickness and reaction drills can make your defense a force to be reckoned with on the diamond.

Drills and Techniques

In the Catcher Throw Down Series, every infielder receives throws, makes tags, and delivers the ball to a new target. It's a great drill to work all of the catch play that infielders need to master. Firnbach's "Crossfire" is another great drill that will adjust athletes to the speed of the game.

Constructing a complete infield is your first step to defensive domination. Allow Coach Firnbach to help you do just that in this all-encompassing instructional video!

76 minutes. 2019.

Pitching: A Plan for Developing Speed & Control in the Bullpen

0
0

with Chelsey Barclay,
University of North Carolina Associate Head Coach/Pitching;,
former Cal Poly Pitching Coach and Marshall Assistant Coach; ,
played collegiately for University of Illinois-Chicago and Oklahoma State University,

In this video, Chelsey Barclay introduces a series of pitching drills and training approaches for advanced level pitchers that can provide ideas and guidance to any coach coach working to develop the skill level and competitiveness of their staff.

Coach Barclay's presentation is from the perspective of a pitcher and what works to refine skills to the level needed to compete at the higher level of collegiate softball. Unlike many learn-to-pitch videos targeted at the basic mechanics of pitches, the drills introduced by Coach Barclay work toward mastering the critical elements of throwing each pitch so they are effective.

This video will help you understand techniques for training in three specific areas:

Development of speed through the proper control of body position and resistance. The drills taught by Barclay integrate the use of training aids such as a bosu ball and radar feedback into a training regimen. The drills included are unique, but simple ways to train pitchers to effectively use their lower half to generate speed.

Control of the key aspects of each of the major pitches (change-up, drop, rise, curve and screw) and drills to enhance the execution of these pitches. These drills are pitch-specific and work on refining pitches for spin, speed, location and break point as appropriate for each pitch. The drills clearly demonstrate step-by-step methods for improvement.

Group and team drills to build competition and add game-like pressure to pitching workouts that will pitchers translate performance in practice to game performance.

Each of the drills are demonstrated by 1-3 pitchers, allowing excellent insight into real life performance in a training situation where not every pitch is perfect. Of particular note, the drills for mastering the proper 12-6 spin for rise balls and maintaining the needed body positioning are both unique and excellently presented.

Overall, this view into pitcher training at a high level collegiate program will offer you fantastic insights into practical methods to build and improve your pitching staff. The techniques and approaches of Coach Barclay's drills can be extended and adapted to build a repertoire of bullpen practices. This video is not a "how to pitch" video and is best intended for the knowledgeable pitching instructor or coach working with advanced high school, older travel ball or collegiate players.

90 minutes. 2019.

Mastering the Art of Hitting

0
0

with Mary Jo Firnbach,
University of North Carolina Associate Head Coach;
helped lead UNC to the ACC Championship and Regional Finals in 2017;
former Texas A&M University Associate Head Coach;
2008 National Championship game appearance;
former Syracuse University Head Coach (she was the school's first coach in softball ever);
team captain as a player at Southern Illinois University in 1991

University of North Carolina's Mary Jo Firnbach provides an overview and perspective on the hitting training program utilized by the Tar Heels. She includes more than two dozen drills designed to build better hitters, shows how to use isolation techniques to help athletes improve in specific areas, and endorses the value of batting practice on the field so that players can see the flight of the ball off their bat.

Hitting Drills

Firnbach begins by showing a progression of tee work to front toss that promotes hitting from the ground up. Every drill has a purpose, and Coach Firnbach explains the "fix" that each drill offers so that you can identify swing flaws and immediately address them. This section will detail how to help your hitters build strength that translates into more base hits, enhancing your offense overall.

Isolation Techniques

Coach Firnbach uses short bats to isolate and improve the front arm and back arm for a better full swing. Bats of various weights are also incorporated to promote faster bat speed. Firnbach's training includes how to use ramps under the front or back foot of a hitter to improve balance and consistency at the plate.

On-Field Batting Practice

The flight of the ball gives instant feedback to the hitter, and Coach Firnbach makes sure to use drills that force players to hit into certain zones of the field as a great teaching technique. You'll learn how the flight of the ball can communicate the effectiveness of contact points, as well as how to make adjustments that allow players to hit to all fields. As an added bonus, Firnbach gives you competitive drills to use with your athletes to make sure they get comfortable performing under pressure.

This video from Coach Firnbach provides a solid progression of drills that will help softball players of any skill level get better. Don't miss your chance to learn from one of the game's best instructors!

76 minutes. 2019.


Keys to Becoming a Complete Slap Hitter

0
0

with Donna Papa,
University of North Carolina Head Coach;
Distinguished member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Hall of Fame (2012);
5x ACC Coach of the Year; over 1,200 career victories

Tired of watching videos that don't cover the aspects of slap hitting you are looking for? If you need more help teaching your players the art of slap hitting, this is the video for you. Slapping can give any offense a unique weapon, and University of North Carolina head coach Donna Papa is one of the best teachers of this skill in the game today!

Slap Hitting Philosophy

Coach Papa guides you through UNC's complete slap hitting philosophy; in this video, you'll learn:

  • How and why to put pressure on the defense.
  • How to increase your opportunities to put the ball in play.
  • Skills for reading defenses.
  • Methods for better bat control.
  • How to improve foot speed.

The drills that Papa presents can make the difference between limited success and complete domination. She includes her perspective on when to use different slapping techniques, including the drag bunt, chop, soft slap, hard slap, and power slap.

Flaws and Fixes

At some point, your players will get into a rut and will require the knowledge of how to fix their slapping technique. Papa includes common mistakes and fixes for:

  • The Stance - How to alter your base, posture, hand positioning and grip.
  • Footwork - Including the difference between a one step and two step approach.
  • Load - The proper positioning to "do damage" as a slapper.

Improving Timing

With more than two dozen drills, this video is loaded with ways to get better and be comfortable in the batter's box. You'll see how isolating pieces of the swing can help you diagnose weaknesses and turn them into strengths. Additionally, Papa explains how to create a progression plan that helps players feel proper slap hitting techniques.

This video represents an opportunity to learn from a Hall of Fame coach. If you want to churn out elite slappers, you'll find everything you need inside!

94 minutes. 2019.

Open Practice: Blueprint for Up-Tempo Team Practices

0
0

with Megan Smith,
Marshall University Head Softball Coach;
former University of Kansas Head Coach;
six straight seasons of 30+ wins (2011-16);
Back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances ('14, '15);
broke the Big 12 record for batting average (.345) & was the highest in the NCAA in 2013;
Over 350 wins all time;
former LSU Assistant Coach

Running an effective team practice with a large roster can be complicated. It is often difficult to find engaging and efficient team drills that will challenge each player.

In this practice, you will witness exactly how Megan Smith works her team through various situations and gets all players prepared for upcoming games. Instead of players standing around and getting little out of the time, Smith does a terrific job of keeping things fast-paced and up-tempo.

On display are eight full team drills and a batting practice rotation that will help make your practices more engaging and efficient.

Team Defense

Get your whole team involved with full field long toss. Practice important throwing and receiving skills with your full team in a fast-paced, challenging environment. The expectation of proper technique for throwing, catching and making tags is on full display and is crisply executed.

Smith shares a pregame defensive sequence where you can get your outfielders and infielders several reps in only five minutes, which is ideal for pregame, where you are often limited on time. You will see the fundamentals that all coaches emphasize and hear the specific coaching points that Smith shares to make all players perform at their best.

Coach Smith also introduces communication drills that will help assure that no fly ball goes uncaught because of poor communication.

Defending the Running Game

Shutting down an opponent's running game can be a critical component of team success. Make sure your catchers and infielders get practice reps working on pick-off plays and steals to ensure a well-rounded defensive practice. Smith will also help you simplify first and third defensive plays, which are commonly chaotic situations that cause the team on defense to make mistakes.

Batting Practice

Smith shows you how to run an efficient batting practice where all players are involved and productive. Her three-group batting practice rotation allows your hitters to get live reps off a pitcher, your base runners to get live reads off of batted balls, and your defense to get game-like reps. Get more accomplished in less time!

Coach Smith shows you how to get more out of your players by getting more out of practice in this fantastic video!

58 minutes. 2018.

Team Practice Drills for Building a Dominant Defense

0
0

with Colleen Powers,
St. Catherine University Head Coach;
2x MIAC Coach of the Year;
2017 NFCA Midwest Regional Coaching Staff of the Year;
2x NCAA Tournament berths;
played for University of Minnesota where she finished her career with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 122 career appearances

In this video brought to you by St. Catherine University's Colleen Powers, you will learn 13 different team-oriented defensive drills that are broken down by position groups. This video contains infield-specific, outfield-specific and whole-team defense drills that will help any program improve communication, increase put-outs, and cut down on unnecessary errors in critical situations.

Infield & Outfield

Coach Powers begins by focusing on infield-specific drills that emphasize communication between players on balls that are hit in gaps. You'll see how to make sure all of your players cover the appropriate bases and cut down on time getting the ball where it needs to go.

Next, Powers transitions into outfield drills that include taking proper angles, footwork on throws to each base, and communicating on who has the ball.

Whole Team

Lastly, Coach Powers includes whole team defensive drills. Her drills are fast-paced and are sure to train your players for real game scenarios by adding elements of competition that keep athletes engaged.

This video is jam-packed full of drills and ideas that will help you piece together the individual defenders on your team and turn them into one cohesive unit. Allow Coach Powers to show you how to build a better defense and have fun doing it!

74 minutes. 2019.

Individual Practice Drills for Infielders & Outfielders

0
0

with Colleen Powers,
St. Catherine University Head Coach;
2x MIAC Coach of the Year;
2017 NFCA Midwest Regional Coaching Staff of the Year;
2x NCAA Tournament berths;
played for University of Minnesota where she finished her career with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 122 career appearances

Colleen Powers has guided the St. Catherine University softball program to prominence by building top-tier individual defenders. In this video, she provides you with many of the drills and techniques she uses with infielders and outfielders to ensure their skills are up to par to compete at an elite level.

You'll begin with Coach Powers' explanation of her practice philosophy. She details the processes that she uses to make sure every athlete understands what is to be gained in practice, what their individual role is, and how to best evaluate their training time.

Outfield

Next, Powers jumps into her outfield philosophy, which centers around beating the ball to the spot and allowing proper angles and momentum to put players in position to make good throws back to the infield. This explanation is followed by nearly 30 unique drills that will help players develop consistency and accuracy in game situations.

One drill that stands out is the "Up/Down Drill," in which players run and dive multiple times on their way to a ball that they retrieve to throw. This drill does a great job of enhancing athleticism, quickness and good throwing technique.

Infield

The video continues with Coach Powers' infield rules and strategies. She tasks her athletes to play catch with quick hands and quick feet while letting the glove take care of the ball.

The components of Powers' philosophy are on full display during almost two dozen additional infield drills. The "Rise and Shine Bunt Drill" is a great example. Players fan out like the rays of the sun and field consecutive bunts to develop quick hands and feet, while playing catch.

Coach Powers has an infectious motivation about her, and her style of coaching and promoting athleticism is a winning combination. Don't miss the chance to learn tons of drills from an excellent softball coach.

92 minutes. 2019.

Colleen Powers' Defensive 2-Pack

0
0
SD-05510A:

with Colleen Powers,
St. Catherine University Head Coach;
2x MIAC Coach of the Year;
2017 NFCA Midwest Regional Coaching Staff of the Year;
2x NCAA Tournament berths;
played for University of Minnesota where she finished her career with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 122 career appearances

In this video brought to you by St. Catherine University's Colleen Powers, you will learn 13 different team-oriented defensive drills that are broken down by position groups. This video contains infield-specific, outfield-specific and whole-team defense drills that will help any program improve communication, increase put-outs, and cut down on unnecessary errors in critical situations.

Infield & Outfield

Coach Powers begins by focusing on infield-specific drills that emphasize communication between players on balls that are hit in gaps. You'll see how to make sure all of your players cover the appropriate bases and cut down on time getting the ball where it needs to go.

Next, Powers transitions into outfield drills that include taking proper angles, footwork on throws to each base, and communicating on who has the ball.

Whole Team

Lastly, Coach Powers includes whole team defensive drills. Her drills are fast-paced and are sure to train your players for real game scenarios by adding elements of competition that keep athletes engaged.

This video is jam-packed full of drills and ideas that will help you piece together the individual defenders on your team and turn them into one cohesive unit. Allow Coach Powers to show you how to build a better defense and have fun doing it!

74 minutes. 2019.



SD-05510B:

with Colleen Powers,
St. Catherine University Head Coach;
2x MIAC Coach of the Year;
2017 NFCA Midwest Regional Coaching Staff of the Year;
2x NCAA Tournament berths;
played for University of Minnesota where she finished her career with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 122 career appearances

Colleen Powers has guided the St. Catherine University softball program to prominence by building top-tier individual defenders. In this video, she provides you with many of the drills and techniques she uses with infielders and outfielders to ensure their skills are up to par to compete at an elite level.

You'll begin with Coach Powers' explanation of her practice philosophy. She details the processes that she uses to make sure every athlete understands what is to be gained in practice, what their individual role is, and how to best evaluate their training time.

Outfield

Next, Powers jumps into her outfield philosophy, which centers around beating the ball to the spot and allowing proper angles and momentum to put players in position to make good throws back to the infield. This explanation is followed by nearly 30 unique drills that will help players develop consistency and accuracy in game situations.

One drill that stands out is the "Up/Down Drill," in which players run and dive multiple times on their way to a ball that they retrieve to throw. This drill does a great job of enhancing athleticism, quickness and good throwing technique.

Infield

The video continues with Coach Powers' infield rules and strategies. She tasks her athletes to play catch with quick hands and quick feet while letting the glove take care of the ball.

The components of Powers' philosophy are on full display during almost two dozen additional infield drills. The "Rise and Shine Bunt Drill" is a great example. Players fan out like the rays of the sun and field consecutive bunts to develop quick hands and feet, while playing catch.

Coach Powers has an infectious motivation about her, and her style of coaching and promoting athleticism is a winning combination. Don't miss the chance to learn tons of drills from an excellent softball coach.

92 minutes. 2019.



Pre-Season Pitching Workouts

0
0

with Myndie Berka,
owner/pitching instructor of BreakThrew Fastpitch

Myndie Berka has trained hundreds of successful pitchers. Her pitchers have:

  • earned scholarships at over 60 different colleges and universities
  • competed at the Women's College World Series at the NCAA DI, DII, NAIA and JUCO levels
  • been named collegiate All-Americans
  • been collegiate national strikeout leaders at both the NCAA DI and DII levels

Getting ready for an upcoming season can be an exciting process for all softball players, but even more so for pitchers in particular. Pitchers must ensure that their workouts are tailored to prepare them for the upcoming season. This video from Myndie Berka will show you five workouts that will prepare your pitchers for battle on day one of the season.

Workout No. 1

Late-breaking movement will cause more swings and misses, and this workout will help your pitchers make their pitches dart out of the strike zone right as the batter takes their swing.

You'll see how to help your athletes visualize the strike zone and how they want their pitches to break. This will get them in the right mental state to execute their pitches to perfection. A pitcher who understands how to throw deceptively will frustrate an aggressive, free-swinging offense.

Workout No. 2

The second workout incorporates a little bit of everything: speed and strength development, target pitching, competition, and fielding. You'll see how to help pitchers improve their strength with distance pitching, which will allow them to light up the radar gun.

Reaction time is important for every pitcher since they could release the pitch and have the ball batted right back at them. Prepare your pitcher to knock down and field anything that comes back at them with Coach Berka's reaction drills.

Workout No. 3

Confuse opposing batters by making different pitches look the same. If a pitcher can tunnel pitches, they'll leave batters guessing until it's too late to make an accurate swing. Coach Berka shows exactly how to make batters helpless at the plate. You'll also learn how to add pressure to a workout to challenge your pitcher's mental toughness.

Workout No. 4

Gain insight into how your pitcher thinks in Berka's fourth workout. In the Sets drill, you'll discover how to get a sense of what your pitcher thinks they can do in various situations on the mound. Additionally, discover which pitches your pitchers have confidence in, and how they want to use their pitches to set up batters.

Workout No. 5

Prepare for game day by running through a pregame warm-up exactly like you would use to prepare for an actual game. Berka shows how to get the body and mind warmed up to compete. Once warm, pitchers will throw to simulated batters while a teammate charts. Charting helps pitchers learn pitch sequencing and the importance of getting ahead in the count.

Coach Berka shares five useful workouts, each designed to get a pitcher ready for game day in a different way. This video will show you exactly how to best prepare your athletes during the pre-season.

138 minutes. 2019.

Off-Season Pitching Workouts

0
0

with Myndie Berka,
owner/pitching instructor of BreakThrew Fastpitch

Myndie Berka has trained hundreds of successful pitchers. Her pitchers have:

  • earned scholarships at over 60 different colleges and universities
  • competed at the Women's College World Series at the NCAA DI, DII, NAIA and JUCO levels
  • been named collegiate All-Americans
  • been collegiate national strikeout leaders at both the NCAA DI and DII levels

For maximum development, pitchers should have different goals and focuses during the off-season and in-season phases of their training. Most coaching focuses on in-season training, neglecting an important part of a pitcher's development.

In this video, BreakThrew Fastpitch owner and pitching instructor Myndie Berka offers a solution for coaches with five challenging off-season workouts to help improve mechanics and develop the strength and speed to power pitchers through a long season.

Workout No. 1

The first workout from Coach Berka focuses heavily on mechanics. The off-season is the best time to break down a pitcher's mechanics because they don't have to worry about falling back into their bad habits by pitching in a game. You'll see how Berka zeroes in on the snap and spin of the pitch, and how she breaks down the pitching motion to help her athletes spot-check specific aspects of their delivery.

Workout No. 2

Distance pitching, or long toss, is a great way to help pitchers develop their arm strength and that's the focus of Berka's second workout. A pitcher with a stronger arm will throw the ball harder and make it harder for opposing players to make solid contact. Additionally, Coach Berka shows how to incorporate conditioning into your pitching workout to keep your athletes in pristine shape.

Workout No. 3

Pitchers who understand what their bodies are doing in space will be able to feel certain movements and make adjustments on their own. This workout will help your pitchers develop body awareness in addition to a strong core and front side. Coach Berka showcases how to use a bosu ball or similar tools in creative ways to challenge a pitcher's balance and core stability.

Workout No. 4

Berka's fourth workout focuses on harness training to develop strength and quickness. The harness can be used to assist the pitcher in improving speed and agility. Coach Berka also displays how to use the harness to resist the motion, which will increase the pitcher's effort and develop strength.

Workout No. 5

In the final workout, you'll learn how to implement weighted balls, a proven way to increase speed to help your pitcher throw harder. Berka explains how to safely use a heavy ball to develop strength, and a light ball to develop quickness.

This video provides five separate workouts, each with its own focus and objectives. Let Coach Berka show you how get the most out of your pitchers' off-season!

79 minutes. 2019.


Myndie Berka's Pitching Workouts

0
0
SD-05509A:

with Myndie Berka,
owner/pitching instructor of BreakThrew Fastpitch

Myndie Berka has trained hundreds of successful pitchers. Her pitchers have:

  • earned scholarships at over 60 different colleges and universities
  • competed at the Women's College World Series at the NCAA DI, DII, NAIA and JUCO levels
  • been named collegiate All-Americans
  • been collegiate national strikeout leaders at both the NCAA DI and DII levels

Getting ready for an upcoming season can be an exciting process for all softball players, but even more so for pitchers in particular. Pitchers must ensure that their workouts are tailored to prepare them for the upcoming season. This video from Myndie Berka will show you five workouts that will prepare your pitchers for battle on day one of the season.

Workout No. 1

Late-breaking movement will cause more swings and misses, and this workout will help your pitchers make their pitches dart out of the strike zone right as the batter takes their swing.

You'll see how to help your athletes visualize the strike zone and how they want their pitches to break. This will get them in the right mental state to execute their pitches to perfection. A pitcher who understands how to throw deceptively will frustrate an aggressive, free-swinging offense.

Workout No. 2

The second workout incorporates a little bit of everything: speed and strength development, target pitching, competition, and fielding. You'll see how to help pitchers improve their strength with distance pitching, which will allow them to light up the radar gun.

Reaction time is important for every pitcher since they could release the pitch and have the ball batted right back at them. Prepare your pitcher to knock down and field anything that comes back at them with Coach Berka's reaction drills.

Workout No. 3

Confuse opposing batters by making different pitches look the same. If a pitcher can tunnel pitches, they'll leave batters guessing until it's too late to make an accurate swing. Coach Berka shows exactly how to make batters helpless at the plate. You'll also learn how to add pressure to a workout to challenge your pitcher's mental toughness.

Workout No. 4

Gain insight into how your pitcher thinks in Berka's fourth workout. In the Sets drill, you'll discover how to get a sense of what your pitcher thinks they can do in various situations on the mound. Additionally, discover which pitches your pitchers have confidence in, and how they want to use their pitches to set up batters.

Workout No. 5

Prepare for game day by running through a pregame warm-up exactly like you would use to prepare for an actual game. Berka shows how to get the body and mind warmed up to compete. Once warm, pitchers will throw to simulated batters while a teammate charts. Charting helps pitchers learn pitch sequencing and the importance of getting ahead in the count.

Coach Berka shares five useful workouts, each designed to get a pitcher ready for game day in a different way. This video will show you exactly how to best prepare your athletes during the pre-season.

138 minutes. 2019.



SD-05509B:

with Myndie Berka,
owner/pitching instructor of BreakThrew Fastpitch

Myndie Berka has trained hundreds of successful pitchers. Her pitchers have:

  • earned scholarships at over 60 different colleges and universities
  • competed at the Women's College World Series at the NCAA DI, DII, NAIA and JUCO levels
  • been named collegiate All-Americans
  • been collegiate national strikeout leaders at both the NCAA DI and DII levels

For maximum development, pitchers should have different goals and focuses during the off-season and in-season phases of their training. Most coaching focuses on in-season training, neglecting an important part of a pitcher's development.

In this video, BreakThrew Fastpitch owner and pitching instructor Myndie Berka offers a solution for coaches with five challenging off-season workouts to help improve mechanics and develop the strength and speed to power pitchers through a long season.

Workout No. 1

The first workout from Coach Berka focuses heavily on mechanics. The off-season is the best time to break down a pitcher's mechanics because they don't have to worry about falling back into their bad habits by pitching in a game. You'll see how Berka zeroes in on the snap and spin of the pitch, and how she breaks down the pitching motion to help her athletes spot-check specific aspects of their delivery.

Workout No. 2

Distance pitching, or long toss, is a great way to help pitchers develop their arm strength and that's the focus of Berka's second workout. A pitcher with a stronger arm will throw the ball harder and make it harder for opposing players to make solid contact. Additionally, Coach Berka shows how to incorporate conditioning into your pitching workout to keep your athletes in pristine shape.

Workout No. 3

Pitchers who understand what their bodies are doing in space will be able to feel certain movements and make adjustments on their own. This workout will help your pitchers develop body awareness in addition to a strong core and front side. Coach Berka showcases how to use a bosu ball or similar tools in creative ways to challenge a pitcher's balance and core stability.

Workout No. 4

Berka's fourth workout focuses on harness training to develop strength and quickness. The harness can be used to assist the pitcher in improving speed and agility. Coach Berka also displays how to use the harness to resist the motion, which will increase the pitcher's effort and develop strength.

Workout No. 5

In the final workout, you'll learn how to implement weighted balls, a proven way to increase speed to help your pitcher throw harder. Berka explains how to safely use a heavy ball to develop strength, and a light ball to develop quickness.

This video provides five separate workouts, each with its own focus and objectives. Let Coach Berka show you how get the most out of your pitchers' off-season!

79 minutes. 2019.



Foundations for Winning Softball Series

0
0
SD-05498A:

with Randy Schneider,
former Ankeny Centennial (IA) High School Head Coach (coached to best record in school history);
also coached at Iowa State University (Assistant Coach), University of Wisconsin (Associate Head Coach - 2013 Big Ten Tournament Champions), Valparaiso University (Head Coach; all-time wins leader, 2008 Horizon League Co-Coach of the Year)

with Tom Drohner,
Stevens Point Area Senior High;
NFCA WI Coach of the Year (2004, 2008, 2009 & 2011); Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association - Hall of Fame (2018); 8x WI State Champions (2001- 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 & 2016); won 19 consecutive Wisconsin Valley Conference (WVC) Championships, 18 Regional Championships and 14 Sectional Championships; coached 50+ first team All-State players, coached 2 Gatorade Players of the Year; National Fastpitch Coaches Association WI; Owns an overall record of 495-67 (through 2018)

with Todd Merical,
Johnston High School (IA) Head Coach;
3x State Champions, 2x State Championship Runner-ups; Iowa Girls Coaches Association (IGCA) Hall of Fame (2017); 800+ wins; 3x State Coach of the Year (IGCA)

Building a successful softball program can be a daunting and challenging task. From selecting a coaching staff to dealing with parents, you must have a plan for how to handle the myriad of situations you'll face as the leader.

In this insightful video, Randy Schneider, Todd Merical, and Tom Drohner offer practical advice and organizational tips for how to build a championship program.

Building a Successful Program

Figuring out where to start in building a successful softball program is a challenge in and of itself. Schneider, Merical, and Drohner begin by explaining a few of their own keys to building championship programs. You will find out how to hire a great coaching staff, identify the leaders on your team, and build a positive environment for your players.

Coaching Organization

Learn how you can get more accomplished as the leader of a program by being organized and having a plan. A plan will help you find a role for each player in your program and help them contribute by being great at something...even if they aren't the most athletically-gifted.

Coaches' Insight

Haven't you always wanted to sit down with a group of successful coaches and ask them 'how they do it?' In this video, the presenting coaches sit down and chat about their programs and the skills that have made them successful. You'll get to hear their insight on how they deal with parents, establish a growth mindset, and develop team traditions.

This video takes you behind the scenes and into the minds of three very successful coaches. They will teach you the keys to their success, and how you can apply them to your team to begin to develop a championship-level program today!

55 minutes. 2019.



SD-05498B:

with Randy Schneider,
former Ankeny Centennial (IA) High School Head Coach (coached to best record in school history);
also coached at Iowa State University (Assistant Coach), University of Wisconsin (Associate Head Coach - 2013 Big Ten Tournament Champions), Valparaiso University (Head Coach; all-time wins leader, 2008 Horizon League Co-Coach of the Year)

with Tom Drohner,
Stevens Point Area Senior High;
NFCA WI Coach of the Year (2004, 2008, 2009 & 2011); Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association - Hall of Fame (2018); 8x WI State Champions (2001- 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 & 2016); won 19 consecutive Wisconsin Valley Conference (WVC) Championships, 18 Regional Championships and 14 Sectional Championships; coached 50+ first team All-State players, coached 2 Gatorade Players of the Year; National Fastpitch Coaches Association WI; Owns an overall record of 495-67 (through 2018)

with Todd Merical,
Johnston High School (IA) Head Coach;
3x State Champions, 2x State Championship Runner-ups; Iowa Girls Coaches Association (IGCA) Hall of Fame (2017); 800+ wins; 3x State Coach of the Year (IGCA)

Creating a positive team culture is one of the most difficult and most important jobs of a youth softball coach. Coaches Randy Schneider, Todd Merical, and Tom Drohner have a lot of experience in building and sustaining positive team cultures, as evidenced by their numerous accomplishments and championships. In this video, they offer their ideas on team building and goal setting, which are key components of a championship culture.

Team Building Ideas

You will learn how to involve your team to create investment and ownership by letting them participate in decision-making. Developing leadership skills with members of the younger generations is a focus of many top coaches. Coach Schneider explains how you can develop leadership skills with your team by encouraging your players to handle conflict and discipline each other internally.

Goal Setting

Set goals that will help you and your team win more games! Coach Schneider gives examples of some of the goals his teams have come up with in the past and explains how you can adapt goals to fit your team. Additionally, he explains how to allow your players to give input to help get them to buy-in. You'll also learn how to improve cohesion and develop traditions with your team, which will improve every player's experience in your program.

Player's Perspective

Get inside the hearts and minds of youth players with Coach Schneider as he hosts a player chat. This segment will teach you what is important to young athletes and what they want out of a youth softball experience.

In this video, coaches Schneider, Merical, and Drohner show you how to build a culture that every player will want to be a part of. Start building a championship culture within your own youth softball team today!

48 minutes. 2019.



SD-05498C:

with Randy Schneider,
former Ankeny Centennial (IA) High School Head Coach (coached to best record in school history);
also coached at Iowa State University (Assistant Coach), University of Wisconsin (Associate Head Coach - 2013 Big Ten Tournament Champions), Valparaiso University (Head Coach; all-time wins leader, 2008 Horizon League Co-Coach of the Year)

with Tom Drohner,
Stevens Point Area Senior High;
NFCA WI Coach of the Year (2004, 2008, 2009 & 2011); Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association - Hall of Fame (2018); 8x WI State Champions (2001- 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 & 2016); won 19 consecutive Wisconsin Valley Conference (WVC) Championships, 18 Regional Championships and 14 Sectional Championships; coached 50+ first team All-State players, coached 2 Gatorade Players of the Year; National Fastpitch Coaches Association WI; Owns an overall record of 495-67 (through 2018)

with Todd Merical,
Johnston High School (IA) Head Coach;
3x State Champions, 2x State Championship Runner-ups; Iowa Girls Coaches Association (IGCA) Hall of Fame (2017); 800+ wins; 3x State Coach of the Year (IGCA)

If your practices tend to drag and become monotonous, Randy Schneider, Todd Merical, and Tom Drohner have the solution you need! This video will teach you the planning and training concepts that some of the most creative coaches in the game use to put together an up-tempo, engaging practice. Then, you'll see the drills they use to make practice with your infielders and outfielders more engaging.

Practice Planning and Training Concepts

Organization and pre-planning are vital to practice planning success. Coach Schneider offers his practice planning advice and gives you several concepts that you can incorporate to run an up-tempo practice. You'll learn more about:

  • Kinesthetic awareness
  • Differential training
  • Speed-accuracy trade-off
  • Creativity
  • Psycho-neuro muscular theory

Infield Drills

Keep your infielders engaged and your workout moving with Schneider, Merical, and Drohner's infield drills. These drills will help your infielders turn difficult plays into routine fielding opportunities. One particular timing drill will prepare your fielders for a fast team by defending against slappers under the pressure of a stopwatch. Fielders must corral and throw the ball before the time runs out, which will make it more game-like and challenging.

Outfield Drills

Keep everyone in the outfield moving with six fast-paced drills. These drills will help reduce the time your outfielders stand around waiting for their turn. Your athletes will improve their drop steps, tracking, communication, and overall athleticism while avoiding boredom and standing around.

All in all, coaches Schneider, Merical, and Drohner share 13 drills that you can immediately plug into your practices to make them more interactive. If you're looking to take your youth practices to the next level, these three championship youth coaches can show you the way!

76 minutes. 2019.



SD-05498D:

with Randy Schneider,
former Ankeny Centennial (IA) High School Head Coach (coached to best record in school history);
also coached at Iowa State University (Assistant Coach), University of Wisconsin (Associate Head Coach - 2013 Big Ten Tournament Champions), Valparaiso University (Head Coach; all-time wins leader, 2008 Horizon League Co-Coach of the Year)

with Tom Drohner,
Stevens Point Area Senior High;
NFCA WI Coach of the Year (2004, 2008, 2009 & 2011); Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association - Hall of Fame (2018); 8x WI State Champions (2001- 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 & 2016); won 19 consecutive Wisconsin Valley Conference (WVC) Championships, 18 Regional Championships and 14 Sectional Championships; coached 50+ first team All-State players, coached 2 Gatorade Players of the Year; National Fastpitch Coaches Association WI; Owns an overall record of 495-67 (through 2018)

with Todd Merical,
Johnston High School (IA) Head Coach;
3x State Champions, 2x State Championship Runner-ups; Iowa Girls Coaches Association (IGCA) Hall of Fame (2017); 800+ wins; 3x State Coach of the Year (IGCA)

If you're getting frustrated because your team doesn't score many runs, this video featuring Randy Schneider, Todd Merical, and Tom Drohner has exactly what you need to reverse that trend. You will learn hitting mechanics and drills that will improve the swing of your hitters and generate more solid contact. Then, once your players have gotten on base, you'll see how to increase run production by learning how and when to be aggressive on the base paths.

Mechanics

Start by learning the key mechanics for the swing and the drills to perfect them. Coach Schneider touches on the stance, load and separation, and attacking the front heel and why these mechanics will help your players become better hitters. 10 drills are included that will help build your athletes' fundamental, mechanical base.

Drills

Need more hitting drills? Look no further! From how to set-up team batting practice to breaking down the swing, coaches Schneider, Merical, and Drohner offer drill after drill to build your batters' offensive skills.

In one particular tennis racket drill, learn how to use transfer learning to better teach the softball swing. The batter uses the racket to hit a ball just like they would hit a backhand in tennis or racquetball. This transfers to the softball swing as it helps the hitter stay inside the ball and attack with the back hip.

Baserunning

Aggressive baserunning will help your team score more runs. You'll learn how to take several types of leads and attack the next base. The coaches offer seven different drills for baserunning that will have your players applying pressure on the opposing defense and dominating the base paths.

This video includes 41 drills in total that you can implement with your program right away. Build your players' swings and score more runs with aggressive baserunning to turn your team into an offensive force!

105 minutes. 2019.



SD-05498E:

with Randy Schneider,
former Ankeny Centennial (IA) High School Head Coach (coached to best record in school history);
also coached at Iowa State University (Assistant Coach), University of Wisconsin (Associate Head Coach - 2013 Big Ten Tournament Champions), Valparaiso University (Head Coach; all-time wins leader, 2008 Horizon League Co-Coach of the Year)

with Tom Drohner,
Stevens Point Area Senior High;
NFCA WI Coach of the Year (2004, 2008, 2009 & 2011); Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association - Hall of Fame (2018); 8x WI State Champions (2001- 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 & 2016); won 19 consecutive Wisconsin Valley Conference (WVC) Championships, 18 Regional Championships and 14 Sectional Championships; coached 50+ first team All-State players, coached 2 Gatorade Players of the Year; National Fastpitch Coaches Association WI; Owns an overall record of 495-67 (through 2018)

with Todd Merical,
Johnston High School (IA) Head Coach;
3x State Champions, 2x State Championship Runner-ups; Iowa Girls Coaches Association (IGCA) Hall of Fame (2017); 800+ wins; 3x State Coach of the Year (IGCA)

Train your defenses to make athletic, web-gem plays look routine with instruction from Randy Schneider, Todd Merical, and Tom Drohner. These coaches will show you productive everyday defensive drills, as well as a throwing routine to warm-up and increase your players' athleticism. You will also learn how to improve the hand-eye coordination of your players.

Everyday Drills

Get your athletes the reps they need in a short amount of time with everyday drill work. Once you've identified fundamental skills that need to be practiced every day, you can help your players perfect the necessities for sound defense. By doing a few reps of key drills every day over the course of a week, your players will run through a large amount of reps without having to dedicate a large chunk of their time.

Throwing

Learning how to throw correctly at a young age will set a player up for future success. Not only does Coach Drohner offer a six-step throwing progression warm-up, Coach Schneider also shows a kinesthetic throwing program to improve athleticism and help your players learn to throw from different positions and arm slots.

Defensive Hand-Eye Coordination Drills

Hand-eye coordination is a skill that benefits players on offense and on defense. The drills in this section are fun and challenging, and can include skills like juggling. In one particular drill, players must juggle while moving their feet and counting backward. By adding more demands, coaches can increase the level of difficulty and force the athletes to focus.

In all, coaches Randy Schneider, Todd Merical, and Tom Droner share 30 drills to get your defense warmed up and ready to make acrobatic, web gem plays. If you're looking to improve your defenders' foundations and athleticism, this video will show you how to create fielders that can make any play look routine!

69 minutes. 2019.



SD-05498F:

with Randy Schneider,
former Ankeny Centennial (IA) High School Head Coach (coached to best record in school history);
also coached at Iowa State University (Assistant Coach), University of Wisconsin (Associate Head Coach - 2013 Big Ten Tournament Champions), Valparaiso University (Head Coach; all-time wins leader, 2008 Horizon League Co-Coach of the Year)

with Tom Drohner,
Stevens Point Area Senior High;
NFCA WI Coach of the Year (2004, 2008, 2009 & 2011); Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association - Hall of Fame (2018); 8x WI State Champions (2001- 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 & 2016); won 19 consecutive Wisconsin Valley Conference (WVC) Championships, 18 Regional Championships and 14 Sectional Championships; coached 50+ first team All-State players, coached 2 Gatorade Players of the Year; National Fastpitch Coaches Association WI; Owns an overall record of 495-67 (through 2018)

with Todd Merical,
Johnston High School (IA) Head Coach;
3x State Champions, 2x State Championship Runner-ups; Iowa Girls Coaches Association (IGCA) Hall of Fame (2017); 800+ wins; 3x State Coach of the Year (IGCA)

Help your pitchers take the mound with confidence using the same skills and drills taught by championship coaches Randy Schneider, Todd Merical, and Tom Drohner! These coaches will show you a pitching progression and drills, as well as a catching progression and drills to equip your battery with the skills they need for success.

Pitching Concepts

Teach your pitchers the art of their craft - not just the skills involved in throwing a pitch - to help them reach their potential on the mound.

It is said that hitting is all about timing, while pitching is all about upsetting timing. You will learn about effective velocity and changing speeds, as well as how understanding these ideas can help your pitchers dominate batters.

Pitching Progression and Drills

Coach Schneider introduces a 12-step pitching progression to help pitchers master the fundamentals and warm up their arms properly. You'll also get four challenge drills that will put pressure on the pitcher and simulate the feelings and emotions they may encounter during a game.

In the Fast Five drill, the pitcher must do a tiring pitching-conditioning drill for five pitches, then execute whatever pitch the coach calls out. Having to execute under pressure and while fatigued will help players execute during a game.

Catching

A good catcher can turn a good pitcher into a great pitcher. Take your catchers to the next level with 12 drills to improve their throwing, blocking, and framing abilities.

This video includes 29 drills in total that you can add to your coaching toolkit. Randy Schneider, Todd Merical, and Tom Drohner show how to build your battery to dominate opposing youth batters.

61 minutes. 2019.



Foundations for Winning Softball: Pitching & Catching

0
0

with Randy Schneider,
former Ankeny Centennial (IA) High School Head Coach (coached to best record in school history);
also coached at Iowa State University (Assistant Coach), University of Wisconsin (Associate Head Coach - 2013 Big Ten Tournament Champions), Valparaiso University (Head Coach; all-time wins leader, 2008 Horizon League Co-Coach of the Year)

with Tom Drohner,
Stevens Point Area Senior High;
NFCA WI Coach of the Year (2004, 2008, 2009 & 2011); Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association - Hall of Fame (2018); 8x WI State Champions (2001- 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 & 2016); won 19 consecutive Wisconsin Valley Conference (WVC) Championships, 18 Regional Championships and 14 Sectional Championships; coached 50+ first team All-State players, coached 2 Gatorade Players of the Year; National Fastpitch Coaches Association WI; Owns an overall record of 495-67 (through 2018)

with Todd Merical,
Johnston High School (IA) Head Coach;
3x State Champions, 2x State Championship Runner-ups; Iowa Girls Coaches Association (IGCA) Hall of Fame (2017); 800+ wins; 3x State Coach of the Year (IGCA)

Help your pitchers take the mound with confidence using the same skills and drills taught by championship coaches Randy Schneider, Todd Merical, and Tom Drohner! These coaches will show you a pitching progression and drills, as well as a catching progression and drills to equip your battery with the skills they need for success.

Pitching Concepts

Teach your pitchers the art of their craft - not just the skills involved in throwing a pitch - to help them reach their potential on the mound.

It is said that hitting is all about timing, while pitching is all about upsetting timing. You will learn about effective velocity and changing speeds, as well as how understanding these ideas can help your pitchers dominate batters.

Pitching Progression and Drills

Coach Schneider introduces a 12-step pitching progression to help pitchers master the fundamentals and warm up their arms properly. You'll also get four challenge drills that will put pressure on the pitcher and simulate the feelings and emotions they may encounter during a game.

In the Fast Five drill, the pitcher must do a tiring pitching-conditioning drill for five pitches, then execute whatever pitch the coach calls out. Having to execute under pressure and while fatigued will help players execute during a game.

Catching

A good catcher can turn a good pitcher into a great pitcher. Take your catchers to the next level with 12 drills to improve their throwing, blocking, and framing abilities.

This video includes 29 drills in total that you can add to your coaching toolkit. Randy Schneider, Todd Merical, and Tom Drohner show how to build your battery to dominate opposing youth batters.

61 minutes. 2019.

Foundations for Winning Softball: Offense

0
0

with Randy Schneider,
former Ankeny Centennial (IA) High School Head Coach (coached to best record in school history);
also coached at Iowa State University (Assistant Coach), University of Wisconsin (Associate Head Coach - 2013 Big Ten Tournament Champions), Valparaiso University (Head Coach; all-time wins leader, 2008 Horizon League Co-Coach of the Year)

with Tom Drohner,
Stevens Point Area Senior High;
NFCA WI Coach of the Year (2004, 2008, 2009 & 2011); Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association - Hall of Fame (2018); 8x WI State Champions (2001- 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 & 2016); won 19 consecutive Wisconsin Valley Conference (WVC) Championships, 18 Regional Championships and 14 Sectional Championships; coached 50+ first team All-State players, coached 2 Gatorade Players of the Year; National Fastpitch Coaches Association WI; Owns an overall record of 495-67 (through 2018)

with Todd Merical,
Johnston High School (IA) Head Coach;
3x State Champions, 2x State Championship Runner-ups; Iowa Girls Coaches Association (IGCA) Hall of Fame (2017); 800+ wins; 3x State Coach of the Year (IGCA)

If you're getting frustrated because your team doesn't score many runs, this video featuring Randy Schneider, Todd Merical, and Tom Drohner has exactly what you need to reverse that trend. You will learn hitting mechanics and drills that will improve the swing of your hitters and generate more solid contact. Then, once your players have gotten on base, you'll see how to increase run production by learning how and when to be aggressive on the base paths.

Mechanics

Start by learning the key mechanics for the swing and the drills to perfect them. Coach Schneider touches on the stance, load and separation, and attacking the front heel and why these mechanics will help your players become better hitters. 10 drills are included that will help build your athletes' fundamental, mechanical base.

Drills

Need more hitting drills? Look no further! From how to set-up team batting practice to breaking down the swing, coaches Schneider, Merical, and Drohner offer drill after drill to build your batters' offensive skills.

In one particular tennis racket drill, learn how to use transfer learning to better teach the softball swing. The batter uses the racket to hit a ball just like they would hit a backhand in tennis or racquetball. This transfers to the softball swing as it helps the hitter stay inside the ball and attack with the back hip.

Baserunning

Aggressive baserunning will help your team score more runs. You'll learn how to take several types of leads and attack the next base. The coaches offer seven different drills for baserunning that will have your players applying pressure on the opposing defense and dominating the base paths.

This video includes 41 drills in total that you can implement with your program right away. Build your players' swings and score more runs with aggressive baserunning to turn your team into an offensive force!

105 minutes. 2019.

Foundations for Winning Softball: Developing a Championship Culture

0
0

with Randy Schneider,
former Ankeny Centennial (IA) High School Head Coach (coached to best record in school history);
also coached at Iowa State University (Assistant Coach), University of Wisconsin (Associate Head Coach - 2013 Big Ten Tournament Champions), Valparaiso University (Head Coach; all-time wins leader, 2008 Horizon League Co-Coach of the Year)

with Tom Drohner,
Stevens Point Area Senior High;
NFCA WI Coach of the Year (2004, 2008, 2009 & 2011); Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association - Hall of Fame (2018); 8x WI State Champions (2001- 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 & 2016); won 19 consecutive Wisconsin Valley Conference (WVC) Championships, 18 Regional Championships and 14 Sectional Championships; coached 50+ first team All-State players, coached 2 Gatorade Players of the Year; National Fastpitch Coaches Association WI; Owns an overall record of 495-67 (through 2018)

with Todd Merical,
Johnston High School (IA) Head Coach;
3x State Champions, 2x State Championship Runner-ups; Iowa Girls Coaches Association (IGCA) Hall of Fame (2017); 800+ wins; 3x State Coach of the Year (IGCA)

Creating a positive team culture is one of the most difficult and most important jobs of a youth softball coach. Coaches Randy Schneider, Todd Merical, and Tom Drohner have a lot of experience in building and sustaining positive team cultures, as evidenced by their numerous accomplishments and championships. In this video, they offer their ideas on team building and goal setting, which are key components of a championship culture.

Team Building Ideas

You will learn how to involve your team to create investment and ownership by letting them participate in decision-making. Developing leadership skills with members of the younger generations is a focus of many top coaches. Coach Schneider explains how you can develop leadership skills with your team by encouraging your players to handle conflict and discipline each other internally.

Goal Setting

Set goals that will help you and your team win more games! Coach Schneider gives examples of some of the goals his teams have come up with in the past and explains how you can adapt goals to fit your team. Additionally, he explains how to allow your players to give input to help get them to buy-in. You'll also learn how to improve cohesion and develop traditions with your team, which will improve every player's experience in your program.

Player's Perspective

Get inside the hearts and minds of youth players with Coach Schneider as he hosts a player chat. This segment will teach you what is important to young athletes and what they want out of a youth softball experience.

In this video, coaches Schneider, Merical, and Drohner show you how to build a culture that every player will want to be a part of. Start building a championship culture within your own youth softball team today!

48 minutes. 2019.

Viewing all 189 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images