IN THIS MONTH'S ISSUE..............
	ProZip SpeedToss Trainer- "36 Feet of PURE SPEED" The "Fastpitch Tracking" Drill Better Practice Scheduling Coaching Tips Correcting Common Hitting Flaws - Batter Opening Up Too Soon and Is Pulling Off Pitches "PRACTICE DOES NOT MAKE PERFECT" - DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME!!!

The "Fastpitch Tracking" Drill

Great Drill For Hitters, Catchers, and Pitchers! The pitcher is throwing to a catcher as she normally would in pitching practice or bull-pen work. The pitcher is throwing at her normal pitching distance. The coach has one or two batters, with helmets on, stand in the batter's box without bats. Each batter will assume her regular stance and imagine that she is holding a bat. The batters "track" or watch the first three pitches out of the pitcher's hand until the the ball hits the catcher's mitt. Next the batters will swing with "imaginary" bats. The batters read the location of each pitch and hit the ball where it is pitched. One batter or two batters can track pitches. Having two batters makes the pitcher have to concentrate even more. When two batters are tracking, they will do opposites. One will pull a pitch in a location that her tracking partner will hit to the opposite field. The coach may wish to call out a count such as 2-0, 3-1, 1-2, and 0-2 to allow the batters, pitchers, and catchers certain mind-sets in different situations. Note: If your hitters are too young to perform this drill, have a coach stand in. The coach may wish to wear a helmet and wear a glove for protection.This is a difficult drill that is great for developing composure and concentration of all parties involved. Make sure all participates wear helmets and other proper protective equipment. Read on... »

Better Practice Scheduling Coaching Tips

I recommend that all coaches make out written practice schedules. A copy of the schedule should be given to each assistant coach. It is also a good idea to post the schedule for players to see. The best way to make your practices more productive and improve your coaching effectiveness is to schedule and organize your practice into time periods of 3 to 10 minutes. Coaches should remember to allow ample time for warm-up and cool down. The schedule must also reflect an awareness of the attention span level of your players. Baseball and softball practice does not have to be boring. It is up to us as coaches to add spice to it. Here is an example of one of my varsity practice schedules:.....3:00 - 3:20 Stretch, Run & Throwing Warm-up .....3:21 - 3:25 Brief Overview of Goals & Expectations of Today's Practice. .....3:26 - 3:36 Team Infield - Pre-game & Practice Routine .....3:26 - 3:41 Fly Ball & Pop Up Communication Drill .....3:41 - 3:45 Defensive 1st & 3rd Calls, Bunt Coverage & Catchers Throwing to bases. .....3:45 - 3:50 Coach Overview of Practice thus far. .....3:50 - 3:55 Batting Practice Field Preparation .....3:55 - 4:15 Group One Hits - 4 players per group --1 Player - Bunts 3 & Hits 8 --2 Player - Warms up on deck --3 Player - Chases Foul balls --4 Player - Runs Base Running "Circuit" --Note: The players will switch rolls after each bats. 2 Hits, 3 Warms up, and 4 chases foul balls, 1 is running circuits. .....4:10 - 4:30 Group Two Hits .....4:30 - 4:50 Group Three Hits .....4:50 - 5:10 Group Four Hits .....5:10 - 5:15 Field Clearing ...............SUGGESTED TIP: ONFIELD BATTING PRACTICE While each group is hitting. Two coaches are fungoing to our infielders. the infielders will also field each ball that is hit. the coach will call out situations. Different situations could be as follows: "Corners up, Middle Back, Double Play Situation", "Cut the Run at The plate", Median Infielders depth, and two out situations. We always use a catcher doing "live arm" on-field batting practice. The catcher has a bucket beside him. When the batter misses or a ball is thrown home, the catcher drops it in the bucket. We also have a bucket at first. When the first baseman receives a ball, it is dropped in a bucket. We also have a screen behind second on the grass. All balls hit to the outfielder are thrown to the players "manning" the bucket. The balls are dropped in the bucket. When the "BP" pitcher yells "Bucket" the catcher, firstbase, and outfield buckets are ran to the mound. .....5:15 - 5:30 Conditioning SUGGESTED DEFENSIVE DRILL - "9's". A coach hits nine balls, one at a time, anywhere on the field. Every player must play the ball correct and move to the correct position on the field. After the play is made, every player sprints to a designated spot and back. When every player is back, another ball is hit. We do nine of these. If a player makes an error or a mental mistake, we start over. We will do this drill until we get nine good plays in a row. For additional coaching tips and drills, visit SOFTBALL 2DAY Softball Coaching Journal and Hit2win.com. Visist SOFTBALL 2DAY Coaching Journal Now! Click here! »

Correcting Common Hitting Flaws - Batter Opening Up Too Soon and Is Pulling Off Pitches

PROBLEM: The batter's front side is opening too soon causing her "whole body" including head and eyes to pull off the pitch. This flaw often causes the barrel to lag and a reduction in bat speed. Much less plate coverage is allowed. Another result of dropping the hands is an increase in flyballs. SOLUTION: Have the batter strive to keep the "knob to belly button" relationship during the swing. The batter should be taught to make sure that her belly button rotates with the knob of the bat. On inside pitches the batter will still "open" but the timing will be perfect. On middle and away pitches she will not open or rotate so much. "The belly button to knob" relationship maintains correct timing. For additional tips and drills for fastpitch coaches click here! »

"PRACTICE DOES NOT MAKE PERFECT" - DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME!!!

Contrary to some people's belief "PRACTICE DOES NOT MAKE PERFECT" - rather the truth is that "PERFECT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT". A practice or workout is never any better than the quality of the equipment or the quality of the instruction. The BatAction Rotational Hitting Machine has been giving players and teams an advantage over non-users since 1999. The BatAction Machine teaches players to hit linedrives for extra basehits. It is guaranteed to improve your teams "run output" or you can send it back for a refund. In short, IT WILL HELP YOU WIN MORE GAMES! The BatAction Machine is a rotational high speed batting machine that offers efficency and full speed workouts. It is a perfect machine for fastpitch softball. Girls love to hit this machine! YOU DON'T HAVE TO "BABY" THIS MACHINE, IT CAN TAKE IT! Colleges and high schools all across the country use this machine! Coaches praise it's productivity................. "The Bataction Batting Practice Machine and Hit2Win Trainer are the most efficient hitting tools on the market today! With the high demands on today's baseball and softball players, this machine should become a common site in every players backyard in America!" .............comment by Jimmy Collins, High School Softball Coach - Member of 4 World/National Champioship Softball Teams since '97 3 Time all world/ All American - Editor of Alabama Softball Today Nedco Sports makes a fastpitch model with an optic yellow ball. The machine rotates in a 8 1/2 feet wide circle. The machine's power source is an innovative "powerband" system made of bungy cord. To add speed add a band, to reduce speed, remove a band. The horizontally suspended ball, reacts like a real ball upon contact. Players receive instant feedback as to swing quality and power. This feedback allows for rapid skill development. The BatAction allows hitters to practice alone or with the team. It can convert an unused corner of your backyard or practice facility into a productive top quality hitting station. It works as professionally as it looks! Give your team an advantage, buy a BatAction Machine today! The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $299.95. Save $50 by ordering today! Use the link below for more information! BatAction Hitting Machine Information, CLICK HERE! »

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