Coaching Clinics

Practice Template Organization

• Base Running: Individual workouts and drills
• Playing Catch: What works and what doesn't
• Drill work by Defensive Position: Catcher, Infielders (1B, 2B, SS, 3B), Outfield
• Team Defense: Cuts and Relays, Rundowns, Bunt Defense
• Team Base Running: 1st to 3rd, 2nd to Home, Scenarios (flyballs, groundballs in infield, etc...)

Hitting Discussion

• Linear vs Rotational (nothing wrong with either one)
• Common Myths that you need to know about!

Pitching Discussion

• Mechanics are needed but do kids really know what pitching is?
• Pitching vs. Throwing
• Do your kids know what good pitchers do?
• How to throw a bullpen to get better?
• What is pitchingbackwards?
• Velocity, location, change speeds, movement: Which one is least important?

Coaching Thoughts

• How much is too much?
• Games vs. Practice
• One sport vs multi-sport athletes
• Communication and expectations of parents and players: Tell them why you coach!
• Playing multiple positions
• Expect something out of the kids: Hustle, wear the uniform right, introduce next level drills to keepthe engaged and coming back!
• What can you teach them when you win? loose? get a bad call?
• Umpire and Poor Calls: how to teach and help and when to teach/help
• Your Fans: How to keep them under control?
• Change your mind? Tell the kid first.

The Two Kinds of Hitting Techniques

• Rotational and Linear Hitting
• Both are good!
• Hitting Basics
• Linear vs. Rotational

Style vs Technique

• Style is a personal preference
• The younger the player, the style should be simplified

Historical Analysis of the Swing

• Both have been used through history
• Who were the coaches?
• Temporary shift in swings due to playing surfaces (i.e.astro turf)
• Aluminumbats
• Shift back to -3
• What type of bat to practice hitting mechanics?

Why are there only a few young players have a swing that looks like the ones we see on TV

• Access to quality instruction
• Hitting is hotly debated
• People hold on to what they were taught
• Instruction needs to have video analysis

What Are We Really Seeing? A look at Pictures, Videos

• Hitting Basics
• 3 concepts of hitting
• What does it mean to "get your hips" in the swing?
• Where does power come from?

Should the Front Leg be Locked at Contact?

• Key element to video analysis
• Split second locking

Common hitting cues - Baseball Hitting Half-Truths

• Do hitters really "squish the bug"?
• Do hitters really “swing down”?
• Keep your back elbow up?
• Keep the shoulders level?

Impact of Sports Center,Internet, and video technology

• We know the intricacies about hitting more now
• Pushes hitting instruction to be better
• Young players now have access to what their swing should look like

What comes after mechanics?

• In and out - up and down
• Use of tee and front toss
• How to take batting practice
• Little Leaguers
• How do the13 year olds take batting practice?

What is an "approach" at the plate?

• Every hitter needs an approach at the plate
• The approach changes when the count changes
• Hitting practice needs to incorporate hitting approaches

What is the best way to teach the swing?

• Individual Hitting Instruction vs. Team Hitting Instruction

What can we do with a 5 year old?

• Focus on simplifying the swing
• Focus on the hitting basics

What should educated consumers look for in baseball instruction?

After studying and teaching hitting hundreds of hitting clients, I wanted to pass on to you some questions you MUST ask before you spend good money to hire a hitting instructor for your child.

• Parents need to really think about the instruction they are spending good money for their kids
• Do you use video and computer analysis in the teaching process?
• Is the instruction done in a group or individual?
• What are the 3 or 4 simple core concepts that you teach?
• Is there a difference between style and technique?
• Where does the power in the swing come from?

What It Takes to be a Good Hitter?

• Desire
• Knowledge
• Motivation

What questions should you ask before you hire a hitting instructor?

And much more!