Coaches Bucket

We appreciate our catchers. We appreciate our catchers. We appreciate our catchers. We really appreciate our catchers. We appreciate our catchers. We appreciate our catchers. We appreciate our catchers. We really appreciate our catchers.  

For all this training time, we cannot find glory without our priceless catcher behind the plate. We can't say it enough - we appreciate our catchers. If your catcher is mom or dad, brother or another adult - consider papering your catcher with this neat seat that covers a 5-gallon bucket. The cover has a cushion for your catcher to sit on, ample pockets for pencils, a cellphone, scorecards, etc. And in the bucket you can stuff your glove and balls.  A great idea to say "thanks for catching me"!

Interesting Article

I found this interesting…

“The move to year-round sports has led to an increase in chronic injuries for young athletes because the same muscles are stressed year-round with no time to rest fatigued muscles. A secondary fall-out from year-round sports is burnout.” (see full article)

I like to think I am hitting both of these areas very strongly in My Softball Training programs.  First, to prevent injuries we work out not only using year-round homework, but we change our workouts throughout the year, depending on our goals at that time.  This is called "periodization."  For example, right now we are focusing on building power, so our workouts will be tough and explosive while building endurance.  But during season we focus on injury prevention, so our workouts will be lighter and focused in other areas such as flexibility.

Also, building a solid relationship helps build love for the sport, and the practice that goes along with success.  I feel so sad for girls who hate a sport because they have done it day-in and day-out without change, just lots of practice. Throughout the year our practices change from a focus on games, to drills, to activities.  Because if you’re not having fun, it’s not worth doing….

So, I’m glad to see the studies sharing two of our important focal points, alongside quality instruction.  Yet another reason why My Softball Training programs are what’s working for so many athletes and families.

Let us help you love life, build confidence in yourself, and find success on… and off the mound!



Improving Your Swing.

Don't you wonder what new training tools actually work? And what training tools are just a scam?
Sometimes figuring out the device takes years, which is time lost in your regimen. (Like the Powerball - that was a disaster in my opinion: click to view it)

However, one miracle invention is the Turbo-Slot batting glove. I noticed during hitting lessons the change in how my athletes were holding the bat. They had a better grip - firm but not too tight, and their wrists had the ability to quickly move through the zone because of grip and hand placement on the bat. In addition, and likely because of the way you are forced to hold the bat when wearing Turbo-Slot batting gloves, I found players hit the ball further when wearing these gloves.

I hope this advice is helpful as you try to improve your reaction time, power, and overall batting experience.

A Great Training Device

One of the greatest training devices I have found is the Jennie Finch Pitching Machine. I feel that it is worth every penny for our girls to have the opportunity to build solid mechanics, balance, and strength in a small space - indoors or out.

The main idea is a wall-mounted device with a hinge and ball on the end. This allows for a perfect motion, while holding a softball. Balance is built as you have the ability to add resistance.  The important factor is finally, the need to work both the pitching arm, and the glove arm. This device allows you to do both, overhand and underhand...