An easy split finger / change-up

One of the challenges that young pitchers have is how to get the ball to move.  When I say move, I don’t mean velocity.  I’m talking about getting the ball to “tail,” “run,” and/or “sink.”  A pitch with movement is almost always harder to hit than a straight pitch.  I know.  My fastball was basically […]

Product review: The Three Piece Tee

Today’s video is a review of a device called the Three Piece Tee.  It’s a neat tool that can be used in a variety of ways. I came up with 18 drills that can be done for hitters, pitchers, and fielders.  You might think of some  others as well. Be sure to check out their […]

How to make a batting tee

To see plans and Part 2 of this post, click HERE. A reader recently sent me an idea for homemade batting tees that he uses quite successfully at the high school level.  With his permission I am posting his comments along with the photos he sent me.  It appears as if his tees are well […]

Catchers … at the knees!

The photo below shows another one of my pet-peeves when I watch young kids play baseball.  Unfortunately, it reaches into the high school level once in a while too.  See if you can figure it out. Answer:  The target is too high. Every hitter in the known universe likes the pitch out over the plate […]

The backside connection to hitting

Note:  I’m sorry for those expecting a product review on the Three Piece Tee today.  More snow and low temperatures prevented me from filming over the weekend.  I hope to get to it by the end of the week. Good hitters have a lot in common.  They may have very different stances, hand positions, barrel […]

Signal options for catchers

Yesterday’s post was about catchers giving signals during throwing sessions.  I thought I’d give a few options for catchers when it comes to giving signs. The options below are generally done when there is a runner at second base.  You mix the signs up so that the runner will not know what the pitch will […]

Throwing with signals

 Here’s a quick suggestion for pitchers and catchers now that the throwing season is starting up: When pitchers start throwing from a mound, have them get a sign from the catcher first.  Even if all they are throwing is fastballs.  Here are three reasons: This is what they are going to have to do during […]

Cold weather gear for baseball

As I type this post, the low temperature for this evening is 2.  No, that’s not a misprint.  For those in the warm states, there is not supposed to be a 7 or an 8 before the 2.  Just 2 degrees.  Tomorrow is supposed to improve dramatically and be six times as hot.  12 degrees. […]

Adrenaline dumps

In stressful situations, the body dumps adrenaline and noradrenaline into the bloodstream.  Both are extremely powerful hormones that basically get our body ready to fight.  Our heart rate increases, our blood pressure goes up, our breathing becomes more rapid, our analytical mind is less effective, etc.     The problem is that the body does […]

Do your players all make the same mistake?

If you are a teacher, put your teaching hat on for a moment.  If you are not, put yourself back in that high school desk.  A test is given and the scores are typical.  A couple students didn’t study and did horribly.  A few rock stars got close to 100% and everyone else fell somewhere […]

Developing a hitting rhythm

If you watch a Major League hitter bat and then wait another month before you see him hit again, you might notice something.  Both at-bats will look exactly the same.  I don’t mean the outcomes will be the same.  I mean the load up – stride – swing – follow through will look exactly the […]

When – Then

Take a look at the following questions and see which one gets your attention a bit quicker. If a fire should ever occur in your house then what are you going to do? When the fire starts tomorrow in your house then what are you going to do? I bet it’s the second one.  Why? […]

The four D’s of defense – Part 2

In yesterday’s post I briefly touched on the four D’s of defense – Deter, Detect, Delay, and Defend – as described by many people in the personal and home defense industry.  I then applied those concepts to baseball.  Today I’d like to focus more attention on the last D because it is something a lot […]

The four D’s of defense – Part 1

If you listen to personal or home defense experts, you will probably hear about the four D’s of defense.  They are Deter, Detect, Delay, and Defend.  In Part 1 of this post I will quickly address all four.  In Part 2 I will expand on the last one in more detail. As a baseball player […]

Training AND Practice

People often use the terms training and practice interchangeably.  They are not the same thing.   If you are involved in a training session, you are receiving new information and ideas, probably from an expert of some kind.  When you try out those new methods and/or mechanics, you are doing so under the watchful eyes […]

Free eBook: Stuck Inside – A coach’s guide to KILLER indoor practices

If you were a subscriber to the site as of about a month ago, you probably received this free eBook I wrote.  If you are not a subscriber, that is the benefit of becoming one.  When I create things like this, subscribers generally get them first. Here it is for everyone.  With the colder months […]

Like trying to push a rope

In yesterday’s post I wrote about the value of doing things at half-speed to teach your body and brain the basic fundamentals.  Related to that is a saying that I think is helpful in getting players to buy into the “half-speed” concept.  The saying is “trying to push a rope.” Of course, you cannot push […]

Training at half speed

After the winter holidays is when many players and teams start to train for the upcoming season.  Private lessons increase and indoor facilities start to pick up the pace a little with teams looking for some space. Most players and teams  want to jump right in and go at their workouts full speed.  It’s understandable […]

Navy Seals and personal instruction

Like many guys, I am a sucker for anything Special Forces.  If there is a show on about their training or actual missions then I am glued to the TV.  I recently surfed around the iTunes podcast section and came across a podcast where the host was talking about how Navy Seals train.  In short, […]

Peak at the right time

Happy New Year everyone!  I had a nice break and I hope you and your families did as well. At this point in the off-season, baseball players and coaches should be mapping out a game-plan for the next couple months so that they are at full strength when the season starts.  This starts with getting […]