Often times you hear coaches discuss the importance of “the little things”. In softball, or in any sport for that matter, coaches and players utilize the process of breaking the sport down into small parts. We break games into small segments – one pitch at a time, one out at a time, win the inning, etc. Running the bases is a major component of our game. With so many intricacies to focus on, base running is a skill that can be broken down, taught, and perfected by even the least skilled member of your team. If done properly and efficiently, good smart base running may assist as a difference maker in winning games. The best part about this skill is that anyone can do it and do it well – even the slowest runner on your team. Below you will find some of the more important base running techniques and ideas.

By: Karen Matteson-Yoder; Head Softball Coach at The University of California, Davis
The Flexibility Program is comprised of a series of stretches that are intended to increase your range of motion in order to prevent injury, increase performance, and prevent muscle “tightness” following workouts. Flexibility is crucial to obtaining maximal speed and jump height and [...]

By: Karen Matteson-Yoder; Head Softball Coach at The University of California, Davis
There are five ways to improve your playing speed and quickness in short distances:
1. Improve your quickness and starting ability (getting out of the box)
2. Improve your acceleration time (reach full speed faster)
3. Increase the length of your stride
4. Increase the number of steps you take per second [...]

By: Karen Matteson-Yoder; Head Softball Coach at The University of California, Davis
In order to attain your goals and maximize success you must make a consistent commitment to conditioning. In this article I will elaborate with you three components of our off-season training manual here at UC Davis. The goals of the program are [...]

What makes a great hitter, a great hitter? Almost all great hitters have an excellent mental approach to hitting. They have the ability to hit all types of pitchers and pitches and can make adjustments during the game. Being able to stay calm, clear, and focused no matter what the situation is, [...]

By: Lu Harris-Champer; Head Softball Coach at the University of Georgia
Everyone has heard the very accurate phrase “Defense Wins Championships”. For our program it is imperative that we simulate the speed and pressure of the game every time we get the opportunity to train on defense. All of our drills have a purpose [...]

By: Donna Runyon; Women’s Softball Coach at Ohlone College
Taking a Pitch
1. Always crowd the plate. Use this pitch to practice loading and weight shift, keeping the head quiet.
2. Roll in on all inside pitches, never allow the inside pitch to back you off the plate.
3. When taking a strike to allow a base [...]

By: Kelly Ford, Head Softball Coach at Mt. SAC
Every coach is looking for their athletes to practice like it were a game. Most of us see our athletes go through the motions at practice and all of a sudden when its game day and they put the uniform on and the transformation occurs. [...]

Goal: For each player to successfully field a pre-determined amount of ground balls in a row in each line.
Set-up: There are three different lines of players in the infield. Start with an equal number of players in each line. Each line is facing a hitter (coach) and a catcher (anybody can catch, you can even [...]

Goal: To get to 21! For a point to count, an “out” must be made. There are no base runners, so the play must be made free of errors to earn a point. To be successful, they must communicate as a team and give great effort on each play to make the drill [...]

Coaching Tips by Jacquie Joseph, Head Softball Coach, Michigan State University
For all you aspiring or current coaches, I have some good news and some bad news. Let’s start with the bad and get it out of the way. The bad news is that after 16 years as a head coach at the collegiate [...]