CORE COACHING CLASSES

 

As a veteran college coach and high school coaching clinic speaker, Coach Sperry assists youth leagues, individual teams, and coaches in reaching their goals for coaching excellence.

Some experts claim we learn 20% of what we hear, 50% of what we see, and 70% of what we feel and experience, which suggests that we coaches should talk less, show more, and utilize drills and everyday experiences that help connect the player to the desired outcome. Other experts suggest that learning is best achieved by combining these information sources. Whatever the truth might be, good coaches have the ability to accurately describe what they want a player to do, using terms they can understand; they show what they want through pictures, video, and/or live demonstration; and they have drills in their “toolbox” that help the player feel the correct movements.

Baseball/Life provides coaches with the tools they need to be successful. From the youth coach who wants to run organized and efficient practices, to more advanced coaches looking for drills to help experienced players continue to improve, Baseball/Life helps take your coaching to the next level. Our Core Coaching Classes, private clinics for youth leagues, and on-site coach/team training will provide the foundation for a great season. // Contact Us for Scheduling and Prices

 

COACHING

 

INTRODUCTION TO BASEBALL TEACHING AND LEARNING

A practical discussion of coaching and communication strategies that are aligned with the ways in which students learn best. From general analogies that nearly everyone understands, to powerful drills that build muscle memory and serve as our most influential skill instructors, this class sets the table — practically and philosophically — for the other classes in the series.

 

PRACTICE WITH PURPOSE — DESIGNING PRACTICE WITH NO STANDING AROUND

Often the hardest part for youth coaches, practice planning is a must to keep your team learning and moving forward. We’ll help you design plans that keep your kids and coaches active and learning the entire practice, with no standing around.

 

HITTING

 

ANALYZING THE MAJOR LEAGUE SWING

A detailed look at some of the best hitters in the game. Using a vocabulary that identifies key positions throughout the swing, you will learn the different ways in which the best hitters prepare to hit, and the way in which they execute the swing itself.

 

PREPARATION HITTING DRILLS

Explanation and demonstration of drills designed to get the body moving in preparation to hit. Your active participation is highly encouraged — please bring your own bat.

 

SWING DRILLS

Explanation and demonstration of drills designed to increase a hitter’s margin for timing error, as well as to maximize power by adding the forces of hip rotation and proper use of the front and back arms. Your active participation is highly encouraged — please bring your own bat.

 

HOW TO THROW LIKE A GIRL BOY

Most coaches know what proper arm action looks like, but explaining what they see can be a challenge. This class breaks down throwing mechanics into identifiable pieces, and provides the drills needed to build proper throwing habits.

 

CATCHING

 

MAKE STRIKES LOOK LIKE STRIKES — STANCES, PREPARATION AND RECEIVING

The catcher’s top job is making his pitcher look good. The best way to do this is by catching the ball in an influential manner. We will take an in-depth look at the stances and techniques used to develop this critical and often under-coached position.

 

CONTROLLING THE RUNNING GAME — BLOCKING AND THROWING

While the way in which a catcher receives a pitch can be subtle and under-appreciated by the casual fan, blocking and throwing are the marquee skills that everyone likes to see in a catcher. The skills and drills you learn in this class will arm you with the tools you need to develop your catchers like no one else in the league.

 

INFIELD

 

NO SUCH THING AS A BAD COP

The class title explains the mentality of great infielders: ownership and accountability to make the play, no matter what. This class focuses on the skills and drills you can build into your practices to develop a team full of infielders who can make the routine play all day, every day.

 

JUST BEYOND THE BASICS — DOUBLE PLAYS

Building on the fundamentals of the last class, here we focus on slightly more advanced plays that require communication and teamwork: double plays.

 

GIMME OUTS — PERFECTING POP-UPS AND RUNDOWNS

At higher levels, outs are almost always recorded on pop-ups and rundowns. We’ll give you the systems and communication you need to end the pickle early and get your team back to hitting.