Foundations for Winning Softball: Designing Up-Tempo Practices

with Randy Schneider,
former Ankeny Centennial (IA) High School Head Coach (coached to best record in school history);
also coached at Iowa State University (Assistant Coach), University of Wisconsin (Associate Head Coach - 2013 Big Ten Tournament Champions), Valparaiso University (Head Coach; all-time wins leader, 2008 Horizon League Co-Coach of the Year)

with Tom Drohner,
Stevens Point Area Senior High;
NFCA WI Coach of the Year (2004, 2008, 2009 & 2011); Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association - Hall of Fame (2018); 8x WI State Champions (2001- 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011 & 2016); won 19 consecutive Wisconsin Valley Conference (WVC) Championships, 18 Regional Championships and 14 Sectional Championships; coached 50+ first team All-State players, coached 2 Gatorade Players of the Year; National Fastpitch Coaches Association WI; Owns an overall record of 495-67 (through 2018)

with Todd Merical,
Johnston High School (IA) Head Coach;
3x State Champions, 2x State Championship Runner-ups; Iowa Girls Coaches Association (IGCA) Hall of Fame (2017); 800+ wins; 3x State Coach of the Year (IGCA)

If your practices tend to drag and become monotonous, Randy Schneider, Todd Merical, and Tom Drohner have the solution you need! This video will teach you the planning and training concepts that some of the most creative coaches in the game use to put together an up-tempo, engaging practice. Then, you'll see the drills they use to make practice with your infielders and outfielders more engaging.

Practice Planning and Training Concepts

Organization and pre-planning are vital to practice planning success. Coach Schneider offers his practice planning advice and gives you several concepts that you can incorporate to run an up-tempo practice. You'll learn more about:

• Kinesthetic awareness
• Differential training
• Speed-accuracy trade-off
• Creativity
• Psycho-neuro muscular theory

Infield Drills

Keep your infielders engaged and your workout moving with Schneider, Merical, and Drohner's infield drills. These drills will help your infielders turn difficult plays into routine fielding opportunities. One particular timing drill will prepare your fielders for a fast team by defending against slappers under the pressure of a stopwatch. Fielders must corral and throw the ball before the time runs out, which will make it more game-like and challenging.

Outfield Drills

Keep everyone in the outfield moving with six fast-paced drills. These drills will help reduce the time your outfielders stand around waiting for their turn. Your athletes will improve their drop steps, tracking, communication, and overall athleticism while avoiding boredom and standing around.

All in all, coaches Schneider, Merical, and Drohner share 13 drills that you can immediately plug into your practices to make them more interactive. If you're looking to take your youth practices to the next level, these three championship youth coaches can show you the way!

76 minutes. 2019.