Mike Stith

Training to field ground balls can be an uninteresting experience and create boredom amongst players. In this softball coaching course, Mike Stith introduces a variety of exciting drills that can be adapted to any age level from U10 to high school senior. He emphasizes repetitions of correct techniques to field various types of infield balls with numerous demonstrations by players of all ages.

Infielders must focus on proper footwork to the ball and then into the throw which varies with the type of ball that is hit. Players are given corrections on looking at the ball to the glove and how to use the glove hand to field the ball.

By completing this course you will:

- Learn how to adapt your infield drills to the level of your players - and how to take them to the next level
- Get more runners out by mastering the techniques necessary to field any ground ball
- Train your players to throw the ball accurately using good mechanics

If you are looking for an edge next season, this softball conditioning course provides you with the tools to take your game to the next level! Mike Stith introduces you to the speed and power workouts that have helped prepare his athletes for success on the softball field. Coach Stith's workout helps to promote speed and power, skills are critical for success at the higher levels of the game.

Coach Stith has his athletic trainers take a group of girls aged 9-17 through a full workout of speed and power drills. The drills all begin at a basic level and can be progressed based on the level of your players.The trainers explain the important mechanics of body movement during the drills that are sure to make your players faster and more efficient on the bases.

These workouts prepare the whole body with focuses on keeping the low back and shoulders strong. Let Coach Stith show you the workouts that have prepared his athletes for success at the next level and beyond!

Mike Stith has had a tremendous success developing outfielders, no matter what the player's age. In this softball coaching course, Coach Stith takes us behind the scenes of the outfield workout that has made his outfielders successful at all levels of softball. The typical Stith outfield practice opens with drop step drills, and progressively builds to balls hit to the outfielder.

Let Coach Stith show you how to develop pride in your outfield and keep your outfielders pushing each other to be better.

Often, hitting instruction is targeted to the high school or older level athlete. Mike Stith demonstrates drills for the Under 10 group and shows how to add progressions to them as players develop their posture, speed and strength over time.

Beginning with basic tee drills, Coach Stith runs a hitting workout that gradually builds up into the ultimate challenge of hitting, batting off a live pitcher. Stith drills emphasize good balance and posture, which are key to successful hitting. Learning those skills must start at the Under 10 group and carry right through to the college level.

Knob, Knuckles, Barrel:
Following the order of knob, knuckles, barrel will create a good path to the ball. Coach Stith emphasizes that is not how hard you swing or how fast you swing, but how long the hands stay on the path of the ball. All the drills in this video focus on this philosophy of technique.For each drill, Coach Stith explains the method and purpose of the drill while showing athletes of various ages perform it.

Top Hand Drills:
This area focuses on increasing the time of the bat head in the hitting zone by using your top hand to drive the knob of the bat through the hitting zone. By following the palm up, palm down philosophy you will keep the hands in a better position to drive the ball. Progressions in this drill include isolating the bottom hand and also several drills done from the knee.

Machine and Live Pitch Drills:
Coach Stith starts with 8 year olds hitting off a machine and progresses through high school seniors explaining that both good machine and live pitch drills can be tools when modified throughout an entire career. One point of emphasis at any age is on the landing angle of the front foot. Landing with the front toe open allows the hips to clear better and protect the hip joint. Coach Stith demonstrates a live hitting drill on the field that incorporates a full field with groups of 5 or 6 hitters, base runners and defensive players to make efficient use of time and keep all players busy.

Coach Stith will show you how to run effective quality hitting drills, and how to adapt them for each age group, that will produce hitters who strike fear into opposing pitchers.

Two of the most important positions on the field are pitching and catching. Mike Stith takes you behind the scenes of a Team Mizuno pitching and catching workout. Beginning with the catchers, Coach Stith takes the viewer through a typical workout highlighting throwing, framing, blocking, and conditioning. Moving to the pitcher, Stith has them perform spin drills, pitch to the catchers, and strengthen their arms with extended pitching.

Catching:
The catching workout begins with a throwing progression, specifically throwing from the standing position and dropping down to the knees. Controlling an opponent's running game is important for limiting their scoring opportunities. Coach Stith demonstrates three drills the catchers perform to practice throwing out potential base stealers. The catchers also work on two framing drills, and have four blocking drills they must execute. Conditioning is a critical part of the catcher's position. Stith guides you through a series of challenging conditioning drills that are catcher specific designed to strengthen the lower half, quads and core to improve lateral movement and bouncing back up to their feet to make a quick and accurate throw when necessary.

Pitching:
Moving on to the pitchers, Coach Stith has them warm-up their arms and proceed directly into their spin drills. Getting the correct spin on each pitch is important as the spin is what will cause the pitch to break. After the spin is warmed-up, Stith has the pitchers throw each pitch to their catcher, working on spin and location. The pitchers will also throw extended pitching, as they increase their distance from the catcher, which will strengthen their arm and help them to throw harder. Finally, the pitchers wrap up the pitching workout by running foul-poles to develop leg strength and endurance.

Let Coach Stith show you the pitching and catching workout that has allowed his battery to bring home multiple championships by dominating opposing teams.