02
Jun

Baseball Conditioning Drill

By Coach Kenny Buford 0 Comments
Categories: Baseball Conditioning Drills and Baseball Drills

This drill is used to help condition players and to increase their running speed.

How it Works:

All players line-up at home plate. The coach will blow the whistle to signal the first player in line should begin. Once the first player gets a third of the way to first then the whistle should be blown and the next player should begin. This should continue until all the players are running around the bases.

The players should change their running style at each base.

From home to first the players should be kicking their butt. They should be kicking up their heels and kicking their butts with their heels. The goal isn’t to go fast from home to first. The goal is to kick their butt as many times as possible.

From first to home the players should be running with high knees. They should be kicking their knees up so that their knees come up above their waist. Again, the goal isn’t to go fast from first to second; the goal is to kick up the knees as many times as possible.

From second to third the players should use the “hop/skip.” Players should skip and kick up their knees one leg at a time. As they kick-up their knee they should also bring-up their arm on the same side. For example, as they kick-up their right knee they should be bringing up their right arm.

From third to home the player should sprint as fast as possible.

This drill takes a lot of energy if it is run correctly.

Coaching Points:

The coach should make sure that each player is performing each part of the drill correctly. Again, the only part of the drill that should be fast is from third to home. The coach should tell the players to keep the same space at all times. Then the coach can make sure that the first player is going the proper speed and this will ensure that all the other players are doing it correctly too.

07
Apr

Baseball Fielding Drill - Hit the Cutoff

By Coach Kenny Buford 0 Comments
Categories: Baseball Drills

Here’s a great new drill we’ve been using in practice called “Hit the Cutoff.”  The main purpose of this drill is to work on getting the ball from the outfield into the infield.

How it Works:

This drill requires a fielder at second, at third, a catcher, a cutoff man, and outfielders.

The coach will begin the drill by hitting the ball (in the air or on the ground) to the outfielder. The outfielder will field the ball and throw the ball on a line to the cutoff man (the ball should be aimed at the cutoff’s head). The cutoff should go out to the outfield grass and line-up between home and the outfielder.

Once the ball is hit, the coach should tell the catcher where the ball should be thrown. First base is 1, second is 2, third is 3, and home is 4. As the outfielder throws the ball to the cutoff, the catcher recognizes if the cutoff man needs to catch the throw or not. If the throw doesn’t need to be caught then the catcher doesn’t yell anything. If the ball needs to be caught or “cut” then the catcher needs to be yell “cut” and then the number of the base.

For example, if the coach wants the ball thrown to third (because that’s where the runner might be thrown out) then the catcher should yell “cut 3!”

If the cutoff doesn’t hear anything then he should just let the ball go. If the catcher does yell “cut” and then a number then the cutoff needs to catch the ball and then throw to the correct base.

Coaching Points:

Too often outfielders try to throw the ball all the way home or to a base and the ball takes too long to get there. Outfielders should always aim to hit the cutoff man. In fact, the outfield should throw right at the cutoff man’s head. The ball should be on a line.

Coaches should look to make sure the outfielder is receiving the ball with two hands. Then the outfielder should use a crow-hop to throw to the cutoff man. The cutoff should line-up directly between the ball and home (or the base where the leading runner will be going for). The coach should make sure the cutoff man catches with two hands. Preferably the cutoff should already be turning as he catches the ball. Then the cutoff should use the crow-hop and throw to the base that the catcher called. The catcher needs to make the call loudly and in plenty of time so the cutoff man knows. 

05
Mar

Baseball Inner Circle is Live!

By Coach Kenny Buford 2 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

I meant to post this earlier… but got caught up in the incredible response and didn’t get a chance.

Baseball Inner Circle is now OPEN. You can get the complete “Total Hitting” video for just $1 by going here now. As of right now, there are less than 100 slots left… so don’t get left out!

05
Mar

How To Teach Rotational Hitting Mechanics

By Coach Kenny Buford 41 Comments
Categories: Baseball Coaching Videos, Baseball Drills and Hitting Drills

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In this video, 10 Time State Championship Coach Steve Cramblitt explains how to teach rotational hitting mechanics.

I personally prefer the rotational approach because it allows young hitters to recruit power from the strongest muscles in their bodies: the legs.

What do you think about the rotational vs. linear debate? Post a comment and let me know.

PS - There are now just 82 slots left to get the complete “Total Hitting”  video for only $1. If you sign up today, you can also get “Top 10 Hitting Drills” as a special FREE bonus.

Click here to get the full story.

25
Feb

Win A FREE Lifetime Membership!

By Coach Kenny Buford 75 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

After reading more than 1,857 comments on this blog, it’s awesome to see this level of excitement, and see that so many coaches are already USING these techniques successfully with their teams!

Like this one:

“I let my kids watch the 8 Hitting Mistakes video and they could not wait to respond to you. While they watched the video they were saying “look at this!” and “look at that!”  As a coach, we can now SEE the swing problems and then fix them. GREAT JOB AND THANK YOU PLEASE KEEP THEM COMING!” - Kevin Bugda

So that got me thinking… and I came up with an idea for a CONTEST…

This is the deal… the person who posts the most creative phrase beginning with:

“I need the “Total Hitting” video to…”

will get a no-cost LIFETIME membership in Baseball Inner Circle.

Meaning you’ll get a NEW Baseball coaching video, every month… for the rest of your life.

That’s a fantastic deal, don’t you think?

We are, however, tight on time. So this contest will only be open until 12 noon on Sunday March 1st.

Go ahead and post your entry now in the comments area below. (don’t forget to fill out the ‘email’ field so I can contact you directly if you win!)

I’ll announce the winners on Monday.

Good luck!

25
Feb

Your Questions Answered

By Coach Kenny Buford 7 Comments
Categories: Important News

Hi Coach,

Over the past few days, we’ve been flooded with comments on the Baseball Inner Circle blog.

Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions:

QUESTION #1: When does Baseball Inner Circle open?

ANSWER: the program will open up and accept 300 coaches on Tuesday, March 3rd at
2PM Eastern Time (11AM Pacific).

You can watch the countdown page here:

***

QUESTION #2: What age/skill level is this program designed for?

ANSWER: The videos inside Baseball Inner Circle focus on building fundamentals skills.

As you could see if you watched the preview videos, everything is explained in plain English and demonstrated with step by step instructions.

So it’s designed to learn today and use tomorrow, no matter how little (or how much) coaching experience you have.

Each video will begin with basic techniques and mechanics, then progress to more advanced skills, so there will be something that works for all ages.

That said, the videos are probably best geared for players under 18.

Most college and professional aged teams will already know 70-80% of the material, so it might not be appropriate for coaches at that level.

***

QUESTION #3: How much does it cost?

ANSWER: Joining the Baseball Inner Circle will cost just one dollar.

Once you become a member, you will get instant access to the complete “Total Hitting” video ($49.95 value).

The first 100 coaches who join will also get access to a special bonus video called “Total Baseball.”

This is a step by step guide to building a winning team, packed with specific drills and techniques for throwing, catching, fielding, and baserunning.

And all coaches who sign up before March 10th will also get “Top 10 Hitting Drills” which reveals the 10 most effective drills you can use in your batting practice to improve bat speed, power, and confidence at the plate.

You’ll have 30 days to review the material and decide if you want to remain a member of Baseball Inner Circle.

If you do, you’ll be sent a brand new, personally selected coaching video every month, and be billed a low monthly membership charge.

There has been a lot of speculation on the blog about how much that will be. I can tell you that it will NOT be $99 or $50 as some have suggested. We’re still calculating the final number, but it will definitely be affordable for all coaches (even those without a budget or “slush fund” to tap into).

If, after reviewing the first videos, you decide NOT to continue as a member, just email me at support [at] baseballinnercircle.com, and your membership will be canceled immediately, with no hassles and no questions asked.

And you will not be charged further.

Got any further questions? Leave a comment below!

24
Feb

Baseball Inner Circle - Breaking News…

By Coach Kenny Buford 106 Comments
Categories: Important News

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Step 1 - Watch The Video

Watch the video above to learn how you can get the complete “Total Hitting” video package for just $1. (warning: only 300 slots are available)

Step 2 - Join The Early Bird List

Enter your name and email below, then click the “Put Me On The Early Bird List” and I’ll make sure you’re at the front of the line when Baseball Inner Circle opens.

 

   
First Name
E-Mail

Step 3 - Leave  Your Comments Below

If you have any questions or comments about Baseball Inner Circle, let me know!

22
Feb

Am I Really This Crazy?

By Coach Kenny Buford 1,512 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

  Get the Flash Player to see this player.

You might think I’ve lost my mind when hear the major announcement on this video.

Make sure to leave your comments below… there’s something very important at the end of the video I NEED your feedback on. Thanks :-)

18
Feb

The Best Hitting Drill I Know…

By Coach Kenny Buford 218 Comments
Categories: Baseball Coaching Videos, Baseball Drills and Hitting Drills

  Get the Flash Player to see this player.

 

STEP 1 - Watch The Video

I love this drill because it improves a hitter’s ball-tracking ability, teaches him to “go with the pitch” and makes him a more well-rounded threat at the plate.

 

STEP 2 - Leave A Comment

Once you’re done watching, make sure to leave me a comment below. This is a new blog I’ve just started and I need your feedback?

Did you enjoy the video? Want to see more hitting tips? Leave a comment below and let me know!

10
Feb

8 Common Hitting Mistakes

By Coach Kenny Buford 192 Comments
Categories: Baseball Coaching Videos, Baseball Drills and Hitting Drills

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STEP 1 - Watch The Video

Watch this video to discover the 8 most common hitting mistakes… and the exact drills and coaching techniques you can use to correct them!

 

STEP 2 - Leave A Comment

Did you enjoy the video?

Would you like to see more hitting tips?

What is YOUR favorite drill to correct hitting mistakes?

Leave a comment below and let me know!

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