Organizing And Conducting An Effective Practice
Produced in 2010, this brand new "15 Steps to Success" DVD is a terrific resource for baseball coaches who want to make optimal use of their team’s practice time. It should be called the "ultimate fielding" video. It features an up-tempo series of game-tested drills that address every imaginable defensive situation in a way that keeps every player involved and engaged. We have not seen another fielding video that makes such good use of the field, covers every defensive scenario, while it demands both skills and teamwork. The video feature high school athletes but is appropriate for teams and athletes at all competitive levels, from young traveling teams to college programs.
The video's creator, John Goulding, is the head baseball coach at James Logan High School in Union City, California, a position he has held for almost 20 years. During his exceptional career, his teams have won nearly 400 games, 12 league titles, and a 2001 Section Championship. With a career that spans 33 seasons, Goulding has coached baseball at a number of competitive levels—from youth, recreation, American legion, and high school. Several of his players have gone on to play in major league baseball, including Barry Bonds. In 2008, Goulding was selected to the California Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame.
The 15 steps are actually 15 full-field drills, each combining different players in game-like scenarios. A single "step" might have the second basemen working with outfielders, while catchers and first are working pop-ups on the line, and short and third are working on DPs or rundowns with the help of the pitchers. There's a lot going on during each step and the video shows both full-field action and detailed skills.