Kevin Ackerman Coach
Kevin Ackerman - USBC Certified Youth bowling coach and USSSA Certified Softball coach. He is SafeSport Certified in both bowling and softball. He is a registered volunteer with the USBC. He has been a bowling coach for over 8 years. He is an assistant coach to the Maple Hill High School Varsity girls and boys bowling teams. Since 2018 bowlers on both of the varsity teams have earned titles including Colonial Council champions, Section 2 second place team, high game, high series and New York State first and second team all stars.
He is a softball coach for recreational and competitive girls travel softball teams. He has a concentration on helping the girls develop confidence in developing skills to be successful. He practices the power of positive principles.
He has a passion for taking athletes new to either sport and helping them perfect their skills to become extremely competitive.
He is known for asking the athletes at the end of every match or game to answer the question, "Removing the scores from today, how do you feel we did today?"

Mental Game of Softball and Bowling
Whether you win, lose or tie a game your child is expected to execute mental control. Bad behavior from one person affects the entire team.
Winning and losing is important, as is your child's effort and your child's reaction to both winning and losing.
When we win we will talk, as a team, about what we did correct to help with winning.
When we lose we will talk, as a team, about what we didn't do correctly so we can practice on it.
I teach the importance of practicing and that in order to get better at anything in life you need to plan and practice.
I praise each kid, allowing each child to try and fail on their own. I absolutely love hearing a kid asking if they can try something new.
I don't criticise a failure but praise the effort for trying. I let the girls know in order to get better they need to be trying their hardest.

Parents
Parents and coaches need to be on the same page.
Let the kids play, let the coaches coach, let the umpires ump and the parents can enjoy the game.
The kids have two jobs, the first is to play as best they can and the second is to make their parents proud. Read that again.
The absolute number one reason for high school kids to stop playing sports after high school are the discussions that take place during the car ride home.
Take a few minutes out of your day and practice with your kid. You will both enjoy it. There should be no pressure and no stress. Just practice and enjoy the time together.
Regardless of a child's skill level we as coaches are showing the skills most appropriate for the age group/skill level to everyone and are giving every kid an opportunity.
Be mindful of the level that is being played. The recreation, travel and elite levels all have different expectations of the kids.

Coaches
Strong, positive, determined and focused on what is needed next to help the kids succeed.
Be the face your competitors need to see.
Be the face your kids want to see.
For those coaches who struggle with emotions during a game, write out a cue card reminding yourself of the most beneficial body language your players need to see, regardless of what is happening in the game, and keep it in your pocket.

Footwork Drills
Double foot hop straight up, turn towards ball, stepping into the center of two hula hoops.
Coaches sit on bucket with player facing coach, coach tosses ball from 5 feet away, player does 180* hop and throws ball to target hitting target.
Coach soft tosses tennis ball to players, players catch with glove hand, transfer ball to throwing hand, fire tennis ball to target, hitting target.
Players begin drill with straight up hop, run at softball placed 8 feet away, pick up ball and end in throwing position.
Fast Feet Ladder Drills

Throwing Drills
Wrist flip toss
Indian Style throwing
One Knee Drill - stride leg pointing towards partner, player gets into throwing position, glove elbow toward target, throwing arm up at 90* ball facing away from target.
Crane - Stride leg up, bent at knee 90*, held for 3 seconds.
Quick toss, soft toss - 2 minute straight without dropping ball.
Crow-Hop Toss.
Four Corners - Counter-clockwise and diagonally

Fielding
I have a simple plan I have taught at beginner levels which is "Stop, Trap, Grip, Step, Throw".
Take the time to make a good throw. Align shoulders and hips toward target. Follow the above plan and throw the ball to the target.
Know what the next play is and execute the play. If the play is for the 3rd baseman to field the bunt and throw to first, don't pause and look at the runner on 2nd base. If the play is to check 3, throw 1 then execute it. Just be sure everyone on the team knows the next play.
Backup, Backup, Backup. Always know who you are backing up on the field, and know the play.
If players are throwing wild, have them make sure they`ve got their back foot lined up perpendicular to their target before they go into the throwing motion.
The player's focus should be getting her lead shoulder and hip pointing towards the receiver at the end of her shuffle steps.

Fielding Drills:
Drop Step Drill - On a field, or against a brick wall, with a tennis ball. Glove hand down while tracking the ball, catch with soft hands.
Infield Flip Square

Fielding: Rundown Drill
Try to complete the drill with 1-3 throws.
Each girl needs to communicate when to throw the ball to effectively get the tag.
During a rundown available players should be forming two lines behind the two bases.
Players should be watching the runner to turn her head to run and then throw the ball to the glove of the receiving teammate.

Fielding: Double Plays
Knowing the next play, and executing, is critical.
2 - 1 DP - The shortstop and 2nd baseman need to know the play based on where the ball is hit. Center fielder and right fielder need to be ready to backup.
Make sure DP executions are age/skill level appropriate.

Outfield: Tracking
Outfielder stands 20 feet in front of coach behind 2nd base. Player drop steps running towards LF turns 45* to track ball heading towards RF.
This is a footwork drill, tracking drill

Outfield: Do or Die
Outfielder sprints to line drive ball, fields ball, crow hops and throws fast and hard to target (RF to 3rd, CF/LF to catcher).
This is a footwork drill, speed drill, communication drill, know the play drill.

Outfield In-Between
Pop fly is hit in between LF and CF or RF and CF, players need to communicate as to who is catching the ball, and where the ball is being thrown to. The ball should not hit the ground.
This is a footwork drill, tracking drill, communication drill.

Outfield No-Mans Land
Ball is hit in between 2B and CF/RF(playing deep). 2B/CF/RF communicates while charging the ball. Ball is thrown hard to 2B with SS covering. Drill can be switched out 2B for SS and RF for LF, 2B is covering 2B
This is a footwork drill, speed drill, communication drill, everybody-moves drill.

Fielding: Cuts
For the outfield, knowing who to fire the cut to, and executing, is critical.
The OF should know exactly where the ball is going as soon as it is fielded relying on C to call play.
The cut should know exactly where the ball is going (Pivot and fire) as soon as it is caught.
Ball is hit over outfielders head, outfielder drop steps toward ball, fields ball, throws hard to cutoff. Cutoff gets ball into pitcher or communicated base. This should be a footwork drill, tracking drill, fielding drill, communication, drill, everybody-moves drill.

===LEFT FIELD===
[[ Hit to Deep Left Field ]]
LF is drop-step running towards ball
SS is cut - Lined up directly between ball and 2B/3B, ready to pivot and fire to 2B/3B
2B is covering 2nd
3B is on 3rd
P is backing up 3B or Home
C calling cut play (Cut-2/Cut-3/Cut-4)

[[ Hit to Shallow Left Field ]]
LF is running in towards ball
SS is cut (If necessary)
2B is covering 2nd
3B is on 3rd
P is backing up 3B or Home
C calling cut play (Cut-2/Cut-3/Cut-4).

===CENTER FIELD===
[[ Hit to Deep Center Field ]]
CF is drop-step running towards ball
2B is cut - Lined up directly between ball and 2B, ready to pivot and fire to 2B
SS is covering 2nd
3B is on 3rd
P is backing up 2B/3B/Home (Depending on runners)
C calling cut play (Cut-2/Cut-3/Cut-4)

[[ Hit to Shallow Center Field ]]
CF is running in towards ball
2B is cut or out of away for throw to SS at 2B - Lined up directly between ball and 2B, ready to pivot and fire to 2B
SS is covering 2nd
3B is on 3rd
P is backing up 2B/3B/Home (Depending on runners)
C calling cut play (Cut-2/Cut-3/Cut-4)

===RIGHT FIELD===
[[ Hit to Deep Right Field - No possible play to 1B ]]
RF is drop-step running towards ball
1B is cut - Lined up directly between ball and 2B, ready to pivot and fire to 2B
2B is covering 2nd
SS is backing up 3B
3B is on 3rd
P is backing up 1B/3B/Home (Depending on runners)
C/SS calling cut play (Cut-2/Cut-3/Cut-4).

[[ Hit to Shallow Right Field - Possible play at 1B ]]
RF is running in towards ball - Firing to 1B if possible play.
1B on bag only if possible play (Important to understand to get off bag if no possible play)
1B is cut if no possible play at 1B
2B is covering 2nd
SS is backing up 2B
3B is on 3rd
P is backing up 1B
C/SS calling play (Play at 1/Cut-2).

Pitching
I consider pitching, and catching, speciality positions. Both of these positions require personal coaches and countless hours of practicing. A pitcher and catcher need to work, and practice, together.
The pitcher must know the rule of presenting.

Pitching Drills:
Bucket/Chair sit-up drill.
Wrist snapping drill
Open-hips drill - Stand 6ft. away from a wall in your stride position and just do your windmill--do not close your hips
Closed-hips drill - Stand 8ft. away from the wall in your stride position, do your windmill and close your hips
Extended leg and kneel drill
Walk and release drill
Kneel drill at 20 feet from catcher (Close Hips and back straight)
Walk-through drill
Opposites - Fast/Change , Outside/Inside , High/Low
Throw pitch, sprint to catcher after release (Bunt)

Catching Drills
Pop up and throwing - shoulders and hips square to target, follow through with throw. Can use a bowling ball for additional weight training.
Fielding a bunt - get around the ball, scoop the ball following through with the throw.
Receiving the ball - square up to ball, left foot pointed towards 3rd base, field the ball first and secure the ball, bring right knee down to stop slides.

Batting Drills
Foundational Softball Hitting Presentation
Batters should understand that if they are on path to hit the center of the ball and roll over at the last second before contract, that they are gonna hit the top of the ball, driving it straight into the ground.
Line knocker knuckles up and hit lots of balls off the tee keeping the swing like a sword chopping/slicing through an apple. Actually 3 to 4 apples before rolling hands over at full extension.
Think "hips" to slice through, not hands.
Swing down and across the strike zone and blow thru at contact then finish.
Rolling almost always means their hands and arms are getting away from their body. Casting. Bat drag. Almost always occurs from the back elbow leaking down and hands dropping during the stride. It's very hard to roll your wrists early with a compact swing.

Batter stands at plate. Pitcher throws to catcher, coach behind plate calling ball or strike.
Above/Below/Hit - Batter gets three pitches, first swing is above the ball, second swing is below the ball, third swing batter hits ball.
Two-Ball Soft toss - Two colored balls are tossed simultaneously and coach calls which color batter is to hit.
Tee - Have batters be able to hit ball to first base and third base off of a tee.
Set, Load, Swing drill off a tee.
Pool Noodle Drill
Machines - Where age/skill appropriate, have the machine randomly send balls, fast balls, inside and outside curve balls.
Tools - Blast Motion ; Diamond Kinetics ; The Hitting Vault - Watch for Plane, Connection, Rotation during bat swing.

Batting Lineups
1. Good hitter - Fastest runner
2. Good hitter - Next Fastest runner
3. Poor hitter - Not Real Fast
4. Slugger
5. Good hitter - Not as fast.
6. Poor hitter
7. Good hitter - Fastest batter left
8. Ok hitter - Fastest batter left
9. Poor hitter - Not Real Fast
10. Slowest runner

The idea is to get two on base, then be able to afford an out, get two on, one more out.

Bunting
Offensive strategy - Be sure the batter knows the signal, from the coach, to execute a bunt. The batter also needs to be able to pull the bat back for a bad pitch so not to get called on a strike.
The batter should be able to place the ball down the first base line or the third base line as needed.
Bunting into bucket drill - Batter should be able to bunt ball into bucket placed in different locations in front of home plate.


Defensive strategy - You will need a player on first base that can run quick and that can catch the ball
You will need a player on second base who can cover first base when the first baseman fields a bunt.
You will need a player on shortstop that can cover second base when the second baseman is covering first base, or a shortstop that can cover third base when the third baseman is fielding a bunt. The third baseman should be the primary player calling the play when a bunt is executed. The third baseman should call out who is fielding the ball, who is covering first base and for the right fielder to back up. Almost all bunt defense plays should have the ball being thrown to first to get the out, statistics have shown that the odds are significantly better executing the out at first over any getting an out at any other base. Make sure the players know to get the out at first base as the primary play. During inning warmups, have the third baseman close to home plate for a few practice throws.

Practice Drills
Tag up and Score - 1 catcher, 1 3rd baseman, rest of team split between runners on 2nd base and left field. Coach hits pop fly out to left field. If the ball is caught then the runner tags up and runs to 3rd base. Left fielder throws to 3rd base to try to get the out. If the ball is not caught then the runner runs to 3rd and then to home, left fielder relays to 3rd base and 3rd base throws home to catcher.
Stealing 2nd base- Start with a runner on 1st base. The pitcher will pitch, the base runner will leave as soon as the ball is released. The coach will call the runner out if she leaves too soon. The catcher will throw to 2nd base and 2nd base will tag runner, always tag the runner even if on base successfully. Center field backs up throw.
Stealing 3rd base- Start with a runner on 2nd base. The pitcher will pitch, the base runner will leave as soon as the ball is released. The coach will call the runner out if she leaves too soon. The catcher will throw to 3rd base and 3rd base will tag runner, always tag the runner even if on base successfully. Left field backs up throw.

Fielding over head outfield hits


Fund Raising Opportunities
Be sure the kids can explain the reason for their fundraising effort.
Direct selling is an easy fund raising opportunity. Candles, Scratch off tickets, Popcorn, Gift Cards, Grid Squares
Coin drops are an easy and simple way to raise funds for the team.


The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Various Fastpitch Articles



Bowling Release Stages, Balance and Drills
Four Step Release - Out, Down, Back, Release
Step 1: Push Out, Step 2: Bring down, Step 3: Bring Back, Step 4: Release.

Timing and consistency are everything in bowling. If your four step approach is off with your swing arm you will not be consistent with your release. Be sure your first two steps are aligned with out and down.
I teach each bowler to line their foot up in the same location for release. This location is determined during the 10 minute practice.
Along with foot placement, I ask each bowler to throw their ball of choice over the first arrow, second arrow and third arrow. This will help identify ball reaction.
During practice the best foot placement and target arrow needs to be identified. Having a consistent foot placement and target arrow will help with consistency.

[[ Release - Set up Stage ]]
1. Begin with coach facing bowler, bowler lines up at strike location, ball held over to side of body between
2. Ball and elbow on side of body, non dominant hand holding ball.
3. Dominant hand should be in correct set location, fingers at 9,10,11,12 o'clock for right handers, hand should be fully relaxed.
4. Bowler should setup, taking one second to pause before beginning release.

[[ Release - Timing Stage ]]
5. First step and ball push out should be in perfect time. Foot lands and dominant arm is fully extended at same time.
6. Second step and ball being fully extended down to knee should be in perfect time.
7. At down step ball is completely down with fingers next to knee and thumb facing wall.
8. At back step ball is raised fully and arm is completely on side of body, not behind body. The arm swing is a pendulum.
9. At release step, knee is bent, balance arm is out with thumb facing down, ball is released at ankle, hand rotates to hand shake position, hand comes up past ear.

[[ Foul Line Release Drill ]]
1. Bowler gets into release step, ball is at ankle, balance arm out, bowler swings ball back and forth twice and releases. If executed correctly the ball will be very slow, watching rotation and reaction. Ball exiting in opposite gutter is fine for drill.

Balance
During the second step of the four step release, the non-dominant arm moves to a balance location. This location is extended out to the side and held in this location through the release of the ball.
When a bowler falls out of balance at release hitting the desired target will be significantly more difficult.
Any of the following can be observed when a bowler is out of time or off balance at the release stage:
Release arm crossing across chest.
Bowler hopping to maintain balance at foul line.
Ball skidding too far past break point.
Body or release arm tightening up.
Being off balance, in turn causing the ball to not go to the expected target, can cause unnecessary stress, further compounding the issue. Timing and balance is controlled with the first two release steps.

Strikes
For the kids that have decided to take their bowling game to a competitive level, they quickly learn how difficult it is to consistently and accurately roll a bowling ball over a target.
The kids also learn about the invisible oil that is spread out over the lane to make bowling even tougher.
For a perfectly executed strike, the bowling ball only comes into contact with 4 pins. The 4 pins hit the other pins down in a row type fashion.
The bowling ball needs to enter the pins into what is referred to as "the pocket", which are pins 1 and 2 for left handers, and pins 1 and 3 for right handers.
The bowler needs to find the best foot placement and target during the 10 minute practice time.
I show the bowler how to hold the ball with fingers at 2 and 3 o'clock for left handers, and at 10 and 11 o'clock when lining up.

Spares
Practicing a game of corner pins only is a great way to work on executing their method to make spares. The total score to aim for is 20.
I ask the child to explain their process of how they shoot their spares. If they don't have a consistent process then I explain to them either the 3-6-9 spare process, or coming up with their own method to be consistent to shoot spares.
During spare shooting, if you are missing your mark then check your four step approach. See the last item under Four Step Release above.
In order to effectively knock down corner pins, each bowler should have a plastic ball.

Bowling Balls
With the introduction of physics, via internal weight blocks inside the bowling ball, and the introduction of cover stocks there are a plethora of bowling balls available. Add in different oil patterns and different oil weights on the lane, the advanced bowler now has to determine which ball type is best for the condition.
As the games progress the oil wil be pushed farther down the lane, therefore changing the target arrow and ball reaction.
If a bowler goes after changing to a different ball, I have the child explain why the current ball isn't working and why he/she feels the different ball will work better.

Bowling Strike and Spare Shooting Presentation

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