DNA Academy is launching a seven-part monthly coaching clinic series designed to strengthen the quality of youth coaching and create a more connected coaching community.

Each clinic will provide practical, evidence-based strategies to help coaches:

  • Elevate their coaching knowledge and effectiveness.

  • Better prepare young athletes for the physical, technical, mental, and emotional demands of high school varsity competition.

  • Foster positive athlete development through age-appropriate training and leadership practices.

  • Build relationships, collegiality, and ongoing dialogue among coaches across programs, organizations, and communities.

  • Share best practices, solve common coaching challenges, and establish a network committed to developing the next generation of athletes.

The series is intended for youth coaches of all experience levels who are passionate about creating positive, development-focused athletic experiences. Through interactive presentations, discussions, and collaborative learning, participants will leave each session with actionable tools they can immediately implement with their teams.

Together, these seven monthly clinics will help establish a shared standard of coaching excellence while building a stronger, more collaborative pathway for young athletes as they prepare for success at the high school varsity level and beyond.

There is no Cost to Attend. Click on the following link to register:  DNA Coaching Clinic Sign-Up

—————————————————————————————————————————————

Session Title: Building the High School Varsity Softball Player

Presenter: Tori Rosen, Head Softball Coach, Shaker Heights High School

Date & Time: Sunday September 13, 7:00 - 8:15 PM, Shaker Heights High School

Session Description: What does it take to develop athletes who are ready to compete at the varsity level? In this clinic, Tori Rosen shares a comprehensive approach to building high school softball players through skill development, game awareness, physical preparation, and a strong team culture. Coaches will gain practical strategies for developing players into confident, fundamentally sound varsity contributors. Topics include practice planning, defensive and offensive development, communication, leadership, and fostering a competitive mindset that prepares athletes for success on and off the field.

—————————————————————————————————————————————

Session Title: Mental Performance Training: Maximizing Performance for Athletes

Presenter: Tiger Alexander, Head Softball Coach, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin High School

Date & Time: Sunday October 11, 7:00 - 8:15 PM, Shaker Heights High School

Session Description: Mental performance is a critical component of athletic success. In this session, Tiger Alexander explores practical strategies for helping athletes develop confidence, resilience, focus, and composure in high-pressure situations. Coaches will learn techniques to foster a growth mindset, improve communication, manage adversity, and create an environment where athletes can perform at their highest level. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to integrate mental performance training into daily practices and build stronger, more confident competitors.

—————————————————————————————————————————————
Session Title: Hitting Foundations and Fundamentals

Presenter: Tori Rosen, Head Softball Coach, Shaker Heights High School & Torrey Roper, Hitting Coach, Bryant & Stratton Community College

Date & Time: Sunday November 15, 7:00 - 8:15 PM, Shaker Heights High School

Session Description: Great hitters are built on a foundation of sound mechanics and consistent training habits. In this session, Tori Rosen and Torrey Roper break down the essential fundamentals of hitting, from stance and swing mechanics to timing, pitch recognition, and approach at the plate. Coaches will learn effective drills, teaching progressions, and practice strategies designed to develop confident, fundamentally sound hitters at the high school level. Attendees will leave with practical tools to improve offensive performance and build hitters who can consistently compete against quality pitching.

—————————————————————————————————————————————
Session Title: Throwing Fundamentals, Skills & Drills, and Organizing a Comprehensive Team Defense Practice

Presenter: Andy Pohl, Assistant Softball Coach, Shaker Heights High School

Date & Time: Sunday December 13, 7:00 - 8:15 PM, Shaker Heights High School

Session Description: A strong defense begins with sound throwing mechanics and purposeful practice design. In this session, Andy Pohl shares effective methods for teaching throwing fundamentals, developing arm strength and accuracy, and incorporating skill-building drills into daily practice. Coaches will also learn how to organize and structure comprehensive team defensive practices that maximize repetitions, reinforce communication, and prepare players for game situations. Attendees will leave with practical drills and a framework for building a fundamentally sound and confident defensive team.

—————————————————————————————————————————————
Session Title: Infield Fundamentals: Skills, Drills, and Technique

Presenter: Jerrell Johnson, Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach, Shaker Heights High School

Date & Time: Sunday January 10, 7:00 - 8:15 PM, Shaker Heights High School

Session Description: Developing a reliable infield starts with mastering the fundamentals. In this session, Jerrell Johnson shares proven techniques for teaching proper footwork, glove work, throwing mechanics, and defensive positioning. Coaches will learn progressive drills that reinforce sound habits, improve consistency, and prepare infielders to perform confidently in game situations. Attendees will leave with practical instruction methods, drill progressions, and practice ideas that can be implemented immediately to build fundamentally strong and fundamentally sound defensive players.

—————————————————————————————————————————————
Session Title: Defining What It Means to Win: Building Intentionality into Daily Practice and Creating a Winning Environment

Presenters: Tiger Alexander, Head Softball Coach, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin High School

Date & Time: Sunday February 7, 7:00 - 8:15 PM, Shaker Heights High School

Session Description: Winning is about more than the final score—it is the product of intentional habits, consistent standards, and a purpose-driven culture. In this session, Tiger Alexander examines how coaches can define success within their programs and build daily practices that reinforce those values. Attendees will learn strategies for creating purposeful practice plans, establishing clear expectations, developing accountability, and fostering a competitive, positive environment where athletes are challenged to grow every day. Coaches will leave with practical ideas for building a culture that produces confident players, cohesive teams, and sustained success on and off the field.

—————————————————————————————————————————————

Session Title: Hitting Faults and Fixes: Making In-Game Adjustments and Correcting Common Swing Flaws

Presenters: Tori Rosen, Head Softball Coach, Shaker Heights High School, and Rick Giavonetti, Hitting Coach, University School

Date & Time: Sunday March 14, 7:00 - 8:15 PM, Shaker Heights High School

Session Description: Every hitter experiences mechanical breakdowns, but great coaches know how to identify the cause and make timely adjustments. In this session, Tori Rosen and Rick Giavonetti examine the most common hitting faults and provide practical solutions that can be applied during practice and in the middle of a game. Coaches will learn how to recognize swing flaws, diagnose timing and approach issues, and communicate simple, effective adjustments that help athletes regain confidence at the plate. Attendees will leave with a toolbox of corrective drills, coaching cues, and game-ready strategies to help hitters make successful in-game adjustments and perform more consistently.

—————————————————————————————————————————————

At DNA, we believe the creation of an athletic training curriculum is critical for athletic associations, school athletic programs, and community leagues.

The DNA Coaching Curriculum Development Seminar provides youth baseball leagues and youth baseball coaches the tools to create a training curriculum that establishes a coaching consistency within age groups and a developmental progression across age groups. Our curriculum standardizes youth baseball best practices and facilitates learning though an integrated body of knowledge, principles, values, and skills.