Cross-Functionality

In episode 45 of Cross-Functionality, Jim and Cassie break down how to properly think along with the pitcher in both baseball and softball to increase your chances for success at the plate in both baseball and softball!   TO WATCH THE FULL VERSION OF THE SHOW, VISIT THE SOFTBALL STRENGTH ACADEMY YOUTUBE PAGE ---  https://youtu.be/QVWyXU4wFIk Episode Notes: 1:00 – College World Series discussion 4:...

In episode 44 of Cross-Functionality, Cassie and Jim discuss how athletes can break bad habit loops they develop over time.   TO WATCH THE FULL VERSION OF THE SHOW, VISIT THE SOFTBALL STRENGTH ACADEMY YOUTUBE PAGE --- https://youtu.be/VFAkrDFDF-Q   Episode Notes: 1:00 – Cassie’s grudge against the Florida Gators 5:00 – Cassie playing against the Gators in college 7:00 – College World Series discus...

It’s been said that hitting a baseball or softball is the hardest thing to do in all of sports. Over the years, there have been mechanical misconceptions about hitting developed through a variety of channels.  In episode 43 of Cross-Functionality, Cassie and Jim debunk past and current hitting misconceptions and describe how hitting has evolved with time and technology in both baseball and softbal...

In episode 42 of Cross-Functionality, Cassie and Jim shift gears and talk hitting! This week, Cassie and Jim discuss how hitters in baseball and softball can increase their success against a tough opponent on the mound.   TO WATCH THE FULL VERSION OF THE SHOW, VISIT THE SOFTBALL STRENGTH ACADEMY YOUTUBE PAGE. Episode Notes: 1:00 – The growth of collegiate softball 5:00 –The importance of an approa...

In episode 41 of Cross-Functionality, Cassie and Jim discuss how players can structure a proper hitting warm-up – both physically and mentally – to gain the physical and psychological advantage in game action.   TO WATCH THE FULL VERSION OF THE SHOW, VISIT THE SOFTBALL STRENGTH ACADEMY YOUTUBE PAGE. Episode Notes: 1:00 – Percentage of athletes that play at the next level 3:00 – Cassie’s student at...

This week’s episode of The Lab – Epstein Hitting Podcast, Jim and Jake break down key components for successful hitting coaches. Having to learn new technology, new methods, and new ways of communicating are integral parts in successfully coaching hitters, and the guys provide a blueprint on how to grow the inevitable changes of coaching hitters in the 20th century.   TO WATCH THE SHOW, VISIT AND...

In episode 40 of Cross-Functionality, Cassie and Jim enter into the dynamic world of sports leadership, focusing on the essential tactics required to lead a team to victory in a competitive environment. Jim and Cassie explore the critical aspects of sports leadership, including communication, motivation, and decision-making, highlighting their direct impact on team performance.   TO WATCH THE FULL...

In episode 39 of Cross-Functionality: Cassie and Jim delve deep into the minds of athletes and explore a topic often overlooked: the fear of success. Jim and Cassie uncover the hidden struggles and psychological barriers faced by athletes as they navigate the treacherous path towards greatness through their fear, anxiety, and self-doubt in even the most accomplished athletes.   TO WATCH THE FULL V...

In episode 38 of Cross-Functionality, Cassie and Jim explore the competitive drive-in athletes and how to harness that energy into something positive and use as fuel on the athletic field. Top of Form   TO WATCH THE FULL VERSION OF THE SHOW, VISIT THE SOFTBALL STRENGTH ACADEMY YOUTUBE PAGE. Episode Notes: 1:00 – Listener question 10:00 – Requirements for a successful hitting coach 12:00 – Internal...

In episode 37 of Cross-Functionality, Cassie and Jim delve into the fascinating world of an athlete's energy management system. Cassie and Jim explore the different types of energy systems that athletes use during exercise and how they can optimize their use for peak performance. Whether you are a competitive athlete or simply someone who enjoys staying active, this episode is sure to offer va...

In episode 36 of Cross-Functionality, Cassie and Jim explore the importance of dedication for athletes and how it can help them achieve their goals. Athletes face numerous challenges, from tough competitors to grueling training regimens. But one of the most critical factors that separates successful athletes from the rest is dedication. Without dedication, it's nearly impossible to achieve gre...

In episode 35 of Cross-Functionality, Cassie and Jim explore why goal-setting is so important for athletes, and how to establish realistic and achievable goals that will help them reach their full potential.   TO WATCH THE FULL VERSION OF THE SHOW, VISIT THE SOFTBALL STRENGTH ACADEMY YOUTUBE PAGE. Episode Notes: 2:00 – When amateur players should go to a showcase 11:00 – A player understanding the...

In episode 34 of Cross-Functionality, Cassie and Jim dive into the world of baseball and softball athletes and their pre-game and post-game preparation. We'll discuss the rituals and routines that athletes follow to mentally and physically prepare for competition, as well as the strategies they use to recover after the game. Whether you're an athlete yourself or simply interested in the wo...

In episode 33 of Cross-Functionality, Cassie and Jim explain the meaning behind player’s feeding into their mistakes and how this helps them become better athletes in the long run. Plus, Cassie explains who her favorite player was growing up and why she looked up to that player.   TO WATCH THE FULL VERSION OF THE SHOW, VISIT THE SOFTBALL STRENGTH ACADEMY YOUTUBE PAGE. Episode Notes: 1:00 – Jim and...

In episode 32 of Cross-Functionality, Cassie and Jim the latest advancements in baseball and softball technology that are changing the way coaches and players approach their process of developments. From high tech bats, sensors, virtual reality, and radar, Cassie and Jim dive deep into the ways in which technology continues to revolutionize sports.   TO WATCH THE FULL VERSION OF THE SHOW, VISIT TH...

In episode 31 of Cross-Functionality, Jim and Cassie discuss the benefits of vision training for hitters, and how to incorporate such into your training. TO WATCH THE FULL VERSION OF THE SHOW, VISIT THE SOFTBALL STRENGTH ACADEMY YOUTUBE PAGE. Episode Notes: 2:00 – Hitting to your strengths 7:00 – Pitch clock discussion 9:00 – Soft and hard focus 12:00 – Eye breathing explained 17:00 – Practicing e...

In episode 30 of Cross-Functionality, Jim and Cassie give an overview of the tactics coaches can use to help their hitters gain confidence at the plate. TO WATCH THE FULL VERSION OF THE SHOW, VISIT THE SOFTBALL STRENGTH ACADEMY YOUTUBE PAGE. Episode Notes: 2:00 – Jim’s concentration grid experience 4:00 – Weekend of softball 14:00 – Listener question 24:00 – Having an approach 27:00 – Properly uti...

In episode 29 of Cross-Functionality, Jim and Cassie dive into all aspects of the mental side of hitting and break down ways to win the mental game at the plate. TO WATCH THE FULL VERSION OF THE SHOW, VISIT THE SOFTBALL STRENGTH ACADEMY YOUTUBE PAGE. Episode Notes: 2:00 – Advice for college softball players 5:00 – Having a plan when going up to the plate 10:00 – Visualization 14:00 – Mental approa...

In episode 28 of Cross-Functionality, Jim and Cassie unveil and break down Cassie’s pyramid of hitting that helps take hitters to the next level in their athletic maturation. TO WATCH THE FULL VERSION OF THE SHOW, VISIT THE SOFTBALL STRENGTH ACADEMY YOUTUBE PAGE. Episode Notes: 8:00 – Origins of Cassie’s pyramid 11:00 – Plane adaptation 22:00 – Hitter’s mechanical development 27:00 – Hitter’s move...

In episode 27 of Cross-Functionality, Jim and Cassie discuss how athletes can turn failures in practice and games into fuel for future success. TO WATCH THE FULL VERSION OF THE SHOW, VISIT THE SOFTBALL STRENGTH ACADEMY YOUTUBE PAGE. Episode Notes: 1:00 – Weight room training 4:00 – Resilience and toughness 7:00 – Reassessment and feedback 18:00 – Too much failure 24:00 – Growth from failure 28:00...

In episode 26 of Cross-Functionality, Jim and Cassie break down as facets of training with intention from hitting, to throwing to warming up the proper way to get yourself game-ready. Plus, what does Nick Saban’s office look like and what is a Saban acronym he uses with his athletes? TO WATCH THE FULL VERSION OF THE SHOW, VISIT THE SOFTBALL STRENGTH ACADEMY YOUTUBE PAGE. Episode Notes: 11:00 – Set...

In episode 25 of Cross-Functionality, Jim and Cassie discuss the difference between implicit and explicit coaching tactics and how to properly utilize the concepts in various coaching methods. TO WATCH THE FULL VERSION OF THE SHOW, VISIT THE SOFTBALL STRENGTH ACADEMY YOUTUBE PAGE. Episode Notes: 2:00 – Approach to hitting with runners in scoring position 10:00 – Coach driven vs. athlete driven 14:...

In episode 24 of Cross-Functionality, Jim and Cassie go into detail about training variability and how – when done correctly – can change an athlete’s training and evolution for the better. TO WATCH THE FULL VERSION OF THE SHOW, VISIT THE SOFTBALL STRENGTH ACADEMY YOUTUBE PAGE. Episode Notes: 2:00 – Bat speed and quickness 8:00 – Definition of training variability 11:00 – Time to implement variabi...

In episode 23 of Cross-Functionality, Jim and Cassie dissect Jim’s four pillars for a successful softball and baseball swing. TO WATCH THE FULL VERSION OF THE SHOW, VISIT THE SOFTBALL STRENGTH ACADEMY YOUTUBE PAGE. Episode Notes: 4:00 – Timing and vision 12:00 – Swing plane and bat path 19:00 – Making adjustments 23:00 – Teaching how to make adjustments 25:00 – Hitter’s confidence 27:00 – Hitter’s...

In episode 22 of Cross-Functionality, Jim and Cassie discuss and break down each intangible that athletes need to develop to further their athletic careers. TO WATCH THE FULL VERSION OF THE SHOW, VISIT THE SOFTBALL STRENGTH ACADEMY YOUTUBE PAGE. Episode Notes: 2:00 – Player intangibles 5:00 – Coaches setting intangibles into their culture 11:00 – Effort intangible 18:00 – Leadership intangible 23:...