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The OGX Podcast is your go-to source for all things softball player development and beyond! Hosted by a dynamic panel of experts, including Krista Stoker, Ashley Sunshine, Laura McDonald, and special guests, the team dives deep into the world of softball performance. Whether you're a seasoned coach or just getting started in the sport, the OGX Podcast has something for everyone.Learn more about OGX at www.ogxsoftball.com.
102 Episodes
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In the final episode of the year, Ashley Sunshine and Laura McDonald explore the challenges surrounding pitching, pain, and return to play.They discuss why pitching requires sport specific understanding, how pain is often mishandled in athlete environments, and why return to throw protocols must reflect real training demands. The conversation highlights the importance of communication between coaches and medical staff, the evolving education of athletic trainers, and the need for better collaboration to support athlete recovery and long term performance.This episode closes the year with an honest and practical discussion for anyone working with pitchers at the youth, high school, or college level.
Pitchers face unique demands that require more than traditional strength training.In Episode 80 of The OGX Podcast, Ashley Sunshine, Laura McDonald, and Jamnes Cameron explore how movement quality, fatigue, and strength conditioning shape pitching performance. They discuss why strength coaches play a critical role in both performance and injury prevention and how tracking resilience can help pitchers stay healthy over the course of a season.This conversation highlights the importance of specificity, collaboration between coaches, and interventions that restore movement quality before injuries occur.
Krista Swip and Laura McDonald break down the science behind force plates, pressure mats, and the biomechanics that shape hitting performance. They discuss what these tools measure, how to interpret the data, and why understanding impulse, stability, and posture matters for athlete development.Key ideas covered:• Differences between force plates and pressure mats• How ground reaction forces influence hitting• Why more force into the ground is not always better• The role of stability and posture in performance• How to apply these metrics in coachingMeet OGX at NFCA 2025 with Driveline BaseballStop by booths 224 and 226 to connect with the team and learn more about player development strategies and tools.Learn more here: https://go.ogxsoftball.com/nfca2025-7092
In Episode 78 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Swip, Ashley Sunshine, and Laura McDonald tackle one of the most misunderstood topics in sports: the balance between mental and physical challenges in performance. They explore how athletes are often labeled as having “mental blocks,” when in reality, physical patterns and mechanics are at the root of the issue.The discussion dives into how perception, decision-making, and movement all work together in skill acquisition. The hosts highlight why coaches must address physical execution, provide context-driven feedback, and train athletes under realistic conditions. This episode is a deep look into the relationship between biomechanics, psychology, and coaching helping both athletes and coaches rethink how performance is developed and supported.
Pitching success starts with arm adjustability.In Episode 77 of the OGX Podcast, Ashley Sunshine and Laura McDonald break down how biomechanics, plyometrics, and arm action all work together to create better pitchers. They explain how rigid mechanics and traditional training can hinder development and why adaptability, movement quality, and command are essential for long-term success.Save 10% on OGX’s Shop with code OGXPOD:https://ogxsoftball.myshopify.com#softball #pitching #biomechanics #ogxpodcast
Pitchers have unique training demands, and managing them the right way can be the difference between progress and burnout.In Episode 76 of the OGX Podcast, Ashley Sunshine leads a discussion with James and Laura McDonald on the intersection of pitching and strength conditioning. They break down how to balance workload, recovery, and performance while improving communication between pitching and strength coaches.Join the OGX Community to connect with athletes and coaches focused on performance and player development:https://ogxsoftball.myshopify.com/products/ogx-community-membership#softball #pitching #strengthconditioning #ogxpodcast
Bat speed or perfect mechanics, which one truly separates great hitters?In Episode 75 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Swip and Kealia Wysocki explore hitting mechanics, strength, and bat speed, sharing insights from biomechanical data and real coaching experience. They discuss why chasing perfect form often limits performance and how balancing speed, power, and simplicity can unlock true hitting potential.Join the OGX Community to connect with the OGX team and coaches:https://ogxsoftball.myshopify.com/products/ogx-community-membership📅 Community-Only releases drop every other Wednesday at 10 AM CT.#softball #hitting #athletedevelopment #ogxpodcast
When should athletes start training?In Episode 74 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Swip and Laura McDonald explore the timing and readiness of athlete training. They discuss emotional and social maturity, individualized training, and how athletes can take ownership of their development journey.This episode offers valuable insight for coaches, parents, and athletes navigating the path from team-based to individualized training.Resources mentioned in this episode:Plyo Program Course: https://ogxsoftball.myshopify.com/products/building-an-individualized-plyo-program-for-softball-pitchersSave 10% with code OGXPOD at: https://ogxsoftball.myshopify.com
What does September 1st really mean for athletes?In Episode 73 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Swip, Ashley Sunshine, and Laura McDonald discuss the misconceptions around September 1st and the pressure young athletes face during recruiting. They share how data, development timelines, and communication can help reshape how coaches and players approach the recruiting process.Watch here: https://youtu.be/CReg6U9_Yf4Or listen wherever you listen to your podcasts each week.Save 10% on OGX’s Shop with code OGXPOD: https://ogxsoftball.myshopify.com
How much can force plates really tell us about pitching?In Episode 72 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Swip and Laura McDonald explore how data from force plates is changing the way pitchers train and perform. They discuss stride foot dynamics, energy transfer, timing, and the effects of recent rule changes on softball pitching.Learn how understanding impulse and biomechanics can help athletes move more efficiently and reduce injury risk.Watch here: https://youtu.be/MZlM0UAjvAwListeners can save 10% on OGX’s Shop with code OGXPOD: https://ogxsoftball.myshopify.com
In Episode 71 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Stoker, Ashley Sunshine, and Laura McDonald share insights from their recent college road tour and explore how data is shaping the future of athlete development. They dig into the nuances of performance metrics, the differences between youth and college athlete training, and the role of coaches in interpreting data.The conversation highlights the importance of balancing data-driven analysis with the personal connection required to guide athletes effectively. From recognizing biases in coaching to using variability in training methods, the hosts emphasize that growth comes from both numbers and relationships. Looking ahead, they discuss how the evolution of coaching will increasingly rely on data without losing sight of the athlete as a whole person.
In Episode 70 of the OGX Podcast, Krista Stoker, Ashley Sunshine, and Laura McDonald take a deep dive into pitching and hitting assessments, focusing on the concept of inefficiencies. They unpack how biomechanical assessments can identify areas for growth while also warning against boxing athletes into rigid categories. The conversation emphasizes the importance of athlete goals, context, and the unique challenges of youth development where physical changes are constant.From exit velocity and bat speed in hitting assessments to the nuances of pitching mechanics, the hosts explain why chasing metrics without understanding their implications can create more problems than solutions. They highlight how compensations in movement patterns can be misunderstood and why coaches must weigh the risk-reward balance in training. Finally, the episode addresses the gap between youth and college-level training and calls for a holistic approach that prioritizes long-term athlete development.
In this episode of the OGX Podcast, Krista Swip and Laura McDonald dive into the evolution of OGX’s college partnerships and how they are transforming athlete development. They discuss how self-sufficiency is being built within programs, the integration of advanced technology for training, and the role of data-driven coaching in player development. The conversation emphasizes that while technology and assessments provide powerful insights, the true goal is simple: making athletes better through informed training practices.
In this episode of the OGX Podcast, Laura McDonald and Jamnes Cameron dive into the role of strength and conditioning in softball and how it directly connects to pitching performance. They highlight the importance of collaboration between coaches and strength trainers, the challenges within college athletics, and the role of the "Big Five" movement qualities in maintaining athlete performance. The conversation emphasizes how communication, consistency, and smart adaptations can improve training programs, prevent injuries, and unlock a higher level of development for pitchers and athletes.
Ashley Sunshine and Laura McDonald recap Pitchstock 2025, highlighting the most important lessons for coaches, parents, and athletes. From addressing the physiological changes in female athletes to integrating data into coaching decisions, they outline how to close gaps in pitching education and elevate player development.You will learn:Why pitching and strength training must be more connectedHow puberty impacts performance and developmentThe value of disrupting traditional coaching methodsHow data reveals overlooked pitching strategiesWhy collaboration between coaches and medical professionals mattersHow community growth can elevate the future of pitching education
Recorded live at Pitchstock 2025, this episode brings you straight into the heart of softball’s ultimate pitching conference. The OGX team and guest speakers share candid insights on player development, coaching strategies, and the evolving role of performance data in the sport.You will hear discussions on:How to turn data into real on-field resultsBuilding individualized pitching programsThe importance of movement quality and mechanicsLessons from top coaches at Pitchstock 2025Navigating the challenges of youth and collegiate athlete developmentWhether you are a coach, athlete, or parent, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways you can apply immediately.
Krista, Ashley, and Laura are back together in this episode to break down the real reason cookie-cutter training plans fall short. From strength and conditioning to pitching and hitting development, they share what true individualization looks like and how coaches can actually apply it.Topics Covered:How individualization impacts pitching and hitting developmentWhy strength and skill need to be alignedUsing data to make informed decisionsThe difference between mechanics and patternsWhy experimentation leads to better trainingHow to take ownership of coaching outcomesThis episode is a must for coaches ready to ditch the copy-paste model and build training plans that truly fit their athletes.Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VkUakrUwAJIAlso available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
In Episode 64, Ashley Sunshine and Laura McDonald take a deep dive into the off-season realities for high school athletes. They break down how to help athletes recharge, reassess, and re-enter training with purpose. This episode focuses on recovery, biomechanics assessments, and creating smarter training plans that prioritize long-term performance and athlete well-being.Whether you're a coach, parent, or athlete, this episode offers practical advice on how to make the most of the off-season without burning out.🔗 Learn more about OGX Assessments: https://go.ogxsoftball.com/ogx-softball-biomechanics-assessment🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
Returning to the mound after injury takes more than rest. It takes a proven protocol, a strong communication loop, and a deep understanding of biomechanics.In this episode, the OGX team breaks down what that process should look like. They cover the difference between a real return to pitching protocol and just playing catch, why understanding the kinetic chain matters, and how sports medicine and coaching staff need to stay aligned.They also discuss how biomechanics and in-game data play a role in decision-making, player development, and performance longevity.🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fYy1AB9Zymg#ogxpodcast #pitchingprotocols #softballpitching #playerdevelopment #rehabtraining #athletedevelopment #sportsmedicine
How much is too much for youth pitchers?In Episode 62, we’re digging into the messy middle of youth softball and baseball development. From pitch count guidelines to the physical toll of puberty, this episode is for every parent, coach, and young athlete navigating the early stages of competitive sports.We break down:Why pitch counts matter—but aren’t the full answerWhat puberty does to mechanics, mindset, and injury riskThe challenge of teaching proper pitching skills without the right resourcesWhy movement variability and power are essential for long-term developmentHow collaboration between coaches, parents, and governing bodies can help protect young athletesWhether you're raising a young pitcher or coaching one, this is the conversation that needs to happen.🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.#softball #pitchcounts #youthsports #puberty #softballcoaching #ogxpodcast #athletedevelopment
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