Athletic Republic Evansville offers individual, group and team hitting lessons, and are available to novice softball athletes or players that have reached the more challenging levels of game play. Everyone teaches the fundamentals of hitting, but perfecting a softball swing starts with identifying each individual hitter’s swing and understanding it. Fast hips alone do not make a successful swing so we use video analysis, direct observation on the tee, soft toss and live throw to breakdown the existing swing so we understand what needs to change without compromising a player’s natural hitting style. Instructors will emphasize an athletic stance for each individual and help develop proper rhythm, timing, balance, and vision.

Power Throwing Program (Ages 9-12) and (Ages 13-18) is essential training for those looking to improve throwing mechanics, shoulder health, and increase velocity. From the feet and legs, to the pelvis, shoulder and hand, the act of throwing a softball depends on the efficient coordination of all these body parts. Athletic Republic Evansville uses a proprietary, progressive system of using overweight and underweight balls to improve body mechanics and movement efficiency in order to enhance the player’s ability to produce and receive force. But force alone cannot be the sole focus of any throwing program. Arm care is a key focal point in maintaining power throwing skills and is a top priority of our performance coaches. With the average throwing velocity increasing every year, inevitably the increased capacity to harness force leads to risk of injury, so Athletic Republic athletes learn progressive warm up drills, utilizing J-bands and shoulder recovery exercises to maintain optimal health.

The Little Sluggers program (Ages 5-7) is designed for children of any skill level for the purpose of introducing proper softball fundamentals at a young age. The kids will have a unique opportunity to participate in a program that develops hitting, fielding, and throwing skills in a high energy, competitive and fun environment. While learning the basics is important, we do not stop at this foundational level. Our team extends the experience to include teaching sport-specific movement patterns to further develop the overall athletic core and stability. As with all Athletic Republic Evansville programs, we want to work with parents to develop long-term athletes not just softball players.

Junior Allstars (Ages 9-13u) combines our innovative Power Hitting and Power Throwing programs into one class and is designed to systematically move an athlete on the path to power. We use patented Athletic Republic Conditioning Cords to create controlled resistance while performing game specific hitting and throwing movements. The athlete is allowed to perform actions at game speed velocity, with progressive, controlled resistance meant to boost muscle mass and strength. Our Hitting Harness and Warm-Up Cords provide resistance without compromising or changing proper body mechanics. When the conditioning cords are removed at the end of the program, athletes produce more power than ever, leading to a significantly improved sports performance.

The Catching Program (Ages 8-12) and (Ages 13-18) is for softball players with an interest in becoming a skilled catcher, one who understands the need for strong training habits to master multiple position-specific responsibilities. While the techniques of hitting, pitching and throwing are commonly taught, catching skills are an often overlooked, but defensively important skill development area to improve. Very few players are naturally-skilled to play the catcher position, but Athletic Republic Evansville’s progressive program can develop even a beginner catcher into a strategically important player. The Catching Program will cover all aspects of catching including stances, receiving, blocking, throwing mechanics, footwork, leadership, and game calling. No matter what the skill level each catcher will be challenged to the highest level.

Power Hitting Program (Ages 9-18u) is designed to develop a powerful swing by focusing on improvements in rotational power and overall movement. Improved hitting mechanics and balance throughout the swing increases bat speed, exit speed, and results in more power and distance. Feet, legs, pelvis, spine, shoulders, arms and hands are all factored into our program as Athletic Republic Evansville develops an athlete’s enhanced swing to ensure success at the plate. We use patented Athletic Republic Conditioning Cords to create controlled resistance while performing game-specific hitting movements. The athlete is allowed to perform actions at game speed velocity, with progressive, controlled resistance meant to boost muscle mass and strength. Our Hitting Harness and power cords provide resistance without compromising or changing proper body mechanics. When the conditioning cords are removed at the end of the program, athletes produce more power than ever, leading to a significantly improved sports performance.