Unity Johnston 16u

[Dempsey Bryson @DempsBryson2029]

Nothing better than enjoying these fall nights getting extra work in, hitting with @hittingcoachJ, catching @MadiJean2029, and getting ready for the Ray Seymour Invitational this weekend! Ready to get back on the field with my @unityjohnston girls!
@VAUnitySB @UnityCoachJosh @PalmettoSoftba1

[Kaitlyn Dyer @KaitlynDyer2029]

Getting ready for the Rey Seymour Invitational this weekend! 💜🧡

Worked on pitch accuracy with @CoachEchoAllred , hitting (being on time and staying on plane), and lower-body strength at @FocusPerformVA . Thanks @KennedyP2029 for catching me!
@unityjohnston
@VAUnitySB

[Cara Johnston 2029 @Cara2029]

It’s go time!! I am headed to the 🌞state this weekend for @ray_seymour !! Can’t wait to hit the dirt with my Unity sisters!! #allgasnobrakes @unityjohnston @VAUnitySB @UnityCoachJosh @AshVanBoxmeer4 @LanceWaln @coachmegsmith @c_lyon22 @CoachBBuchanan @UACoachMurphy @Coach_LaPorte @CoachDot_LU

[Lizzy Stoner @LizzyStoner2029]

Super Excited to play in the Ray Seymour Invitational after 2 long weeks of training

@CoastalSoftball @OU_Softball @AlabamaSB @DukeSOFTBALL @unityjohnston

[Kaitlyn Dyer @KaitlynDyer2029]

Ready to get back on the field with my team this weekend at the Rey Seymour Invitational! 💜🧡
@unityjohnston
@VAUnitySB

[Bailey Gray @BaileyGray29]

Can’t wait to get back on the field with my teammates!
@unityjohnston
@DelValSB
@LMC_Softball
@RoanokeSoftball

[Chellsea Holbrook @chellsea_h97]

After two long weeks of training and hard work I’m so ready to get back on the dirt in the Ray Seymour invitational!!
@TransySoftball @UKsoftball @UPIKE_softball @GoKnightsSB @LouisvilleSB @WKUSoftball @RacersSoftball

[Bailey Gray @BaileyGray29]

Putting in the work when nobody is watching!
@unityjohnston
@Ty2daR
@DelValSB
@RoanokeSoftball
@LMC_Softball

[Kaitlyn Dyer @KaitlynDyer2029]

Great pitching lesson with @CoachEchoAllred . Working on bringing my hips through on my rise. Thanks @KennedyP2029 for catching!
@unityjohnston

[Kaitlyn Dyer @KaitlynDyer2029]

Excited and honored to be ranked 29 out of 1,434 in the Class of 2029 after my ODM testing at Unity Lab! 💜🧡
@unityjohnston
@unitycoachjosh
@VAUnitySB
@odm_testing

[Bailey Gray @BaileyGray29]

Unfortunately, my tournament was cancelled this weekend; instead, I spent the weekend with my hitting coach Ty gearing up for the Ray Seymour Invitational
@unityjohnston
@Ty2daR
@LMC_Softball
@RoanokeSoftball
@DelValSB

[Unity Johnston 16u @unityjohnston]

Really looking forward to getting this crew on the field next weekend at Ray Seymour!!! The weather has taken its toll on our fall season, so we can’t wait to see what the rest of the fall holds for this talented group!!
@VAUnitySB @UnityCoachJosh @AshVanBoxmeer4

[Tenley Ponikiewicz 2029 @p_tenley]

Some highlights from the Virginia State Tournament two weekends ago. Five singles, one double, two home runs and 4 RBIs for the weekend. 💣💣

Excited to get back on the field with my team in two weeks at the Ray Seymour classic in Florida!

@unityjohnston @VAUnitySB @UnityCoachJosh @LineDsoftball @PrepSoftball @ExtraInningSB @THEWOWSB @tagupSoftball @TOP_D1RECRUITS

[Dempsey Bryson @DempsBryson2029]

Thank you @UpstateSoftball for an awesome camp today! Glad I got to spend my day off school on the field and compete with some great players! @PACKUPSTATE @HawkinsChawkins @Coach_TMeds @VAUnitySB @unityjohnston @PalmettoSoftba1

[Unity Johnston 16u @unityjohnston]

Unfortunately, Mother Nature has other plans for the weekend. We will keep working hard and set our sites on Ray Seymour in the Sunshine State in a couple weeks. Praying hard for lots of sunshine!!!!

[Unity Johnston 16u @unityjohnston]

Really excited to get on the field this weekend with these talented ladies. Hoping that the weather cooperates and we get to take the field and compete against some great competition. Can’t wait to see these girls out there doing what they love. @VAUnitySB @UnityCoachJosh

[Dempsey Bryson @DempsBryson2029]

This week’s work! Working on staying smooth and on time with my swing, keeping my front shoulder closed, and staying quiet and working ground up behind the plate. Putting in the work and getting better every day! @unityjohnston @VAUnitySB @PalmettoSoftba1 @hittingcoachJ

[Chellsea Holbrook @chellsea_h97]

Day one of USA Va fall state championship! We went 1-1. I had some really good at bats as well as a home run! No action today at short but I’m ready to get back at it tomorrow at 9:45!💜🧡💪
#AllglorytoGod
@HerdSB @UnityCoachJosh @unityjohnston @LouisvilleSB @UPIKE_softball @GoKnightsSB @TransySoftball @EKU_Softball

[Unity Johnston 16u @unityjohnston]

IT’S GAME WEEK! 🔥🥎
The wait is almost over! The weather didn't cooperate for our first tournament of the season. This weekend, we are headed to the USA Softball Fall State Championship and we’re ready to compete!
#builtdifferent
@VAUnitySB
@UnityCoachJosh
@AshVanBoxmeer4

[John Sangillo @SangilloJohn]

Tenley @p_tenley has only been in a few times from Massachusetts, but she is already doing a very nice job working through our movement progressions.

She is extremely strong, moves well, and is learning how to apply that athleticism with purpose.

Early in our movement warm up and resistance training progressions, we take the shoes off so she can feel the ground and understand how her feet connect to the rest of the body.

Today, we were working through the emergency brake option of the front leg. The front heel has to pull back so the front hip can pull back, creating room for the back hip to turn up underneath and into it. That compression into the front side gives the body a true brake something to turn against, stabilize against, and redirect force through.

Too many hitters allow the front hip to simply pop up. They never close it back against the front heel, so the body cannot meet back and replace under center.

That creates early extension.. the hitter comes out of posture too soon and loses the ability to hold the turn long enough to stay inside the ball.

Once early extension occurs, the top hand often comes off the rear shoulder too early and works around the ball instead of allowing the barrel to stay connected and work through the zone. Without the front-side brake, hitters lose stability, direction, and the ability to release the barrel with real speed.