Episode 221: How Top Hitting Coaches Simplify Complex Problems With Pat Biondi & Ryan Cooper

In this conversation, I sit down with two experienced hitting coaches — Ryan Cooper (Hitting & Catching Coordinator at Push Performance in Arizona) and Pat Biondi (founder of Elevate Hitting in the Detroit area and former University of Michigan + Mets player). Ryan and Pat share their journeys into deeper hitting development and how they balance going deep on movement, anatomy, posture, and rotational training with the need to keep things simple and freeing for their athletes. We discuss: Why coaches must understand the “why” behind the swing so they can deliver clear, simple cues and feels to players The power of constraint-based training tools (farm boards, bands, water bags, etc.) to help hitters feel correct movement without overthinking Bridging the gap between the cage and the weight room — training rotation, deceleration, and addressing physical restrictions instead of just adding strength How to progress and regress skills effectively, especially when moving from low-velocity drills to live BP and games “Feeding the mistake” with constraints so athletes learn to solve problems themselves The importance of collaboration between hitting and strength coaches, and how immediate feedback loops improve results Helping athletes compete with freedom instead of over-cueing or fighting their own body Whether you coach one-on-one privately, run group sessions, or work in a facility with strength staff, this episode highlights a key truth: the best coaches go deep on knowledge so they can coach simply and effectively. Great coaching isn’t about sounding smart — it’s about helping athletes move better, think less, and perform freely. If you’ve ever felt stuck between “old school” and “new school” approaches, or wondered how to make complex ideas usable for your players, Ryan and Pat’s honest perspectives will give you practical insight and encouragement to keep growing as a coach.