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Softball Training and Drills Series

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SD-04391A: with Mike Stith,
founder of Team Mizuno and is the organization's Director of Player Development and College Recruitment; Head Coach for Team Mizuno's 16U Travel Team; 3x ASA National Championship Coach

Getting one step closer to scoring is an edge any offense would be happy to gain.

Mike Stith has created a step-by-step plan to teach your players how to run the bases efficiently and aggressively. Coach Stith goes in depth about his offensive philosophies on base running, explaining how to approach the base, take proper lead offs, and read the defensive alignment. He explains each drill and shows how to set it up and then progress it. He narrates what to look for and corrects the players as you watch them go through each drill.

Base Running Basics
Coach Stith explains proper body position and foot position for any player who is on a base, and then teaches them to start their lead off when the pitcher's back heel comes up off the ground. He teaches his players to be very aggressive, thinking two bases out of the batter's box every time. He explains the most efficient way to round a base and how to lead off of first, second and third base. He shows how to train your players to rotate your body to the ball when a ball is hit to the outfield on a fly and how to dive back to a base with the inside hand touching the outside of the bag.

Base Running Drills
Coach Stith teaches you several drills he uses for base running, most of which involve reading the ball off the bat and anticipating the defense. The runners will practice at each base, working on their lead off and reacting appropriately to any type of batted ball. The runners will begin with only outfielders in place for the defense, and they will recognize and react appropriately to balls hit to the outfield. Then, a full defense will take the field, making the situations and decision making very game-like for the base runners. Stith indicates that it is very important to perform drills with live defenses and batted balls, as this is the only chance a runner will get to practice their reactions and decision making.

Plays at the Plate
Once the players practice at each individual base, Coach Stith puts in a game-like drill to simulate real play and let the girls react to different scenarios. This progression instills the proper decision making in the players to make them more confident in their leading and base running in a real game. The runners will act as if it is a normal game situation, taking a lead off the pitched ball, and reacting to the batted ball. Stith finishes by moving the runners to second base, encouraging them to read the ball off the bat and score on a hit. It is very important to make good reads at second base, also known as scoring position, because reacting correctly will often result in a run for the offense.

At the heart of the game of softball is a fundamental strategy: to win, the offense must score more runs than the other team. Simply put, if you can't score runs, you can't win. Learn Mike Stith's aggressive base running strategies and drills which will help any young team put more runs on the scoreboard.

106 minutes. 2013.



SD-04391B: with Mike Stith,
founder of Team Mizuno and is the organization's Director of Player Development and College Recruitment; Head Coach for Team Mizuno's 16U Travel Team; 3x ASA National Championship Coach

Three-time ASA National Championship coach Mike Stith takes you through a live, comprehensive team defense practice that covers throwing, ground ball fielding mechanics, fly ball fielding mechanics and throwing to bases from all positions. There is very little standing around and the practice is up tempo. This usually results in a high functioning team.

Throwing
Practice starts with a team warm up followed by a throwing mechanics warm up. Throwing with correct technique is of the utmost importance, as good fundamentals at the younger ages will set up a player for future success. Coach Stith's teams do not just warm up their arms while throwing, they practice correct technique on every throw and catch. Stith also has his teams do a Four Corners Drill, which incorporates not only proper throwing technique, but also catching, correct footwork around a base, and communication to develop a quicker, more accurate throw.

Fielding
Coach Stith uses a drill he calls Circle the Wagons to begin the fielding aspect of the workout. The drill begins with the coaches rolling balls to the fielders, giving the players a chance to focus on correct fielding fundamentals and seeing the ball into their gloves. The rolls get progressively more difficult, building up into live hit balls off the bat. Stith believes in fielders being hit a lot of ground balls off the bat, as there is no substitute for live work and reading the ball off the bat.

Outfield and Communication
Coach Stith does not neglect the outfielders, as they spend ample time working on making plays and throws from all positions in the outfield. Stith is able to incorporate throws from the outfield to all bases, and also infield cutoff plays. There is a lot going on at once, making the drill very game-like, and forcing the players to focus on their tasks. Practice moves on to a drill called Right Side Left Side for fielding and communication. Communication is extremely important for fielders as balls can drop between fielders or they can be injured if they run into each other.

Plays at the Plate
Coach Stith ends practice with the infielders and outfielders throwing balls home, practicing plays at the plate. This is an important play as plays at the plate are often game deciding plays. Stith also uses these plays as a rallying point for his teams.

Getting more reps out of your team during practice will pay off come game day. Let Coach Stith show you how to run a defensive practice that will prepare your team to play at a level beyond their years.

106 minutes. 2013.



SD-04391C: with Mike Stith,
founder of Team Mizuno and is the organization's Director of Player Development and College Recruitment; Head Coach for Team Mizuno's 16U Travel Team; 3x ASA National Championship Coach

Learn the aggressive base running strategies and drills that will help any team score more runs and win more ball games. Mike Stith's teams are well known their offensive prowess. Learn why in this DVD, as he explains his offensive philosophies and strategy regarding base running. Coach Stith teaches you many of the basics of base running, introduces several of his favorite drills, and explains how he develops aggressive base runners.

Base running basics and responsibilities
Coach Stith begins by explaining his ideas on base running basics, starting with how to approach, round, and return to first base. He goes in depth into base running responsibilities, and what he expects of his runners while at each base. Particularly, he explains the proper lead for each base, and why each is such. Taking the correct lead at each base is important as it will help the runner avoid pick-offs and get as close to the next base as possible.

Fly and ground ball lead-offs
It is important that runners have a chance to practice their lead-offs at each base and react to a batted ball. Coach Stith begins with his runners on first base, taking a lead off the pitched ball, and reacting to a ball hit by a coach with a full defense in place on the field. Stith has his runners spend ample time practicing these skills, first on fly balls, and then on ground balls. He then moves his runners to second base, and then third base, with a different emphasis at each base.

Live ball lead-off drills
Finally, Coach Stith switches out the coach hitting balls in favor of a live batter. The batter will take at-bats off of front-toss so that the base runners can practice their running and decision making to the ball as it comes off the bat. According to Stith, this is the best way to practice base running and decision making, as it is very game-like.

56 minutes. 2013.



SD-04391D: with Mike Stith,
founder of Team Mizuno and is the organization's Director of Player Development and College Recruitment; Head Coach for Team Mizuno's 16U Travel Team; 3x ASA National Championship Coach

See a defensive workout that covers many situations a defense will have to face during games.

Mike Stith shows us the defensive team workout that has made his older teams successful and prepared his players to compete at the collegiate level. Coach Stith begins practice with warm-ups and throwing, and also introduces many fielding drills with a conditioning component. He uses these drills, along with hitting many repetitions of live batted balls, to build consistent defenders.

Warm-up and Throwing
Throughout Coach Stith's warm-up throwing routine, careful attention is paid to throwing with correct technique, something that is important to avoid injuries and keep the player's arms healthy. Stith has his infielders practice short hop drills with each other, and the team moves into a Four Corners Drill. This drill incorporates a lot of throwing, with an emphasis on accuracy. This drill is helpful to allow the players to practice a few of the basic but critical fundamentals of the game, such as throwing, catching, footwork, and communication.

Conditioning Drills
Once warmed-up, the entire team participates in three softball specific conditioning drills, which also allow the players to practice fielding fundamentals. The conditioning drills begin with the coaches rolling ground balls to players, gradually increasing the distance between the fielders and the balls. These drills are important as they give the players a chance to focus on fielding fundamentals, good footwork, and seeing the ball all the way into their gloves. These drills progress into the next set of drills, which involve live ground balls hit balls off the bat.

Fielding
Coach Stith believes fielders should be hit a lot of ground balls off the bat, as there is no substitute for reading the ball off the bat and reacting to the ball. The infielders are put in their positions and hit numerous ground balls to each side. They are also given smaller gloves and hit baseballs, forcing them to focus hard on seeing the ball. Fielding numerous ground balls is necessary for fielders to become consistent and develop confidence in their fielding skills.

Group Drills
The outfielders get a chance to participate in the next set of drills, which involve balls hit to the outfielders in each position of the outfield. The outfielders must field or catch the ball, and throw to certain bases. The infielders then throw the ball around the infield, alternating bases, to incorporate more throwing practice. Finally, the coaches hit balls with runners on base, to help simulate more realistic game situations. The fielders must make the play and react to the base runner.

Use Coach Stith's defensive ideas to run a practice that will prepare your team to face any game situation with confidence.

75 minutes. 2013.



SD-04391E: with Mike Stith,
founder of Team Mizuno and is the organization's Director of Player Development and College Recruitment; Head Coach for Team Mizuno's 16U Travel Team; 3x ASA National Championship Coach

Often, hitting instruction is targeted to the high school or older level athlete. Mike Stith demonstrates drills for the Under 10 group and shows how to add progressions to them as players develop their posture, speed and strength over time.

Beginning with basic tee drills, Coach Stith runs a hitting workout that gradually builds up into the ultimate challenge of hitting, batting off a live pitcher. Stith drills emphasize good balance and posture, which are key to successful hitting. Learning those skills must start at the Under 10 group and carry right through to the college level.

Knob, Knuckles, Barrel
Following the order of knob, knuckles, barrel will create a good path to the ball. Coach Stith emphasizes that is not how hard you swing or how fast you swing, but how long the hands stay on the path of the ball. All the drills in this video focus on this philosophy of technique.

For each drill, Coach Stith explains the method and purpose of the drill while showing athletes of various ages perform it.

Top Hand Drills
This area focuses on increasing the time of the bat head in the hitting zone by using your top hand to drive the knob of the bat through the hitting zone. By following the palm up, palm down philosophy you will keep the hands in a better position to drive the ball. Progressions in this drill include isolating the bottom hand and also several drills done from the knee.

Machine and Live Pitch Drills
Coach Stith starts with 8 year olds hitting off a machine and progresses through high school seniors explaining that both good machine and live pitch drills can be tools when modified throughout an entire career. One point of emphasis at any age is on the landing angle of the front foot. Landing with the front toe open allows the hips to clear better and protect the hip joint. Coach Stith demonstrates a live hitting drill on the field that incorporates a full field with groups of 5 or 6 hitters, base runners and defensive players to make efficient use of time and keep all players busy.

Coach Stith will show you how to run effective quality hitting drills, and how to adapt them for each age group, that will produce hitters who strike fear into opposing pitchers.

87 minutes. 2013.



SD-04391F: with Mike Stith,
founder of Team Mizuno and is the organization's Director of Player Development and College Recruitment; Head Coach for Team Mizuno's 16U Travel Team; 3x ASA National Championship Coach

Two of the most important positions on the field are pitching and catching. Mike Stith takes you behind the scenes of a Team Mizuno pitching and catching workout. Beginning with the catchers, Coach Stith takes the viewer through a typical workout highlighting throwing, framing, blocking, and conditioning. Moving to the pitcher, Stith has them perform spin drills, pitch to the catchers, and strengthen their arms with extended pitching.

Catching
The catching workout begins with a throwing progression, specifically throwing from the standing position and dropping down to the knees. Controlling an opponent's running game is important for limiting their scoring opportunities. Coach Stith demonstrates three drills the catchers perform to practice throwing out potential base stealers. The catchers also work on two framing drills, and have four blocking drills they must execute. Conditioning is a critical part of the catcher's position. Stith guides you through a series of challenging conditioning drills that are catcher specific designed to strengthen the lower half, quads and core to improve lateral movement and bouncing back up to their feet to make a quick and accurate throw when necessary.

Pitching
Moving on to the pitchers, Coach Stith has them warm-up their arms and proceed directly into their spin drills. Getting the correct spin on each pitch is important as the spin is what will cause the pitch to break. After the spin is warmed-up, Stith has the pitchers throw each pitch to their catcher, working on spin and location. The pitchers will also throw extended pitching, as they increase their distance from the catcher, which will strengthen their arm and help them to throw harder. Finally, the pitchers wrap up the pitching workout by running foul-poles to develop leg strength and endurance.

Let Coach Stith show you the pitching and catching workout that has allowed his battery to bring home multiple championships by dominating opposing teams.

74 minutes. 2013.



SD-04391G: with Mike Stith,
founder of Team Mizuno and is the organization's Director of Player Development and College Recruitment; Head Coach for Team Mizuno's 16U Travel Team; 3x ASA National Championship Coach

Training to field ground balls can be an uninteresting experience and create boredom amongst players. In this video Mike Stith introduces a variety of exciting drills that can be adapted to any age level from U10 to high school senior. He emphasizes repetitions of correct techniques to field various types of infield balls with numerous demonstrations by players of all ages.

Infielders must focus on proper footwork to the ball and then into the throw which varies with the type of ball that is hit. Players are given corrections on looking at the ball to the glove and how to use the glove hand to field the ball.

Dynamic Warmup and Sprint Movements
Learn a dynamic movement series (16 drills) that you can put in your warm up at the start of your practice. Transfer the form and work ethic you developed in your indoor workouts to your outdoor practice through a series of stretches, sprint start and movement drills.

For each drill, Coach Stith explains the method and purpose of the drill while showing athletes of various ages perform it from under 10 to high school seniors.

Throwing Warmup and Technique
"If you can't play catch you can't win" is the philosophy Coach Stith uses to teach young players the essentials of throwing and catching. Learn how to pay great attention to how throwing needs to be warmed up and developed as the player starts young and grows through college age. Moving the feet, catching the ball with the glove and a proper follow through are only some of the essentials presented.

Fielding Infield Balls
Get more runners out by learning the techniques to field infield balls from hard grounders to soft rollers to high bouncers. Learn the angles to field a ball deeply and field it with a forehand play. You will see fielding drills for young players 10 and under, including watching the ball all the way into the glove, to more advanced drills for college entry including angled throws to bases. Coach Stith emphasizes that every player has different strengths but all must learn the same essentials of fielding and explains this in a variety of drills for different age groups.

Coach Stith shows you how to run effective infield ground ball drills - and how to adapt them for each age group - that will take your infield to the next level.

102 minutes. 2013.



SD-04391H: with Mike Stith,
founder of Team Mizuno and is the organization's Director of Player Development and College Recruitment; Head Coach for Team Mizuno's 16U Travel Team; 3x ASA National Championship Coach

Mike Stith has had a tremendous success developing outfielders, no matter what the player's age. In this DVD, Coach Stith takes us behind the scenes of the outfield workout that has made his outfielders successful at all levels of softball. The typical Stith outfield practice opens with drop step drills, and progressively builds to balls hit to the outfielder.

Drop Step Drills
To track down a fly ball in the outfield, outfielders must get a good jump on the ball. They accomplish this by taking good drop steps. Coach Stith introduces three drills to practice and improve the drop step, as well as three other drills to improve tracking. Coach Stith explains each drill, and then has several of his players from all ages demonstrate.

Ground and Fly Balls
The quicker an outfielder gets to the ball, the quicker they can get the ball back into the infield and hold advancing runners. Coach Stith shows you his ground ball drill that will train your players to attack the ball aggressively. You'll also see a fly ball drill that helps them recognize the playing conditions and incorporates the drop step, which was practiced earlier.

Fence Drills
The emphasis in this drill is the footwork into the throw, after the ball is collected off the fence. The outfielders must not waste steps in throwing the ball back into the infield, because base runners may be advancing.

Position Drills
Finally, the outfielders take position in right, center, and left field to receive balls hit from home plate. The outfielders practice their throws to all the bases and home plate. It is important for the outfielders to quickly release the ball and make strong, accurate throws to the bases. Getting the ball in quickly will stop base runners from advancing and taking an extra base.

Let Coach Stith show you how to develop pride in your outfield and keep your outfielders pushing each other to be better.

68 minutes. 2013.



SD-04391I: with Mike Stith,
founder of Team Mizuno and is the organization's Director of Player Development and College Recruitment; Head Coach for Team Mizuno's 16U Travel Team; 3x ASA National Championship Coach

If you are looking for an edge next season, this DVD provides you with the tools to take your game to the next level! Mike Stith introduces you to the speed and power workouts that have helped prepare his athletes for success on the softball field. Coach Stith's workout helps to promote speed and power, skills are critical for success at the higher levels of the game.

Coach Stith has his athletic trainers take a group of girls aged 9-17 through a full workout of speed and power drills. The drills all begin at a basic level and can be progressed based on the level of your players. The trainers explain the important mechanics of body movement during the drills that are sure to make your players faster and more efficient on the bases.

Dynamic Warm-up and Ladder Drills
It is important to warm-up properly to avoid injury and get the most out of your body. The workout begins with the players performing a 15 exercise dynamic warm-up designed to activate their muscles and increase their heart rate. The group progresses to a series of ladder drills designed to improve footwork by promoting quick feet and coordination. Having quick feet is important for every position on the softball field, but is particularly critical to infielders who much react quickly to get to a ball. The warm-up can be used before a regular practice, or to prepare the body for the speed and power drills in the video.

Drills and Box Jumps
Next, the coach takes the players through a series of "I" drills and "T" drills where the players must sprint or shuffle to set cones, and change directions frequently. Changing directions efficiently is an important skill for softball players as it must be done frequently during games to make plays on both offense and defense. Box jumps, designed to strengthen the legs and promote explosive power, follow the footwork drills. You'll see how to land a jump correctly and how to use arm swing to create power. Explosiveness is a prerequisite for hitting with power and is also important when on defense for getting a jump on any batted ball.

Weightlifting Drills
The younger athletes (8-12 years old) workout will be different than that of the older players. The younger players perform a circuit, where they are doing exercises based on time. Most of their exercises involve using only their body weight for resistance, and learning the correct technique for when they're older and can use heavier weights. It is important to pay attention to developmental differences when working with athletes of different ages, as younger players may not be ready to lift weights due to their physical maturity and growth.

The older players (14-17 years old), who are physically mature, have progressed to lifting actual weights. Lifting weights with correct technique is critical to avoid unnecessary injuries, and something that is emphasized throughout the workout. In this workout, the older players perform three exercises for their lower body and core, and two exercises for their upper body. It is important for athletes to strengthen all areas of their body in order to minimize physical weaknesses.

These workouts prepare the whole body with focuses on keeping the low back and shoulders strong.

The rosters of the country's top college softball teams include many players who have been coached by Mike Stith. Let Coach Stith show you the workouts that have prepared his athletes for success at the next level and beyond!

105 minutes. 2013.




Competitive Team Drills for Softball

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with George Wares, Central College Head Coach,
over 1,000 Career wins - most winning coach in NCAA Division III softball history;
distinguished member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Hall of Fame (2007); 4x National Championship Coach

It's hard for players to show competitiveness in a game if they don't first have it with their team in practice. Learn how to make games feel easier by making your practice more difficult! Coach George Wares, the most winning coach in Division III softball history, shares 20 drills that will put your players in competitive situations and inspire competition among the team.

Indoor Drills
Don't let the weather hold your team back from competitive greatness! Coach Wares begins indoors with his team, demonstrating eight drills designed to foster competition that can be used during indoor practices. These competitive drills focus on various skills such as throwing and rundowns, fielding and bunting. Although these drills are done indoors, they are easily converted into outdoor drills, giving coaches even more options.

Team Building Drills
Coach Wares introduces two team-building drills that require players to work together in competitive situations. Throughout these drills, Coach Wares emphasizes the importance of winning and taking pride in winning. On the opposite end of the spectrum, when players are not up to the task, they must experience finishing last ,which helps foster their desire to win. Teach your players how to compete together!

Outdoor Drills
Practice moves outdoors where Coach Wares runs 10 drills specifically for outdoor use. These drills cover defense, base running, communication and conditioning. Most importantly, the drills put players in positions where they can either execute and be successful or fail. Softball is often called a game of failure ...teach your players how to handle failure! During the conditioning drills, athletes must battle adversity and learn how to complete the drill when they are tired.

Coach Wares gives a detailed, intense presentation that will develop the mental and physical toughness of your team.

101 minutes. 2015.

Mega Softball Drills: Fielding

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with John Tschida, University of St. Thomas Head Coach;
Over 770 career wins; highest winning percentage in D-III softball history (.850 winning percentage);
3x national championship coach, first coach to win national title at two schools;
2x NFCA Division III National Coach of the Year; 11x MIAC Coach of the Year

Mold your team into a championship caliber defensive squad!

NCAA Division III All-Time winningest coach, John Tschida, leads you through over 50 drills that will emphasize proper fielding mechanics and technique to develop ready position, approach, soft hands, diving technique, flips, double plays and relay throws in your players' to get the most out of them defensively.

Coach Tschida starts by showing a proper ready position and how to react to the ball coming into play. These drills will show your fielders how to take the most efficient path to the ball and make the play.

Tschida moves into first step approach drills, developing good hands and diving drills. He emphasizes proper mechanics at all times and uses his players to demonstrate each of these techniques. Finally, Tschida takes you through double plays, relays and cuts, and tags.

Tschida's on-field demonstration of each drill allows you to see how to set-up and execute each drill. He also notes many common mistakes players make performing these drills and during game play, and shows you how you can correct them. This is the most comprehensive video library of drills on the market today that will help you to perfect your team's defensive fundamentals and the mechanics required to get the most of your players' abilities.

127 minutes. 2009.

The Encyclopedia of Hitting

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with Tim Walton, University of Florida Head Coach;
2015 National Champions - Back-to-Back WCWS Titles (2014-15);
2013 SEC Coach of the Year, 4x SEC Coach of the Year;
3x SEC Champions;
has led Florida to seven Women's College World Series appearances in eight years (2008-15);
over 600 career wins; 2015 USA Softball Junior Women's National Team Assistant Coach

In this comprehensive softball DVD, Coach Walton takes you through his extensive hitting program of drills and confidence-building strategies. Walton starts with special hitting approaches including different slaps and bunts and the game situations that make them effective. From there Walton teaches his six hitting strategies: Building the swing, visual preparation, game preparation, mental preparation, in-game adjustments and post-game adjustments. Within these strategies, Walton presents an expansive set of drills that help build and improve on your hitter's confidence, technique and timing. He takes into account all the different types of hitters from quick-running bunters and slappers to power hitters, and gives you special advice for each. Every hitter is different, and this excellent DVD provides you with ways to play to their strengths.

97 minutes. 2009.

A to Z Guide to Pitching Mechanics and Drills

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with Boo Gillette, Arizona State University Assistant Softball Coach;
3x All-Big Ten catcher at the University of Wisconsin, former Assistant Coach at Purdue and University of North Carolina

Prepare any pitcher for game day with the drills and techniques in this comprehensive video from Arizona State assistant coach Boo Gillette. Coach Gillette explains the basic concepts of her bullpen workouts and how she develops mental toughness in the bullpen. She also shares two live bullpen workouts focusing on developing mechanically proficient and strategically prepared pitchers.

Throughout the video Gillette provides a valuable mix of coaching instruction and live teaching as she coaches her players through the workouts.

Bullpen Workout
Coach Gillette begins with an outline of her pitching bullpen workout. She explains how her pitchers "backtrack" to break down each pitch, and gives several keys from the perspective of the person catching the ball. She breaks down the pitching motion into four phases that will help the pitcher and coach identify where problems occur.

Mental Toughness
With the game on the line and the ball in her hand, a strong mental game can be the difference between a win and a loss. Mental toughness doesn't happen on its own; it's a skill that must be developed. Coach Gillette offers strategies to improve mental toughness and drills that require mental toughness to execute.

All Access Bullpen - "Pitcher Picks"
Watch a typical bullpen workout live with the Arizona State pitching staff. Day 1 is a "pitcher picks day" that lets the pitcher pick a pitch (usually her best) to work on. Coach Gillette puts the pitcher through a series of drills to breakdown the mechanics of the pitch. She offers corrections and feedback as pitchers execute each drill.

All Access Bullpen - "One-Two-Three"
This live bullpen session focuses on pitching strategy and execution. The pitchers do a "one-two-three" drill trying to throw a called strike on the first pitch and then expanding the plate and making batters chase pitches out of the zone. Coach Gillette wraps up the bullpen session by explaining what she was focusing on with each pitcher and why.

Fastball Mechanics Drills
Most advanced pitchers do not throw fastballs during a game. However, the mechanics for every pitch they throw are set up by the fastball. In this segment, Coach Gillette explains and demonstrates 25 pitching drills that can be used with not only the fastball, but with any pitch.

It is often said that pitching and defense win championships. No matter how you spin it, pitching is and will always be central to the game of softball. Order now and let Coach Boo Gillette show you how to prepare any pitcher for game day!

128 minutes. 2014.

Advanced Team Defense Drills for Softball

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with Patty Gasso, University of Oklahoma Head Coach;
2013 WCWS Champions; first ever WCWS champion to lead the nation in scoring and ERA;
Distinguished member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Hall of Fame (2012); Back-to-Back Big 12 Coach of the Year (2012-13); 6x Big 12 Coach of the Year;
2012 WCWS Runners-up, 2000 WCWS Champions, Over 1,000 career victories

Patty Gasso opens up her softball drill library and delivers 24 fast and challenging drills that will stretch your team defense. These infield and outfield drills are designed to improve players' fielding skills, range, footwork and conditioning.

WARM UP DRILLS
In this working warm up, Gasso demonstrates a five drill warm up circuit. Before taking the field, she demonstrates drills that include a weighted glove reaction drill, slide board leg work, and several wall ball drills.

On the field, Gasso demonstrates two team warm up drills: Around the World and Touch & Go. Around the World doubles as a warm up and conditioning drill for both infielders and outfielders. The Touch & Go drill works on creating athleticism and maximizing the players' range.

These drills will energize your team and set the tone for practice.

INFIELD DRILLS
Gasso runs her players through eight Infield Drills. These multifaceted drills work players all around the infield focusing on range, glove work, footwork, short hops, sliding with the throw, throwing on the run and more.

OUTFIELD DRILLS
The Outfield Drills include nine drills that work on becoming efficient in the outfield. These drills fine-tune all ares of outfield defense, including footwork, fielding ground balls with the forehand and backhand, throwing to bases, hitting relays and recovering from bad throws, playing the ball off the wall, taking good angles to the ball and going hard to get the out in foul territory.

Coach Gasso has molded the University of Oklahoma softball program into a national power. She has placed herself among the elite college softball coaches in the country, winning over 700 games at Oklahoma - and these drills play a large part in her success. This DVD is a must for coaches looking to take their athletes to new heights.

91 minutes. 2010.

Maximizing Indoor Softball Practice

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with Patty Gasso, University of Oklahoma Head Coach;
2013 WCWS Champions; first ever WCWS champion to lead the nation in scoring and ERA;
Distinguished member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Hall of Fame (2012); Back-to-Back Big 12 Coach of the Year (2012-13); 6x Big 12 Coach of the Year;
2012 WCWS Runners-up, 2000 WCWS Champions, Over 1,000 career victories

Coach Gasso guides you through an indoor practice that will help you utilize your space and time to the fullest! This video gives an in-depth practice plan and includes time allotment for each part of practice. Gasso includes many ideas for keeping your team working hard, practicing speed, agility, the fundamentals, defense, hitting, game situations, and more! Specifics such as: conditioning circuit stations, defense fundamental stations, communication drills, and team discussion goals make this a must-have for any softball coach's library.

1999. 45 minutes.

Station Drills for Batting Practice

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with Craig Nicholson, Arizona State University Head Coach;
former Ball State University Head Coach; 3x MAC Champions, 3x MAC Coach of the Year

Prepare your hitters to dominate at the plate! In this presentation, Arizona State University Head Coach Craig Nicholson offers a blueprint for running efficient, productive batting practices.

Coach Nicholson builds his presentation around a typical day of batting practice at Arizona State. You'll see a variety of drills that will help any hitter improve both their swing and their ability to make solid contact with the ball. The drills include both live batting practice drills as well as stationary hitting drills that help reinforce key hitting components of both the top and bottom hand. These drills emphasize the key fundamentals of staying inside the ball, keeping the hands back and driving them through the ball for as long as possible.

Coach Nicholson opens with an overview of a typical batting practice, discussing elements he incorporates into almost every team practice, his philosophy on hitting and ideas for staying inside the ball and the contact point.

In terms of mechanics, Coach Nicholson stresses the importance of staying inside the ball, which helps a hitter keep the ball in fair territory.

Defenses have five infielders to stop ground balls. This presentation will show you how to hit line drives or rising line drives to get the ball out of the infield.

Double BP
Double BP, in which two batters hit live pitches on the field, is a staple in Coach Nicholson's practices. This station allows the hitters to take several live cuts, working on their timing and tracking, in addition to swing mechanics. Coach Nicholson gives batters feedback after almost every swing, noting any adjustments they should make.

Tee Drills and Cage Work
Coach Nicholson shares three drills that his hitters perform at five stations in the batting cages. These drills are designed to break down a hitter's swing, allowing them to feel the individual parts of their swing before putting it all together. Coach Nicholson explains each station and has one of his coaches give a demonstration.

Front Toss
Front toss is important because it is a more controlled swing, and the pitcher can put the ball in more specific spots that they want the hitter to work on. The hitters take several rounds of front toss while a coach offers feedback on their swings. They also perform a "contact progression drill" that allows the hitter to check themselves at certain key points in the swing and feel how their body is supposed to work.

Designed for coaches and players alike, this presentation teaches hitting circuits that reinforce great techniques for better overall results. Get the most out of the time you have to develop key fundamental hitting techniques with the instruction offered here.

82 minutes. 2014.


All Access Softball Practice with Beth Torina

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with Beth Torina, LSU Head Coach;
former Head Coach at Florida International; 2x Sunbelt Conference Coach of the Year; former Head coach of the USSSA Florida Pride of the National Pro Fastpitch League

This All Access DVD offers a rare opportunity to step into a high-level college softball practice and see the drills they use to compete successfully at an elite level. The team focuses on skills to enhance individual performance, and then the coach brings them together to practice as a team. Watch as they go through warm-ups, conditioning drills, base-running drills, batting practice, position specific drills and team situational drills. Every aspect of the game is addressed with strategies that you can immediately put into your practice to get the most out of your players.

The LSU practice begins in the bullpen. First, the pitchers perform several drills designed to perfect the break points of their pitches. Later, the catchers practice their blocking and framing skills. The team comes together to work on base running, angles on extra base hits and lead offs at different bases. Finally, the infielders go through their warm-up routine and prepare for infield practice where they work on fielding ground balls using position-specific drills. They also practice coverage of the short game.

The LSU softball practice continues with hitting. The hitters practice their mental approaches to different scenarios, such as a runner at second base, a runner at third base and, finally, with bases loaded. To complete each scenario successfully, the ball is hit to a different spot. Practice continues with warm-up throws for outfielders. Next, do-or-die plays on ground balls and balls hit to the gaps are practiced. The session shifts to the batting cages where infielders go through a hitting circuit, rotating through several stations to practice weight transfer, follow-through and ball placement. Practice concludes with a full team scrimmage.

Day 2 of LSU softball practice begins with the pitchers warming up in the bullpen, playing a pitching game that involves hitting the corners of the plate. Base running follows as players work on reads at different bases and how to react to different types of hit balls. The team then splits up by position groups with outfielders practicing fence drills and infielders working on their range with balls hit to their sides. Full-field defense follows; infielders and outfielders work on "in-betweeners" and communication. In the final segment, infielders play against outfielders for points.

In this final installment from LSU softball, the team focuses on hitting. Practice begins with situational hitting drills that similar to the scenarios practiced on the previous day, that is, a runner at second base, a runner at third base and, finally, with bases loaded. Coach Dobson emphasizes pitch selection as the critical element in success. Practice shifts to the batting cage where the rest of the LSU hitters rotate through several hitting and bunting drills. Practice ends with a conditioning segment that includes several agility exercises with a focus on lateral explosiveness.

Watching this DVD will give any coach - novice or seasoned - drills and techniques that will push players to the next level of competition.

237 minutes (2 DVDs). 2014.

All Access videos are designed to allow viewers from all over the world to see how successful coaches run their practices in a "live" practice setting. All Access videos allow viewers to see the practices un-edited and in real-time. You will see how top coaches run their drills, interact with their team and staff, how they motivate their team, the cue words they use, the atmosphere of the practice and how practices are structured from day to day. Many coaches visit successful colleges and high schools to watch practice. But if you live out of state or out of the country, visiting another coach's practice can be costly. That's why we created the All Access Practice Series of videos -- to bring the practices to you!

Aggressive Offense: Baserunning and the Short Game

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with George Wares,
Central College Head Coach,
over 1,000 Career wins - winningest coach in NCAA Division III softball history;
Distinguished member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Hall of Fame (2007); 4x National Championship Coach

Don't wait for an opportunity to score-make your opportunities! This unique DVD combines two powerful elements for putting more runs on the board: Baserunning and the short game. George Wares shares the aggressive strategies that have been a big part of his 870+ career victories as a coach.

Aggressive baserunning can be the deciding factor in a close softball game. Coach Wares explains and demonstrates essential techniques and strategies at each base. He includes team drills to help you maximize practice time and improve the techniques--even if you have a small coaching staff. Also included are techniques for extra base hits and stealing situations.

Improve your baserunning with these essential techniques:

  • Getting down the first base line - Reach first base faster by using these simple techniques.
  • Rounding the bases - Take more extra bases this season with these aggressive strategies.
  • Jumping off and getting back - Maximize your lead and make the defense pay for even small errors.
  • Sliding head first - Eliminate the fear of diving and sliding head first with this simple drill progression.
  • Aggressive vs conservative base running - Produce more scoring opportunities with these base running strategies.

In addition to making your players better base runners, Wares' coaching cue words and base coaching concepts will improve your coaching at the bases.

The second phase of Wares' aggressive offense is the short game. Wares gives you a thorough small-ball lesson covering bunting and slapping techniques and game strategies.

You'll learn:

  • Three different styles of slapping footwork to maintain good balance and proper plate coverage
  • Tips to stay on the ball as long as possible for sharper slap hits.
  • How to read and react to the defense when you're slapping.
  • How to power slap to take advantage of a drawn-in infield.
  • Techniques to slap the outside pitch on a consistent basis.
  • How to bunt for a base hit on a defense that is playing back.
  • Drills to successfully execute a sacrifice bunt to advance runners.

By combining Wares' short game offense strategies with his aggressive base running techniques you can constantly pressure the defense to make difficult plays, increase the chances of defensive errors and improve your run totals.

Create more scoring opportunities for your team this season with this two-in-one DVD!

119 minutes. 2010.

Slap Hitting Mechanics and Drills for Softball 2-Pack

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SD-04232C: with Ehren Earleywine, University of Missouri Head Softball Coach;
3 WCWS appearances; 2x Big 12 Coach of the Year; 3xNFCA Midwest Coach of the Year; over 280 career wins

Most softball coaches agree that speed doesn't slump. Now 2x Big 12 Coach of the Year Ehren Earleywine helps you take advantage of your team speed using effective slap hitting mechanics.

Coach Earleywine begins by presenting a few of the major goals of slapping. He discusses the three different types of slaps - The Tap Slap, Regular Slap and Power Slap - and the mechanics needed to be consistent from the plate regardless of the pitch. For each type of slap, Earleywine shows video of his Missouri slappers and has a few of his players demonstrate correct and incorrect mechanics.

Next, Coach Earleywine reveals four variations of footwork that slappers can utilize. As his players demonstrate the footwork, he discusses the pros and cons for each. He also discusses slappers having either slow or fast feet, and the benefits and drawbacks of both.

Coach Earleywine moves on to the hands and introduces four different types of grips that slappers can use. He covers the correct positioning of the hands, bat angle, and approach to the ball for slappers. Earleywine talks about the ideal bat plane for a slapper and how that bat plane will vary based on the type of pitch they are thrown. He has his players demonstrate and shows video to further explain his approach.

You'll also hear Coach Earleywine's discuss his coaching philosophy on slapping. He talks about when to slap, some common situations when slapping would be an ideal weapon, and which type of slap to use. He also points out a few situations when slapping would not be a go-to strategy. Finally, Earleywine offers some general tips to slappers about strategy and practice ideas.

Use Coach Earleywine's mechanics and strategy ideas to turn your slappers into base hit machines!

65 minutes. 2013.



SD-04232D: with Ehren Earleywine, University of Missouri Head Softball Coach;
3 WCWS appearances; 2x Big 12 Coach of the Year; 3xNFCA Midwest Coach of the Year; over 280 career wins

Get the most out of your practice time with slap drills that will keep your slappers' batting average up and strike out percentage down.

Ehren Earleywine follows up his slapping mechanics DVD by introducing 18 different drills he uses to help develop his University of Missouri slappers. For each drill presented, Coach Earleywine discusses the key coaching points as a few of his slappers demonstrate. He also presents video analysis of three different types of slaps, to help address coaching points for several of the drills.

These drills cover every aspect of slapping, starting with footwork and the importance of slappers running in a straight line out of the batter's box. Earleywine introduces a toe touch tee drill to put the slapper into the launch position and isolate the mechanics of the upper body.

Many of the drills Earleywine talks about emphasize developing the proper bat plane. To illustrate the importance of getting on plane with a pitch, he shows video of his slappers hitting various pitches. Earleywine introduces a few of the tee drills he uses to work on bat plane with rise and drop balls. He also shows a few innovative ways to throw front toss that simulates rise and drop balls, including a tennis ball bounce drill.

Often, slappers are naturally right handed, and therefore have weaker left hands. Coach Earleywine shows one-handed slap drills to strengthen the left hand, as well as hitting away and using a heavier bat.

Bat control is also of vital importance to slappers. Earleywine provides two drills designed to work on bat control through ball placement. You will also learn a few drills for eye hand coordination and timing.

This DVD will be an asset to softball coaches at any level. Use Coach Earleywine's drills to develop every aspect of your team's slapping game and dominate the batter's box!

47 minutes. 2013.



Open Practice with Patty Gasso

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with Patty Gasso, Oklahoma University Head Coach;
2013 WCWS Champions; first ever WCWS champion to lead the nation in scoring and ERA;
Distinguished member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Hall of Fame (2012); Back-to-Back Big 12 Coach of the Year (2012-13); 6x Big 12 Coach of the Year; 2012 WCWS Runners-up, 2000 WCWS Champions, Over 1,000 career victories

See how Patty Gasso molds her team into one of the best, year after year. Coach Gasso opens practice with aggressive angle-down plays and drills, and then moves on to infield and outfield defensive drills. Finally, the team takes batting practice in the cages and pitchers get a quick pitching workout in the bullpen.

Here's a breakdown on how Coach Gasso proceeds through her DVD presentation.

Team Drills: Angle Down, Range, and Ball Reading Drills
Coach Gasso begins practice with angle-down plays, as players alternate between hitting in this situation, and running the bases. This is a very quick-paced routine with lots of offensive skills being practiced in a short period of time. Players are then challenged to extend their range as they move on to infield and outfield drills. Gasso pulls the entire team together for ball-reading drills, in which coaches hit bloopers between the infielders and outfielders. This gives the defense a chance to improve communication and overall awareness of the field.

Infield drills
Coach Gasso breaks the team into positions and focuses on the foundation of a good defense. The infielders use smaller gloves and balls to perfect their footwork and glove work before moving on to practice executing on balls hit to either side, throwing on the run, and double plays. You'll see Coach Gasso's time-based drill, where the infielders try to beat the clock. This is one of several techniques that Coach Gasso to prepare her defense for pressure they'll encounter in game situations.

Outfield drills
Similar to infield drills, the fundamentals and drop steps of outfield drills are practiced using smaller balls and no gloves. Players gradually progress to drills where they must track batted balls and field fly balls from a pitching machine. Coach Gasso spends a significant amount of time working with her outfielders on balls hit into the gaps. These plays require the outfielder to cut off the ball and come up throwing quickly, while keeping the arm action of the throw short. By getting these balls cut off and back to the infield quickly, the defense can stop runners from advancing and scoring.

Batting cages
The action shifts to the batting cages where the hitters rotate through four different stations. Multiple stations enable hitters to accomplish more in a shorter amount of time. The Sooner hitters work on fundamentals from two tee stations. They also have a front toss and live cage, allowing them to see several pitches thrown live to them, giving them a chance to practice their timing and approach.

Bullpen Pitching
Coach Gasso's practice session ends at the bullpen, where one a pitcher goes through a series of drills, preparing to throw live on the field. After performing a few drills to work on fundamentals, the pitcher warm-ups up all of her pitches in a specific sequence. The first few drills are physical drills, but the final drill is a performance drill involving pitch sequence combinations. It is important to work both on physical drills and performance-execution drills, as pitching live to hitters requires proficiency in both.

One player at a time, position by position, until they're working in unison, Coach Gasso shows you her secrets for preparing her team. This is a must-see video to help bring your team to the next level.

93 minutes. 2014.

Infield and Outfield Skills & Drills

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with Tim Walton, University of Florida Head Coach;
2015 National Champions - Back-to-Back WCWS Titles (2014-15);
2013 SEC Coach of the Year, 4x SEC Coach of the Year;
3x SEC Champions;
has led Florida to seven Women's College World Series appearances in eight years (2008-15);
over 600 career wins; 2015 USA Softball Junior Women's National Team Assistant Coach

Coach Walton knows how to maximize his fielders' performance and has a record setting 70-win season to prove it. With the help of his Assistant Coach Jenny Gladding, Walton shows you an extensive list of drills they use to get the most out of their infield and outfield. Ground balls, short hops, double plays, bunts, plays at the plate, deep fly balls, drop steps and plays off the wall are just some of the skills and exercises Walton delivers. He also covers the importance of good communication, working with other fielders, getting every player involved and being prepared for any defensive situation. A great team starts with a great defense, so prepare your team with these proven drills.

109 minutes. 2009.

A to Z Guide to Catching Mechanics and Drills

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with Boo Gillette, Arizona State University Assistant Softball Coach;
3x All-Big Ten catcher at the University of Wisconsin, former Assistant Coach at Purdue and University of North Carolina

Former All -Big Ten catcher Boo Gillette delves into one of the most critical positions on the diamond - the catcher - dissecting and analyzing the skills necessary to ensure top performance. Coach Gillette covers every aspect of catching such as characteristics of a good catcher, communication with the pitcher and umpire, equipment, stance and framing, fielding bunts and plays at the plate. She also demonstrates a comprehensive progression of catching drills that her players use daily to improve fundamental skills.

Throughout the video Gillette provides a valuable mix of coaching instruction and live teaching as she coaches her players through a practice.

Basic Drills and Catching Circuit
Coach Gillette demonstrates four basic framing drills that her catchers use daily to improve their receiving skills. This challenging circuit builds strength, improves agility and reinforces basic catching fundamentals. The circuit consists of various skills like catching pitch-outs, catching foul balls, blocking, framing and making plays at the plate.

Receiving
On a borderline pitch, soft hands and good framing can be the difference between a called strike and a ball (and keep the umpire in your corner). Coach Gillette explains the essentials on how catchers set their stance and call pitches. In addition, she shares two ways to get the catcher's body to the pitch. She also discusses the strategy of setting up late, hiding the signal and how the catcher should position the glove when catching the ball.

Blocking
Effective blocking can stop runners from advancing and keep runs off the board. It gives the pitcher confidence that the catcher can knock down a pitch in any situation. Coach Gillette demonstrates the correct mechanics for blocking pitches in the dirt and to either side of the catcher. She also demonstrates how to get down to the ground quickly.

Throwing
A quick throw to the bases can prevent steals or keep runners from advancing to the next base. Coach Gillette discusses throwing from the knees and throwing from the feet. She shares footwork techniques and body positions for each, using demonstrations with a batter in the box.

Fielding and Plays at the Plate
To ensure the out, Coach Gillette demonstrates how to split the plate and shares the proper mechanics for accurately fielding a bunt down the third or first baseline. Understanding how to make plays at the plate is critical since, in these situations, the catcher is the only person standing in the way of a baserunner scoring. Coach Gillette explains how the catcher should position her body, awaiting the throw from any position on the field. She also discusses how to block the plate with either one or two knees, depending on the situation.

Boo Gillette shares her passion for catching in this "A to Z guide" to this key defensive position. Use this resource to prepare your catchers for any situation the game - or the pitcher - may throw at her. This is a must-have video for any coach at any level!

66 minutes. 2014.

Open Practice: Infield and Outfield Drills

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with Craig Nicholson, Arizona State University Head Coach;
former Ball State University Head Coach; 3x MAC Champions, 3x MAC Coach of the Year

and Katie Schroeder, Arizona State University Assistant Coach;
2x All-American, and four-year starter in center field at UCLA

Go on the field for two live practices with Arizona State Head Softball Coach Craig Nicholson. Get an up-close look at drills you can to prepare infielders and outfielders for game day. Coach Nicholson develops his infielders' footwork, teaching them to field the ball on any hop, while assistant coach Katie Schroeder works with the outfielders on fly balls.

Practice 1: Infield Drills
Good footwork is especially important to infielders whose feet put their bodies and hands in a position to make plays. The segment begins with an "every day" progression of ground ball drills. Coach Nicholson feeds balls directly at each player, gradually increasing the range to each side. These drills, which allow the coach to monitor and help players with their footwork, teach infielders to read the ball and get comfortable in their positions.

Practice 1: Outfield Drills
The outfielders execute three drills. They begin with an over-the-shoulder drill that trains the mechanics of the drop-step-and-reach, which is used to quickly and effectively get balls that are hit over players' heads. The second drill focuses on the footwork and body position of getting behind the ball, which helps create forward momentum for making strong, accurate throws back into the infield. Finally, the outfield works on fly balls hit close to the wall, training the fielders to make plays at or near the wall.

Practice 2: Infield
The second practice opens with infielders working on turning double play balls. Coach Nicholson feeds balls to the middle infielders, starting with balls hit close to the base. He gradually extends the range and works on fielders throwing from different arm angles. These drills give you a chance to work closely with your athletes and provide immediate feedback and correction to each middle infielder. The practice progresses to fungo drills, where Coach Nicholson hits different types of groundballs to all of the infielders, giving them a chance to work on their footwork and different types of throws.

Practice 2: Outfield
Assistant coach Katie Schroeder discusses the skills outfielders need to be successful. She gives coaching points on reading line drives, pumping the arms while running and making a good crow hop on throws. The practice session begins with Coach Schroeder tossing balls in front of outfielders, giving them a chance to practice shoestring catches. The outfield progresses to ground balls and fly balls, allowing them to read the ball off the bat at game-like speed.

See how to run a productive, drill-based practice, and train your fielders to be quicker to the ball and play flawless defense.

101 minutes. 2014.


Building a Championship Hitter

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with Howard Dobson, LSU Assistant Coach;
2014 USA Women's Softball National Team Assistant Coach;
Assistant Coach for the 2012 USA Softball Elite Team; former Southern Mississippi Head Coach

Not every hitter is the same, but to be successful, every hitter needs to master the basic fundamentals of hitting.

USA Softball Elite Team assistant coach Howard Dobson explores every facet of the swing, showing some of most common flaws that hitters exhibit, while demonstrating his overall philosophies on hitting to develop the correct mechanics a hitter needs to be successful at the plate.

The Stance
As elementary as it may seem, the batting stance has a significant impact on the swing, setting a hitter up for success or failure. Coach Dobson develops the swing from the ground up, because power and force come from the ground. He covers every detail of an effective set-up for the lower body - an athletic, balanced position with the body stacked.

Bat Placement
By starting with your body in the correct position, there are fewer moving parts that can break down. Dobson delivers an essential demonstration lecture on gripping the bat, bat placement, body posture, head angle, and more. Each technique relates back to minimizing bat movement to create a quicker, more effective swing.

The Stride
Coach Dobson takes on a somewhat contentious topic in softball, the linear weight shift. He begins by discussing the load and stride, and also explains when to load based on the pitcher you are facing. He also explains the correct technique for the stride, which part of the foot should land first, and purposes of the stride. A proper load is necessary for good weight transfer, and a well-timed stride will help enhance timing.

Contact
Learn why it's important to keep the hips behind the barrel and the hands close to the body. Good hip movement helps batters deliver strong contact on an outside pitch. Learn how to extend through the ball to stay in the zone and develop consistency in your swing.

Finishing
At times, too much emphasis is placed on the finish of the swing. According to Coach Dobson, the finish of the swing should happen naturally. He also tackles questions like where to stand in the box and how to make adjustments to box position based on the pitcher. Each pitcher throws differently and will dictate a somewhat different approach.

It is easy to see why Coach Dobson has produced some of the best hitters in the game. His passion and enthusiasm for the art of hitting are contagious!

87 minutes. 2013.

Aggressive Defensive Strategies

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with Patty Gasso, Oklahoma University Head Coach;
2013 WCWS Champions; first ever WCWS champion to lead the nation in scoring and ERA;
Distinguished member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Hall of Fame (2012); Back-to-Back Big 12 Coach of the Year (2012-13); 6x Big 12 Coach of the Year; 2012 WCWS Runners-up, 2000 WCWS Champions, Over 1,000 career victories

As Patty Gasso says and many coaches would agree, defense wins championships. In this DVD, Coach Gasso explores the aggressive defensive mindset, strategies, and drills that have helped her Oklahoma Sooners win two NCAA National Championships. She begins with bunt and slap defense, moves on to defending the steal, covers first and third situations, and touches on relays.

Bunt and slap defense
The defense can better prepare itself if it knows what to expect from the offense. Coach Gasso begins her presentation by explaining the different defensive approaches she uses with a runner at first base, a common bunting scenario. Coach Gasso explains how her team handles bunt defense, and has her defense demonstrate coverage. She also delves into defending against slappers and bunt coverage with multiple runners on base, situations that place pressure on the defense to execute.

Steal
With one or more runners on base, many offenses will choose to challenge the catcher by stealing to advance runners, rather than give the defense an out with a bunt. Coach Gasso shows how to neutralize the steal, using good communication between the fielders and different steal coverage. A steal attempt requires the defense to be quick and accurate, so knowing how to anticipate steals and position the defense accordingly is critical.

Double plays
Coach Gasso believes in an aggressive style of defense with fielders playing to get the lead out when runners are on base. This opens up the door for double plays. Coach Gasso and her team demonstrate turning double plays from all positions on the field. A defense that can convert a double play when there are runners on base has a better chance at getting out of the situation without giving up a run.

First and third situations
First and third situations put pressure on a defense to execute as players must make quick decisions and accurate throws. Even though first and third situations don't happen very often, Coach Gasso places special emphasis on them. If these situations aren't handled correctly, the offense can score without the batter ever touching the ball. She has six options for defensive plays that she runs against a first and third situation. Gasso has her defense demonstrate the plays, and offers advice on when to use each option.

Relays
A good relay will get the ball from the outfield to the infield quickly, preventing an offense from advancing and scoring. Coach Gasso's team demonstrates different ways to handle relays depending on where the ball is hit, and offers advice on how to set up the cut-offs.

Although offense is becoming a focal point of the game of softball, a good defense can help neutralize an opponent's powerful offense. If an opponent can't score on your team, they can't beat you. Coach Gasso shows you how to keep an opponent's offense at bay by creating an airtight defense. The results will show in the win column.

54 minutes. 2014.

The Softball Pitching Factory: Windmill Pitching 101!

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with Nancy Evans,
DePaul University Assistant Coach;
former University of Arizona Assistant Softball Coach,
#1 All-time Winning Percentage in NCAA (.938) as a player, 1998 National Player of the Year, 6 NCAA Championships (as player & coach)

Coach Nancy Evans has been successful at every level of her playing and coaching career, as she developed into the top college pitcher as a two-time All-American and has the all-time NCAA best winning percentage (.938), currently plays professional softball and coaches at one of the premiere college softball programs in the US. Through her experience and instruction, Coach Evans has gained a comprehensive knowledge in every aspect of becoming a complete pitcher and shares in this video the step-by-step progression to develop and succeed as a windmill pitcher. Using one-on-one player-coach demonstration, Evans breaks down every step in the pitching process from choosing the best grip to the full pitch and fielding position. Coach Evans moves through a progression of drills to develop the correct mechanics in every stage of the pitch and strongly emphasizes mastering skills through relentless repetition and consistent practice routines in route to better accuracy, correct spin, and pitch speed. This step by step progression of the basics and fundamentals of windmill pitching can be applied and practiced at any level from beginner to advanced, and is essential to learning how to pitch the correct way!

77 minutes. 2005.

Biomechanics and Drills for Developing Great Hitters

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with Randy Schneider, University of Wisconsin Associate Head Coach;
2013 Big Ten Tournament Champions;
Former head coach at Valparaiso University, where he left as the programs all-time wins leader; 2008 Horizon League Co-Coach of the Year

To maximum success, a great swing needs the correct sequence of movements. In this instructional and informative video, Randy Schneider offers physics-based drills that teach the key fundamentals of a bio-mechanically sound swing. Coach Schneider shares drills for each phase of the swing, as well as drills to train vision. He also shares his thoughts on differential learning to help structure practices to produce the most learning.

Stance and Load Drills
A strong stance is critical to putting the hitter in a good position to generate power using the ground. Coach Schneider explains principles of the stance and offers two drills to teach hitters how to get into a strong stance position. He also explains how to activate the hands with a load and demonstrates three drills to work on the load phase of the swing.

Connection and Contact Point Drills
Connection is when the forces of the upper and lower body are added together. Good connection and contact help the hitter stay on plane longer, giving them them the opportunity to hit more balls solidly. Because connection is so important to the swing, Coach Schneider shows two drills that work specifically on getting into a good connection position. He also shares six drills to practice moving from connection to, and through, contact.

Coach Schneider continues his presentation with a number of other drills he uses with his hitters, including vision drills that work specifically on seeing the ball well. He offers valuable advice for hitting change-ups, and shares a drill he uses to practice staying back on off-speed pitches.

The best way to teach any skill is to give players the feeling of proper movement. Coach Schneider shares 19 drills to help you give your hitters that feeling and to put them on track for hitting success.

80 minutes. 2014.

Mega Softball Drills: Hitting

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with John Tschida, University of St. Thomas Head Coach;
Over 770 career wins; highest winning percentage in D-III softball history (.850 winning percentage);
3x national championship coach, first coach to win national title at two schools;
2x NFCA Division III National Coach of the Year; 11x MIAC Coach of the Year

Develop a short, quick, efficient swing!

Step into the batter's box with three-time national championship coach, John Tschida, as he leads you through a comprehensive video library of all the drills needed to perfect the fundamentals and the mechanics required to drive the softball.

To open, Coach Tschida demonstrates, step-by-step, how to build a mechanically proper swing. He then leads you through 70 common mistakes players make in their swings and shows you how you can help them correct these faults. Tschida's covers the fundamentals, faults and corrections for the:

  • Stance
  • Loading Phase of the Swing
  • Unloading Phase of the Swing
  • Rotation Phase of the Swing
  • Bat Lag Phase of the Swing
  • Contact Phase of the Swing
  • Extension Phase of the Swing
  • And more.

From there, Tschida demonstrates over 110 hitting drills that you can use with your team to ensure they are using proper form. These drills cover the areas of rhythm and timing, load and trigger, linear stride, rotation, power and bat speed, elbow connection and contact, extension, bat control, and adjustments.

The fundamentals, drills and corrections shown in this video will help you develop more fundamentally sound hitters for your team.

265 minutes (2 DVDs). 2009.

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