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The Change Up "For the Younger Pitcher"

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with Jerry Johnson, former Mountain State University Assistant Coach/Pitching Coach

This DVD is unique because it utilizes six pitchers. All six of the pitchers will pitch one or more change up pitches. They will throw several different stiff wrist change ups, open hand change ups and the flip change. It is my opinion that all pitchers should have two good change ups and a good off speed drop ball. Young pitchers normally do not have good change ups, simply because it is not pitched enough in practice; there is too much interest in "SPEED."

"I recommend pitchers have one day a week to alternately throw the fastball and change up for 45 minutes, This will make a tremendous difference in their change up mechanics. When thrown correctly a good change up will not only intimidate a batter, but it also puts the pitcher in control of the game. Remember "Practice and commitment make the difference!" - Jerry Johnson

57 minutes.


7 Steps of Hitting

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with Crystl Bustos, 3x US Olympic Medalist (2 Gold and a Silver); 3x Pan American Gold Medalist; 2008 USA Softball Player of the Year; holds the record for most home runs during an Olympic Series (6)

Crystl Bustos, one of the Legends of Softball has a number of awards to her name and also holds the record for the most home runs in the Olympic Games. Now you can learn the drills and steps Crystl used and teaches players of all ages at her camps, clinics and lessons.Crystl has perfected uses and teaches The 7 Steps of Hitting, which lays the groundwork for new players or seasoned veterans who want to gain more power at the plate.

These are drills she and hitting Coach Howard Carrier have developed to instill the basics for any hitter. Their constant statement has always been "we are not trying to make you better hitters but smarter hitters".

Crystl's approach works with players of any age and size because she teaches the skills needed for constant contact and allows the player to then develop their own style of hitting.

25 minutes. 2012.

Fix It

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with Crystl Bustos, 3x US Olympic Medalist (2 Gold and a Silver); 3x Pan American Gold Medalist; 2008 USA Softball Player of the Year; holds the record for most home runs during an Olympic Series (6)

If you have been to a Got Bustos? Camp or clinic or used Crystl's Hitting Skills and Drills DVD and notice there are still some things not working the way you want, then this is the DVD for you!

Crystl goes over different scenarios explaining the outcome you may have noticed and lets the player know why the outcome you noticed happens. From "dipping your shoulder" which she explains is actually not clearing your back elbow to hitting those long, sky high foul balls that encourage everyone in the stands to yell "now just straighten it out" Crystl now explains why those things happen, what you can do to help fix the problem and which drills to go back and work on again.

Unfortunately not everyone can have Crystl in their hometown for a camp, clinic or private lessons, but with the help of this series of DVD's Crystl has put together players, parents and coaches can now have access to the information used by Crystl that helped her achieve her place in the record books.

76 minutes. 2012.

Hitting Workout Skills and Drills

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with Crystl Bustos, 3x US Olympic Medalist (2 Gold and a Silver); 3x Pan American Gold Medalist; 2008 USA Softball Player of the Year; holds the record for most home runs during an Olympic Series (6)

If you want to learn from the best but can't find a camp or clinic in your area you can still learn from one of the best female hitters to ever step up to the plate.

With the Hitting Skills and Drills DVD Crystl starts at the beginning of one of her workouts and will walk you through every step just like she would if she was in front of you at an event. These are drills she and hitting Coach Howard Carrier have developed to instill the basics for any hitter. Their constant statement has always been "we are not trying to make you better hitters but smarter hitters".

Follow along while Crystl explains the different drills she teaches and still uses her self and what her reasoning is for each one she teaches. Her approach works with players of any age and size because she teaches the skills needed for constant contact and allows the player to then develop their own style of hitting. And, unlike attending a camp or clinic where you only have the opportunity to watch and learn during the event, you can now watch and learn over and over at your own pace using your own equipment.

55 minutes. 2012.

High Performance Pitching: The Rise Ball

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with Melyssa Lombardi,
Oklahoma University Associate Head Coach/Pitching Coach;
2013 National Champions; has coached five pitchers and three catchers to 15 combined All-American honors; five-time member of the NFCA Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, and 2012)

Melyssa Lombardi explains a pitch that has been key to the success of the Oklahoma Sooners pitching staff: the rise ball. Coach Lombardi breaks down many facets of the rise ball, including proper mechanics, drills, and strategies for when, how, and where to throw the rise.

Rise ball basics
There are three keys to a good rise ball-correct spin, speed of the pitch, and late break. A rise ball featuring these elements will put pressure on a hitter. Coach Lombardi explains the benefits of the rise ball, and how it can make other pitches look even better.

Fundamentals and mechanics
Coach Lombardi provides an in-depth explanation of the proper mechanics for throwing a good rise. Watch as she teaches one of her pitchers how to grip the rise with either two or four seams. The correct grip, body posture, and getting into a good position at release will assist the pitcher in throwing a late-breaking pitch with good backwards spin. Coach Lombardi identifies some common mistakes associated with throwing the rise and also gives suggestions for correcting typical problems.

Drills
Coach Lombardi offers several drill progressions, with variations, for throwing a great rise ball. The pitcher starts by throwing spins to themselves, progressing to throwing to a catcher while isolating the upper body, and gradually moving farther and farther back and incorporating more of the body. By isolating parts of the body and gradually incorporating more, the pitcher can focus on how the correct execution feels for each part of the body before putting it all together.

Throwing the rise
It is often said that the most important thing in pitching is location, location, location. Coach Lombardi explains the three different levels of the strike zone for a rise ball, and when and how to throw to each level. Knowing and understanding the strategy behind how, when, and where to throw the rise will make the pitcher more effective on the mound.

Pitches that change planes are often very effective against hitters, drawing many swings and misses, because the bat is fairly thin compared to its longer length. Coach Lombardi will show you how to rack up the strikeouts by throwing a great rise.

50 minutes. 2014.

High Performance Pitching: Mental Skills & Drills

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with Melyssa Lombardi,
Oklahoma University Associate Head Coach/Pitching Coach;
2013 National Champions; has coached five pitchers and three catchers to 15 combined All-American honors; five-time member of the NFCA Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, and 2012)

At the higher levels of the game of softball, mental skills more than the physical skills separate the great players from the good ones. Pitching requires more mental toughness than any other position and the game often rests on the pitcher's shoulder. Melyssa Lombardi offers several strategies and drills to enhance performance when the game is on the line.

Performance skills
Coach Lombardi offers two segments of her pitcher's bullpen sessions: physical skills and performance skills. The performance skill segment is built around utilizing four mental strategies: breathing/routine, narrow focus, staying in the present, and accepting/adjusting. Coach Lombardi explains each strategy, and shows how each one helps calm the pitcher and keeps her focused, therefore helping to maximize performance.

Performance and numbers
Coach Lombardi's pitchers stay focused on performance by using numbers to grade the movement, location, and speed of their pitches. She explains the rating scale, as well as how to use it during practice and drills. This helps pitchers rate themselves on how they are throwing each pitch without worrying about mechanics, which can distract performance. Using these ratings can also help the pitcher and coach identify pitches that are working well, and those that need improvement.

Performance drills
In crucial game situations, the focus will often be on the pitcher, which can put her under a lot of pressure. Coach Lombardi offers four drills designed to help her pitchers understand their strengths and weaknesses, and to work through pressure situations. The more a pitcher practices performing under pressure, the better prepared she will be for the pressures of an actual game.

Conditioning drills
Pitching is a skill that requires the athlete to repeatedly exert near-maximal effort in throwing each pitch. During the course of a game, pitchers will often throw over 100 pitches, making pitching a very intense, cardiovascular activity. Because of this, it is important for pitchers to stay in peak physical condition. Coach Lombardi offers two challenging conditioning drills to build the endurance and strength to make it through a full ball game.

A pitcher who is able to peak under pressure is every coach's dream. Let Coach Lombardi show you the skills to get your pitchers to be at their best when the game is on the line!

71 minutes. 2014.

High Performance Pitching: The Change-Up

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with Melyssa Lombardi,
Oklahoma University Associate Head Coach/Pitching Coach;
2013 National Champions; has coached five pitchers and three catchers to 15 combined All-American honors; five-time member of the NFCA Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, and 2012)

It is often said that hitting is timing, and consequently, pitching is disrupting timing. Oklahoma Associate Head Coach Melyssa Lombardi gives you an inside look at one of the pitches that has helped make the Sooners' nearly unhittable: the change-up. Coach Lombardi talks about three different types of change-up releases. She explains how to throw each, and offers drills to perfect the change.

Goals and Focal Points
Coach Lombardi opens her presentation with an explanation of the goals she has for her pitching staff. She identifies focal points for the change-up: release, arm speed, and the follow through. These are the keys to taking speed off the pitch, and allowing the pitch to have late break, which are important characteristics of a good change-up.

Types of change-up releases
Coach Lombardi introduces three different types of change-up releases-the flip, drop, and shove. She teaches each release using her own pitchers to demonstrate the mechanics of the movement. She emphasizes the importance of teaching more than one option to pitchers, stressing that different types of releases may work better for different pitchers.

Mechanics
Coach Lombardi moves on to the basic mechanics required to throw the change-up pitch. No matter which release the pitcher chooses, the grip should be fairly consistent. Coach Lombardi teaches two different grips for holding the change-up that will disguise it from opposing coaches and hitters. A good follow-through is important because it helps create the desired late break on the ball. The follow-through of the pitch will vary some depending which change-up release is used.

Drills
Coach Lombardi takes a pitcher through three drills that she uses when working on the change-up. These drills train pitchers use their awareness of body positioning to know when they're ready for the change-up. Lombardi also offers variations of these drills, and explains her philosophy of doing sets of small reps.

Troubleshooting
As with any pitch, things will occasionally go wrong with the change-up. Coach Lombardi discusses some of the common flaws pitchers encounter and offers corrections to help get her back on track faster.

The change-up is a crucial pitch because it makes other pitches look even faster. The change-up will help your pitchers dominate on the mound and will take your pitching game to a championship level.

41 minutes. 2014.

High Performance Pitching 3-Pack

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SD-04527A: with Melyssa Lombardi,
Oklahoma University Associate Head Coach/Pitching Coach;
2013 National Champions; has coached five pitchers and three catchers to 15 combined All-American honors; five-time member of the NFCA Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, and 2012)

At the higher levels of the game of softball, mental skills more than the physical skills separate the great players from the good ones. Pitching requires more mental toughness than any other position and the game often rests on the pitcher's shoulder. Melyssa Lombardi offers several strategies and drills to enhance performance when the game is on the line.

Performance skills
Coach Lombardi offers two segments of her pitcher's bullpen sessions: physical skills and performance skills. The performance skill segment is built around utilizing four mental strategies: breathing/routine, narrow focus, staying in the present, and accepting/adjusting. Coach Lombardi explains each strategy, and shows how each one helps calm the pitcher and keeps her focused, therefore helping to maximize performance.

Performance and numbers
Coach Lombardi's pitchers stay focused on performance by using numbers to grade the movement, location, and speed of their pitches. She explains the rating scale, as well as how to use it during practice and drills. This helps pitchers rate themselves on how they are throwing each pitch without worrying about mechanics, which can distract performance. Using these ratings can also help the pitcher and coach identify pitches that are working well, and those that need improvement.

Performance drills
In crucial game situations, the focus will often be on the pitcher, which can put her under a lot of pressure. Coach Lombardi offers four drills designed to help her pitchers understand their strengths and weaknesses, and to work through pressure situations. The more a pitcher practices performing under pressure, the better prepared she will be for the pressures of an actual game.

Conditioning drills
Pitching is a skill that requires the athlete to repeatedly exert near-maximal effort in throwing each pitch. During the course of a game, pitchers will often throw over 100 pitches, making pitching a very intense, cardiovascular activity. Because of this, it is important for pitchers to stay in peak physical condition. Coach Lombardi offers two challenging conditioning drills to build the endurance and strength to make it through a full ball game.

A pitcher who is able to peak under pressure is every coach's dream. Let Coach Lombardi show you the skills to get your pitchers to be at their best when the game is on the line!

71 minutes. 2014.



SD-04527B: with Melyssa Lombardi,
Oklahoma University Associate Head Coach/Pitching Coach;
2013 National Champions; has coached five pitchers and three catchers to 15 combined All-American honors; five-time member of the NFCA Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, and 2012)

It is often said that hitting is timing, and consequently, pitching is disrupting timing. Oklahoma Associate Head Coach Melyssa Lombardi gives you an inside look at one of the pitches that has helped make the Sooners' nearly unhittable: the change-up. Coach Lombardi talks about three different types of change-up releases. She explains how to throw each, and offers drills to perfect the change.

Goals and Focal Points
Coach Lombardi opens her presentation with an explanation of the goals she has for her pitching staff. She identifies focal points for the change-up: release, arm speed, and the follow through. These are the keys to taking speed off the pitch, and allowing the pitch to have late break, which are important characteristics of a good change-up.

Types of change-up releases
Coach Lombardi introduces three different types of change-up releases-the flip, drop, and shove. She teaches each release using her own pitchers to demonstrate the mechanics of the movement. She emphasizes the importance of teaching more than one option to pitchers, stressing that different types of releases may work better for different pitchers.

Mechanics
Coach Lombardi moves on to the basic mechanics required to throw the change-up pitch. No matter which release the pitcher chooses, the grip should be fairly consistent. Coach Lombardi teaches two different grips for holding the change-up that will disguise it from opposing coaches and hitters. A good follow-through is important because it helps create the desired late break on the ball. The follow-through of the pitch will vary some depending which change-up release is used.

Drills
Coach Lombardi takes a pitcher through three drills that she uses when working on the change-up. These drills train pitchers use their awareness of body positioning to know when they're ready for the change-up. Lombardi also offers variations of these drills, and explains her philosophy of doing sets of small reps.

Troubleshooting
As with any pitch, things will occasionally go wrong with the change-up. Coach Lombardi discusses some of the common flaws pitchers encounter and offers corrections to help get her back on track faster.

The change-up is a crucial pitch because it makes other pitches look even faster. The change-up will help your pitchers dominate on the mound and will take your pitching game to a championship level.

41 minutes. 2014.



SD-04527C: with Melyssa Lombardi,
Oklahoma University Associate Head Coach/Pitching Coach;
2013 National Champions; has coached five pitchers and three catchers to 15 combined All-American honors; five-time member of the NFCA Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, and 2012)

Melyssa Lombardi explains a pitch that has been key to the success of the Oklahoma Sooners pitching staff: the rise ball. Coach Lombardi breaks down many facets of the rise ball, including proper mechanics, drills, and strategies for when, how, and where to throw the rise.

Rise ball basics
There are three keys to a good rise ball-correct spin, speed of the pitch, and late break. A rise ball featuring these elements will put pressure on a hitter. Coach Lombardi explains the benefits of the rise ball, and how it can make other pitches look even better.

Fundamentals and mechanics
Coach Lombardi provides an in-depth explanation of the proper mechanics for throwing a good rise. Watch as she teaches one of her pitchers how to grip the rise with either two or four seams. The correct grip, body posture, and getting into a good position at release will assist the pitcher in throwing a late-breaking pitch with good backwards spin. Coach Lombardi identifies some common mistakes associated with throwing the rise and also gives suggestions for correcting typical problems.

Drills
Coach Lombardi offers several drill progressions, with variations, for throwing a great rise ball. The pitcher starts by throwing spins to themselves, progressing to throwing to a catcher while isolating the upper body, and gradually moving farther and farther back and incorporating more of the body. By isolating parts of the body and gradually incorporating more, the pitcher can focus on how the correct execution feels for each part of the body before putting it all together.

Throwing the rise
It is often said that the most important thing in pitching is location, location, location. Coach Lombardi explains the three different levels of the strike zone for a rise ball, and when and how to throw to each level. Knowing and understanding the strategy behind how, when, and where to throw the rise will make the pitcher more effective on the mound.

Pitches that change planes are often very effective against hitters, drawing many swings and misses, because the bat is fairly thin compared to its longer length. Coach Lombardi will show you how to rack up the strikeouts by throwing a great rise.

50 minutes. 2014.




Aggressive Offensive 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

In this incredible DVD, Patty Gasso offers her ideas and strategies on building an aggressive offense that can capitalize on defensive miscues to score more runs. Coach Gasso delves into rundowns, bunting, moving runners with hit and runs and angle-down plays, how to use slappers, first and third plays, and squeezes.

Rundowns
Properly executed, an aggressive offense can use a rundown to pressure the defense into making a mistake. Coach Gasso outlines situations that can result in rundowns. She discusses what the base runner should do to avoid being tagged out and also demonstrates how to stay in a rundown for as long as possible, thus increasing the chance of a defensive miscue.

Bunts
Bunts are a good way to advance runners because they allow the batter to place the ball wherever the defense is weakest. Coach Gasso explains five options for bunting and advancing runners, including the sacrifice, split grip, bunt for a hit, show-pull backslap, and the bunt-and-run. . Having multiple bunting options keeps the defense guessing and gives you the opportunity to select the option that you think will work best.

Slappers
Slappers are an important part of an aggressive offense because their speed puts pressure on the defense to get outs even on routinely hit balls. Coach Gasso shares five options for advancing runners and/or getting on base themselves. Having so many options will make defending the slapper nearly impossible.

First and Third Situations and Squeezes
First and third situations offer the chance to score runs without ever having a batter touch the ball. By putting runners in motion, the pressure is shifted almost entirely to the defense, forcing them to make decisions about which runner to attack and which play to execute. The more pressure an offense can put on a defense, the more likely they are to make mistakes. A first and third situation is also an ideal time to call a squeeze bunt, which has the potential to score a run and advance a runner.

Many teams rely solely on power hitting for offensive production. While this is a valid strategy, an aggressive offense will put pressure on defenses and result in more consistency in run production. Let Coach Gasso show you how to put together an aggressive offense that will frustrate the defense and score more runs.

54 minutes. 2014.

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.

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.

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!

Drills & Techniques for Hitting with Power

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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

Craig Nicholson's teams have consistently been some of the top hitting teams in college softball. In this video, Coach Nicholson shows you how to develop hitters who can change the game with one swing of the bat. He explains his hitting strategy and mechanics and offers several drills designed to develop a power hitter.

Strategy and MechanicsAn important component of power hitting is understanding what pitches can be hit hard and when to look for those pitches. Coach Nicholson demonstrates the mechanics of good power hitting. He explains the importance of staying inside and extending through the ball, which are critical to getting needed backspin to carry the ball.

Confidence and SituationsEven great hitters fail more times than they succeed. Confidence is a critical skill for any hitter, especially a power hitter. Understanding the process, establishing routines and developing trust will help the hitter maximize their ability. Coach Nicholson discusses typical game situations and what the hitter can do to be successful in each situation.

Power Hitting DrillsCoach Nicholson offers nine tee drills for developing good extension, staying inside the ball and using correct weight transfer. He also shows three front toss drills designed to help the hitter understand and feel how the body works. Coach Nicholson explains the purpose of doing the drills and how his hitters use them to develop the feeling of proper movement.

Contact Point and Rhythm MechanicsThe angle of contact is not as steep as many hitters think. Nicholson's philosophy is that hitters should let the ball get deeper into the zone, allowing for stronger contact. In this segment, he discusses and demonstrates the rhythm of the swing and developing consistency in the hitter's rhythm and mechanics. The hitter needs consistency for the proper sequence of body movements to occur.

It's never too soon to teach hitters how to hit for power. This video includes everything you need to teach your players how to hit for power and to develop good mechanics.

57 minutes. 2014.

Open Practice: Situational Defense and Baserunning

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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

Arizona State Head Softball Coach, Craig Nicholson, opens the door to two "live" practices, as his team prepares for the offensive and defensive situations softball teams face on game day. This video includes live situational hitting, team defense and baserunning as well as strength and conditioning training that will improve every player's ability to perform at a higher level.

Practice Overview
Coach Nicholson begins by discussing his philosophy on practice and how it changes throughout the season. He divides the year into pre-season, conference and post-season practices, highlighting goals and objectives for each segment. He also explains how he uses video to prepare his players for upcoming opponents and to analyze their own performances.

Practice 1: Weights
The Sun Devil practice opens with a look into the weight room. Weight room work will enhance two important softball skills - strength and agility - and it can help prevent injury. Coach Nicholson's team progresses through weightlifting stations, agility stations and sprinting stations. This segment offers 29 position-specific exercises!

Practice 1: Situational Play
Although batters are hitting live pitches during these situational practices, the focus is mainly on the defense and baserunners. The team practices four different situations. They make live reads and react accordingly. Wrapping up the practice, Coach Nicholson talks to the team about the importance of communication and when to communicate.

Practice 2: Weights
Since the team usually plays a midweek game, this workout is a lighter version of the previous one. The workout begins with an activation mobility circuit and continues with core work and plyometrics. Overall, more than 20 exercises designed to develop strength and agility are included.

Practice 2: Short Game and Situational Play
Coach Nicholson works on two alignments for defending against the short game, explaining the thought processes and strategies behind each one. The team then works on three defensive scenarios that were not covered in the first practice. Coach Nicholson explains when and why they make specific defensive plays and decisions. He also explains how players can run the bases to put maximum pressure on the opposing defense.

Take this unique opportunity to see how a Division I program uses strategy, communication, baserunning, and strength and agility training to improve their team and achieve success.

144 minutes. 2014.

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.


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.

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.

The Physics of 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

Efficient hitters are successful hitters. Learning how and why it's important to keep your hands inside your elbows, stay connected with your hips and drive the forces through the ball are important elements of being efficient and powerful.

Randy Schneider uses his knowledge of physics and bio-mechanics to show you how to construct a scientifically efficient and powerful softball swing. Coach Schneider deconstructs the swing phase-by-phase, explaining the key points and the laws of physics associated with each phase. He also shares his knowledge of educational psychology, explaining the importance of how hitters are taught.

Stance
Get your hitters into a strong, balanced stance to deliver force into the ball. Coach Schneider opens with a discussion of key principles for the stance position. Referencing several of Newton's laws of motion, he explains how to harness the energy coming from the ground to put hitters in a strong position to hit.

Load
Another key factor in the softball swing is the athlete's load and negative movement. Coach Schneider explains how to use the load to create separation of the hands, which is critical for producing power. He demonstrates how to activate the hands to create a double pendulum effect, which helps hitters generate more bat speed, thereby increasing power and consistency.

Connection
Making an efficient connection move helps hitters stay in a strong position to create a transverse force. Coach Schneider explains how to start the swing with the back elbow to create a whipping effect, while driving and popping with the hips. The back elbow starts the swing and therefore can be the first mechanical part of the swing to breakdown causing the rest of the swing to be off time and balance.

According to Coach Schneider, understanding variables is an important part to teaching and coaching hitting. He explains differential learning and also discusses how to better prepare hitters by adding variables into your practices to make them more game-like.

Coach Schneider is the master of the physics and the bio-mechanics of the softball swing. With his thorough explanations and examples, you will be better equipped to teach hitters how to change the game with one swing of the bat.

64 minutes. 2014.

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.

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