This DVD is loaded with drills for the young beginner, intermediate and advanced pitcher. It is like having two DVDs for the price of one. Morgan and Megan demonstrate the proper mechanics to have a good fastball. You want to start with establishing correct muscle memory. This will ensure that you are headed in the right direction. Pitching requires PATIENCE. Parents, you will be chasing balls for several weeks until your daughter's muscle memory and mechanics improve.

"The best pitchers have different styles; however, they all have one thing in common, they are consistent. Every pitcher has their own personality and style, so be yourself. I would suggest you find a pitching coach in which you have confidence. New pitchers MUST practice a minimum of four days a week. You should see improvement with every practice session. You want to work smarter, not harder. "Practice and commitment make the difference!" - Jerry Johnson

80 minutes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

With explosive offenses becoming a softball staple, pitchers must be stronger than ever to shut down opposing hitters. Christina Sutcliffe gives you 25 drills for training your pitchers and catchers. Coach Sutcliffe shows you how to teach pitchers to use their legs and compete better, and then moves on to the catchers, focusing on framing, throwing and blocking.

Pitching
The pitching motion starts from the ground up, so Coach Sutcliffe starts her work by focusing on pitcher's legs. Coach Sutcliffe shares 10 drills that emphasize the role of the legs in the pitching motion. These drill focus on developing leg strength, staying balanced and being explosive through the pitch.

Coach Sutcliffe introduces five game-like drills that simulate the competitive pressures pitchers face on game day. These drills not only incorporate competition, they also help teach the strategy of pitching and where to throw certain pitches based on counts.

Catching
Give your pitchers the confidence to throw any pitch in their arsenal by training your catchers to receive or block (if necessary) any pitch. Catchers can help the pitchers get more called strikes by framing pitches that are close to the strike zone. Coach Sutcliffe offers three drills to help catchers make close pitches look better to the umpire. You'll also see four drills to help your catchers develop leg strength and block pitches in the dirt.

Help your catcher who doesn't have a strong arm - or make your strong-armed catcher even better - by practicing quick transitions to each base. Coach Sutcliffe explains some of the mechanics catchers need to master when throwing the ball to different bases. She explains and demonstrates three throwing drills that will help your catchers throw out runners on bunts, pick offs and steals.

Coach Sutcliffe shows you how to get the most out of your battery by having your pitchers and catchers work together and build their game from the ground up.

74 minutes. 2015.

Discover 55 drills you can use to develop powerful hitters from the ground up. Starting with the legs, Christina Sutcliffe covers the key components of the swing including hand path and extension before offering advice and drills for slappers.

Legs
Since the swing starts from the ground, Coach Sutcliffe works from the ground up when training her hitters. Using stationary and active leg drills, you'll see how she trains her hitters to generate power from their legs.

Learn how to help your players get more out of their legs with 10 drills designed to improve players' weight shift and leg drive.

Hand Path
Extra movement in the swing decreases consistency so one goal of any good hitter is to have a swing that is short to the ball. This requires an efficient hand path. Coach Sutcliffe introduces 12 drills to help your hitters get their hands to the ball efficiently and with no extra movement.

Extension
Once the hitter makes contact with the ball, the next task is to extend through the pitch. Good extension helps hitters keep their bat in the zone longer, making them more consistent and powerful.

In this video, you will learn about the power lines for each pitch and where extension should happen for inside, outside and middle pitches. In addition to learning about these concepts, you will see demonstrations of 10 drills you can use to develop and improve extension.

Visual Training
Discover 12 drills to help hitters see the ball better and develop concentration skills by training them to focus on the incoming pitch.

Competitive Drills
To help you keep practice fresh and exciting, Coach Sutcliffe shares six hitting games that will challenge your team by pitting them against each other. When your players compete in practice they are prepared for the competitive pressures they will experience on game day.

Slapping
Key pieces to any successful line-up are the table setters, those versatile players who can get on base to set the table for the big hitters to drive them in. Coach Sutcliffe introduces six drills that she uses to train her slappers how to become more explosive out of the batter's box and quicker to first base. She also shows how many of the drills she uses with her hitters can be converted for use with slappers.

Packed with 55 drills, this presentation is sure to give even the most experienced hitting coaches more than a few new ideas.

89 minutes. 2015.

Discover over 25 drills for throwing, infield play and outfield play, that progress from simple to complex. Christina Sutcliffe shows you how to train players to get to the ball quickly and how to set up to make a quick, accurate throw to all bases. Coach Sutcliffe includes drills that have the infield and outfield working together in game-like situations.

Outfield
Discover nine progressive drills that will help your outfielders get positioned and ready to make the play before the ball touches their gloves. The outfield sessions opens with a complete a series of fundamental quarterback drills. Outfielders practice getting behind shallow fly balls, drop stepping and cutting for deep fly balls, and fielding ground balls.

You will also learn a five-step progression for getting your outfielders comfortable with diving for the ball.

Infield
Moving on to the infielders, Coach Sutcliffe explains and demonstrates a "dailies" progression. Beginning with knee work and working up to fungos, you will see unique twists on common drills to ensure players are working on quicker transitions and accurate throws. The infielders start with no gloves, progress to mini-gloves and then to regular gloves while working on different types of ground balls and hops, all while practicing the throwing transitions to different bases.

The infielders also demonstrate different flips with the glove and bare hand, and practice picking throws at their bases.

Team Drills
After working on the individual components of the infield and outfield, players come together for 10 team drills. Included are drills for throwing, infield/outfield communication, diving, cut offs, tag plays and more. Most of these team drills have a conditioning component which minimizes the need for extra running before or after practice.

In addition to drills, you'll also hear Coach Sutcliffe talk to her players about corrections they need to make, why it's important to make them and how it relates to actual game situations.

This collection of drills will help keep your practices fresh and help train your players in the key fundamentals of infield and outfield play.

100 minutes. 2015.

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.

This DVD is loaded with drills for the young beginner, intermediate and advanced pitcher. It is like having two DVDs for the price of one. Morgan and Megan demonstrate the proper mechanics to have a good fastball. You want to start with establishing correct muscle memory. This will ensure that you are headed in the right direction. Pitching requires PATIENCE. Parents, you will be chasing balls for several weeks until your daughter's muscle memory and mechanics improve.

"The best pitchers have different styles; however, they all have one thing in common, they are consistent. Every pitcher has their own personality and style, so be yourself. I would suggest you find a pitching coach in which you have confidence. New pitchers MUST practice a minimum of four days a week. You should see improvement with every practice session. You want to work smarter, not harder. "Practice and commitment make the difference!" - Jerry Johnson

80 minutes.

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.

with Kris Massaro,
Founder/Owner of Softball Strong Training Program

Kris Massaro has trained hundreds of softball players throughout her career with great success in making them faster, stronger, and more flexible. She has worked with players from 8 years old to college and professional players. Her specialty is creating workouts developed upon the needs of position specific, speed skills and the mental side of player development.

Softball has become an increasingly specialized sport, with the skills required on defense differing greatly from those necessary to be successful on offense. Training for these positions, therefore, needs to be specialized to get the most out of your athletes.

Kris Massaro shares her philosophy on how to take specialized knowledge and training methods used in the weight room and turf and translate them to improved performance at the plate and on the mound. Her principles develop high levels of rotational power/force ability at the hips and through the core. She focuses on building single leg strength, balance and forward movement potential for greater acceleration and deceleration ability.

The program is highlighted by non-traditional, but sound drills that are scalable to the athlete's size and strength. Massaro covers the specifics of sets, reps, time, volume, variety, progressions and regressions so you will know how to adapt her methods to every level of athlete you train in either small groups, big groups or team settings.

Pitchers Workout

The pitcher is the most important player on the field, and keeping them healthy and strong is a must. Through 10 exercises, Massaro shows you how to get your pitchers performing explosive moves while taking pressure off their shoulder to help prevent injury. Use the single leg squat and single leg ball slam to work on the motion of driving off of one leg, because pitchers do so much driving off one leg in the actual pitching motion. These exercises will help build your pitchers' core strength and increase functional muscle strength and balance.

Hitters Workout

Hitting for power doesn't always just come naturally. Batters need to use their legs and core efficiently, while also working on balance during a workout to prepare for the task of hitting. Massaro demonstrates seven hitting-specific exercises to increase the power in all of your hitters. These exercises focus on the rotational portion of the swing. Help prevent injury with your players by having right-handed batters strengthen not just their right side, but their left side (or vice versa) which often gets neglected, causing muscle imbalances.

Explosiveness Training

No matter what position they play, all softball players require explosiveness to be great at the sport. Both hitters and pitchers must move from a relatively still position and rapidly explode in a linear to rotational movement to either throw or hit the ball. Massaro provides nine exercises to increase explosiveness, which is important in a sport like softball that requires ballistic movement.

Massaro provides 26 total exercises to improve overall explosiveness and specialize your work with your pitchers and hitters. The more explosive your players are, the harder they can throw and the further they can hit the ball.

48 minutes. 2017.

with Kris Massaro,
Founder/Owner of Softball Strong Training Program

Kris Massaro has trained hundreds of softball players throughout her career with great success in making them faster, stronger, and more flexible. She has worked with players from 8 years old to college and professional players. Her specialty is creating workouts developed upon the needs of position specific, speed skills and the mental side of player development.

Elite and aspiring elite softball players need to develop their bodies to deliver performance on the field and prevent injuries that can keep them out of the game. Kris Massaro presents a sound and practical collection of strength, speed and agility exercises that coaches at any level can employ to improve their athletes.

Massaro is renowned for developing "outside the box" exercise/training programs that translate directly to developing dynamic softball players on the field without being too complex. In this video, she covers the basics of a quality weight room program and provides you with a selection of exercises to develop explosiveness. She includes a selection of high quality plyometric exercises and closes with her proven program for improving player mobility.

This multifaceted video is an ideal tool to help you develop customized programs for your softball athletes. Massaro instructs proper technique to help prevent injury and provide the athlete with the best possible opportunity to gain an edge on the competition.

10 Most Influential Exercises

Weight room training for softball athletes is a must. With limited time, coaches must learn to maximize their time spent inside the weight room by choosing the most influential lifts. Coach Massaro demonstrates the 10 most influential exercises softball players should do. Using kettlebells or dumbbells, these exercises challenge the whole body and will help develop strength and get softball players stronger.

Plyometrics

Plyometric exercises incorporate jumping, which forces the softball player to be explosive as they exert maximum force quickly. Coach Massaro uses eight plyometric exercises to build the explosive power and mobility that translates into core strength and speed development.

Mobility

Getting strong isn't productive for softball players if the athletes get tight and cannot move in the process. Coach Massaro integrates a series of mobility exercises designed to utilize, stretch, and enhance flexibility of athletes as an integral part of their training routine. These exercises, which work hip mobility along with shoulder stability and core strength, require no special equipment and can be performed in the gym or on the field.

Challenge your team with an efficient and tough workout that will make them better players! These 24 exercises will give softball players the functional strength that will make an immediate impact on the field. Your athletes will be stronger, more explosive, and have better mobility on the field.

38 minutes. 2017.

SD-05114B:

with Kris Massaro,
Founder/Owner of Softball Strong Training Program

Kris Massaro has trained hundreds of softball players throughout her career with great success in making them faster, stronger, and more flexible. She has worked with players from 8 years old to college and professional players. Her specialty is creating workouts developed upon the needs of position specific, speed skills and the mental side of player development.

Every coach drills fielding, hitting, and base running, but only a few put a focus on conditioning players to make them stronger and faster. Imagine the benefits of players that are faster on the base paths, stronger in the batting box, and more agile playing defense.

In this video, Kris Massaro demonstrates unique stretches and exercises for softball players that will make them more flexible and reduce the amount of potential injuries. She covers a series of precise, high-intensity exercises that will make your players faster and stronger. These exercises can be done with minimal resources, adapted to both individual and group training, and are designed to build the entire body.

Stretching and Mobility Work

All teams stretch before working out or practicing, but is your team getting the most benefit from that stretching time? Start by putting your athletes through a four-step hip mobility routine, activating the muscles in the hip joint that are necessary for every movement in softball. Learn an eight-step dynamic stretching routine that will promote flexibility and movement, preparing your athletes to be fast and explosive on the softball field. The range of fielders, especially the middle fielders, increases with mobility and explosiveness.

Sprinting

Speed is critical, as it is one of the few tools that helps softball players on both offense and defense. Learn how to be fast and explosive with the first step. Massaro introduces drills for improving the five aspects of the start. She goes further by teaching non-traditional start variations that directly translate to high performance for softball athletes. In one particular set of drills, the players start by laying down flat on the ground, to build first step acceleration and explosiveness. Having quick first steps will allow athletes to steal more bases and track down more balls on defense.

High Intensity Circuits

Prepare your players for athletic excellence with an eight-exercise high intensity circuit that will push athletes to perform while maintaining proper form and mechanics. These activities are hand-picked by Coach Massaro to develop mobility, balance, and explosive power. The focus is on improving your players' athleticism and mobility while challenging their stamina with this fast-paced, demanding routine.

Looking for your team to gain an edge on the softball diamond? This video may be exactly what you're looking for! Massaro introduces a blueprint for creating a more athletic softball player. With these 32 exercises, you will equip your softball players to become more mobile, more explosive, and better overall athletes.

34 minutes. 2017.

SD-05114C:

with Kris Massaro,
Founder/Owner of Softball Strong Training Program

Kris Massaro has trained hundreds of softball players throughout her career with great success in making them faster, stronger, and more flexible. She has worked with players from 8 years old to college and professional players. Her specialty is creating workouts developed upon the needs of position specific, speed skills and the mental side of player development.

Softball has become an increasingly specialized sport, with the skills required on defense differing greatly from those necessary to be successful on offense. Training for these positions, therefore, needs to be specialized to get the most out of your athletes.

Kris Massaro shares her philosophy on how to take specialized knowledge and training methods used in the weight room and turf and translate them to improved performance at the plate and on the mound. Her principles develop high levels of rotational power/force ability at the hips and through the core. She focuses on building single leg strength, balance and forward movement potential for greater acceleration and deceleration ability.

The program is highlighted by non-traditional, but sound drills that are scalable to the athlete's size and strength. Massaro covers the specifics of sets, reps, time, volume, variety, progressions and regressions so you will know how to adapt her methods to every level of athlete you train in either small groups, big groups or team settings.

Pitchers Workout

The pitcher is the most important player on the field, and keeping them healthy and strong is a must. Through 10 exercises, Massaro shows you how to get your pitchers performing explosive moves while taking pressure off their shoulder to help prevent injury. Use the single leg squat and single leg ball slam to work on the motion of driving off of one leg, because pitchers do so much driving off one leg in the actual pitching motion. These exercises will help build your pitchers' core strength and increase functional muscle strength and balance.

Hitters Workout

Hitting for power doesn't always just come naturally. Batters need to use their legs and core efficiently, while also working on balance during a workout to prepare for the task of hitting. Massaro demonstrates seven hitting-specific exercises to increase the power in all of your hitters. These exercises focus on the rotational portion of the swing. Help prevent injury with your players by having right-handed batters strengthen not just their right side, but their left side (or vice versa) which often gets neglected, causing muscle imbalances.

Explosiveness Training

No matter what position they play, all softball players require explosiveness to be great at the sport. Both hitters and pitchers must move from a relatively still position and rapidly explode in a linear to rotational movement to either throw or hit the ball. Massaro provides nine exercises to increase explosiveness, which is important in a sport like softball that requires ballistic movement.

Massaro provides 26 total exercises to improve overall explosiveness and specialize your work with your pitchers and hitters. The more explosive your players are, the harder they can throw and the further they can hit the ball.

48 minutes. 2017.

Developed by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA)
edited by JoAnne Graf

The road to a championship season begins long before the first pitch of the opening game. It begins before a player even steps onto the field.

In Practice Perfect Softball, the game's premier coaches share their approaches, experiences, and philosophies of every aspect of practice. This authoritative guide goes beyond the stretches and drills, straight to the heart of winning-effort and attitude. From structuring sessions to evaluating practice performance, you'll find proven and practical recommendations from the all-star lineup of contributors:

• Julie Lenhart
• Rachel Hanson
• Beverly Smith
• Rachel Lawson
• Lisa (Sweeney) Van Ackeren
• Dot Richardson
• Ken Eriksen
• Connie Clark
• Celeste Knierim
• Bill Gray and Melissa Chmielewski
• Lonni Alameda
• Jo Evans
• Jen McIntyre
• Donna Papa

Inside, you'll identify and establish practice ethics; assess team strengths; and develop players' skills in the field, on the mound, and at the plate. Practice Perfect Softball is your guide to developing champions on and off the field.

224 pages. 2016

with Jessica Jones,
SIU-Edwardsville Associate Head Coach;
2015 Ohio Valley Conference Champions;
played for Purdue University (four-year starter, team captain, All Big Ten player)

Most batters want to hit the ball for both average and power. However, it is difficult to do both because power hitters tend to be more inconsistent, while high-average hitters tend to sacrifice power to maintain their consistency. Jessica Jones explains the mechanics, approach, and drills to build a hitter that's the complete package. Everything from the load, to the bat path and the swing path are described, and drills are demonstrated to help you get the most out of your hitters.

During this video, Jones does a great job of explaining the purpose of each drill and what the hitter should feel and focus on as they complete the drills. Each drill helps hitters get a feel for a certain component of the swing - without segmenting the swing. All of the drills are full-body drills that isolate either the hand path or load and rhythm part of the swing.

Swing Mechanics

One of the first keys to hitting is having a fundamentally sound swing. Coach Jones offers drills to help batters eliminate flaws in their swing. She starts with the lower body and explains the proper rhythm and timing of the load. In the load phase, drills such as Heel to Toe, Flamingo 3 Touch, the Samurai and the Skater Stevens simplify the use of the load. Each of these drills emphasize the use of the hands and legs loading as well as getting rhythm and timing down.

Coach Jones moves on to show how a direct bat path will bring the hitter's hands forward to the ball in the correct manner, which sets the bat up to stay in contact with the ball longer. Drills include the progressive Swing Drill, Quick Hands Drill, the Sweet Spot Bat Drill, and Reverse Top Hand. All these tee drills help batters become more successful at using their load while using an efficient bat path.

Hitting for Average

Hitters who are consistent must demonstrate good swing fundamentals and excellent pitch selection. Coach Jones introduces five drills to help hitters become more consistent. The focus is on driving "hittable" pitches. This is achieved by understanding what the batter's strengths are, pitches she can hit, and being more consistent at the plate. Jones moves to one-hand drills while staying to contact, extension and full swings.

In one particular visual drill, tennis balls are tossed to the hitter, and they must verbally identify something written on the ball. This visual drill will help the hitter track the ball better, which will in turn aid them in better pitch selection.

Hitting for Power

Coach Jones shares 10 drills aimed at increasing a hitter's bat speed, hand speed, and leg drive, which will help your hitter be more explosive and drive the ball.

Jones' walk-throughs help your hitters develop timing and rhythm along with power. Weighted balls strengthen the wrist and aid hitters in driving through the pitch. You'll see the double tee drill, which helps with extension, and the pump drill, which helps hitters keep rhythm while powering through the ball. Front tosses of varying speeds help batters develop timing off the pitcher, and self- tosses teach hitters where to contact the ball with power.

Getting on base and driving in runs is what leads to more victories. This video has many drills - a comprehensive list of tee and soft toss drills -that focus on improving batting averages and increasing power and will improve your hitters at all levels!

56 minutes. 2017.

with Randy Ward,
Loyola Marymount University Assistant Coach;
in 2016, the Lions led the nation in doubles (106) and doubles per game (2.00)

One of the reasons that hitting is so difficult is because it's a complex, multifaceted skill. Batters must have not only a fundamentally-sound swing, but also good timing, bat control, and eye tracking skills to hit a fast-moving ball consistently.

In this video, Randy Ward introduces you to the basic hitting mechanics and provides 16 diverse drills to build your team's batting skills. Coach Ward walks you through his hitting program, which gives hitters a specific purpose for every swing. You'll see:

• Hitting Philosophy
• Critical Points of Emphasis, and
• How Coaching Points Evolve Throughout the Year

Mechanics

Coach Ward explains the optimal body position at several key check points during the swing. Learn how the relationship between the bat angle to shoulder, combined with the relationship between the front elbow on contact and bat path can improve a hitter's consistency and overall effectiveness. He explains how to hit pitches that are low in the zone by tilting the shoulders and not dropping the hands, which keeps the hitter in a stronger position as they approach contact.

Timing Drills

Hitting is all about timing, and the goal of most pitchers is to upset the hitter's timing. In one particular `ABC Drill' for timing, the players start singing the ABCs to themselves and stop when they make contact with the pitch. This drill helps reinforce timing and reminds batters of their internal clock.

Bat Control and Bat Path Drills

Learn the drills that will lead to improved bat control and an optimal bat path. A good bat path will help keep the bat in the zone longer, increasing the hitter's chance of making solid contact with the ball. Bat control will help the hitter be more consistent to contact and help them steer the ball where it needs to go.

Create a Hitting Plan

Discover how to break the year into segments to develop hitters who make consistent contact on the ball. Use different points of emphasis in different times of the year to ensure that players understand and can execute the hitting plan:

• Arrival from summer break: Small group and individual work.
• Team practice in fall: Working on a plan for the season with emphasis on speed and location of pitches.
• Back from winter break: Understand strengths and weaknesses, challenging the player through drills that force adjustments needed to be able to succeed at the plate.

This video will help your hitters improve their fundamentals while teaching them to make solid contact more consistently. Coach Ward shows how giving your hitters a clearly defined purpose in every aspect of the hitting program can foster buy-in for a consistent team approach. The program is focused on empowering young hitters with the tools to self-diagnose and correct flaws on their own so they can become complete hitters!

96 minutes. 2017

with Shonda Stanton,
Indiana University Head Coach;
former Marshall University Head Coach;
the winningest coach in Marshall softball history;
2017 Conference USA Coach of the Year;
2013 Conference USA Tournament Champions; 4x Conference champions;
former Coach for the Akron Racers of the Women's Professional Fastpitch League

Becoming a great hitter isn't an easy task. In addition to having solid swing fundamentals, good hitters need to have great timing and a plan for which pitches they want to hit. Shonda Stanton teaches you how to build a fundamentally-sound swing by using specific, yet simplified swing cues, progressions, and drills. She also addresses ways to help a hitter practice rhythm and timing of the pitch as well as drills to work on mental approach and situational hitting.

Coach Stanton builds from the ground up, stressing a few important aspects of hitting while keeping the batter comfortable while in the box. Her drill progression allows for players to develop an effective swing and then, more importantly, a great ability to execute at game speed.

Swing Mechanics

Make hitting a little easier to understand for your athletes. Coach Stanton uses a simplified approach to teach the mechanics of the swing by breaking it down into manageable parts, including:

• Stance
• Rhythm
• Negative move
• Stride
• Contact
• Finish

Learn the key points for each part of the swing and what to look for in each segment. She also discusses problematic areas of the swing and potential causes and cures.

Progression Drills

Coach Stanton demonstrates 16 drills that progressively increase in difficulty, building into the ultimate challenge of live hitting. Learn how to warm-up properly and prepare the body to swing ferociously with six bat calisthenics. Coach Stanton accentuates the phases of the swing while implementing a series of drills that build hitters from their foundations, including:

• No ball drills
• Still ball drills
• Tossed ball drills

Timing is one of the most difficult aspects of hitting. Coach Stanton offers six drills designed to emphasize different aspects of timing. You'll get four approach drills that work on bat control and pitch identification. There are also drills that force a batter to make decisions on which pitches to look for and how to hit them. The Spray Drill helps the batter learn bat control and place balls where they want them to go, while also learning to take pitches they might not be able to handle.

Finally, batting practice ends with live situational hitting drills where the hitters must execute in five common situations:

• Hit and run
• Hit behind the runner going first to third base
• Score the runner from second base
• Runner at third base, sacrifice fly
• Runner at third base, score them anyway

Get your players hitting more strategically to drive in more runs with this great video from Coach Stanton!

66 minutes. 2017.

with Shonda Stanton,
Indiana University Head Coach;
former Marshall University Head Coach;
the winningest coach in Marshall softball history;
2017 Conference USA Coach of the Year;
2013 Conference USA Tournament Champions; 4x Conference champions;
former Coach for the Akron Racers of the Women's Professional Fastpitch League

Learn from the master of small ball herself, Shonda Stanton. Speed can be a game changer in softball games, as fast batters apply pressure to the defense. Coach Stanton opens up her playbook to introduce ways that will allow your team's offense to overpower your opponent. From bunting and slapping mechanics, to small ball for right-handed batters, Coach Stanton covers everything you need to know about playing small ball for big results.

Bunt and Slap Mechanics

Coach Stanton runs through the mechanics of bunting and slapping from the left side, and shows you the footwork that will get your slappers out of the box and down the line faster. It's vital for coaches to have a solid understanding of bunting technique. Coach Stanton breaks down the sacrifice bunt, bunt for hit, split bunt and the two-hand drag so that your team will understand not only when to use them, but the proper form as well.

It's nearly impossible to defend against a great slapper. This video will help you teach your slappers how to be most effective with the power slap, soft slap, regular slap and bouncers. Coach Stanton also teaches how to hit in motion and swing away. When your slappers become a triple threat, they'll become the most dangerous players on the field.

Small Ball for Right Handers

Lefties aren't the only ones who get to have fun with small ball - right-handers can join in too! Teach your right-handed hitters how to lay down a bunt, slap the ball, or bunt for a base hit to make them harder for defenses to defend.

Small Ball Drills

Coach Stanton believes in teaching in progressions, starting a drill out small and gradually building up in difficulty. Learn five bunt progression drills and five slap progression drills that take your lefties from a basic, stationary position and build to them running full speed through the box. In the One Glove Drill, batters wear their fielding glove on their back arm and catch the ball with their glove instead of a bat to practice bunting the ball. Push your lefties to become triple threats with two hitting away drills.

It's essential for players to work on fundamentals in batting practice, but they need to perform under pressure in practice before they can be successful in a game. Coach Stanton introduces you to several mini games that your team can play to prepare them for the stress of the game.

Defense vs Small Ball

Great teams know how to play small ball and they know how to find weaknesses in the defense. At the same time Coach Stanton teaches your offense, she will show your defense how to counter. When your defense is prepared, there are minimal holes for the offense to exploit.

Any coach who wants multidimensional athletes climbing into the batter's box will benefit from Coach Stanton's approach. There's a logical progression of teaching combined with effective skill development drills that are sure to make a positive impact on your team. Open up the options in your offense by using these small ball tricks to generate big results!

66 minutes. 2017.

with Shonda Stanton,
Indiana University Head Coach;
former Marshall University Head Coach;
the winningest coach in Marshall softball history;
2017 Conference USA Coach of the Year;
2013 Conference USA Tournament Champions; 4x Conference champions;
former Coach for the Akron Racers of the Women's Professional Fastpitch League

Becoming a great hitter isn't an easy task. In addition to having solid swing fundamentals, good hitters need to have great timing and a plan for which pitches they want to hit. Shonda Stanton teaches you how to build a fundamentally-sound swing by using specific, yet simplified swing cues, progressions, and drills. She also addresses ways to help a hitter practice rhythm and timing of the pitch as well as drills to work on mental approach and situational hitting.

Coach Stanton builds from the ground up, stressing a few important aspects of hitting while keeping the batter comfortable while in the box. Her drill progression allows for players to develop an effective swing and then, more importantly, a great ability to execute at game speed.

Swing Mechanics

Make hitting a little easier to understand for your athletes. Coach Stanton uses a simplified approach to teach the mechanics of the swing by breaking it down into manageable parts, including:

• Stance
• Rhythm
• Negative move
• Stride
• Contact
• Finish

Learn the key points for each part of the swing and what to look for in each segment. She also discusses problematic areas of the swing and potential causes and cures.

Progression Drills

Coach Stanton demonstrates 16 drills that progressively increase in difficulty, building into the ultimate challenge of live hitting. Learn how to warm-up properly and prepare the body to swing ferociously with six bat calisthenics. Coach Stanton accentuates the phases of the swing while implementing a series of drills that build hitters from their foundations, including:

• No ball drills
• Still ball drills
• Tossed ball drills

Timing is one of the most difficult aspects of hitting. Coach Stanton offers six drills designed to emphasize different aspects of timing. You'll get four approach drills that work on bat control and pitch identification. There are also drills that force a batter to make decisions on which pitches to look for and how to hit them. The Spray Drill helps the batter learn bat control and place balls where they want them to go, while also learning to take pitches they might not be able to handle.

Finally, batting practice ends with live situational hitting drills where the hitters must execute in five common situations:

• Hit and run
• Hit behind the runner going first to third base
• Score the runner from second base
• Runner at third base, sacrifice fly
• Runner at third base, score them anyway

Get your players hitting more strategically to drive in more runs with this great video from Coach Stanton!

66 minutes. 2017.

with Shonda Stanton,
Indiana University Head Coach;
former Marshall University Head Coach;
the winningest coach in Marshall softball history;
2017 Conference USA Coach of the Year;
2013 Conference USA Tournament Champions; 4x Conference champions;
former Coach for the Akron Racers of the Women's Professional Fastpitch League

Learn from the master of small ball herself, Shonda Stanton. Speed can be a game changer in softball games, as fast batters apply pressure to the defense. Coach Stanton opens up her playbook to introduce ways that will allow your team's offense to overpower your opponent. From bunting and slapping mechanics, to small ball for right-handed batters, Coach Stanton covers everything you need to know about playing small ball for big results.

Bunt and Slap Mechanics

Coach Stanton runs through the mechanics of bunting and slapping from the left side, and shows you the footwork that will get your slappers out of the box and down the line faster. It's vital for coaches to have a solid understanding of bunting technique. Coach Stanton breaks down the sacrifice bunt, bunt for hit, split bunt and the two-hand drag so that your team will understand not only when to use them, but the proper form as well.

It's nearly impossible to defend against a great slapper. This video will help you teach your slappers how to be most effective with the power slap, soft slap, regular slap and bouncers. Coach Stanton also teaches how to hit in motion and swing away. When your slappers become a triple threat, they'll become the most dangerous players on the field.

Small Ball for Right Handers

Lefties aren't the only ones who get to have fun with small ball - right-handers can join in too! Teach your right-handed hitters how to lay down a bunt, slap the ball, or bunt for a base hit to make them harder for defenses to defend.

Small Ball Drills

Coach Stanton believes in teaching in progressions, starting a drill out small and gradually building up in difficulty. Learn five bunt progression drills and five slap progression drills that take your lefties from a basic, stationary position and build to them running full speed through the box. In the One Glove Drill, batters wear their fielding glove on their back arm and catch the ball with their glove instead of a bat to practice bunting the ball. Push your lefties to become triple threats with two hitting away drills.

It's essential for players to work on fundamentals in batting practice, but they need to perform under pressure in practice before they can be successful in a game. Coach Stanton introduces you to several mini games that your team can play to prepare them for the stress of the game.

Defense vs Small Ball

Great teams know how to play small ball and they know how to find weaknesses in the defense. At the same time Coach Stanton teaches your offense, she will show your defense how to counter. When your defense is prepared, there are minimal holes for the offense to exploit.

Any coach who wants multidimensional athletes climbing into the batter's box will benefit from Coach Stanton's approach. There's a logical progression of teaching combined with effective skill development drills that are sure to make a positive impact on your team. Open up the options in your offense by using these small ball tricks to generate big results!

66 minutes. 2017.

with Shonda Stanton,
Indiana University Head Coach;
former Marshall University Head Coach;
the winningest coach in Marshall softball history;
2017 Conference USA Coach of the Year;
2013 Conference USA Tournament Champions; 4x Conference champions;
former Coach for the Akron Racers of the Women's Professional Fastpitch League

The offensive and defensive options of the first and third situation in softball present one of the most complex and nuanced situational decision-making environments for both players and coaches. Strong teams know how to handle the first and third situation on both offense and defense. With this video, you'll learn how to incorporate each phase of the first and third into a practice setting.

Shonda Stanton details many base running options at both first and third base, the purpose of each option and when a coach would want to use each option to put pressure on the defense and create run scoring opportunities. She also discusses defensive options to shut down aggressive teams' first and third opportunities, including essential rundown principles.

First and Third Base Options and Commands

The more runners you put in scoring position, the more runs you'll score. Coach Stanton defines four different options for safely getting a runner to second base, and explains ways to pressure the defense into making mistakes. She also expands on the benefits of each option and when teams would best use each of them.

The defense will implement many plays to prevent the runner from scoring and to get runners out. Coach Stanton covers six options at third base, including commands that a coach would use based on how the defense is trying to execute its strategy. She thoroughly explains when and why you would use each particular strategy.

Coach Stanton shows you how to prepare your runners to make their own decisions about when to go. Teaching your athletes to read and react on the base paths makes them more unpredictable, putting even more pressure on the defense.

Defensive Strategies for First and Third Situations

All too often, defenses give up second base to keep a runner from scoring, or they give up the run to get an out. Coach Stanton breaks down your defensive opportunities, allowing you to determine the defensive set up that suits your team best. She gives you a glimpse of the 12 different defenses employed by Marshall University and shows drills to train your players. Your defense will be prepared for anything your opponent throws at you.

Simplify the Rundown

Effective execution of the rundown is essential to to first and third defense. Not only is it important to get the out, but the defense needs to be able to hold the runner or get the second out. Coach Stanton explains the run down from when to throw, when and where to run, how to communicate, how to place tags, and how to finish the play. These are demonstrated with simple drills and appropriate cues.

Coaching First and Third

One of the most important players in the first and third situation is the coach, but many don't focus on the correct responsibilities. Your job is to keep your runners safe, and Coach Stanton shows you how. With these tools, you will be able to identify pick-off plays and keep your runners safe from the dreaded out.

Coach Stanton gives you an efficient and effective practice plan that provides athletes confidence in both offensive and defensive first and third base scenarios.

66 minutes. 2017.