The UNCC pitching staff was named the #1 staff in all of college baseball in 2007. Their cutting-edge expertise is packed into this DVD on the art of pitching. Coach Hall, on the mound, demonstrates the technique of using the rubber, taking signs, rocker step, rocker to balance 3-point movement, balance to power and power to delivery. Pitching out of the stretch is a skill taught in detail. Hall believes in three goals in the set-up; create a downhill plane, maximize velocity and put pitchers in the position to allow them to do the same thing every day. To relieve pressure on the arm, Hall instructs through dry drills. This keeps pitchers sharp without throwing every day. With the ball, a good drill is the hand extension and spin drill. Kneeling drills put pitchers on a knee to emphasize power and finish. Other drills include the square drill, stretch stride and stretch stride to balance. The 60-foot and 90-foot toss drill focuses on footwork and throwing. This drill works out to the player's maximum distance. Crow hop, arm action, and grips complete the drill catalog.

59 minutes. 2008.

Coach Hibbs knows that baserunning is a major piece of maintaining a successful baseball program. The goal is to maximize on base opportunities by stretching an extra base out of many situations. He begins with instruction on running from home plate. The teaching point is to make the transition from hitter to base runner as quickly as possible. The dynamics of baserunning changes when the runner is on first base. Hibbs breaks down the strategies involved in running from first and teaches how to get to second and third base. The lead is also a crucial element in running from first and second. Many strategies are introduced for running from third base. Hibbs covers tag plays by examining many different running situations. Once around the bases, Hibbs concludes by taking a look at drills and game situations.

61 minutes. 2008.

The UNCC pitching staff was named the #1 staff in all of college baseball in 2007. Their cutting-edge expertise is packed into this DVD on the art of pitching. Coach Hall, on the mound, demonstrates the technique of using the rubber, taking signs, rocker step, rocker to balance 3-point movement, balance to power and power to delivery. Pitching out of the stretch is a skill taught in detail. Hall believes in three goals in the set-up; create a downhill plane, maximize velocity and put pitchers in the position to allow them to do the same thing every day. To relieve pressure on the arm, Hall instructs through dry drills. This keeps pitchers sharp without throwing every day. With the ball, a good drill is the hand extension and spin drill. Kneeling drills put pitchers on a knee to emphasize power and finish. Other drills include the square drill, stretch stride and stretch stride to balance. The 60-foot and 90-foot toss drill focuses on footwork and throwing. This drill works out to the player's maximum distance. Crow hop, arm action, and grips complete the drill catalog.

59 minutes. 2008.

Excellent infield players progressively learn the skills needed in the infield one at a time. Many different skills and techniques combine to make up a total player. Coach Durkac breaks down his fielding instruction into three areas: get to the ball as quickly as possible, catch and secure the ball, and throw the ball. First step quickness is the key to solid fielding. To achieve that skill, Durkac teaches proper touchdown technique, which is the point where both feet make contact with the ground to field the ball. He also shows drop step technique that helps players handle all three types of hoppers. The two quick shuffles technique is taught as an approach skill prior to fielding the ball. Three throws are used when making double plays, and are demonstrated in this presentation. The rake and making plays with your feet are additional skills demonstrated.

81 minutes. 2008.

The components of Coach Valenzuela's effective long toss and arm conditioning program feature stick drills for mechanics, tube exercises, leg work, leg stretches, agility work and a throwing program. Using elastic tubing, players prepare for practice by demonstrating six stretching exercises. Running, individual stretching and agility exercises are other important parts of practice preparation. Valenzuela goes through his top eight individual stretches and seven agility exercises for you to incorporate into your practice. The first step in the throwing program is the Free Throw Tosses drill with a four-seam grip. Chest to chest, three position, walking into throws (40-60 feet), long toss with arc (80-90 feet), fastball/change-up catch (90 feet), working into 60 feet and feel pens from the mound (70%) comprise the drills that make up the long toss program. Six stick drill mechanics help players maintain fundamentals and proper throwing mechanics. This is the same program that, in 2007, helped propel the San Diego staff to the 7th best earned run average in the nation (3.37) while rising to 16th in the country for strikeouts per nine innings.

60 minutes. 2007.

How can you ensure getting an explosive swing every time at the plate? Johnson shares the San Diego drill progression designed to maximize consistency, strength and power in the swing. The first concept is the impact of seeing the ball, as timing, pitch selection and the path of hands during the swing are all dictated by seeing the ball. The zone drill, including three zones, is taught to hitters at the plate. Drills include the colored ball tracking drill and the slider drill. Explosive hitting is developed with three drills; backhand catch, torque drill with tee and the uphill tee drill. Balance and timing are added to the most important areas of hitting. Johnson demonstrates the bounce drill where the ball is bounced off the ground before hitting. The hands are also important in hitting, and the short bat drill emphasizes the batter's hands going straight in the direction of the pitch. Angle hitting and angle screen are two drills that enhance the short, quick swing, and the "Smoke the Cones" drill helps develop hits to center.

40 minutes. 2007.

Finally -a comprehensive total training DVD for catchers! Coach Viramontes begins this excellent DVD with throwing from the knees with an emphasis on getting the ball out of the glove. From the loaded position, players are taught to keep the elbow above the shoulder and incorporate the entire body in the throw. Transferring is the key to the full-speed exchange and throw technique. From the catcher's crouch, Viramontes teaches ball-glove technique, exchanges and pulling the ball out of the glove. When teaching the crouch, Viramontes says the majority of weight should be on the front two-thirds of the feet. Another key is the ability to position the body to catch any kind of pitch. The set up is a fundamental aspect of successful catching and Viramontes covers all of the important elements. Keeping the ball "one step away" is a term used for blocking the pitch. When blocking, players are taught to "see the back of the ball." Teaching points for pop-ups and bunts are also covered, including efficient footwork. A great resource for catchers at all levels!

63 minutes. 2007.