Rich Wieligman and the OSU Cowgirl staff deliver a live look at how their practices are set up, executed, and completed on a daily basis.

Day 1:
Build passion into your players from the moment they step on the field! Coach Wieligman's practices begin with early bird work for the first 40 minutes of practice. The early bird work includes hitting fundamentals and pitching work. You will see competitive pitching drills you can use to keep your pitchers focused and avoid the doldrums of simply counting pitches. The competitive nature of these drills makes every pitch count just like a game.

The main practice focuses on infield/outfield play, bunt defense, steals, hitting rotations and pitcher's fielding practice. The practice centers on a game-like approach using baserunners, fielders, defense and offense multiple softball skills simultaneously.

Day 2:
In the early bird segment, Assistant Coach Clarisa Crowell runs the Cowgirl pitching staff through a bullpen session concentrating on fundamentals. You'll see how she interacts with each pitcher to develop a good snap on the drop ball and you'll see a competitive, situational pitching drill. While pitchers are in the bullpen, the other players work on tee drills.

Practice starts in a split mode - outfielders and infielders. Coach Wieligman takes one group into the batting cage where players rotate through front toss and machine drills fine tuning their hitting mechanics. Assistant Coach Tom Gray takes the other group onto the field to work on fielding fundamentals. Infielders work on short hops, footwork and glove to ball transfers; while outfielders work on playing the ball off the wall. Both groups come together in the field to work on cuts and relays, slap defense, rundowns and fly ball priority.

You can The Oklahoma State staff made it very apparent that every skill in softball needs to be focused on each day.

236 minutes (2 DVDs). 2012.

This DVD features NSCAA Senior Academy Staff member Paul Payne demonstrating the value of this coaching methodology in small group play, such as 6 v. 6 and 8 v. 8 situations, and includes information on how to structure conditioned play, a key element to this coaching method. The overall theme of the sessions on this DVD is training the midfielders to work together in both attacking and defending situations.

Sections on this DVD include:

• Warm-up for training
• Defensive midfield
• Attacking midfield

Bonus Material

• Shadow training
• 3 zone activity
• Coaches Roundtable discussion on Coaching In The Game Methodology

50 minutes. 2007.

In the second part of this series, Teaching Team Tactics, the methodology is expanded to full 11 v. 11 play. NSCAA Academy Staff member Paul Marco coaches within game settings to develop improved on-field communication between defenders and midfielders. As in the first part of the series, structuring conditioned play, a key element to the coaching method, is demonstrated, as is the importance of linking the warm-up to the elements that will be stressed during the training session.

Sections on this DVD include:

• Warm-up for training
• Teaching Midfielders and Backs to Coordinate Their Defending
• Counter Attacking

• Winning The Ball To Start The Counter Attack

59 minutes (main program 50 minutes, bonus material, 9 minutes). 2008.

A cross-section of the most experienced NSCAA staff coaches share their wisdom about the game in clear, concise 1-2 minute tips designed to help players improve their technical execution, tactical understanding, and goalkeeping skills.

Technical

Tactical

55 minutes. 2008.

Coach BeLong, the 2008 NAIA National Men's Soccer Coach of the Year, shares the intricacies of building an elite level program. BeLong reveals five key components to ensuring elite status. He first discusses how to start building the program by selecting the right coaches and staff and includes tips on player development and rallying community support. BeLong then focuses on preseason workouts, early season and mid season adjustments and late season or post season guidance. He covers each section in great detail. Finally Coach BeLong gives you a glimpse of the offense and defense that has allowed his teams to be extremely successful. Coaches at any level can benefit from BeLong's knowledge and proven success.

64 minutes. 2009.