The screw ball is one of the hottest pitches in softball! While it's easy to learn, it can cause problems if thrown incorrectly. Houston's Kyla Holas breaks down a comprehensive list of basic fundamentals and drills that your pitchers can use to develop a safe and effective curve ball and screw ball.

Starting from the fast ball position (to avoid tipping the hitter), Coach Holas covers the basic philosophy of the grip, the appropriate axis for the ball, the proper leg path and weight shift, head angle and arm mechanics to throw each pitch.

Holas implements many pitching tools that all coaches have handy to help with the development of her pitchers. She demonstrates with a small football to show the grip, axis, spin and arm movement for the screw ball, as well as a similar drill with a flying disc for the curve ball. Halas uses live demonstrators for each drill so you can see the mechanics in motion and to show you necessary check points to ensure that proper form and technique are being followed.

Using a variety of common equipment, Holas shows how your pitchers can use their footwork and momentum to deliver your pitch. She demonstrates proper release points and balance for the pitches and shows how to gauge accuracy and the break of the ball.

The screw ball and curve ball can become "go to" or strike out pitches if learned and thrown safely. By implementing these drills into your pitchers daily work outs you will see improvements and increase the productivity of your pitchers in no time. These drills can be utilized by the beginning pitcher as well as the experienced pitcher. A must get tutorial on the curve and screw ball!

2012.

Establish solid fundamentals and utilize drills to make your slappers more versatile and effective against all defenses.

Starting with footwork and the all-important first step, then going through timing all the way to follow-through, University of Houston, Kyla Holas explains the fundamentals of slap hitting and delivers the drills that improve mechanics and ball path.

Get your slappers "hitting while running" instead of running while hitting - and see what a difference it makes in their effectiveness. Hit through the 5-6 hole, create high bouncers, hit at specific targets in the infield and outfield-and drop that killer bunt (with one hand or two!)-all with the techniques and approaches shared by Coach Holas.

You'll learn the elements of the contact slap, the power slap, and the drop bunt. You'll understand the role of the hands, and how the hands make the difference between a contact slapper and a power slapper. And you'll develop the most dangerous slap hitters using numerous drills, including: Catch & Throw; Phase; Double Ball; Extension Tee; Bouncy Balls, Dots, Nets In Outfield, Challenge Drill; Lacrosse Stick Drill; and a culminating "Tee-Toss-Live" progression that covers bunt, contact slap and power slap.

In addition, Holas delivers the basics of baserunning. Learn to take every inch your opponent will give you. Holas explains and demonstrates the essentials for running paths at each base, leads, infield reads, outfield reads, tag ups and 1st & 3rd situations. Create smart, aggressive base runners!

This combination of slap hitting and base running will help you turn up the run production this season!

2012.

Make more impact plays in the outfield this season!

Kyla Holas presents drills and coaching exercises that will create impact outfielders capable of making game changing plays. Coach Holas divides the tape into three areas.

Footwork & Throwing
Beginning with throwing basics, Holas demonstrates a basic box drill to work on arm slot and footwork; critical elements in creating a strong, accurate throw every time. She then adds a ground ball progression that incorporates fielding into the fundamentals of the throw. From there she demonstrates the quarterback drill that works on the drop step with different ball paths (straight back, diagonal, across and in front).

Ground Ball Progressions
See various progressions to build forehand and backhand skills that will create good angles to the ball allowing your athletes to make an efficient and accurate throw. You'll also see practice ideas to train communication skills for tweeners, as well as exercises for throwing out a runner in "do or die situations," and the proper way to complete fence pick-ups to quickly get the ball to the base.

Fly Balls
Holas shows a fly ball progression to train proper fundamentals for routine flies, balls hit overhead, fly balls near the fence, and balls hit into the sun. In addition, you will learn the proper form for diving for fly balls. Discover strategies for safely training the art of diving and eliminate the fear of landing.

Prepare your outfielders for any situation they will face this season!

2012.

The screw ball is one of the hottest pitches in softball! While it's easy to learn, it can cause problems if thrown incorrectly. Houston's Kyla Holas breaks down a comprehensive list of basic fundamentals and drills that your pitchers can use to develop a safe and effective curve ball and screw ball.

Starting from the fast ball position (to avoid tipping the hitter), Coach Holas covers the basic philosophy of the grip, the appropriate axis for the ball, the proper leg path and weight shift, head angle and arm mechanics to throw each pitch.

Holas implements many pitching tools that all coaches have handy to help with the development of her pitchers. She demonstrates with a small football to show the grip, axis, spin and arm movement for the screw ball, as well as a similar drill with a flying disc for the curve ball. Halas uses live demonstrators for each drill so you can see the mechanics in motion and to show you necessary check points to ensure that proper form and technique are being followed.

Using a variety of common equipment, Holas shows how your pitchers can use their footwork and momentum to deliver your pitch. She demonstrates proper release points and balance for the pitches and shows how to gauge accuracy and the break of the ball.

The screw ball and curve ball can become "go to" or strike out pitches if learned and thrown safely. By implementing these drills into your pitchers daily work outs you will see improvements and increase the productivity of your pitchers in no time. These drills can be utilized by the beginning pitcher as well as the experienced pitcher. A must get tutorial on the curve and screw ball!

2012.

Bring your best stuff onto the field every time-and prepare to win even during those times when "your best stuff" isn't there.

Utilizing video footage, props, demonstrations, and straightforward expert analysis that draws on unmatched personal experience, UCLA Pitching Coach Lisa Fernandez delivers a truly comprehensive clinic on pitching preparation.

Starting with the premise that confidence comes from preparation and mechanics, Coach Fernandez delivers generous amounts of highly detailed insights into how, exactly, she and others at her level prepare to win. She covers everything from instilling the proper 5-phase mechanics and control at the earliest age, to specific visualization techniques for the night before, to game-day preparation, to a unique method for marking the field and guiding the pitcher's stride only moments before she throws the first pitch.

She also presents specific approaches for handling all sorts of in-game adversity, including those moments when "feel" just isn't enough. With valuable tips for players literally at every stage, this is a video that will grow as your players grow, but is also immediately beneficial to women competing at the very highest levels of the sport today.

Take your pitchers into that magical zone where they're both hyped up and in control, dominating hitters from the very first pitch, because they've prepared properly from day one.

95 minutes. 2011.

Diana Pepin shares her philosophy of hitting and a progression of drills you can use to develop an efficient and powerful softball swing.

Hitting Drills
Coach Pepin starts with the swing basics, providing a quick demonstration of the swing mechanics she teaches. She then moves to a four-drill series that you can use everyday to reinforce the fundamentals of stance, grip, load & attack, the heel plant, hips and the swing.

Pepin next leads her players through a series of tee drills to attack inside pitches:

• One Arm Drills - Teach your players to hit line drives, develop quick hands, keep their hands inside the ball and make contact out front on inside pitches.
• Double Tee Drill - Train your players to drive the ball by "staying long" through the ball.
• Weighted Bat Drill - Helps get the bat head out front and increases bat speed.

Throughout the drills Pepin coaches her athletes and provides key points for producing a quality swing.

Hitting Mentality
Step into the box ready to hit! Pepin shares how she breaks down the mental side of hitting by going through a checklist each batter should know to better understand what pitch they are hitting. The list includes: Breaking down the four quadrants of the plate, having a plan of attack, showing confidence while in the batter's box, seeing the defense and what they are giving you and more.

Live Hitting Challenge
Pepin finishes with a game-like, live hitting simulation where the players are presented with situational challenges while in the batting cage. Sacrifice bunts, slap hitting and 2-strike hitting techniques are all demonstrated.

These drills and concepts will help give your hitters an attacking mindset and a quality at bat every time they step up to the plate.

67 minutes. 2011.

Diana Pepin and her staff let the camera roll during this live, indoor practice. This entire practice takes place inside their campus gymnasium and includes the team drills you need to keep your players occupied and focused on the fundamentals when working indoors.

Dynamic Stretching
The Warriors' dynamic stretching program readies the muscles for the explosive movements of a softball practice. The warm-up ends with form running and acceleration drills.

Baserunning
See how to train your base runners to read the ball (or the pitcher) on tag-ups, running on contact and on a straight steal - all with a conditioning element attached to it.

Swing Mechanics
These team hitting drills train the basic fundamentals of the swing. Areas of concentration include stance, the heel plant, hips, staying long through the swing and head position.

Ground Ball Work
Pepin breaks her team into three groups to simultaneously work on their defensive fundamentals. The infielders work on short hops, tosses, and tags while the outfielders work on playing through a fly ball and drop steps. The catchers are working on framing pitches, blocking the ball and coming out of a stance to scoop the ball and throw to a bag.

Throwing Series
The throwing series has the entire team working on long, lofted throws to work on stretching their arms and developing good rotation on the ball. The program also works on receiving the ball. The players must catch the ball simulating a force play, tag play or cut-off position to work on their footwork. Additional drills work on quick glove-to-throw exchanges, throwing on the run and rundown throws.

Infield & Outfield Drills
These high rep infield drills focus on fielding ground balls, throwing to bases, turning double plays, and executing bunt defense. The outfield drills consist of catching on the run, working on drop steps, fielding ground balls and fly balls, and a good conditioning drill called the flying falcon.

Team Defense
Coach Pepin then takes the team defense through a series of game situations using live runners with a coach hitting or bunting.

Practice concludes with the Warriors' running through their pre-game warm-up.

This DVD is a must for any coach looking for ways to improve practice, get in a high number of reps, keep as many players as possible involved and active, and make the most of their indoor practice space!

92 minutes. 2011.

Diana Pepin shares her philosophy of hitting and a progression of drills you can use to develop an efficient and powerful softball swing.

Hitting Drills
Coach Pepin starts with the swing basics, providing a quick demonstration of the swing mechanics she teaches. She then moves to a four-drill series that you can use everyday to reinforce the fundamentals of stance, grip, load & attack, the heel plant, hips and the swing.

Pepin next leads her players through a series of tee drills to attack inside pitches:

• One Arm Drills - Teach your players to hit line drives, develop quick hands, keep their hands inside the ball and make contact out front on inside pitches.
• Double Tee Drill - Train your players to drive the ball by "staying long" through the ball.
• Weighted Bat Drill - Helps get the bat head out front and increases bat speed.

Throughout the drills Pepin coaches her athletes and provides key points for producing a quality swing.

Hitting Mentality
Step into the box ready to hit! Pepin shares how she breaks down the mental side of hitting by going through a checklist each batter should know to better understand what pitch they are hitting. The list includes: Breaking down the four quadrants of the plate, having a plan of attack, showing confidence while in the batter's box, seeing the defense and what they are giving you and more.

Live Hitting Challenge
Pepin finishes with a game-like, live hitting simulation where the players are presented with situational challenges while in the batting cage. Sacrifice bunts, slap hitting and 2-strike hitting techniques are all demonstrated.

These drills and concepts will help give your hitters an attacking mindset and a quality at bat every time they step up to the plate.

67 minutes. 2011.