Building a Championship Pitching Program 3-Pack

Recognized by Baseball America as one of the top assistant coaches in the country, North Carolina's Scott Forbes' approach to pitching begins with fundamentals. He has created a unique, customizable program to develop his pitching staff using dynamic exercises, long tossing and flat ground work. This step-by-step, daily routine can be phased throughout the year to each pitcher's unique strengths and role in the bullpen.

Pitching Philosophy
Coach Forbes discusses UNC's pitching philosophy of developing a highly competitive bullpen. You'll learn the priority of pitches to develop after the command pitch has been mastered. Coach Forbes discusses how to incorporate pitch development throughout the daily throwing routine, and how to adjust workouts to each pitcher's unique strengths and role in the bullpen.

Daily Throwing Progression
Learn the importance of individualized daily stretching. Using on-the-field demonstrations, Coach Forbes takes players through a series of active stretching drills that get the arms, trunk and core loose in order to throw. This active stretching also promotes durability and arm care.

See how to correctly long toss with proper progression, release point and target points for accuracy. Using cones at various increments, pitchers throw from distances between 45 feet up to 250 feet while maintaining a "throw with a purpose" mentality.

Watch a flat ground work session from the stretch and full windup to learn how to perfect pitches and concentration. This is a great way to work on mechanics and accuracy without feeling the stress of pitching from a mound daily. Coach Forbes encourages a high level of concentration while his pitcher throws a simulated game using all of their pitches in flat ground.

After a daily throwing session, Coach Forbes demonstrates how to use light band work to cool down. Additional post-workout recommendations for pitchers are also offered.

Many programs emphasize strength and conditioning, which are all necessary, but this program focuses on the importance of daily throwing in order to build arm strength, increase durability and promote arm care. See why throwing is the most important daily routine for pitchers to help build strength, control and mental toughness to prepare for game-day situations.

74 minutes. 2015.

Too many times, pitchers in bullpen sessions just throw pitches in a rapid, purposeless fashion. This presentation shows you how to create purpose in every part of your bullpen training. UNC Associate Head Coach Scott Forbes emphasizes the importance of creating game-like conditions in every practice situation

Bullpen Coaching and Philosophy
Throughout this presentation, Coach Forbes explains his philosophy on coaching/recruiting pitchers. This includes the characteristics of a relief pitcher and the differences between starters and relievers. He also shares the development of daily, weekly, monthly and annual organizational techniques.

Warming Up for Bullpen Sessions and Games
Coach Forbes details the warm-up exercises that pitchers use to "heat up their bodies" before they throw. He includes examples of incorporating pick-off moves, throwing from the stretch, and varying hold times to the plate.

Creating Game Situations in the Bullpen
Coach Forbes demonstrates numerous situations that help pitchers and catchers develop game plans for hitters. He shows you how to use pitch sequencing to establish pitch count philosophies during a game. He also stresses the importance of the bullpen catcher and how to incorporate signaling into your bullpens.

Prepare your bullpen for game situations with these strategies from one of the game's most celebrated pitching coaches.

58 minutes. 2015.

Get deep into the game of baseball by teaching things many coaches overlook and most fans never notice. In this presentation, Scott Forbes discusses the often neglected aspects of being a complete pitcher: Controlling the run game, having good mound presence, and being able to field your position.

Controlling the Running Game
Every pitcher should understand how to control the running game. Coach Forbes outlines the components of keeping opponents from stealing bases against your pitchers. He stresses the importance of a pitcher being quick to the plate while maintaining his stuff. He shows how to deliver the ball quickly to the plate using a jab step to give the catcher a chance to throw the runner, while maintaining velocity and accuracy on their pitches.

A good, quick pick-off move is a must. Using live demonstration, Coach Forbes shows various moves to first base and second base that keep the runners in check and help avoid giving up a big inning. You'll see how a good, quick pick-off move involves keeping the ball ear-level and throwing from there. Coach Forbes shares the different pick-off moves used by his pitchers, including the balk move, quick pick, and hold pick for right handers along with the snap and slide pick for lefties. Coach Forbes works on each move in a drill sequence, moving from one to the next.

Mound Presence
A pitcher sets the tone for the rest of the team by maintaining a strong mound presence. A cool head on the mound carries over to the rest of the defensive unit. Coach Forbes explains how he encourages his pitchers to play with emotion but maintain control and exude confidence. He also shares his strategies for working through tough situations that occur during the course of a game.

Fielding the Position
Through a demonstration of PFPs (pitchers' fielding practice), Coach Forbes and his Carolina pitchers demonstrate how to cover first base on a ball hit to the first baseman (stressing the importance for the pitcher to stay on his route), throwing to second base after a comebacker to start a double play, throwing to home on a comebacker with the bases loaded, and how to communicate and field the "tweener" between the mound and first base. Coach Forbes also shows pitchers and coaches the importance of this sometimes undervalued aspect of the game.

Getting an out in bunt situations stops the opposing team from scoring easy runs and discourages a big inning offensively. Coach Forbes' pitchers demonstrate the techniques of fielding bunts on both sides of the field and defending the squeeze while the he explains the fundamentals of fielding and throwing the ball as well as the overall philosophy of getting the lead out.

Coach Forbes covers all of the bases when it comes to run game control, building the necessary mindset to be an effective pitcher, and being a playmaker on defense from the mound. Many pitchers have success in controlled sessions and in throwing specific drills. Coach Forbes bridges the gap from the bullpen to live game action.

63 minutes. 2015.