Miami Baseball: Pitching Essentials 2-Pack

with J.D. Arteaga,
University of Miami Assistant Coach/Pitching;
2016 NCAA College World Series; Back-to-Back-to-Back ACC Coastal Division Champions (2014-16)

All coaches know pitching sets the tone for the defense. If pitchers can't throw strikes and control the run game, games can go from winnable to blowouts very quickly. Coach J.D. Arteaga teaches accuracy drills, balance drills, and throwing drills along with pickoff moves in this video to help you guide your pitchers to success.

Pick-off Moves to Control Baserunners

Learn practice drills and techniques to develop pitchers who have mound presence in controlling opposing baserunners. Coach Arteaga's pick-off drills help pitchers learn the intricacies of different pick-offs to all bases to ensure run offense control. Included is:

• Footwork for right-handed pitchers for accurate throws to first base.
• How to interpret baseball's balk rules to effectively use left-handed pitchers' natural advantages to keep baserunners honest at first base.
• How to ensure pitchers' top and bottom halves work harmoniously to develop quick, firm, and accurate throws to second base - using both inside and outside pickoff moves.
• A tutorial of the "cheat with your feet" technique on pick-off moves to second base that creates a split-second advantage.

Pitching Drills for Practice Plans

Throw more quality pitches in games by developing a well-rounded practice plan for your pitchers. Learn how to use progression drills to teach pitchers how be successful in throwing. Starting from the ground up, focus on proper mechanics to stay consistent and build a repeatable delivery. Drills include:

• Balance and stride drills to build a solid foundation of muscle memory for consistent and repeatable mechanics.
• Rocker and tap drills to train a pitcher's body to use rhythm and momentum for greater velocity.
• The Balance Point and Finish Point drill to get pitchers to stay under control late in games and in pressure situations by relying on practice routines that train all parts of the body to work together.

Utilizing the Rocker Stride Drill, your pitchers will learn to engage their top and bottom halves to work together. Harnessing the momentum of fluid hips and power generated from the pitcher's backside while breaking hands and pointing a proper guide-side of their upper body will reinforce the drive and finish that will produce effective velocity and accurate location. Using this as a key part of your practice plan will help you develop a consistent pitching staff and put your defense in a position to win ball games.

Coach Arteaga teaches you key concepts that have helped make Miami a powerhouse in college baseball. You will learn how to build a strong practice plan to develop a deep and consistent pitching rotation, as well as how to limit damage done by opposing hitters who do reach base with effective pickoff moves and throws. As your pitchers' consistency on the mound increases, so will your team's winning percentage.

50 minutes. 2017.

with J.D. Arteaga,
University of Miami Assistant Coach/Pitching;
2016 NCAA College World Series; Back-to-Back-to-Back ACC Coastal Division Champions (2014-16)

A lot of focus goes into developing a pitcher's throwing motion. Pitchers not only have to throw strikes and set the tone for the game - they also have to be ready to field.

Using a progression of defensive drills, J.D. Arteaga provides you with the coaching points that enhance pitchers' infield play, when and how to break down while fielding batted and bunted balls, as well as how to cover bases.

Practice Repetitions

Learn the finer coaching points that help build a staff of pitchers that you can consider defensive assets for your program. Coach Arteaga emphasizes the need for repetition and control in practice settings to train players to react better in games.

Drills for a Pitcher's Fielding Practice

Using his pitchers to demonstrate the drills, Coach Arteaga details six drills for defending at the pitcher position on hits, bunts, and balls in the outfield. You'll get:

• 3-to-1 drills that illustrate the need for pitchers to work towards 1st base on any ball hit to the right side of the infield.
• "In-betweener" drills that show the need for communication between the pitcher and the infielders while fielding batted balls in the infield.
• Comebacker drills to teach your pitchers the mechanics for fielding comebackers and making throws to first or second base.
• Bunted ball fielding drills to teach pitchers how to intelligently make outs while limiting damage.
• Drills that work on defending 'suicide squeezes'.
• How to backup bases hits to the outfield so pitchers help avoid damage done through passed balls or errant throws.

You'll see how Coach Arteaga stresses the need for pitchers to be prepared through practice. He highlights specific drills and tools to emphasize important topics.

This video will help you recognize how important it is to have complete pitchers - athletes who can pitch, control the running game and field the position. Coach Arteaga gives you the defensive requirements of the pitcher, the drills to develop those skills, and the nuances required for pitchers to differentiate themselves from the rest of the pack.

67 minutes. 2017.