Pitching with a Purpose: Drills to Become a Dominant Pitcher

and Shaun Cole, University of Arizona Pitching Coach; 2012 Collegiate Baseball National Pitching Coach of the Year

The Arizona Wildcats set a number of records on the mound in their 2012 National Championship season. In the College World Series, the Wildcat staff produced a 1.15 team ERA en route to the team title. In this instructional baseball DVD, Andy Lopez shares his view on pitching and what it takes to become a great pitcher.

Coach Lopez believes in a "Competitive Strong" philosophy. He wants his pitchers to develop a three pitch arsenal that can help with location, get back into count and provide an "out pitch." This gives pitchers the ability to focus on developing effective pitches they can rely on.

Coach Lopez and Coach Cole go through their daily "flat ground" drills. These drills are used to build muscle memory and to improve the player's ability to repeat their delivery on every pitch. They also show you the three major checkpoints they use with their pitchers (both RHP and LHP) to aide in self-coaching themselves during practice and games. This program keeps teaching mechanics simple, but also helps players make adjustments in their mechanics.

Watch and listen in as Coach Cole works with his pitchers in short bullpen session. Cole constantly stresses to his pitchers that they work on one specific skill daily.

By reinforcing the correct breathing and visualization techniques, your pitchers will be more focused and maximize their effectiveness with more quality repetitions.

The video concludes with the Arizona Wildcat throwing program called Daily Catch Play. Using normal throwing activities to help improve control makes the most out of your practice time. This program is used to strengthen the pitcher's arms and to develop a feel for their secondary pitches like the change up.

This video is loaded with ideas and drills that will enhance any coaches pitching staff, regardless of your level.

76 minutes. 2013.