UNC Baseball System

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.

Coach Scott Jackson shows you how to implement an efficient and productive infield practice that develops athletic and versatile infielders who can make a variety of plays to help your team win games. Throughout the entire drill progression, Coach Jackson stresses the importance of footwork, proper throwing and angling.

Throwing Progression Program
For most teams, practice begins with players warming up their arms with no purpose, just aimless throwing, which can ultimately cost pivotal outs in game-changing situations. Coach Jackson presents a detailed program of short, medium and long throws designed to create a daily routine for simulating game-situation throws to improve efficiency and success.

Coach Jackson highlights key steps to throwing successfully like getting the ball back at a short angle, keeping the elbow above the shoulder, using a shorter arm action, getting good extension and rotation on the ball and using your front shoulder pointing to your target. He focuses his attention on keeping the feet underneath and making sure the player gets positive direction. In a simulating a relay throw, Jackson teaches players to set up parallel with their body, staying squared, letting the hands come to the middle of the body and correctly separating and rotating.

Infielder Fundamentals
Coach Jackson reviews the fundamentals of the four infield positions, providing his insights on each one. He demonstrates positioning, footwork, glove angles, approach to ball, arm angles, ready positions and communication for middle and corner infielders. In addition, he discusses pivot and drop step techniques that middle infielders can use for double plays, as well as a philosophy of athleticism and leadership expected of corner infields.

Video is provided to show mechanics for making plays on routine ground balls, slow rollers, hits to the right and left of the fielder, and double plays. Coach Jackson describes the proper way to field the ball using V-cut angles. He also explains the importance of hip movement in an angle, adjusting to the ball and keeping fingers on the ground, allowing the player to trust his reaction time to the ball..

Most practices are limited due to the length of field time or number of coaches. This presentation will help you develop a more efficient practice and determine which fundamentals you should be emphasizing during practice to develop a great foundation for infield play.

105 minutes. 2015.

In this outstanding, comprehensive presentation, Coach Scott Jackson helps coaches develop practice drills/routines for outfielders that go beyond simply hitting endless fly balls and grounders. His drills concentrate on creating the footwork technique necessary for an outfielder's development, particularly when it comes to throwing.

In this presentation, Coach Jackson teaches:

General Footwork - Coach Jackson teaches proper footwork on fielding hits to the outfield. He demonstrates how to use step behind and step in front techniques for throwing, as well as when to use a crow hop to keep the player under control. This enables the outfielder to be in position to gain momentum, have a quicker release and make more accurate throws. He also shows how to incorporate drills into throwing warm-up sessions that will save precious practice time.

Throwing Progressions - Coach Jackson demonstrates a throwing progression that any coach can use. The routine starts with basic ground ball techniques with no runners and advances to fly ball techniques with runners on base. This progression can be used as part of a plan for a single practice or a series of practices.

Tracking Fly Balls - Coaches and players will learn the techniques for tracking high fly balls to either side and over-the-head line drives. Coach Jackson demonstrates the proper technique for opening the hips to get to the balls without drifting, and under control, so the outfielder can come through the ball with momentum and make accurate, powerful throws. He also shows the proper way to play balls off the outfield wall. He gives you coaching tips on how to read the ball off the wall and staying in control when picking the ball up off the warning track. This will keep runners from taking extra bases and make it possible to throw runners out on the bases.

Use these drills and coaching tips to develop the essential techniques for all aspects of effective outfield play.

58 minutes. 2015.

Develop hitters to be their best and put your team in the position to be successful. University of North Carolina Assistant Coach Scott Jackson shows you how with an individualized approach for daily preparation that builds confidence and potential for success at the plate. Get a comprehensive approach to developing hitters that combines Coach Jackson's philosophy for success with batting cage drills and a video analysis of mechanics recommended for achieving a great swing.

Coach Jackson shares the characteristics of a successful hitter, including mental strategies to maximize each hitter's talents. He outlines goals for hitters and coaches to help create offensive opportunities on the field. Creating fundamental goals such as achieving good rhythm, posture and stride with each swing provides a simple approach that helps players help each other and themselves.

Learn to improve game-day confidence with a detailed batting practice that includes thorough instruction for tee work, front toss and live pitch drills. Coach Jackson demonstrates the benefits of posture using an elevated tee. He also provides instruction during several situational hitting scenarios using front toss and live batting practice. Your hitters will develop a confident approach at the plate. They'll also learn how to develop a natural, dynamic swing through individual rhythm, lower and upper body movement and ideal posture to attack the zone.

Video feedback is a powerful tool that can impact your lineup, if correctly used. Coach Jackson takes you into the video room and shows you how to use film to analyze players' swings. Catch and correct flaws in a swing and coach hitters how to get back on track to be more effective at the plate with detailed analysis of mechanics of the lower body, rhythm and posture during the swing. Coaching pointers and drills are provided to illustrate how to manage the variables of the swing to improve a batter's ability to adjust to pitches, be on time, be faster to the ball and create easy, low effort swings.

Coach Jackson gives you all of the information, drills and strategies necessary to create an individualized approach for preparing a successful a hitter.

118 minutes. 2015.