3x All-Big Ten catcher at the University of Wisconsin, former Assistant Coach at Purdue and University of North Carolina
Former All -Big Ten catcher Boo Gillette delves into one of the most critical positions on the diamond - the catcher - dissecting and analyzing the skills necessary to ensure top performance. Coach Gillette covers every aspect of catching such as characteristics of a good catcher, communication with the pitcher and umpire, equipment, stance and framing, fielding bunts and plays at the plate. She also demonstrates a comprehensive progression of catching drills that her players use daily to improve fundamental skills.
Throughout the video Gillette provides a valuable mix of coaching instruction and live teaching as she coaches her players through a practice.
Basic Drills and Catching Circuit
Coach Gillette demonstrates four basic framing drills that her catchers use daily to improve their receiving skills. This challenging circuit builds strength, improves agility and reinforces basic catching fundamentals. The circuit consists of various skills like catching pitch-outs, catching foul balls, blocking, framing and making plays at the plate.
Receiving
On a borderline pitch, soft hands and good framing can be the difference between a called strike and a ball (and keep the umpire in your corner). Coach Gillette explains the essentials on how catchers set their stance and call pitches. In addition, she shares two ways to get the catcher's body to the pitch. She also discusses the strategy of setting up late, hiding the signal and how the catcher should position the glove when catching the ball.
Blocking
Effective blocking can stop runners from advancing and keep runs off the board. It gives the pitcher confidence that the catcher can knock down a pitch in any situation. Coach Gillette demonstrates the correct mechanics for blocking pitches in the dirt and to either side of the catcher. She also demonstrates how to get down to the ground quickly.
Throwing
A quick throw to the bases can prevent steals or keep runners from advancing to the next base. Coach Gillette discusses throwing from the knees and throwing from the feet. She shares footwork techniques and body positions for each, using demonstrations with a batter in the box.
Fielding and Plays at the Plate
To ensure the out, Coach Gillette demonstrates how to split the plate and shares the proper mechanics for accurately fielding a bunt down the third or first baseline. Understanding how to make plays at the plate is critical since, in these situations, the catcher is the only person standing in the way of a baserunner scoring. Coach Gillette explains how the catcher should position her body, awaiting the throw from any position on the field. She also discusses how to block the plate with either one or two knees, depending on the situation.
Boo Gillette shares her passion for catching in this "A to Z guide" to this key defensive position. Use this resource to prepare your catchers for any situation the game - or the pitcher - may throw at her. This is a must-have video for any coach at any level!
66 minutes. 2014.
SD-04646D: with Boo Gillette, Arizona State University Assistant Softball Coach;
3x All-Big Ten catcher at the University of Wisconsin, former Assistant Coach at Purdue and University of North Carolina
Prepare any pitcher for game day with the drills and techniques in this comprehensive video from Arizona State assistant coach Boo Gillette. Coach Gillette explains the basic concepts of her bullpen workouts and how she develops mental toughness in the bullpen. She also shares two live bullpen workouts focusing on developing mechanically proficient and strategically prepared pitchers.
Throughout the video Gillette provides a valuable mix of coaching instruction and live teaching as she coaches her players through the workouts.
Bullpen Workout
Coach Gillette begins with an outline of her pitching bullpen workout. She explains how her pitchers "backtrack" to break down each pitch, and gives several keys from the perspective of the person catching the ball. She breaks down the pitching motion into four phases that will help the pitcher and coach identify where problems occur.
Mental Toughness
With the game on the line and the ball in her hand, a strong mental game can be the difference between a win and a loss. Mental toughness doesn't happen on its own; it's a skill that must be developed. Coach Gillette offers strategies to improve mental toughness and drills that require mental toughness to execute.
All Access Bullpen - "Pitcher Picks"
Watch a typical bullpen workout live with the Arizona State pitching staff. Day 1 is a "pitcher picks day" that lets the pitcher pick a pitch (usually her best) to work on. Coach Gillette puts the pitcher through a series of drills to breakdown the mechanics of the pitch. She offers corrections and feedback as pitchers execute each drill.
All Access Bullpen - "One-Two-Three"
This live bullpen session focuses on pitching strategy and execution. The pitchers do a "one-two-three" drill trying to throw a called strike on the first pitch and then expanding the plate and making batters chase pitches out of the zone. Coach Gillette wraps up the bullpen session by explaining what she was focusing on with each pitcher and why.
Fastball Mechanics Drills
Most advanced pitchers do not throw fastballs during a game. However, the mechanics for every pitch they throw are set up by the fastball. In this segment, Coach Gillette explains and demonstrates 25 pitching drills that can be used with not only the fastball, but with any pitch.
It is often said that pitching and defense win championships. No matter how you spin it, pitching is and will always be central to the game of softball. Order now and let Coach Boo Gillette show you how to prepare any pitcher for game day!
128 minutes. 2014.