SKILLS VIDEO FOR COLLEGE

Make a skills tape.  Have a parent or coach videotape you in action.  It does not have to be fancy or done by a professional.

Videotaping Your Softball Skills:

Colleges want to see everything you are capable of doing.  If you play several positions, show footage of different skills.  Please keep in mind, thought that they receive hundreds of videotapes each season and simply don't have time to view excess and unneeded footage.  Here are some guidelines as to what they want to see and how many repetitions they would like to see.  In what order you perform the skills makes no difference.  It is recommended to use the zoom feature rather than moving in on a position -- you may disturb the fielder of hitter.  The entire tape should only be approximately 10 - 15 minutes.  Wear your uniform and all protective gear.

Introduction:

Include name, high school, grade, GPA, major studied, college plans and other personal information of interest.

Hitting:

View from beyond opposite batters box, facing the batter as they are in their stance, close view.  Full swings in this segment, if you have full swings from both right and left side, please show both.

Bunting:

Sac Bunts:  View from pitching circle, left and right sides, if applicable.

Bunt for Hit:  View from pitching circle, left and right sides, if applicable.

Drag Bunt:  View from pitching circle, left and right sides, if applicable.

Slap Bunt:  View from beyond opposite batters box, left and right side, if applicable.

Throwing and Catching:  (All Positions)

Fielding ground balls, some directly at you, some to your right and left.

Balls to your right and left should be approximately 15 to 20 feet each way.

Show the throw to a base.  (Note) Always have an angle to show the throw.

DO NOT follow the ball with the camera.

Catchers:  (Full Equipment)

Block ball in dirt, some right at you, some to show lateral movement.

Field bunts and throw to all bases.

Pick-off technique (from knees or up to stance) show throws to 1B and 3B.

Steals, show throw to 2B and 3B, with the fielder on the move to cover the base.

A stopwatch time should be included from the point of pitcher release to the completed throw to the base.

Corners:

Field bunts, throw to 1B, 2B and 3B.

At 1st base, show stretch and taking throws in the dirt.

At 3rd base, show fielding technique when brought in, taking throws from home, taking throws from the outfield to demonstrate tag technique.

Middle Infielders:

Double play, show pivot, footwork and agility

Double play, feeds.

Shortstop, covering second on a steal.

Second, covering first on a bunt

Fly balls overhead, Texas Leaguer.

Outfielders:

Fielding fly balls and grounders, some directly at you, some to your right, left and forward.  Show the throw to 2B, 3B and home.  Right Field also show throw to 1B.

Pitchers:

Use a radar gun to show speed of pitches.  Demonstrate each pitch in your arsenal.

Two Angles:  From behind pitcher and from side/behind the catcher to show movement of the pitch.

Show 5 to 6 of each pitch you have from each angle.

Field grounders and bunts, throwing to all bases.

Base Running:

Home to first, after you swing.

Home to home, after you swing.

Show times on a stop watch in the video.

Sliding:

Show steal to 2B or 3B.  Demonstrate different slides you have learned.  These should include the figure four, hook slide and head first.

Video Production:

Consider spending money having a professional edit your video and arrange the final product.  Your video should use the proper angle to capture the field of play.  An angle on the right side of the field between home and first is preferred, also include directly behind the plate and from centerfield.  Streaming videos can be viewed by all member coaches, downloaded by them if they choose, and kept on file in their computers for future use.