Chicago Cubs Minor League Pitching Coordinator;
former Vanderbilt University Associate Head Coach/Pitching Coach;
2004 National Pitching Coach of the Year,
2010 National Assistant Coach of the Year;
the 2011 Vanderbilt pitching staff led SEC in ERA and strikeouts.
Under Coach Johnson's tutelage, six Vanderbilt pitchers have been drafted in the first round, including David Price who was taken by the Tampa Bay Rays as the first pick of the first round in 2007.
How can you develop arm strength and improve throwing mechanics while preventing injury? In this lecture-style presentation, 2004 National Pitching Coach of the Year Derek Johnson reveals his three throwing programs and how to prepares his pitchers to throw in practice.
Coach Johnson takes you through a step-by-step look at Vanderbilt's complete throwing preparation program, accompanied by a video explanation of each exercise. Johnson shows you cross symmetry and the two levels you should always work, along with exercises for each level to get you properly started. He then goes over foam rolling exercises which help muscles recover, improve mobility and reduce aches and pain from competition.
You will learn 10 stretches that every Vanderbilt pitcher does before throwing, including `No Money' and a martial arts inspired move called Tea Cups. He shows you the exact mechanics of each stretch including how to do the stretch correctly vs. incorrectly. Additionally, coach Johnson discusses common arm injuries and gives you certain stretches that will help prevent such injuries.
Open up Coach Johnson's `tool shed' and choose from a variety of quick feet and mobility drills to finish your warm-ups.
Along with video examples, Johnson explains the three types of throwing, how to approach each session, and he even gives you exact distances, times, and tips on how to get a stronger arm and become a better pitcher through specific throwing drills. The easy long toss program is used to stretch out and massage the arm. The long toss program is used to increase arm strength. Coach Johnson also introduces you to "compression throwing" for developing velocity and Vanderbilt's skill work done at the end of each throwing program.
Working from initial catch play, through focused and purposeful long toss, back to compression throws (maintaining your long toss effort, but compressing it into 60'6"), Coach Johnson's proven approach will not only help you or your pitchers gain arm strength and arm speed, it will also improve all aspects of being a pitcher.
Add this warm-up and throwing routine to you program and see immediate gains in the health and development of your pitchers.
56 minutes. 2012.
LD-04036B: with Derek Johnson,
Chicago Cubs Minor League Pitching Coordinator;
former Vanderbilt University Associate Head Coach/Pitching Coach;
2004 National Pitching Coach of the Year,
2010 National Assistant Coach of the Year;
the 2011 Vanderbilt pitching staff led SEC in ERA and strikeouts.
Under Coach Johnson's tutelage, six Vanderbilt pitchers have been drafted in the first round, including David Price who was taken by the Tampa Bay Rays as the first pick of the first round in 2007.
How does a pitcher dominate a game from start to finish? In this lecture-style presentation, Derek Johnson provides an arsenal of pitches and strategies to build a game plan for success at any level.
Coach Johnson explains the Vanderbilt "Fearless in the Zone" philosophy and its importance for every pitcher on his staff. He teaches you how many pitches you need to master to be dominant at any level, how to build your pitcher's plan around his strengths and when and how to make necessary adjustments.
Johnson answers such questions as:
- How to determine what pitches you can throw due to your natural arm slot
- How to know if you're on the side of the rubber that's right for you
- How to develop your basic plan against right-handed hitters and left-handed hitters
Coach Johnson teaches you the three P's for your pitching plan, what to do if the hitter is comfortable, how to attack a hitter in four different counts: early, ahead, behind, and even. Johnson also talks about different situations including how to pitch early in a game vs. late in a game, what to look for when reading a hitter and how to set up a plan accordingly.
This DVD is loaded with golden information that every pitcher and coach needs to learn and understand to reach your highest potential and add more W's to your win column.
94 minutes. 2012.