Skills Videos: What Should Pitchers Include?

Hey There Friend!

If you are a high school pitcher (or her coach or parent) that has dreams of playing college softball, this week's post is for you!

Putting together a skills video to introduce yourself and show what you look like in the circle can be a very helpful tool in starting to develop a relationship with a coach and getting him/her to come watch a game!

Creating a video is something that YOU can do. It's not necessary to pay to have it professionally done for you!

Here are some key things to include as you put your video together:

Introduction

Have FUN with this! It’s the FIRST impression coaches will get of you/your pitcher.

It’s great if your introduction can show your personality so coaches can get to know you a little through your video! HERE'S an example of an introduction that includes this pitcher's team catcher in a fun way!

This is a generic script you could use as a guide:

“Hi my name is_______________ and I’m a 20__ graduate and I go to______________ high school.  I’m a pitcher and I also play__________. 

My travel ball team is the__________.  (If you don’t play with a travel team anymore you can leave out the last sentence.)”

My greatest strength as a pitcher is: ____________________________.

My best pitches are: ______________________ (list no more than 4 pitches here, ONLY your BEST!)"

SHOW your BEST 3-4 pitches

What pitch or pitches make you exceptional? Make sure you lead with your strongest pitch FIRST!

Video to Include:

• 2 of your BEST pitch from a side view. Film from your throwing side (right side for right-handed pitcher)
  • This CAN be a fastball if that is your strongest pitch
• 3-5 good pitches IN A ROW from behind the catcher or pitcher of EACH of your BEST 3-4 pitches
  
  • Check out this video of various clips of pitchers that were shot from behind the plate
  • Here’s an example that shows what it could look like from behind the pitcher
  • DO NOT clip your 3-5 pitches! You need to be able to show that you have good enough command with them to throw at least 3 "good" pitches in a row without stopping the camera

Coaches want to see CONSISTENCY with your pitches. You don’t have throw perfect pitches, but if you aren’t happy with the first 3-5 pitches you throw, re-film it!

Remember that for many of you this will be a coach’s FIRST impression of you!

• Game film against hitters OR common pitch sequences you use against hitters
  • Showing what you can do against hitters during a game is a great tool for them to see your skills without physically being there in person.
    • Check out THIS VIDEO if you'd like to see how to include game film (it starts 4 minutes into the video)
    • The key is getting the correct angle to show them your location, movement, and deception
  • If you don't have game film, you can throw an inning or two showing some common pitch sequences you like to use
    • HERE is a video that shows how you can create "game-like" situations in your video (it starts at the 3:40 mark)

Keep it BRIEF

Try to keep the entire video, including game footage or pitch sequences, to 10 minutes or less. Remember that coaches get MANY emails and videos.

You want to QUICKLY:

• introduce yourself
• tell coaches about your best pitches
• show coaches your best pitches
• show game footage OR pitch sequences you like to use during games

Make them REMEMBER you and WANT to come watch you compete in-person!

Showing your personality through this video, in addition to your physical skills, is a great way to help yourself STAND OUT from the crowd!

I know that the recruiting process can be a bit overwhelming and intimidating for many of you going through it for the first time. Putting together your skills video it a great way to get started!

I'm happy to be a resource for any of you that need some guidance!

If you have questions about other aspects of the recruiting process that you would like to ask me or would like me to cover in a future post, let me know by sending a quick email HERE!

All My BEST,

Myndie