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I recently watched Kobata's first two videos: Series 1 and Series 2. I was impressed by his detailed and to-the-point explanations of the mechanics. I also enjoyed some of his techniques - definitely nice explanations of pivots, fielding the ball left of centerline (for right hand throwers) and base coverage.
I did, however, find some of his techniques troubling. I would NEVER have one of my players use his side throw technique, for example, which (at least as demonstrated in the videos) has the player throwing the ball at about a 3/4 angle with the elbow below the shoulder and the wrist snapping and stopping in front of the body. Frequent repetition of this motion, in my opinion, can cause both shoulder damage (from the elbow position during the throw) and elbow problems (from "stopping short" in front of the body). Regardless of whether this is softball or baseball, this throwing motion has a HIGH risk of injury if performed many times.
There are other little things, like the way that he has second basemen cover first base on a bunt that seems to miss the forest for the trees (i.e. For instance, he seems to disregard the fact that having the second basemen set up at first in the traditional manner provides an easier target for the catcher or third basemen that is AWAY from the runner coming down the first baseline).
Overall, I think the videos are good . I enjoyed them and have picked up a few drills. However, I am not sure I see anything revolutionary or new in them. It's just a good video set. That doesn't devalue watching them, but I have seen others that are just as useful. I applaud him for being able to market a defensive skills video in a market where hitting and pitching videos outsell fielding videos probably 10 to 1.
I did, however, find some of his techniques troubling. I would NEVER have one of my players use his side throw technique, for example, which (at least as demonstrated in the videos) has the player throwing the ball at about a 3/4 angle with the elbow below the shoulder and the wrist snapping and stopping in front of the body. Frequent repetition of this motion, in my opinion, can cause both shoulder damage (from the elbow position during the throw) and elbow problems (from "stopping short" in front of the body). Regardless of whether this is softball or baseball, this throwing motion has a HIGH risk of injury if performed many times.
There are other little things, like the way that he has second basemen cover first base on a bunt that seems to miss the forest for the trees (i.e. For instance, he seems to disregard the fact that having the second basemen set up at first in the traditional manner provides an easier target for the catcher or third basemen that is AWAY from the runner coming down the first baseline).
Overall, I think the videos are good . I enjoyed them and have picked up a few drills. However, I am not sure I see anything revolutionary or new in them. It's just a good video set. That doesn't devalue watching them, but I have seen others that are just as useful. I applaud him for being able to market a defensive skills video in a market where hitting and pitching videos outsell fielding videos probably 10 to 1.