Pitching Drills : 1 to 5

Pitching mechanics are extremely important if one is to become an accomplished pitcher. The following 1 to 5 progressions will greatly aid the pitcher in achieving this goal. They can be performed daily and can be done at very short distances thus saving the pitcher’s arm. Although they can be utilized by pitchers of all ages, they are especially helpful to the youth league coaches who are trying to develop young pitchers. Try them! They really work.




Progression 1
1. Show and Throw
2. Point and Dangle
3. Tuck and Pivot
4. Throw

A. THINGS TO LOOK FOR:
- ball in hand facing directly opposite the pitcher
- glove arm pointing toward target
- glove tucks to the side of the pitcher as he pivots. This gets the glove out of the way.
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Progression 2
1. Balance :ball in glove
2. Step and reach to show and throw position. Stop and check
3. Throw

B. THINGS TO LOOK FOR:
- lead leg lifts to about waist high with ball in glove
- lead leg foot points down to the ground
- ball taken out of the glove before the pitcher starts forward
- make sure he stops at the show and throw position
- all of “A” above

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Progression 3
1. Balance :ball in glove
2. Step and reach to show and throw position.
3. Throw

C. THINGS TO LOOK FOR:
- “A” above
- “B” above
- when the lead leg steps forward and reaches the ground, the throwing arm should be at the top of it’s arc. This is referred to as the power position. Reaching the power position will prevent the pitcher from rushing—a major factor in losing power and location

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Progression 4
1. Short step back
2. Step in hole
3. Balance Position
4. To Show and Throw
5. Stop


D. THINGS TO LOOK FOR:
- pitcher steps straight back with the lead foot keeping his target directly in front of him and not moving side to side
- pivot foot steps into the hole in front of the rubber and not on top , keeping his balance and also a push off area
- ball taken out of glove before he starts forward
- reaches power position

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Progression 5
1. Progression 4 without stopping
2. Follow through after releasing the ball
3. Square himself to be in a good fielding position

E. THINGS TO LOOK FOR
- “D”
-throwing arm travels along side the lead leg to complete the follow through.
-the pitcher actually faces sideward after a good follow through

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Pitching Mechanics

Not all pitchers throw the same way. Release points may be different and velocities may vary. The objective, though, remains the same. That is to THROW STRIKES. Certain basic mechanics are constant. Sycronization of body parts is of utmost importance to ensure that the pitcher throws to his utmost efficiency and thus reach his objective. Velocity and accuracy are definitely affected when this does not occur. Also, the possibility of injury does remain very likely. When all body parts work together, the pitcher has the potential to throw to the best of his ability. At all levels, proper pitching mechanics are very important. Learning them at an early age ensure that the correct habits are formed. Breaking incorrect habits becomes very difficult as time goes on.


Following is a list of mechanics that we feel should be stressed when working with pitchers. Also, some favorite drills are mentioned that have been used to work on the mechanic.



1. POSITION ON THE RUBBER


When setting up on the pitching rubber, the pitcher should stand tall and balanced, trying to look imposing and intimidating. Instilling some fear in the waiting batter would be a welcome advantage. Righties should set up on the right side of the rubber and Lefties should set up on the left. This is to ensure the proper arm angle and ball path when delivering to the plate. The rhp's left foot should be slightly ahead of his left. The opposite is true for the lhp. The glove remains in front of the pitcher with the hand gripping the ball and hidden from the view of the opposing team.

DRILL: Cut out several pieces of wood the same size of a pitching rubber. The pitching rubber is a rectangle, 24 inches across and 6 inches wide. Have your players practice setting up on the wood similar to the pitching rubber. In this way, a certain comfort level will be established.


2. STEP BACK


Pitching begins with the step back. The step back is used only to initiate the delivery and not to achieve power. A short step back is recommended to keep balance on the rubber. Stepping straight back and not to the side will keep the pitcher's target, the catcher, directly in front of him and not moving from side to side. Taking a lengthy step back will upset the balance needed by the pitcher on the pitching mound. The step back may start with a full windup or a half windup. The righty steps back with the left foot, and the lefty steps back with the right.

DRILL : Under your supervision, have your pitchers take some "step backs." Keep them relatively short and as straight back as possible. This drill can be done daily by your pitchers to reinforce the proper habit.


3. PIVOT FOOT

As the rhp steps back with his left foot, the right foot or pivot foot steps into the hole in the front of the rubber. This will ensure that the pitcher will be able to properly push off the rubber when the time comes. Stepping on top of the rubber is not recommended. There is no push off surface and a lack of stability caused by the rubber cleats or spikes worn. This becomes cumbersome at times for the young pitcher. It is much easier to step on top rather than in front of the rubber.
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DRILL: Stepping on top of the rubber is much easier for the pitcher. Practicing to step in the hole will be necessary. A habit can be formed by constant repetition. This can be achieved by daily practice. Slightly angling the body position of your pitcher may help to eliminate problems that occur trying to step in front of the rubber.


4. BALANCE POSITION


After the right foot steps into the hole in front of the rubber, the rhp gathers himself, bringing his left leg up about waist high with his toes pointing downward. If the toes are pointed upward, he will land with his heel first, which will jerk him forward and off balance. Also, at the balance position, the ball should remain in the glove.

DRILL: Balance is very important for a pitcher. The pitcher should spend time locked in the balance position. Put a clock on them, having them stay in the balance position for ten seconds, fifteen seconds and finally twenty seconds. Achieving balance will take time for the young pitcher. It needs to be worked on.

5. Arm Action

At the balance position, it is important that the ball be taken out of the glove first before the body moves forward. This will prevent the pitcher from rushing. The ball should be taken out of the glove with the thumb pointed down to the ground. The throwing arm' s path is an arc going down, up and around. Pointing the thumb down when the ball is removed from the glove keeps the hand on top of the ball when it's ready to be thrown rather than under the ball causing a loss of velocity and possible arm injury.

Drill: Have your pitchers take the ball out of the glove before moving forward. This can be done by holding them back when the ball is removed from the glove. They will quickly feel the sensation of removal before movement.

6. Step Forward

After reaching the balance position, the ball is first removed from the glove before the body moves forward. The circular arm path is begun and should reach the top of the arc when the left foot (right foot for a lefty pitcher) reaches the ground. This is called the power position. Not reaching the power position before moving forward will undoubtedly cause rushing and a lack of velocity and accuracy. By reaching the power position, the pitcher ensures that he will use his body to help him throw thus achieving his maximum velocity, rather than throwing all arm and possibly injuring himself. At the balance position, the glove arm is pointed directly toward the target. The balls is gripped with the throwing arm and pointed toward centerfield. The hand remains on top of the ball and not under it.

Drill: Have your pitcher practice their windups and stop at the power position. They can easily see if they need to make an adjustment if foot and arm sychronization is not correct.


7. Follow Through


From the power position, the throwing arm is brought past the pitcher's ear and the ball is released out in front of his body. The arm path continues to the left of the lead leg. This will increase the pitcher's velocity and help him avoid injury.

Drill: Under your supervision, have your pitcher complete their windup and make sure they follow through at the conclusion.

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Pitching with Your Mind

PITCHING WITH YOUR MIND

If we send our pitchers to the mound without any mental preparation, we as coaches are neglecting an important part of the game of baseball. The smart pitcher is the one who is thinking all the time. He does not have to possess a blazing fast ball or a wicked curve ball. But he should possess a thinking capacity which is constantly trying to outwit the batter. The pitcher who has a great fast ball and a super curve will win his share of the games. But not everyone can come up with a player like that. And even so, this gifted pitcher has his limitations if he lacks a thinking capacity for he will fall prey to the aggressive batter who knows what is being thrown at him.

Mixing the pitches and knowing when to mix them is the route that should be followed. Do you teach your players that? The smart pitcher may have only a decent fast ball, adequate curve ball and an off speed pitch, but he knows how to use the three basic pitches to manipulate the batter, not be manipulated by him. Assuming that the boy has some talent, thinking will make the average pitcher a good pitcher and the good pitcher a super pitcher.

When the count changes, so should the pitch being thrown. As the caliber of play increases, it is not practical to throw all fast balls or all curve balls. Before long, the batters will adjust to the pitches and hit them all over the park. It is important, therefore, to keep the batter off stride be mixing the pitches so he does not know what. is being thrown. Anyone can be a thrower on the mound, but not anyone can be a pitcher. Some thinking is required.


Following is a run-down of the various counts on the batter and a mental approach to that count. The pitches mentioned are only suggestions. There is no set pitch to be thrown at a particular count. If there was a set pitch, a routine would quickly be figured out by the batter. The pitcher’s job is to outsmart the batter, not cater to him.


0-0
Before the batter steps up to the plate, the thinking process begins. If the pitcher is familiar with the batter from past experience, he greatly helps himself by knowing the batter’s tendencies on that first pitch. Many batters are first ball hitters. If this is known of a certain batter, then nothing too good should be thrown on the first pitch. If he is one who takes the first pitch, there is no need to be too careful. The ball can be thrown down the middle of the plate without fear. Facing an unknown batter, it would be wise to challenge the batter with the pitcher’s best pitch to gain an advantage in the count. But remember, the pitcher should not pattern himself on that first pitch for he will quickly be figured out by opposing batters if he does.




0-1
The pitcher has gained the advantage. He can afford to move the ball around. By attempting to get a strike on the corners or at the knees, he exploits the advantage that he has obtained. Watch out for second pitch hitters. If a fast ball was thrown on the first pitch, a curve ball might be chosen for the second pitch. Baiting the batter with an off speed pitch would also be an ideal pitch in this situation.


0-2
All the pressure rests with the batter. He can not take another strike and thus must protect the plate from anything close. The batter will swing at anything close and the pitcher should try to have him do just that. This is an excellent time for the so-called “waste pitch”--- a pitch purposely thrown outside the strike Zone to lure the batter, by his anxiety in this situation, to swing at a bad pitch. An off speed pitch might be the right pitch here.


1-2
The advantage is still with the pitcher. The anxiety of the batter being behind in the count and facing the third strike remains. The pitcher should come in with a strike but not one down the middle of the plate. It is not wise to waste another pitch here. The arm should not be taxzed any more than it has to. The pitcher should attempt to get the batter to swing at a pitch on the corners or at the knees.


2-2
A slight advantage remains with the pitcher. One pitch will get the batter out and two pitches will put him on. The pressure rests with the batter because the pitcher still has the third ball if needed. Don’t force the count to go full. The pitcher should challenge the batter with his best pitch.


3-2
The odds are completely even. The pitcher must come in with a strike or risk putting on a runner that may come back to haunt him while the batter faces the third strike. The pitcher must challenge the batter with his best pitch and risk being hit. The risk of being hit at this count is high because the pitcher can’t play around with his strikes. He must be sure of it, not hope it hits the corner or the knees. The smart batter knows this and will be looking for the strike to hit.


1-0
The pitcher has fallen behind in the count but the advantage is still even. He needs three strikes to eliminate the batter and the batter needs three balls to get on base. For fear of giving an advantage to the batter, the pitcher should come in with a strike. The batter has a definite mental edge. He feels that with no strikes and one ball he is ahead in the count. The batter will thus be a bit choosy, so warn your pitchers not to let up in this situation.


2-0
Now he’s done it. The pitcher has made himself the underdog. The batter won’t swing, unless it is his pitch, and the pitcher can’t afford to throw a ball. A sure strike has got to be thrown, and the smart batter knows that. It is an ideal hitting situation. Whether a fast ball, curve or an off speed pitch is thrown, it should be with the pitcher’s best effort. You have a relaxed batter challenging a pressured pitcher. Fielders beware!


3-0
The pitcher is really in deep trouble now. The batter can afford to wait for his pitch. In contrast, the pitcher has to come in with three strikes or he will walk the batter. More than likely, the batter will have the take sign, so your pitcher should bring it to him and over the plate.


3-1
The pitcher remains at a disadvantage. It is still an enviable position for the batter. The pitcher has to throw the ball over the plate and the batter does not have to swing. The batter will be looking for a fat pitch to clobber, so an off speed pitch over the plate might be the pitch to use.



Remember, every time the count is brought to full, the strength of the pitcher’s arm is being taxed. Waste pitches are used when the pitcher is ahead in the count for the purpose of getting the batter to go after a bad pitch. Off speed pitches are ideal for free-swingers--- power hitters who are trying to jack the ball out of the park on every pitch. Your spray hitters are more likely to hit the off speed pitch because they can wait that extra instant to hit the ball. Know who your pitchers are throwing to. Check your hitters charts if they are kept. Thinking means winning..