| Teaching, training and developing young baseball | | | | called in different orders each time. If the pitcher |
| pitchers takes a lot of time, patience, and practice | | | | fails to hit 4 dots correctly, the pitcher must do |
| repetition. Many young pitchers need to practice | | | | 10 push ups. Two pitchers can compete to see |
| pitching skills daily. To keep the interest level high, | | | | which finishes first. The dots may be placed lower |
| it is best to use a variety of drills on alternate | | | | on the catcher to stress keeping the ball low or |
| days to prevent boredom. Here are 4 baseball | | | | down in the zone. |
| pitching drills that can be used to train youth and | | | | Drill #3 Long Toss - Power Building Drill - Pitchers |
| beginner pitchers. | | | | should long toss several times a week to build |
| Drill #1 - Up & Out Foot Drill Objective - To | | | | strength and endurance. The two players should |
| help pitchers perfect the proper back leg action. | | | | warm-up as usual and then move back a few |
| The purpose of this drill is to stop foot drag and | | | | steps after each 4 throws. Pitchers should be able |
| prevent over striding. | | | | to increase their strength and extend their |
| Equipment Needed - A brick, block or wood or | | | | distances within weeks. Pitchers of all ages should |
| other suitable object. The object will be placed at | | | | work out to a distance at least 3 times their |
| a location just in front of the pivot foot of the | | | | normal pitching distance. Some coaches allow |
| pitcher. The pitcher will be working out of the | | | | players to "crow hop" at the farthest distances. |
| stretch. The pitcher should be reminded to roll and | | | | That is up to you. |
| pick his back foot up so that it clears the object. | | | | Drill #4 - Front Side Drill Objective - This drill is |
| Procedure - The pitcher throws using his normal | | | | used to teach and reinforce the proper front |
| motion and delivery. If the pitcher fails to clear | | | | shoulder action during delivery. |
| the object, then his back foot is "dragging" or he | | | | The drill is performed as the pitcher kneels on the |
| is over striding. Young pitchers should be coached | | | | pivot-leg knee. The pitcher will begin the drill with |
| to step out of the "hold" and up and over the | | | | the throwing arm in the "T -position" and the |
| block. | | | | stride foot aimed at the plate. The pitcher begins |
| Drill #2 - Dot Spot Drill Objective - The purpose | | | | the throwing motion by pulling and tucking his |
| of this drill is to build confidence, to teach young | | | | front arm and glove. At the same time he is |
| pitchers to hit their spots and to teach young | | | | bringing his throwing arm and shoulder around and |
| pitchers to have great control. | | | | toward the plate. The drill should be performed |
| Equipment Needed - Good balls, Catching | | | | many times to give the pitcher the feel of proper |
| equipment, and glove. | | | | mechanics and front shoulder movement. The |
| Procedure - The catcher has 4 dots on his gear. | | | | front elbow should be used as the guide for the |
| The 4 dots or spots are different colors or they | | | | front side. The glove should be extended out and |
| each have a number on them. The dots are | | | | tucked as the pitcher rolls his lead shoulder and |
| taped to each knee on the shin guards and one | | | | pulls it in. This deceptive move is used to distract |
| to the left shoulder and right shoulder. The | | | | and deceive batters. The drill should be finished |
| catcher or coach calls a color or a number. The | | | | with the throwing arm in proper finish position |
| pitcher must hit the dot called. The pitcher has 6 | | | | outside the stride leg knee. |
| pitches to hit all 4 of the dots. All dots should be | | | | |