| The coaching of baseball pitchers does not require | | | | foot should land on the ball of the foot. The stride |
| a degree in "pitchingtology". There is no such | | | | should be in a direction with at least part of the |
| degree to my knowledge. I just made that up. My | | | | foot landing on a straight line toward the catcher. |
| point here is that coaching baseball pitching is not | | | | Some pitchers will land more closed and some will |
| rocket science. However, having a basic | | | | land more open. The main point to remember |
| knowledge of the terms and mechanics is a must. | | | | here is consistency. A pitcher must land in the |
| Having a commitment to be attentive to details in | | | | same spot time after time. If the landing spot is |
| instruction and and to have frequent quality | | | | all over the place, control problems will be evident. |
| practice sessions is a good start toward becoming | | | | 4. Elbow Dynamics |
| a coach of a successful pitcher at any level. | | | | Much has been written and many studies have |
| Here are the 5 basics elements of pitching | | | | been made on the dynamics of the pitching |
| success: | | | | process. To keep it simple, we want the following |
| 1. Beginning with the basics and keeping it simple | | | | to occur. When the front foot lands both elbows |
| Let we first say that one of the basic rules on | | | | should be up and even with each other on a |
| our high school team is that if you make our | | | | direct line. The glove and ball may be above or |
| team, you are going to pitch. Every player | | | | below the elbow, but both elbows serve to |
| participates in pitching workouts until it is | | | | reverse mirror each other. If the front elbow is |
| determined that player simply can not help us on | | | | tucked when the front foot lands, then a problem |
| the mound. Over the years about 75% of our | | | | is evident. Both elbows should be extended away |
| players pitch at least 10 innings during the season. | | | | from the body in perfect opposite directions from |
| With that said, I want you to know that my | | | | the body to form a perfect straight line. |
| philosophy is to keep the terminology simple, the | | | | 5. Late Break of the Hips |
| technique simple, and to make the process of | | | | What I mean by this term is that we want the |
| pitching as easy as possible to master. | | | | weight out and onto the front foot before the hip |
| 2. Balance is Key | | | | and trunk rotation occur. This late rotation |
| The first thing we want out kids to understand is | | | | generates velocity. Early rotation causes the |
| the importance of balance. Pitchers must learn to | | | | pitcher to throw with all arm and will cause arm |
| achieve and maintain balance from the start to | | | | problems. |
| the finish of their delivery. This is done by learning | | | | COACHING POINT: Make sure that the pitcher |
| to keep the weight evenly distributed on the balls | | | | finishes low with the throwing arm finishing outside |
| of the feet. Nothing happens on the heels. Keep | | | | the stride knee. Many young players want to lock |
| head and body movement to a minimum. The | | | | the front leg thus pole vaunting or lifting their |
| head should stay still. This allows the head to stay | | | | body up and over the front foot. The stride leg |
| over the ball of the pivot foot and over the body | | | | should bend slightly. |
| core or center. Special attention should be | | | | As mentioned before, make sure that the stride |
| directed at eliminating any tendency to lean back, | | | | foot is not heeling- out or landing on the heel. This |
| lunge forward, or to arch the back. | | | | is a flaw that causes jar and control problems. |
| 3. Knee Lift and Proper Stride Leg Motion | | | | Also make sure that pitchers set up on the |
| The lifting action of the stride leg should be | | | | pitching rubber in the correct location. We want |
| smooth, straight up, and to a point of perfect | | | | right-handed pitchers on the right of the rubber |
| balance. Make sure that the leg is not swung. The | | | | and left-handed pitchers on the left. This makes |
| stride foot should go downward and then out. | | | | the ball more difficult to pick-up by the batter |
| Many you pitchers want to lead with their hip and | | | | because of the increase in angle. It gives the |
| this cause major problems. Make sure that the leg | | | | pitcher more plate to work with. |
| action is down and out in smooth path. The stride | | | | |