| Learning to control every pitch and to be able to | | | | times the normal pitching distance. The markers |
| "hit spots" is a required skill for pitching success at | | | | should be in a straight line with the plate. The |
| all levels including Little League, High School, College | | | | object of the drill is to develop control by |
| and MLB baseball. There is no better baseball | | | | throwing pitches from spots will gradually moving |
| pitching drill for improving a pitcher's control and | | | | away from and toward the plate. The pitcher is |
| building a pitcher's confidence than the "Japanese | | | | required to throw 3 strikes from each marker |
| Pitching Drill". I do not know where the name | | | | before moving to the next. The catcher serves |
| came from. I saw this drill used back in the late | | | | as the umpire. |
| 80's at a college summer baseball camp and the | | | | It is good to have the pitcher throw from each |
| coaches called it the "Japanese Drill". When I asked | | | | spot going backward and then throw from each |
| the coaches why they called the drill, the | | | | spot coming forward. If your pitchers are young, |
| "Japanese Drill", they respond that the drill was | | | | you may want to make then throw just 1 or 2 |
| called that because it was originated in the | | | | strikes from each spot. Pitchers gain great |
| country of Japan. I know that if you use this drill | | | | confidence when they see that they can throw |
| regularly, it will definitely build pitching control and | | | | strikes from a distance farther than their regular |
| confidence. | | | | pitching distance. They learn to concentrate on |
| "Japanese" Pitching Drill | | | | the target and throw to the mitt. You will be very |
| The drill involves a pitcher throwing strikes at | | | | pleased from the results you see in the control of |
| varying distances as shown in the diagram below. | | | | your pitchers. Another variation of this drill is to |
| The catcher is "c" and each spot the pitcher | | | | have 2 pitchers competing against each other in a |
| throws from is marked with an "x". The distances | | | | timed drill. The winner is the pitcher that starts at |
| shown are for high school and college pitchers. | | | | the front, goes to the back, and returns to the |
| You can reduce the distances between spots and | | | | front, first. The pitchers must throw 3 strikes at |
| reduce the number of spots for younger players. | | | | each spot before advancing to the next spot. This |
| C.............. X................X................X..................X................X................X.................X | | | | is a great drill to teach pitchers to throw strikes |
| ----------- | | | | under pressure. When more than one pitcher and |
| 0'----------70' (Distances) | | | | catcher are involved, make sure that your |
| The plate and catcher are set at a stationary | | | | catchers are far enough apart to prevent a wild |
| location and they are never moved. The pitcher | | | | pitch from hitting another catcher. It is also a |
| will move forward or back from "spot to spot" | | | | good idea for catchers to wear full gear when |
| after throwing a set number of pitches at each | | | | participating in this drill. |
| location. Normally the spots are marked with | | | | When two pitchers compete in this drill they learn |
| cones or plastic round markers. The pitcher should | | | | to work fast, concentrate, and execute a perfect |
| begin throwing at a distance about 1/4 of his | | | | pitch. Make sure your pitchers are in condition for |
| normal pitching distance. At the close spots the | | | | this drill. They will find that throwing strikes from |
| pitcher will throw at 1/2 speed. You should have | | | | longer distance requires great mechanics and |
| 6-8 distance markers with the first being at the | | | | builds arm strength. Make sure your players |
| starting point and the longest being 1 and ½ | | | | stretch and warm-up first. |