Keys to Pitching

Teaching young pitchers the mentality of a pitcher Pitchers must always know the following: 1.They have every advantage 2.Hitters are stupid 3.They control the game 4.They have one job – Throw the ball through the middle of the catcher’s body.

Greg Maddux "I try to do two things: locate my fastball and change speeds. That's it. I try to keep as simple as possible. I just throw my fastball (to) both sides of the plate and change speed every now and then. There is no special food or anything like that, I just try to make quality pitches and try to be prepared each time I go out there."

Basic Grips Four Seam: Recommended for: 1) Beginning Pitchers 2) High Fastballs 3) 3-0 Fastballs 4) Strike one Less Movement More control

Basic Grips Two Seam: Recommended for: 1) More advanced pitchers 2) Low fastballs More movement Allows for transition into sinkers and cutters

Loaded Balance Position

Components of the Balance Compact Chin over Chest Tall Back leg Eyes on the prize Hands at Chest Hips slightly rotated back (slight coil)

Loaded Balance Position Points to emphasize with your players 1. Let the legs do the work; relax the shoulders and upper body 2. Kick the knee up to the chest 3. Its not just a kick, its also a transfer of weight to the back leg (kind of like loading a slingshot) 4. Stay comfortable and loose

Balance to Power – Where mechanics flourish or fail Leg down, hand out Weight still back until foot lands Chin still over chest

Arm Swing Some points to emphasize- 1. Thumb to the thigh, fingers to the sky 2. Hand on top of ball when bringing it out of the glove 3. Elbow out – hand up 4. Chin still over the chest during this phase of delivery (allows arm to get up)

Arm Swing

Power Position (or Power T)

Arm Slot

Some look-fors: 1. Glove to the chest on front side 2. Elbow still at or above shoulder height 3. Chin and chest toward the plate

Release Point

Some important components: 1. Hand above ear and out in front of body (Being on top of the ball and out in front allows for the best ball action and allows a player to throw downhill. This release point will be especially important when players start to throw offspeed pitches). -2. Front side – glove into the body -3. Chin toward the plate

Compact. Balanced Finish

Rotated and Balanced Finish Avoid telling kids “Follow Through” – they may not know what that means. Better commands are: “Finish your pitch” “Buckle the seat belt” * DO NOT tell kids to bring their back leg around – this will take their hips out of the equation.

Reminders for the Release and Finish Tell pitchers to throw “through” their catcher, not “to” Impress upon the pitchers to simply throw the ball through the middle of their catchers body. This presents a much better target than just the “mitt” After release “rip off the catchers mask.” – This helps them get long and finish with their arm over the front side