Pitching Overview The key to Pitching is: –When the front foot lands, the throwing arm automatically explodes forward. The pitching hand fires forward when the stride foot lands There is an optimal release point for pitchers and it is directly affected by the location of the pitching hand precisely when the front foot lands. Getting the throwing arm/hand into perfect launch position (every time) is a function of following the Proper Pitching Sequence The Proper Pitching Sequence is: PhaseKey Focus –Post(Balance) –Break(Symmetry) –Release(Efficient explosion) –Follow Through(Long arc of deceleration) Your job as a coach is to –Teach and reinforce proper sequence and mechanics Minimize risk of arm/shoulder injury Maximize your kids’ abilities

Post Balance The role of the Post position is to: Create a repeatable and solid starting position for all pitches Keys Head above posting leg, in balance Shoulders square to target Landing Knee PULLED up and tight Hands collected near chest

Break Symmetry The role of the Break phase is to: Get the throwing hand into perfect launch position – by getting the hand in proper position exactly as landing foot lands Keys Hands go DOWN, then circularly into position Elbows ABOVE shoulders at end of this phase Landing foot goes directly and forcefully to home plate

Release Efficient Explosion The role of the Release phase is to: Maximize rotational and linear forces to the delivery Keys Elbow ABOVE Shoulder! Glove Tuck in unison with throwing arm explosion Extension

The role of the Follow Through is to: Provide Long Arc of Deceleration for throwing arm Be the constant ending position to an efficient delivery Keys Throwing elbow past knee Flat Back Throwing shoulder to target Eyes on target Follow Through Long Arc of Deceleration

Pitching Drills Post Drill Have the kid(s) go from rocker step to post. Have them hold position for varying periods – the longer the better Make a contest out of it FencePost Drill Have the kid(s) go from rocker step to post – only have them brace their lift KNEE on Fence. Have them hold position for varying periods – the longer the better

Pitching Drills Break Drill Either from the Post position, or from the beginning (rocker step), have the kids break their hands and stride toward plate with landing leg –Ball to the ground (thumbs in and down) –Circular path to launch position –Hide ball through entirety of drill –Elbows above shoulders Repeat, repeat, repeat – build muscle memory Watch the stride leg. Make sure: –It fires directly to the plate (or a little closed to it) Watch the stride (landing) foot. Make sure: –He lands on the BALL of it Variations Put your hand down at the desired spot his hands should be in during the initial breaking motion (down below waist). –His hand and/or ball should hit your hand. Stand at pitcher’s back and guide his arms through motion If he’s not striding far enough (roughly his height) – put a target out there for him to hit with his landing foot

Pitching Drills Release Drills One Knee Drill Isolates upper body ‘Slap me Five’ Drill To get your pitchers more aggressively extended, put your hand out in front of the pitcher and have him go through the throwing motion – he should hit your hand when he’s extended. Too easy? Move your hand further toward home plate Too hard? Ditto in reverse Long Toss Have pitchers use proper pitching motion – Have them throw feet – on a LINE DRIVE. No arcs!!! It’s better that the ball bounces to the other player.

DO Pitching Do’s and Don’ts Post Be in Balance Lift knee high and tight Hands gathered anywhere near chest Break At beginning of backswing, be sure the hand and ball break the plane of the waist (first motion is toward the ground, below the waist) Let the arm develop a circle action behind body during backswing Hide the ball (keep the back of the hand between the ball and the head) Point front shoulder directly at target Step DIRECTLY to plate, land on ball of foot End Break phase with BOTH elbows ABOVE shoulders!!! Release Release with elbow even with or HIGHER than shoulder Release ball at full extension Enhance rotational power with glove pull Finish (wrist release) Follow Through Finish with throwing elbow over landing knee Flat back if possible Throwing shoulder points to target Post “ Rush” Kick knee up Kick leg out (toward 3 rd base if RHP) Break Keep the throwing hand above the waist during backswing Land flat footed OR on heel End this phase with EITHER elbow below the shoulders Release Pitch with the elbow below the shoulder Pitch with dead glove arm (no glove pull) Follow Through Intentionally slow the arm down after release DON’T