1 Pitching for Youth Major Checkpoints for a Pitcher Major Checkpoints for a Pitcher Playing catch/stretching Playing catch/stretching Balance Balance Using the entire body Using the entire body All power working towards the catcher All power working towards the catcher Landing and finish Landing and finish Focus and mindset Focus and mindset

2 Playing catch, stressing proper throwing technique One knee throwing, supporting the elbow, etc. One knee throwing, supporting the elbow, etc. Long arm, separation Long arm, separation Play with a purpose; use a line on the gym floor Play with a purpose; use a line on the gym floor Sides of body working together Sides of body working together Chest to glove Chest to glove Experiment with grips Experiment with grips Throw to targets Throw to targets Demo arm stretches Demo arm stretches Show arm band Show arm band

3 Balance -Bringing the body’s power together -Bringing the body’s power together -1 through 5 step format and what we are looking for with each number -1 through 5 step format and what we are looking for with each number -Keeping body fixed controlled over rubber as long as possible, MIDLINE -Keeping body fixed controlled over rubber as long as possible, MIDLINE -Create a rhythm and tempo to delivery -Create a rhythm and tempo to delivery

4 Power towards the catcher All power working towards the catcher All power working towards the catcher -Keep body weight towards the back of the mound -Keep body weight towards the back of the mound -Weight transfer back to go forward -Weight transfer back to go forward -Tilt, notice back leg and shoulders -Tilt, notice back leg and shoulders -Where the head goes, the body goes most times -Where the head goes, the body goes most times -Chest should be brought to glove -Chest should be brought to glove 3 foot window 3 foot window

5 Keeping the weight back Weight over rubber as long as you can Weight over rubber as long as you can Power position: Power position: Scapular loading Scapular loading Use abs to pull you forward Use abs to pull you forward

6 Using the entire body Philosophy behind power coming from rubber, to legs, to core, to chest, and finally the arm Philosophy behind power coming from rubber, to legs, to core, to chest, and finally the arm Driving off the mound, while keeping weight back, controlled but aggressive throwers Driving off the mound, while keeping weight back, controlled but aggressive throwers Rotate late, when front foot hits my weight should still be back Rotate late, when front foot hits my weight should still be back

7 Landing and finish -Pitcher should land on front half of foot -Pitcher should land on front half of foot -Angle of landing foot, 45, then rotates as abs pull -Angle of landing foot, 45, then rotates as abs pull -The chest should be out over the front knee -The chest should be out over the front knee -Finish past front knee or across it -Finish past front knee or across it -Should be close to being able to eat dinner off of back of pitcher -Should be close to being able to eat dinner off of back of pitcher

8 Focus and Mindset -Lock into the game, just pitcher and catcher’s glove -Lock into the game, just pitcher and catcher’s glove -Pick out a small spot in catcher’s glove so if you miss, you still are around the zone -Pick out a small spot in catcher’s glove so if you miss, you still are around the zone When to focus on the target (ask coaches) When to focus on the target (ask coaches) -Develop a routine, example of mine when I pitch -Develop a routine, example of mine when I pitch -As you get ball back from catcher, think of next pitch on way back to mound -As you get ball back from catcher, think of next pitch on way back to mound Grip toughest pitch in hand when you take the mound Grip toughest pitch in hand when you take the mound

9 Coaching emphasis working with young kids: Provide the kids an image of what you are talking about. Examples: power punch, eating dinner off of your back, finishing the pitch past front knee, goal posts etc. Provide the kids an image of what you are talking about. Examples: power punch, eating dinner off of your back, finishing the pitch past front knee, goal posts etc. Don’t over complicate Don’t over complicate Drill work is where kids will improve on mechanics, ultimately allowing them to use the most of their body and potential (muscle memory development) Drill work is where kids will improve on mechanics, ultimately allowing them to use the most of their body and potential (muscle memory development)

10 Coaching Continued Bull Pen - Minimize Talking focus on Pen Bull Pen - Minimize Talking focus on Pen Preach first pitch strikes, getting ahead in counts, challenging hitters, working both sides of the plate, and teach the changeup early so it looks the same out of the hand as a fastball Preach first pitch strikes, getting ahead in counts, challenging hitters, working both sides of the plate, and teach the changeup early so it looks the same out of the hand as a fastball Build pitchers up to pitch counts and be conscious of wearing kids out Build pitchers up to pitch counts and be conscious of wearing kids out Long Toss, Long Toss, and Long Toss using legs!!! Long Toss, Long Toss, and Long Toss using legs!!!

11 Drill Work Chair Drill Chair Drill This is where a dad or mom can be very valuable with one on one time This is where a dad or mom can be very valuable with one on one time

12 Some guys who need work from Dexter Youth Coaches

13 Successes through instruction or cheating…

14 Developing Athletes Correct mechanics when you can Correct mechanics when you can Not all pitchers are the same Not all pitchers are the same Some slight differences make them great Some slight differences make them great If a kid is throwing strikes and is using his body, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” If a kid is throwing strikes and is using his body, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”