TEACHING THE MECHANICS OF
PITCHING/THROWING
v Teach one thing at a time - make sure players understand what you are saying
before you move on - ask lots of questions
v Whenever possible use video to help explain what players look like before you
attempt to make adjustments – Use mobile apps to help show what you are
seeing - JC Video, HUDL, Powerchalk.com, Coach’s Eye -
5 Aspects of Throwing
• Beginning/Core Balance
o
Keep the body strong and stable at the start of the leg kick to balance point
• Moving Balance
o
Maintain stability so the head and shoulders stay over the hips and the pitcher's
posture remains athletic, strong, and on target
• Equal and Opposite
o
Create a rhythmic and synchronized arm swing; extending the arms at the
same time, in the same motion, with the elbows matching up in the exact
identical position at foot strike
• Hip and Shoulder Separation
o
The legs and the hips are the driving force behind power and explosiveness to
the plate. If the hips cannot separate from the shoulders no torque can be
created to rotate the shoulders around to externally rotate the throwing arm
providing whip in the throwing motion
• Firm Glove Side
o
The glove hand upon foot strike should be stabilized and strong in front of the
chest so that both arms can work together to create a strong and natural arm
slot at release. (Do you ever wonder why players drop their elbow when they
throw?? A weak glove side or a pulling glove side also pulls the throwing arm
down upon release.)
| [email protected] | www.pinkmanbaseball.com | 703-661-8586 | 21598 Atlantic Blvd #130 Sterling, Virginia 20166 |
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THROWING DRILLS
Double Arm Throws (No Glove) – Feet s/w
apart / Start with a ball in each hand placed
together up in front of face / in one motion pull
back with both elbows and separate the hands /
throw both balls toward target / keep knees bent
and bend at waist during follow through / head
should remain over hips
Single Arm Throws (w/Glove) – Feet s/w apart
/ Ball in throwing hand / in one motion pull back
with both elbows and spread out the hands and
throw the ball toward target / glove hand should
finish closed and firmly in front of face / keep
knees bent and bend at waist during follow
through head should remain over hips
Torque Drill (Shoulders Square) – Feet s/w
apart / Ball in throwing hand / place ball in glove /
turn shoulders to throwing arm side / separate
the arms ending up in a Flex-T pos. / elbows
should be shoulder height and hands turned out /
squeeze and swivel glove / throw ball to target /
head should remain over hips / keep knees bent
and bend at waist during follow through
Knee Drill – Kneel down on both knees / turn
glove hand shoulder to target / separate the
arms in to the Flex-T pos. / close and swivel
glove hand / throw / land on throwing hand /
make sure head remains over belly button
Flex – T – Feet s/w apart / Elbows shoulder
height / Hands equal and opposite / Shift weight
back foot to front foot / pivot back foot / squeeze
and swivel glove hand / throw / place chest on
knee / keep back foot planted
Torque Drill (Release Point) Step forward with
glove hand foot / glove closed firmly in front of
chest / ball in hand at release point / starting with
the shoulders over the front foot / with the feet
pointing forward pull the throwing arm back
ending up in the Flex-T position / once the
elbows point to target close and swivel the glove
hand and throw ball / the head should remain
over hips / keep the front knee bent and the back
foot remains on the ground
High 5 Drill – Stand with the heels touching
point both toes toward the target / close the
glove in chest high about 8-12inches infront of
the face / ball begins in a high 5 position / step
with the glove side foot / keeping the glove hand
closed and firmly in front of the chest / keep the
head straight and throw ball to target / follow
through with chest pulling down to the front knee
and the back leg lifting up after the ball has been
released.
Ball of Foot Drill / Slide Step– Turn sideways in
the stretch position / start with hands down by
the belt buckle / extend to home plate with glove
hand foot, and arms (all at once), make sure to
close and swivel with glove hand / take chest to
knee / lift back leg up and follow through after
the ball has been released
Step Behind Drill – Stand in the stretch
position / right handers will step forward with left
foot, step behind with the right foot, then step
with the left again / while stepping with the left
leg extend to the Flex – T position / close and
swivel the glove / throw and follow through
Towel Drill – Hold towel in throwing hand /
go through throwing motion once to find stride
length / count five of the throwers feet and have
partner stand with a target /go through the
throwing motion fully having the pitcher hit his
partner’s glove with the towel / partner should
make sure glove is above the pitcher’s belt
Balance Towel Drill – Pitcher steps out and
balances on lead plant foot / chest is parallel to
the ground, back leg is lifting hip high / the back
should be flat / the glove hand should be in front
of chest 8-12 inches / pitcher slowly hits partners
glove 10x in a row calmly while maintaining
balance
| [email protected] | www.pinkmanbaseball.com | 703-661-8586 | 21598 Atlantic Blvd #130 Sterling, Virginia 20166 |
www.youtube.com/pinkmanbaseball - Like Us on Facebook | @pinkmanbaseball