Correct Pitching Mechanics by Playing Catch
While being involved in
public education for the past twenty years, I have come to accept the constant
scrutiny in teaching techniques. There always seems to be pressure to come up
with a better way to educate today's youth; invariably, the public asks
educators to get back to basics. I believe there is the same pressure in
athletics for better teaching techniques. While reflection is a necessary
component in coaching any sport, coaches make the teaching of baseball
fundamentals more difficult than necessary. This phenomenon is especially true
when it come to pitching.
The most important aspect in pitching is throwing strikes consistently. In
order to help young pitchers throw strikes, teach them how to play catch
correctly. We have all admired how effortlessly Greg Maddux makes pitching
appear. When in a groove, Maddux is so effortless with his mechanics that he
merely seems to be playing catch. By aiding young pitchers in becoming
simplified and effortless in mechanics, they will not only throw strikes more
consistently, but also will develop confidence in their ability.
When evaluating a pitcher's mechanics, watch them warm up in a rather
informal setting. While observing, look to see whether the following five
principles of good throwing technique are being used:
When put into a live pitching situation, many problems occur in adding the
windup. It is important, at this point, to stress that the windup does nothing
to affect the eventual success of a pitch; however, it can be a reason for the
failure of that same pitch. Try to simplify the delivery of any pitcher who has
difficulty throwing strikes.
After the drop step that propels the pitching sequence, all other mechanics
of the pitching delivery are like playing catch. Encourage pitchers to use a
six-inch drop step directly perpendicular to the pitching rubber. Then it is
just step and throw.
Pitchers learn change-ups, curves, sliders and all other pitches by playing
catch. There is no better way to get the feel of a new pitch than by throwing it
for ten or fifteen minutes at a time in a non-pitching situation. As the coach,
it is important to stress throwing each pitch with the same mechanics and arm
speed.
For early season arm conditioning, playing catch can aid in gradually
building the pitcher's arm without their trying to overthrow; they tend to do so
when throwing off an indoor mound too soon. Set up a program where they throw
for thirty minutes every other day in the following manner:
>>>>>> Coach JP's Note: The author
coaches college - level athletes. Our readers range from youth levels to
College. Consider age and skill level you are participating in; Some pitches
below may not be appropriate…Keep 'Em Safe!!
Pitchers play catch with pitchers all at the same time, whether inside the
gym or in a parking lot outside - if the weather is not conducive to using the
field. Athletes will throw in five-minute intervals in the following sequence:
There is no one method to correct all pitching mechanics. However, this way
is very helpful, not only in correcting mechanic flaws, but also by conditioning
pitchers' arms in early spring to avoid nagging sore arms.
Pitchers seem to run into the most difficulty when applying the simple
throwing technique in a pitching situation. Alleviate some of their anxiety by
asking them to throw batting practice in the same way they play catch. Pitchers
can experiment playing catch with the catcher in this batting practice setting.
Increase or decrease times in this program to each individual
pitcher's needs. After four or five sessions, pitchers should be ready to pitch
batting practice or to throw to a catcher off the mound.
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