Practice Tip
Run through throwing and pitching drills with the entire team, pairing
players up with another to do the drills. Throwing and pitching
have much of the same technique in common so everyone benefits,
and you may just discover a new pitcher in the process.
**If your child is currently throwing
strikes, but lacks the fundamental techniques, DO NOT be tempted
to ignore teaching proper form. While it very well may cause them
to lack some effectiveness initially, what they gain from proper
technique now will allow them to be far greater pitchers in the
long run.
Throwing
Technique
Throwing and pitching mechanics are very similar throughout
most of the motion. This video is a throwing instruction
that breaks down holding the ball, how to pull back and
position the hand and arms, and the act of throwing. The
drills used here also can be applied to pitching with some
minor modifications. This is a great starting point.
Pitching:
Grip and Release
This drill focuses on the grip and end release point to
work on proper hand positioning on the ball and that the
proper elbow/shoulder alignment is learned for good arm
motion and spin on the ball.
Pitching: Knee
Drill for Arm Position Focus
Working drills from the knee allows you to focus solely
on the upper body, mainly the arm and hand position. This
video shows "power T", although instead of facing
the non-throwing glove at your target, you may bend it at
the elbow a little and lead with the elbow instead.
Pitching: Upper
Body Focus
Taking what is learned from the knee drills into a standing
position, this video shows a drill to incorporate more upper
body mechanics while keeping the focus on only the upper
body. Again, this video shows "power T", although
instead of facing the non-throwing glove at your target,
you may bend it at the elbow a little and lead with the
elbow instead.
Pitching:
Shoulders Back Focus
Taking what is learned from the drill above this video
does an exaggeration to focus on keeping the shoulders back
after the hips open up. Key to power is holding the shoulders
back as long as possible and this could be a good way to
get the feel for that motion. Again, this video shows "power
T", although instead of facing the non-throwing glove
at your target, you may bend it at the elbow a little and
lead with the elbow instead.
Pitching:
Putting It All Together
The mechanics here aren't necessarily perfect, but it puts
the entire pitching progression together pretty well referring
back to the drills above. Use this as a base and the videos
below to help fine tune the mechanics for more advanced
pitchers.
Pitching:
Aligning Your Stride w/Balance
This video discusses where the stride foot should land
for proper alignment and working on a balanced follow through.
Pitching: White
Sox Coach on the Step Back
This video discusses the initial step back in the windup.
Pitching:
Leg Lift, Stride, Rotation
This video shows a basic drill for focusing on leg left
into the stride.
Pitching: White
Sox Coach on Leg Lift
This video discusses the basics of the leg lift in relation
to balance.
Pitching:
Proper Arm Alignment
This video discusses proper arm alignment for accuracy
and injury prevention.
Pitching:
White Sox Coach on Staying Closed
This video discusses the concept of staying closed on stride-foot
landing and how to come over the top versus around the side
on release.
Pitching:
The Problem with the Towel Drill
Most towel drill exercises stress the importance
of reaching out or whipping the arm - both of which deter
away from proper power pitching and increase injury. This
video discuss the issue around reaching out versus turning
the hips first and why it's ineffective.
Pitching: Long
Toss Drills to Improve Velocity and Reduce Soreness
This video discusses the concept of using long toss
drills to help increase pitcher velocity and help arms recover
in between outtings.
