Every single one of you pitchers has a great training tool that you may not realize you have: the dirt below your feet! You can gather a lot of information about your pitching mechanics by looking at the markings your feet leave in the ground. Today we’ll examine some common patterns and discuss what they mean.
Read MoreThis is a continuation from my last video, in which I talked about foot alignment issues and how they affect your drive through mechanics in pitching. Today I’m going to talk about the domino effect that that can have on the rest of your pitching mechanics.
Read MoreWe’ve talked extensively about the common issues that occur with foot alignment in windmill pitching. If you’re still relying solely on training aids to force the foot forward, you’ll want to reconsider. In today’s video, I give visual demonstrations of what is really causing these issues and how you can resolve them.
Read MoreHow many of you pitchers have been told you’re overthrowing, or trying too hard? And how many of you are not entirely sure what that means, or don’t know how it feels to fix it? You’re not alone.
Read MoreA recent reader question reminded me to address this topic, which affects so many pitchers. In a past article, I discussed some tips for overcoming game-time nerves to help you pitch as well in games as in practice, However, many pitchers who DO NOT get nervous during games still struggle to match up their practice and game-time pitching mechanics. But why?
Read MoreWe’ve talked a lot about how the force with which you push off the pitching rubber largely determines the velocity of your pitch as a windmill pitcher. It follows that the harder you push off the rubber, the longer your stride has the potential to get.
Read MoreThere are a number of ways you can tip your pitches—that is, accidentally give away what pitch you’re throwing to the batter or opposing base coach. Probably the most obvious is simply not hiding your grip well; there are a number of pitches with distinctive grips, and if someone on the opposing team can see your hand while you’re finding your grip on the ball, you could be in trouble. BUT, there is another common giveaway that I’ve come across a few times recently in some of my pitching lessons. Ask yourself this: are you 100% sure your pre-motion is the same every time?
Read MoreDoes your hitter or pitcher have a hard time keeping the front side closed? Drills and rep after rep not changing much? Stop forcing square pegs into round holes and expecting each athlete to abide by technical standards. Every athlete’s body is built differently, and those differences require us to make adjustments in our instruction. If your athlete has a difficulty keeping her front side closed, and nothing seems to help, watch this video.
Read MorePoor glove hand movement is a very common problem among windmill pitchers, especially young ones. It usually takes the form of the glove hand flying way out to the side, or “swimming,” instead of remaining on line with the catcher. Fortunately, it’s also one of the easier problems to address. All you need is a simple drill.
Read MoreLast week I got a great question in the comments of one of my posts. I replied to the comment, but since the question addressed a problem that is EXTREMELY common among pitchers—lifting the shoulder, or allowing the shoulder to engage and control the arm circle—I decided that it would be beneficial for everyone to see my answer.
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