Why Do Some Pitchers Pitch with Mechanical Flaws in Games but not Practice?

A 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?

See if this describes you (or your daughter or player): you’ve had some mechanical flaws in your pitching motion for a while, and you’ve been working very hard to fix them. You’ve FINALLY got them almost completely under control during practice sessions or pitching lessons. Then when you’re pitching in a game, all of a sudden the flaws come back!

Why Flaws in the Pitching Motion Present Themselves More Often in Games than in Practice

As a parent or a coach, you may assume that the cause for the discrepancy is nervousness/timidness, a lack of focus, or both. That is not necessarily the case. While there is a mental component, there are some very real physical struggles these pitchers deal with that cause their mechanics to break down in game situations.

During practice, a pitcher can devote ALL of her mental energy to fixing a flaw. During a game, even if you tell her to focus on it, this is impossible. She needs to know where runners are, what the count is, and where the umpire likes the ball. She also needs to be ready to field her position and make the right play if a ball is hit back to her. These elements are all part of the game and all extremely important; they’re just as much a part of being a good pitcher as correct mechanics are.

The problem is that right when a pitcher begins successfully correcting her mechanical flaws in practice, she has not yet reprogrammed her muscle memory. She still needs to use her brain to consciously override the default movement that is stored in her muscles. In a game situation, when she suddenly has to think about all of that other stuff, even a slight shift of focus away from fixing the mechanical flaw can cause her to revert back to her muscle memory.

Please notice I did not say lack of focus. I said shift of focus. And it’s a very normal shift of focus. If you’re a coach or a parent, trying to tell the pitcher that she’s not focusing likely won’t be productive. Of course, there ARE pitchers for whom lack of focus is a genuine issue, but typically if that’s the case, she will struggle with her mechanical flaws in practice as well as games.

What’s The Solution?

The pitcher’s muscle memory needs to be reprogrammed, and that takes time. If she’s doing well in practice, just keep plugging away, and don’t let her get too deep into games if her mechanics are really bad. Eventually, the correct mechanics will be stored in the muscle memory, and the pitcher won’t need that conscious focus to avoid her flaws.

In the meantime, simulating game situations during practice can help speed up the process. Try to have the team catcher present, have a batter stand in (or at least put a tall inanimate object in the batter’s box), and keep count/simulate innings.