Professional Baseball Pitching Drills:
Developing Pitching Technique
>>There are many great pitching drills in use today. All these pitching drills have a purpose and help shape the correct pitching techniques for an efficient consistent pitching motion. The reason we have pitcher drills is to shape the pitching motion so we can repeat it over and over without getting too far out of sync and rhythm. In addition, if and when we do get out of our pitching mechanics we should be able to get back on track sooner rather than later.
Proper Pitching Mechanics
For
Young Pitchers
pitching mechanics enable a youth pitcher a couple very positive pitching secrets. First, proper pitching mechanics make it possible for a young pitcher to throw more strikes with the maximum pitching velocity. Throwing strikes is the top of all pitching tips. In order to consistently throw our different pitching grips over the plate for strikes we need to perform the proper pitching form. That is why our pitching drill develops young pitchers in youth baseball, high school baseball pitching, college baseball and pro pitchers.
Pitching Motions:
Developing the Complete Pitcher
Professional baseball pitchers often work this baseball pitching motion drill in their daily training routines to help them be the complete pitcher. Since this pitching practice drill is done at a shorter pitching mound distance and used on flat ground we can use this drill every day. This pitching mechanics drill is awesome because it is the complete pitcher package drill all in one.
The Complete Pitcher:
Baseball Pitching Mechanics and More
The Half-Throw Baseball Pitching Drill is the complete package pitching drill.
• Pitching accuracy drill
• Teaches mechanics of pitching.
• Shows how to throw a baseball faster with baseball pitcher speed & velocity.
• Allows practice on different baseball pitches and pitch grips.
• Reinforces different baseball pitching speeds.
• Proper pitching motion.
• Saves wear and tear and prevents baseball throwing arm injuries.
• Can be used by all positions for infielders and outfielders, too.
The Half-Throw Baseball Throwing Drill
The Half-Throw pitching drill named because we eliminate the step. Our step or pitching stride is already done. In other words we start the throwing drill with our stride already in place. Hence, the second half of the throw is what we are focused on. So our feet are spread apart lined up at our catcher/partner. Knees slightly flexed, front toe slightly pigeon-toed. We are working at about ¾ of the pitching mound distance. Partner/catcher can be crouched slightly crouched with a glove target.
Pitching Techniques & How the Pitching Drill Works
Once feet are spread out and aligned, lean forward with most of the body weight over the front leg. With the pitching grip set and the hands together in the glove transfer the body weight to the back leg. At the same time separate the hands. The throwing arm will get to an L-shape position. We call this the Power-L. It is where the throwing arm should be when the front foot lands in the stride. (We have already done the stride in our pitching drill). Position players will bring the arm back
like a bow and arrow fashion.
Meanwhile, the glove arm stays relaxed with the front elbow pointing at the target and the baseball glove right off the front pectoral muscle (chest). You can 'freeze' in this position a few times just to reinforce the pitching technique feel of this powerful throwing position. Later on just complete the entire pitching motion.
Practicing The Pitching Motion:
Baseball Workout
Continue on throwing the ball to your catcher/partner. The key coaching pitching tip is to have the pitcher ‘freeze’ on the bent front leg for a few seconds before the back leg comes around. At this point we want to check-off some correct pitching mechanics check list.
1. Back is fairly flat.
2. Head is fairly calm and not jerky.
3. Can hold our balance on a bent front leg for up to 10 seconds.
4. Glove arm is folded up by our side like a ‘chicken wing’.
5. Back leg lands well after we throw, never passing in front to the stride foot, and rolled over on the toe. So, almost all the weight stays on the stride leg.
6. Front pitching stride foot remains slightly pigeon-toed and firmly rooted in the ground. DO NOT allow front foot to spin ‘open’.
Key Drill for Pitcher Mechanics:
Use it for the Whole Team
When teaching the youth baseball pitcher how to pitch a baseball this is one of the all time best throwing drills. It focuses on the throw and the finish emphasizing the importance of balance when throwing the ball with accuracy. It is well worth it to use this drill for all of your players and summer baseball camps. We feel it is much more worthwhile than the one knee throwing drills that are out there.
When finished with Baseball Pitching Drills return to Youth Baseball Home
For more baseball practice tips and drills go to our Youth Baseball Guide
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