Help developing a baseball pitching motion?
Question:Lately, I have been trying to pitch, but I often find myself doing several motions. Overhead, 3/4, sidearm, even submarine. They all seem to work fine, but it seems like I can't keep doing one for some reason. A huge problem is my leg kick and follow through, a have almost none. My repertoire is a 4 seamer, a knuckler, a splitter, and a slider... Any ideas on how I could develop a good motion? Which would be best? Should I develop new pitches?
Answers:
Is A Rod (Alex Rodriguez) on steroids? 2 more home runs tonight!?
I usually charge money for this but its on me. I am a pitching coach and Instructor and know my stuff. Here is what I teach--I suggest a high 3/4 or 3/4 devilery for you. Scrap the knuckle unless it is really good? Stay with 4 seam--2 seam slider and changeor split. 4 pitches. You need to work the steps first in order. Get one down then go on. To be a great pitcher you need fastball command first. Practice throwing fastball on fightside then left side of the plate--consistent! You do that I can teach the rest--about setting up hitters--reading hitters--pick off moves---etc. Get those steps down and email back when you good it. Good Luck--keep practicing.Instructor: Chad Sadowski
Pitching
1.Balance position-straight up and down with no bend in back leg and front leg at its highest position. Make sure front leg is crossing over back leg. No leaning, all weight over back leg. Head is directly over back foot--Balance on ball of foot not on heel or toe.(Practice by holding position for intervals of 30 seconds.)
2.Hand separation before momentum- Take the ball with thumb down, it should only be about 6inchesout of glove before you start going forward. Glove hand starts to move up--elbow pointed toward target. Pick up target and then onto step three. I like to use reference points. I try to look at a piece of dirt or something and line it up to my catcher’s target, (like bowling lines on lane). Practice step one then right into step two. Make sure no momentum toward plate at this point.
3.Rotation with arm at its highest but strongest position- First lead with front leg keeping torso back and closed onto target. Front foot should land comfortably right in the middle (not on ball or front) at 45 degree angle. Also front knee at a great bend. Front glove hand should be up pointing to plate with no shoulder turn. Back leg is straight with foot still in contact w/ ground not on toe. Fingers are on top of ball and arm is parallel with ground at highest but strongest position. make sure you have a good arm arc--you started with the slight seperation then contuinue back with thumbalwasy down and fingers pointing toward second base. When landed arm should be strong not completely straight and fingers toward third base on top of ball.
4.Finish explosive/transfer of weight- glove hand is thrusted down, fingers still on top of ball releasing the ball over the front foot. Key to velocity is the transfer of back leg weight to front foot. Front knee was bent on land but now should be straight with front foot flat (never on toe!) Finish through the front foot flat! Don’t collapse back leg. Then pitching arm should finish to the ground and touch your back lat. Your back is parallel with ground. Back leg should not drag but should be thrust into air. End with back leg parallel with front foot in a ready field position. Important that you don't followthrough by thinking finger toward target but rather down and through target. Make sure you use your entire body to decelerate your arm--For instance--watch major leaguers on their follow through. They aren't off-balance and rarely falling off-either way.
Little keys-
·In Practice, pitch with a purpose- 6 out, 6 in, 2 doubles (same side), 2 hard in- soft away (fb in, ch away or sl away). Follow a routine to get results.
·Always practice slide step. Make sure you use your lower half.
·Practice picking up spot on dirt then target. (Step two)
·Sometimes with two strikes set up next pitch, hard in then soft away or hard in and hard away, soft away hard in. etc.
·Throw with a purpose, 20 pitches at a 100% is better than 50 pitches at 75%
Goal: Practice fundamentals right, which will lead to better game performance. Practicing these steps at home each day getting the correct muscle memory. Perfect practice makes perfect.
Worst little league field in Seattle for Juniors?
if you really have a knuckler, you should probably be throwing overhandGet your motion down before you worry about pitches. Don't do sidearm or submarine at this point. Get comfortable with a regular motion. Practice from the stretch before you do a windup. Assume you're a right, stand in the stretch. Just lift your left leg 'til your knee is about waist high. Then just step toward your target and throw. You'll feel what's a comfortable stride. Your right leg should naturally lift and swing as your body pivots during the throw. If you land with your feet relatively in line with each other, you're off to a good start. If you feel awkward landing, the stride isn't right for you. Shorten it up.
A motion should be comfortable above all else, because it will need to be repeatable.
What are Chipper Jones vital statistics?
I pitch for my high school if you want movement in all your movement throw 3/4 and descent velocity, if you want aton of movement throw submarine . search ramp up your pitching and look for complete pitcher by steven ellis and click articles and click how to have a powerful delivery. it worked for me, it'll work for you too.http://www.thecompletepitcher.com/pitchi...
More Questions & Answers...