BECOMING YOUR OWN PITCHING COACH

BEGINNING THE PROCESS

The surest way to achieve your pitching goals is to learn to be your own coach. The first step in this process is acquiring a thorough understanding of pitching mechanics and the pitching delivery. If becoming a major league pitcher is your goal, you must not develop what we call "minor league habits. "Don't take shortcuts to developing your pitches; take the time to learn to throw properly and use your pitches effectively.

On the other hand, don't overdo it and become what we call a "mechanical monster." This type of player makes himself think of too many things at once, becomes confused, and can damage his performance. A basic understanding of pitching mechanics is all that is necessary to put you on the road to solving your own problems and coaching yourself.

THE PITCHING DELIVERY

The pitching delivery can be broken down into three stages:

1. from the initial stance (fig. 4-1) to the balance point (fig. 4-2)

2. from the balance point to when the stride foot lands-known as the loaded position (fig. 4-3)

3. all action after the stride foot lands-the powerful part of the delivery

4-1. Stage 1: Begin your delivery with your weight equally distributed and your head centered on the target.	4-2. Stage 2: When you reach the balance position, your head should be directly over your back foot, and your free leg should be at its highest point before you begin movement forward toward the plate.
4-3. Stage 3, the power phase: Your hips and shoulders are closed, your stride foot is planted toward the plate, and your arm is at its highest point and ready to deliver the ball.

You should begin in a comfortable stance, with your weight equally distributed and your hands in a relaxed position. If you're pitching from a windup, you can keep your hands together (fig. 4-4) or apart (fig. 4-5)-use whichever position you are most comfortable with. But in both cases it's wise to start with the ball in your glove (fig. 4-6) rather than your pitching hand to avoid the possibility of tipping your pitches.

4-4. One option is to begin the delivery with your hands together.	4-5. Some pitchers prefer to begin their delivery with their hands separated and the ball in their glove.
4-6. It's a good idea to start your delivery with the ball in your glove rather than in your hand in order to hide the ball from the hitter and prevent you from giving away your pitches.