SOLVING PITCHING PROBLEMS
If you have turned directly to this chapter, please go back and read Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 first. Before you can solve your pitching problems, you need to understand them-that's why a basic knowledge of pitching mechanics and drills is so critical. Mechanical problems usually fall into one of these three categories:
Direction Moving your head off-center at any time during the delivery will result in a loss of balance. Keep your head dead still until you reach the balance point and then move your head directly forward and down toward the target until the ball is released. Follow through by moving your head down toward the target even after the ball is gone.
Rushing You will rush your delivery if you don't stay over your back foot until you reach the balance point. You'll also rush when your stride is too quick or when you try and become too powerful during the second stage of your delivery. Rushing is nothing more than early rotation of the trunk.
Extension In order to deliver the ball effectively, you should extend out over your front knee as you release the ball. This movement not only protects your arm against injury but also helps promote solid direction with your head.
When you fail to finish with your head out over your front knee, you subject your shoulder to terrific punishment. When you throw a ball 85 miles per hour, your hand is also moving at a speed of 85 miles per hour when you release the ball. If you stand up and/or finish in a poor position (with your head behind your front knee), your shoulder will absorb 100 percent of the burden of this rapid deceleration, and it will be literally torn apart over a period of months or years. Thus, poor mechanics can result in serious shoulder damage and possible surgery three or more years down the road.
Here are three things to keep in mind when addressing your pitching problems:
Trace your problem to its root (not just the symptoms).
Research your problem and come up with a plan of attack.
Your plan must have both a short-term solution (during a game) and a long-term solution (to prevent this problem from resurfacing too often).
Problem 1: "I'm missing high and low with my pitches."
The first area to address is your back leg. It must be in a strong position to support the foundation of your delivery. If it breaks down (bends too much), you will throw "uphill," and the resulting pitch will almost always be high.
If you swing or kick your leg out during your windup sequence, for example, you will lean back with your upper body to keep your balance. Your rear leg will then bend to support this loss of balance.
To prevent this, try to keep your shoulders level during the first phase of your delivery.
If missing high occasionally is your problem, you are probably just rushing. When your stride is too quick (powerful), or if your front side opens too soon, a high pitch is usually the result. Try to slow your delivery from the waist down, and think about taking an easy stride toward home plate. If you make these corrections, you should be able to throw downhill with good leverage, and the ball will come down in the strike zone.
Begin by doing the Balance Drill every day-30-35 throws a day. You must get the feeling of lifting your knee instead of swinging your free leg out away from your body. You should feel "tall" when you arrive at your balance point and feel as if you are pitching downhill.
You should also use the Stay-Closed Drill during part of your workout (maybe 15-20 throws) to help you regain good rhythm and balance.
If missing low with everything is your problem, the solution is very simple. Try extending your head into your glove. Most pitchers miss low because they don't keep their head moving forward long enough. Try the On-Your-Knee Drill for two or three days. This drill helps you reach out, extend, and release the ball farther out in front.
Problem 2: "I miss inside and outside with my pitches."
Your head controls the flight of the ball horizontally. Even if your front side is flying open, or if another mechanical problem prohibits good balance, keeping your head still will almost always help. Most pitchers who miss consistently in and out do so because they don't control the movements of their head.
Before you develop good control you must develop good overall balance.
The Direction Drill was designed specifically for this problem. Use this drill daily-30-40 throws-for 10 days or so. After that, use it at least twice a week. This drill will help you improve your overall control.
Problem 3: "I have trouble throwing my curve for strikes."
The Curveball Drill is perfect for working on all curveball problems. Controlling a curveball takes time-it is the most difficult pitch to master. Be patient with yourself and don't expect miracles. Some young hitters will not (or are told not to) swing at curves. You will be forced to learn to throw it for strikes when you reach the higher levels of baseball. Stay with it, and the control will come. Remember, until you gain command of your curve, it won't help you win ball games.
Don't overdo the Curveball Drill. Throw no more than 20-25 curves in any one workout-and get plenty of rest between sessions. Using the Inside-Outside Drill to improve overall direction will provide additional help for the command of your curveball.
It is always best to have a qualified coach by your side when working on your curve.
Problem 4: "I have trouble throwing my change-up for strikes."
You must first ask yourself, "Have I given my change-up a chance?" It takes at least two years of hard work to develop a good change-up.
Most problems associated with the change-up are centered around the arm speed and the thought process involved. You will sometimes worry about whether your change-up is too fast.
If you think it is too fast, it probably is the perfect speed. You should always feel that you are throwing it hard-this means that you are maintaining the all-important arm speed necessary for a good change. If you try to slow down the speed of the ball, remember that the grip must slow the ball down for you.
Throwing your change-up during the Throw-Long Drill will help you maintain proper arm speed. You should also do the On-Your-Knee Drill and the Balance Drill to gain control of your change-up. Alternate your fastball with your change to get the best results while using these drills.
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