Transcript Pitching for Youth

Pitching for Youth
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Major Checkpoints
for a Pitcher
Playing
catch/stretching
Balance
Using the entire body
All power working
towards the catcher
Landing and finish
Focus and mindset
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Playing catch, stressing
proper throwing technique
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One knee throwing,
supporting the elbow, etc.
Long arm, separation
Play with a purpose; use a
line on the gym floor
Sides of body working
together
Chest to glove
Experiment with grips
Throw to targets
Demo arm stretches
Show arm band
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Balance
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-Bringing the body’s
power together
-1 through 5 step
format and what we
are looking for with
each number
-Keeping body fixed
controlled over rubber
as long as possible,
MIDLINE
-Create a rhythm and
tempo to delivery
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Power towards the
catcher
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All power working
towards the catcher
-Keep body weight towards
the back of the mound
-Weight transfer back to go
forward
-Tilt, notice back leg and
shoulders
-Where the head goes, the
body goes most times
-Chest should be brought
to glove
3 foot window
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Keeping the weight back
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Weight over rubber
as long as you can
Power position:
Scapular loading
Use abs to pull you
forward
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Using the entire body
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Philosophy behind power
coming from rubber, to
legs, to core, to chest, and
finally the arm
Driving off the mound,
while keeping weight back,
controlled but aggressive
throwers
Rotate late, when front foot
hits my weight should still
be back
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Landing and finish
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-Pitcher should land on
front half of foot
-Angle of landing foot, 45,
then rotates as abs pull
-The chest should be out
over the front knee
-Finish past front knee or
across it
-Should be close to being
able to eat dinner off of
back of pitcher
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Focus and Mindset
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-Lock into the game, just pitcher and
catcher’s glove
-Pick out a small spot in catcher’s glove so if
you miss, you still are around the zone
When to focus on the target (ask coaches)
-Develop a routine, example of mine when I
pitch
-As you get ball back from catcher, think of
next pitch on way back to mound
Grip toughest pitch in hand when you take
the mound
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Coaching emphasis working with young kids:
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Provide the kids an image of what you are
talking about. Examples: power punch,
eating dinner off of your back, finishing the
pitch past front knee, goal posts etc.
Don’t over complicate
Drill work is where kids will improve on
mechanics, ultimately allowing them to use
the most of their body and potential
(muscle memory development)
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Coaching Continued
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Bull Pen - Minimize Talking focus on Pen
Preach first pitch strikes, getting ahead in counts,
challenging hitters, working both sides of the plate,
and teach the changeup early so it looks the same
out of the hand as a fastball
Build pitchers up to pitch counts and be
conscious of wearing kids out
Long Toss, Long Toss, and Long Toss using legs!!!
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Drill Work
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Chair Drill
This is where a dad
or mom can be
very valuable with
one on one time
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Some guys who need work from
Dexter Youth Coaches
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Successes through
instruction or cheating…
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Developing Athletes
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Correct mechanics when you can
Not all pitchers are the same
Some slight differences make them
great
If a kid is throwing strikes and is using
his body, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”
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