Category: Pitching
Type: Drill
STEPPING ON THE LINE
I have read with some interest the other coaches' input on pitching. My concern in teaching players to pitch is eliminating elements in their throwing motion which puts unnecessary stress on the elbow or shoulder.
What I emphasize to my pitchers is that the arm should be straight or almost straight when the arm is even with the body. If the elbow is bent then, the player cannot get it fully extended before release. A straight arm provides a longer arc for the ball and will generate more velocity with less effort than a bent elbow. Having players get down on one knee, kneeling with the "push" leg down and the "plant" leg up and in front of them, extend their throwing arm straight out from their body in its natural throwing angle to the body and then have them throw the ball to a partner by taking the ball back about 6 inches and then throwing, I ask them to exaggerate their follow through and finish with their arm down and out side their front knee.
This drill also allows me to work them on their wrist cock and snap at I work a drill to keep the hips and shoulders closed during wind-up. It is called "stepping on the line.", I draw a line perpendicular to the pitching rubber toward home plate from each corner of the rubber and the center of the rubber. The pitcher executes his wind up and throws to home plate, the goal is to step on the line extending out from the pitcher. This keeps the pitchers hips and shoulders from opening early and taking velocity and accuracy from the pitch.
Submitted by: Fred J Wright
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