March 12, 2017

Beginning Pitching – Scott Swords

• Make it part of your practice plan –
  • Maximize coaching staff and parents
  • Maximize space – see back page
  • Maximize time – keep them moving
• Bring on the bucket brigade –
  • Tell parents to bring their gloves
  • Encourage all players to try it
• Announce the expectations to players and parents -
  • Players must be able to pitch the ball the required distance for the league
  • Explain the rules for how many innings a pitcher can pitch or when pitchers can pitch
• Identifying the pitchers -
  • Athletic  ability – early part of the season these players will most likely be ready
    • Look for good overhand throwing mechanics including good trunk rotation with the lower body (the outfield throw)
    • Good overhand leads to a good underhand
  • Longer term – the mid-level athletes often emerge as they get into the flow of the game
    • Hard workers
    • Competitive desire to get better
• Starts with the grip
  • Put some balls aside solely for pitching
  • Get out the electrical tape (lower left hand side of your toolbox)
  • This is softball – three fingers across the seems – middle finger on the tape
  • Thumb positioning – thumb on the tape
• Wrist snap drills
  • Body positioning
  • 9 and 12 o’clock
  • The magic wall
  • Thumb first fingers last – paint the floor
• Body rotation drills
  • 3 o’clock
  • Full motion
    • Step, turn and arm all in one – this is what makes pitching hard
    • Do the twist
    • When does the hip close?
• Arm isolation
  • Knee drill – from 9, 12, 3
  • Double Circles –
  • Wall drill –
    • Pinky, thumb, pointer, pointer
    • Hips – close, open, open, open

March 17, 2017

Practice Set-up

                                                                                                 Practice Set-up