Helping my son pitich from the beginning. Backspin.

[baseballdad]

My son has been playing baseball now for about 5 years. He is small for his age and just turned 10. He is a good fielder and has developed a pretty strong throw. Now he has expressed an interest in pitching. So I watched him try and it quickly become obvious that he does not throw with backspin. I want to give him some pointers- starting with getting him to throw with backspin. I have had him sit or kneel and throw, I've shown him pictures and explanations of backspin and how to get it but he always puts a side 4 oclock to 10 oclock spin on it. Any tricks to get him to get the 6 to 12 backspin?

[Chris O'Leary]

My son has been playing baseball now for about 5 years. He is small for his age and just turned 10. He is a good fielder and has developed a pretty strong throw. Now he has expressed an interest in pitching. So I watched him try and it quickly become obvious that he does not throw with backspin. I want to give him some pointers- starting with getting him to throw with backspin. I have had him sit or kneel and throw, I've shown him pictures and explanations of backspin and how to get it but he always puts a side 4 oclock to 10 oclock spin on it. Any tricks to get him to get the 6 to 12 backspin?

Backspin is one of the last things I worry about because it's so dependent on arm slot and won't give you a huge boost.

[baseballdad]

I would think that backspin is basic to just throwing in general. But okay if that is not a major concern I will not push it.

I have researched basic pitching through books, videos and threads on this site. I can take him through the steps of stance, kick, arm swing, stretch and follow through. What should my priorities be in helping his delivery since he is just starting?

[Drill]

Yea but realize what you are getting into medically

[devilsadvocate]

baseballdad,

You are correct to be concerned. It sounds like your son is supinating his hand (twisting to a thumb-up position) when he throws and that is hard on the elbow. In fact, it can lead to injury.

Using a black marker, draw a wide line around the middle of a baseball. Have your son grip the ball with his index and middle finger stradling the line and then throw the ball trying to get the line to remain steady. The line doesn't have to be 'vertical' unless your son has a true over-the-top arm slot. Instead, the goal is to keep the line from wobbling.