the things all successful pitchers do

[Megunticook]

So my 10 y.o. son will be pitching this year for the first time, plus I'll be an assistant coach on his LL team, so I'll be providing some guidance on pitching. Needless to say, there's a huge variety of sometimes conflicting wisdom out there on how to pitch. My feeling is there is no one "correct" way to do it, but there are certain basics that pretty much every successful pitcher shares. Beyond those basics, there's plenty of room for individual style and approach.

I'd like to ask for some help in coming up with a list of those basic fundamentals, because my instinct is to teach those and beyond that let the kids do what's comfortable and natural to them.

This should be a list of fundamentals that most everyone agrees on. Am hoping this thread doesn't devolve into a debate about pitching mechanics. Just the basics, not in any particular order, and just off the top of my head to get started:

• Warm up properly before pitching
• Be relaxed and alert before each pitch
• Look at target
• Visualize the pitch going exactly to the target
• Point front shoulder at target
• Rear foot at right angle toward target
• Stride directly toward target with front foot pointing directly at target when foot lands
• Don't aim the ball, just look at the target and throw
• Take each pitch one at a time, and concentrate as if it's the only pitch that matters
• Believe that you can get any hitter out; don't be afraid to pitch to anyone
• Don't pitch if your arm hurts
• Take care of your body (healthy meals, good rest, lots of water, keep fit--especially legs)
• Have a sensible pre-season practice routine to slowly build up arm/shoulder resilience, same for off-days

Any additions? Anything on there that shouldn't be?

Thanks for your help.

[tg643]

* Understand you lose control the second the ball leaves your hand. You can't control the end result. Maintain emotional control.

* Have a short memory. Whether the last hitter went deep or struck out put it behind you. Maintain emotional control.

[Thor]

Throw strikes

Yes, THROW STRIKES

[jbolt_2000]

Take care of your body (healthy meals, good rest, lots of water, keep fit--especially legs)
Have a sensible pre-season practice routine to slowly build up arm/shoulder resilience, same for off-days

These last two fundamentals I find are the hardest to teach or motivate younger kids to do.
At ten, I found most kids I've coached could care less what they put in their body as long as it tastes good they feel full afterwards.
And I am coaching 13-14 y.o. right now and some take it very seriously, but the most off season or off-days routine they have is to do a few pushups and situps before bed a couple times a week.

I've been bringing these topics up to the kids I coach every year, but realistically, its about planting the seed for when they are older and not to expect them to adhere to it right now (pre-high school).

[Standballdad]

I pitched my whole life starting at 8 yrs old. Was always told how I should throw, over the top, stay balanced etc... It was my senior year in HS, I was probably 4th on depth chart. Had a discussion with my coach about arm slots. Did some experimenting and discovered that I was much more efficient with a 3/4 arm slot. Velocity up, accuracy up, like I was a new pitcher. Finished the year as the Ace of the staff and had an offer from a very good D1 in southern cal. What Im trying to say here is you need to see what arm slot is best for your child. I did the sme with mine, and he tells me once he gfigured out his correct slot, pitching came a lot easier for him.

[tradosaurus]

* Understand you lose control the second the ball leaves your hand. You can't control the end result. Maintain emotional control.

* Have a short memory. Whether the last hitter went deep or struck out put it behind you. Maintain emotional control.

Personally I tell my son that as pitcher he is in complete control. I would never suggest to him that he loses control at any point.

[tg643]

Personally I tell my son that as pitcher he is in complete control. I would never suggest to him that he loses control at any point.

Please explain what control a pitcher has after he releases the ball. Can the pitcher control the hitter's swing? Can he control how his catcher receives the pitch? Can the pitcher control what his fielders do? Can the pitcher control the bad hop? Can the pitcher control the wind? Players who focus on things they can't control are more likely to lose composure.The only thing the pitcher controls is his mental state and delivering the best effort for the best possible pitch in the moment.

If you can convince me otherwise then I'll accept what a pitching coach who placed hundreds of pitchers in college ball and two former MLB catchers (both long time veterans who won Gold Gloves) told my son is bad advice.

If your son is in complete contol he's not only the pitcher and catcher, no one can make contact on him. Legend says Cool Papa Bell was so quick he could turn out the lights and get in bed before the room got dark. That must be your son if he's in control.

[mellowthunder]

I pitched my whole life starting at 8 yrs old. Was always told how I should throw, over the top, stay balanced etc... It was my senior year in HS, I was probably 4th on depth chart. Had a discussion with my coach about arm slots. Did some experimenting and discovered that I was much more efficient with a 3/4 arm slot. Velocity up, accuracy up, like I was a new pitcher. Finished the year as the Ace of the staff and had an offer from a very good D1 in southern cal. What Im trying to say here is you need to see what arm slot is best for your child. I did the sme with mine, and he tells me once he gfigured out his correct slot, pitching came a lot easier for him.

I hear you Standballdad. Over top pitching seems to be worshipped in our youth league. And I'm sure we are not the only one. I'm amazed how they can't see the difference between a major league pitcher and what they preach. I don't think this one is ever going to die unfortunately.

[Megunticook]

These last two fundamentals I find are the hardest to teach or motivate younger kids to do.
At ten, I found most kids I've coached could care less what they put in their body as long as it tastes good they feel full afterwards.
And I am coaching 13-14 y.o. right now and some take it very seriously, but the most off season or off-days routine they have is to do a few pushups and situps before bed a couple times a week.

I've been bringing these topics up to the kids I coach every year, but realistically, its about planting the seed for when they are older and not to expect them to adhere to it right now (pre-high school).

I suppose I don't really expect LL kids to pay too much attention to this, but I'd like to make sure they at least start thinking about taking care of themselves, and that what they eat and drink and how much rest they get has a direct effect on how energized they feel on the ballfield, and how well they're able to play. I think a lot of kids (and adults for that matter) don't really make the connection between what they eat/drink and how they feel/perform.

I'll make sure we have lots of water and cups on hand for every game and practice, that's for sure, and will encourage parents to fuel up their kids well beforehand. One thing I will emphasize is that hydration starts well before, if you show up dehydrated then it's too late to catch up.

[Megunticook]

I pitched my whole life starting at 8 yrs old. Was always told how I should throw, over the top, stay balanced etc... It was my senior year in HS, I was probably 4th on depth chart. Had a discussion with my coach about arm slots. Did some experimenting and discovered that I was much more efficient with a 3/4 arm slot. Velocity up, accuracy up, like I was a new pitcher. Finished the year as the Ace of the staff and had an offer from a very good D1 in southern cal. What Im trying to say here is you need to see what arm slot is best for your child. I did the sme with mine, and he tells me once he gfigured out his correct slot, pitching came a lot easier for him.

Good case in point for what I meant about leaving room for individual style and approach. If 3/4 feels more natural for a kid, by all means I would let him throw that way (unless he's clearly struggling).

[real green]

I hear you Standballdad. Over top pitching seems to be worshipped in our youth league. And I'm sure we are not the only one. I'm amazed how they can't see the difference between a major league pitcher and what they preach. I don't think this one is ever going to die unfortunately.

You have to build a foundation before you can put on the trim.

[Standballdad]

You have to build a foundation before you can put on the trim.

I agree a strong foundation is important but, IMHO this is not trim. You need to know how your body naturally throws the ball. I see too many kids with what I call forced or unnatural throwing motions because they were taught that way. Pitchers need to be as efficient as possible when throwing.

[tradosaurus]

Please explain what control a pitcher has after he releases the ball. Can the pitcher control the hitter's swing? Can he control how his catcher receives the pitch? Can the pitcher control what his fielders do? Can the pitcher control the bad hop? Can the pitcher control the wind? Players who focus on things they can't control are more likely to lose composure.The only thing the pitcher controls is his mental state and delivering the best effort for the best possible pitch in the moment.

If you can convince me otherwise then I'll accept what a pitching coach who placed hundreds of pitchers in college ball and two former MLB catchers (both long time veterans who won Gold Gloves) told my son is bad advice.

If your son is in complete contol he's not only the pitcher and catcher, no one can make contact on him. Legend says Cool Papa Bell was so quick he could turn out the lights and get in bed before the room got dark. That must be your son if he's in control.

Let me rephrase; my son is in complete control of the ball until either the catcher catches the ball or the batter hits it. If the pitcher is in control then the ball will go where he wants it to go so therefore the flight of the ball is controlled by the pitcher. That is why I would never ever tell a pitcher that he "loses control" after he releases the ball.

Just don't be absurd to try illustrate absurdity. :clown:

[real green]

I agree a strong foundation is important but, IMHO this is not trim. You need to know how your body naturally throws the ball. I see too many kids with what I call forced or unnatural throwing motions because they were taught that way. Pitchers need to be as efficient as possible when throwing.

We are talking about kids and how they are developed. To expect a volunteer dad to have the time to build a single players skills is crazy. He is dealing with 12-14 kids that have a huge spread in skill set. They HAVE to build track homes with the same foundation. They can't build custom homes. They don't have the time or skill set. To bag on such coaches alway rubs me wrong.

Throwing over the top has more to do with the elbow than arm slot and I would consider it foundation work... If the elbow isn't up we have problems. Once you get the elbow up, MOST kids find their natural arm slot. The cue throw over the top is typically given to a kid that is droping his elbow and I have found it very effective at correcting the elbow issue.

[Standballdad]

We are talking about kids and how they are developed. To expect a volunteer dad to have the time to build a single players skills is crazy. He is dealing with 12-14 kids that have a huge spread in skill set. They HAVE to build track homes with the same foundation. They can't build custom homes. They don't have the time or skill set. To bag on such coaches alway rubs me wrong.

Throwing over the top has more to do with the elbow than arm slot and I would consider it foundation work... If the elbow isn't up we have problems. Once you get the elbow up, MOST kids find their natural arm slot. The cue throw over the top is typically given to a kid that is droping his elbow and I have found it very effective at correcting the elbow issue.

Easy, no one is bagging on coaches, not sure where you get that from. I am not talking about skill sets, but what I consider fundamental to pitching that a lot of people do not consider. Throwing from straight over the top puts great stress on the shoulder, and is not for everyone. It is a very unnatural movement. You cannot cookie cutter your approach to pitching, even at the youth level.