In this series we will be breaking down the mechanics of pitching. The first thing we need to discuss is your setup before you pitch. We realize there are many different ways to step on the mound. Someone that tells you that you have to stand a certain way is crazy! These four points will give you a breakdown of things to look for and think about when your spikes hit the rubber.
Phase (1) of the Windup includes all of your body positioning before the movement begins:
- Hand positioning - If you are holding the ball in your glove with your throwing hand, please make sure that the palm of your hand is facing downward into your glove with a relaxed wrist position. Hopefully none of you are holding the ball with your palm facing upward, but I have seen it taught and executed before.
- Grip - All coaches talk about having a relaxed grip and allowing the ball to rest within your finger tips. BUT BE CAREFUL when explaining “finger tips.” What was not a concern for me because of my short finger size/length turned into a huge issue for a high school player of mine and a minor leaguer under the guidance of a close friend. Because these two individuals had such long fingers, they did not have the ball resting against the pads of their upper hand/lower fingers. The ball was resting completely in their finger tips and both velocity and control were being compromised. You’d be amazed at the instant increase in both velocity and control that was gained simply by sliding the ball back into the hand, while still keeping a relaxed grip. It was awesome!
- Glove Positioning - Completely a personal preference. Most pitchers are comfortable with the elbows relaxed, just outside of the body and glove settled jut below the chest. Be careful the higher you take your glove as it may bring the elbows closer together and possibly create more tension of the arms and wrists. Check out Tim Hudson (below).
- Foot Location - Traditionally RH pitchers have been taught to use the left side of the rubber and LH pitchers the right side. Although it is currently up for debate with a close friend of mine, we’ll stick to what makes the movement the easiest and most fluid. We’ll use a RH pitcher for this example … I like to suggest having one foot on the rubber and the other slightly off with both feet turned at an angle around 30-45 degrees facing the third base line. Let’s be honest, how many amateur pitching mounds do we come across that don’t have a huge hole in front of the rubber making it extremely uncomfortable to have both heals resting on the rubber and both sets of toes in the “hole.” Yet the BIGGEST reason for the feet being angled, is that it is much easier to take a small step, change direction, replace the pivot foot and REPETITIVELY reach a strong, loaded position to throw if there isless turning, twisting and foot rotating to execute (especially on a crappy mound).
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