Pitching Drills

[Jake Patterson]

This thread we will list pitching drills. The thread is not designed for a whole bunch of discussion, but rather to share what we have. Drills posted here should not violate and copyrights and all citation rules should be observed.

[Dirtberry]

One drill I use at the end of a training session is called Cones.
You take small agillity cones and set them up behind the dish a couple of feet back on both sides just outside the black. Each set of ten pitches are thrown to knock down the cones on the fly. The first set you throw Curve then screwball (oppositly axised pitches). The next set of ten you throw Sinker then Slider (oppositly axised pitches).
Whats good about this drill is when you add another pitcher (sometimes me), you make it a competition. This drill hones your ability to throw low cornered off speed strikes. All the players seem to crave this drill!

[scorekeeper]

Saw this once back in 1965, during a workout with a bunch of local pros, and almost pros, and got reminded of it talking about Eddie Feigner. earlier

Pitching with a blindfold on. It was intended to give the P a FEEL for throwing the ball, and to help him quit aiming. I had my kid try it several times when he was younger, and he seemed to have very little trouble getting the ball around the plate. Since then, I’ve had a couple others try it. They looked like they were gonna kill themselves at the very beginning, but it didn’t seem to take very long before they too were able to be moderately accurate.

But, I’ve never been able to talk anyone into trying it seriously while more than a couple other folks were around. I guess its just too embarrassing.

[1stamendmentjake]

Doc Marshall training video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq-X9ZiqUHo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW2XQex8Ipk&feature=related

[b4uplayball]

Here is a simple drill to help keep the runners close.

Some pitchers have a tendency of tipping off a base runner whether he is throwing home or throwing over. One of these tips may be the movement of the lead leg at the beginning of the pitch. Once the pitcher's lead leg breaks the plane and moves either forward or backward, the pitcher must deliver the ball to the plate.

THE DRILL
Have the pitcher start his pitch routine from the stretch position. Then freeze the action at the top of the leg kick. Have the pitcher hold it there, like a statue, for 5 seconds or so. THE LEAD LEG MUST BE IN PARALLEL WITH THE BODY
To complete the exercise instruct the pitcher to complete the pitch, step off, or throw over to one of the bases.

[pastime00]

One drill I've used for my LL'ers is to throw from behind the mound. Bythat I mean they stand behind the mound but their stride foot lands uphill. Does a couple of things:

1) Re-enforces throwing DOWN hill,
and
2) helps remind them to come up and over the firm front legs (avoid crouching at the end)