WebBall.com - Correcting Pitching Faults

The devil is in the details

Sometimes, minor faults can have a big impact on pitching success.
See side note for where these ideas came from. As other good correction ideas come to light this page will continue to expand.

FAULT	DESCRIPTION	CORRECTION TIPS / DRILLS
Loss of Velocity	Anytime a pitcher is not throwing with his usual pop - the catcher may be the best judge of this, he knows what he feels in the glove. But coaches need to look for the signs too.	Check for Cocked Elbow - When a pitcher starts to throw too hard biceps contracts (which tightens the grip), shown by the less than 90 degree arm angle. Check fielding position - If the pitcher is too quickly into the fielding position after the throw, he may be jumping out and slowing his arm action ahead of release point - see below. Check stride length - If it shortens, then weight is up and body is coming forward too early. Chin to Shoulder - Make sure rotation is from chin tucked into closed front shoulder all the way to chin over throwing shoulder on follow through. If not he may be too open. Upper Arm Angle - If elbow drops, the shoulder is tiring or in pain from impingement. (May also compensate for this by tilting the head away from the shoulder.) Scapular Loading - When shoulders tire, the blades no longer get as much pinch back, and without that loading up, the arm will not spring forward with as much pop.

Rushing, Drifting	Tendancy to hurry forward, leaning to plate. If you see the head come forward it may be that the lead leg is swing outward with too much momentum - see next section.	Wall In Front - dry pitch with a wall in front of you, so you can't do full delivery just go from set through balance point to arms up. Or... Balance Toss - helper tosses a ball to your chest once you've stopped with knee up in balance point (ball must be tossed in line with rubber, chest high). Caution: you don't want to stop during your actual delivery just during this drill to see you get the free leg up and back enough. Or... Thumb-Down Pick - helper stands on back of mound, you go from set to knee moving up without a ball. As arms break, you reach behind to pick the ball from helper's hand. (Again concern over stop-action.)

Direction, Alignment	Not keeping body aligned on a direct line to the plate during entire motion. If the back is arched, it may be because the toes are pointing out at the post position or rotated too much to home on a stiff landing leg.	Cross-Arm - Go through motion from knee lift to stride with arms crossed over chest (no ball, glove optional). Also can be done with hands in pockets. Chalk-Line - Lines on dirt toward plate, concentrate on landing with instep to front toe area on line. (But toes should not point to the plate.) Towel Snap - No ball, helper out front with glove up in front of pitcher's release point. Pitcher brings hand through to snap the towel on the glove at the release point. Player must complete follow through at full speed and natural deceleration. Alternate is for pitcher to try to hit a chair out front. (This is Tom House's original idea, but Ron Wolforth suggest contact on glove at relaese point works better.) L-Screen - Make pitcher throw past screen (set up to block any cut-across throws) You can also use the low part of an L-screen touching the 3rd base edge of rubber (for RHP) to keep the toes down and prevent back arching.

Jumping Out	Letting lead leg go to side in anticipation of getting into fielding position	Uphill Pitch - Throw from back of mound so stride leg lands near rubber. (Note: never favor fielding position and sacrifice extension / follow-thru) Hip-Hop - Teach the hip hop landing that hops the landing leg foward after follow through is over.

Dragging Back Leg	Back leg stays on ground through the throw, not letting body extend downward.	Hop Landing - Work on hopping on front landing leg, to force back leg off the ground (this is a correction drill, not what you should do during game). Bucket - Place a bucket near rubber to force trailing leg to step over it

Inconsistent Pitch Angles	Something in mechanics breaks down differently on each pitch	Blind Pitching - Use soft-core balls and pitch with eyes closed. Give feedback to yourself (talk through each pitch).

Heavy Foot	Front leg is not brought up high enough (thigh not parallel to ground or higher)	Chair Lift - Put a chair in the way as a target height (or a coach kneeling). Do as incomplete throw unless chair or coach's knee can be removed in time.

First base Overthrow	When fielding a ball on the mound - not a pitching problem but a pitcher problem	Step Off - Not a drill, just an obvious solution, you should never make a fielding throw from above the grass, it's worth a step toward the bag first.