What do you guys prefer.......out of the windup a pitchers first step being back or to the side?
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Neither. My son's pitching coach has him take a very small step (on the rubber at 45 degrees) just to get things moving. He specifically wants him to stay centered and balanced prior to loading up the backside
you move straight back about 6 inches,,thats a no brainer..if you move to the side you just moved your head off the target line...now you have to bring it back into the target line..WHY would you want that? a small rocker tep straight back ,,keeps the head level and still
thats the way i was taught.... straight back or a 45 degree angle....i have a kid who steps out to the side....said a coach at a college camp showed him that
I think it's unlikely to make any difference either way. I think it's strictly a personal preference issue.
When I was younger Billy Champion, former scout and pitching coach with the Cubs, showed me how a back step allowed me to stride further to the plate than a side step. He also said that it was similar to running, that if a guy has side to side movement he losses speed, he felt the body was in a straighter line delivering home if it went backward...and compared that thought to hitting, throwing, kicking, and every other thing he thought of showing backward/forward transfer.
quote:Originally posted by wogdoggy:
you move straight back about 6 inches,,thats a no brainer..if you move to the side you just moved your head off the target line...now you have to bring it back into the target line..WHY would you want that? a small rocker tep straight back ,,keeps the head level and still
Just because you step to the side doesn't necessarily mean your head did, especially if you started with your feet fairly close. Here is an example of Joe Nathan. From the camera angle, he actually starts with his glove foot in front of his throw foot then rotates while he is stepping to the side of where his glove foot started
Keeping the head level and moving in line towards the plate, I would agree with. That should be the focus. Whichever direction you step and how far should be whatever is comfortable for each pitcher.
Although, this guy (Huston Street) does a very exaggerated "side step" you'd probably hate.
quote:Originally posted by turnin2:
When I was younger Billy Champion, former scout and pitching coach with the Cubs, showed me how a back step allowed me to stride further to the plate than a side step. He also said that it was similar to running, that if a guy has side to side movement he losses speed, he felt the body was in a straighter line delivering home if it went backward...and compared that thought to hitting, throwing, kicking, and every other thing he thought of showing backward/forward transfer.
What kind of kicking? NFL kickers and so-cc-er players move straight toward the ball, but they don't kick in that same line of direction.
I teach to keep the eyes as still as can be and focused on the target. The step back isnt as important for me as much as the ability to be able to get your feet into the rubber in a comforable and fluid manner. I want the guys to feel the weight transfer from the backstep to the power position. Doing this with as little head movement as possible. . Everyone is different though.
so for me, it doesn't matter back or side as long as it small and fluid. And comfortable!
What kind of kicking? NFL kickers and so-cc-er players move straight toward the ball, but they don't kick in that same line of direction.[/QUOTE]
referring more towards the general leg swing. but even considering s****r style kickers, the leg gets in a path to drive the ball forward, the angle has more to do with hip cocking and rotation of the leg. forward as a source of power. the last two steps of a kicker have his leg swing in a straight line to the target (uprights.) I'm not saying thats how it must be done, a small step is fine too, heck whatever it takes to throw strikes IMHO.
referring more towards the general leg swing. but even considering s****r style kickers, the leg gets in a path to drive the ball forward, the angle has more to do with hip cocking and rotation of the leg. forward as a source of power. the last two steps of a kicker have his leg swing in a straight line to the target (uprights.) I'm not saying thats how it must be done, a small step is fine too, heck whatever it takes to throw strikes IMHO.
quote:Originally posted by XV:quote:Originally posted by wogdoggy:
you move straight back about 6 inches,,thats a no brainer..if you move to the side you just moved your head off the target line...now you have to bring it back into the target line..WHY would you want that? a small rocker tep straight back ,,keeps the head level and still
Just because you step to the side doesn't necessarily mean your head did, especially if you started with your feet fairly close. Here is an example of Joe Nathan. From the camera angle, he actually starts with his glove foot in front of his throw foot then rotates while he is stepping to the side of where his glove foot started
Keeping the head level and moving in line towards the plate, I would agree with. That should be the focus. Whichever direction you step and how far should be whatever is comfortable for each pitcher.
Although, this guy (Huston Street) does a very exaggerated "side step" you'd probably hate.quote:Originally posted by turnin2:
When I was younger Billy Champion, former scout and pitching coach with the Cubs, showed me how a back step allowed me to stride further to the plate than a side step. He also said that it was similar to running, that if a guy has side to side movement he losses speed, he felt the body was in a straighter line delivering home if it went backward...and compared that thought to hitting, throwing, kicking, and every other thing he thought of showing backward/forward transfer.
What kind of kicking? NFL kickers and so-cc-er players move straight toward the ball, but they don't kick in that same line of direction.
yes it doesnt NECESSARILY mean you move your head but watch a kid do it and watch him bring his head OFF LINE 85 percent of the time..you like side stepping than do it..I'm telling you what is the more effecient move.
