Do you move over on the rubber? Do you step more to the insisde etc. Thanks
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When working on location, the emphasis should be on release point.
First a pitcher has to be able to read his own run of his pitches.
We like to like to see a two seam FB down and a four seam up in the zone.
A pitch away from the arm side is harder to control mainly due to two reasons: one, you have to hold on to the ball a little longer and second the ball does not move as much normally.
If a pitcher has control of his pitches away from the arm side then his mechanics are usually pretty good.
When we focus on location, that is exactly what we are looking for, location.
We don't try to tinker with mechanics during this time even though that is probably what is causing problems.
We want the focus to be on release point adjustment.
Most times a pitcher is not working with a catcher but with other pitchers during drill work.
This means that the receiver has a lot of resposibility also.
He has to provide a target.
A pitcher has to figure out release point adjustment during this time and he has to understand that the adjustments are only minor adjustments.
A pitcher needs to work on his location and adjustments with warm up delivery drill work.
His coach can help mechanical problem seperately.
If a pitcher is consistently missing inside or out then it is usually head movement.
Balance drill helps a bit with this one.
Hope this provides some information that you can use.
First a pitcher has to be able to read his own run of his pitches.
We like to like to see a two seam FB down and a four seam up in the zone.
A pitch away from the arm side is harder to control mainly due to two reasons: one, you have to hold on to the ball a little longer and second the ball does not move as much normally.
If a pitcher has control of his pitches away from the arm side then his mechanics are usually pretty good.
When we focus on location, that is exactly what we are looking for, location.
We don't try to tinker with mechanics during this time even though that is probably what is causing problems.
We want the focus to be on release point adjustment.
Most times a pitcher is not working with a catcher but with other pitchers during drill work.
This means that the receiver has a lot of resposibility also.
He has to provide a target.
A pitcher has to figure out release point adjustment during this time and he has to understand that the adjustments are only minor adjustments.
A pitcher needs to work on his location and adjustments with warm up delivery drill work.
His coach can help mechanical problem seperately.
If a pitcher is consistently missing inside or out then it is usually head movement.
Balance drill helps a bit with this one.
Hope this provides some information that you can use.
To practice locating to both sides of the plate we do our work at 45 ft. We have our pitchers throwing into a net with a plate (you can also use a catcher.) We start them out with their feet at stride length with weight stacked on the back leg. They transfer their weight to throw. They throw 15-20 pitches alternating sides of the plate. If they miss their location then they throw it to the same spot till they hit the location. Next we have them throw from their balance point for another 15-20 pitches. Finally finish with full windup and stretch.
If we have a pitcher struggling to hit a location then we have them over-exagerate that spot. So if they can't hit the outside spot, I have them throw 4 straight pitches 10-12 inches off the plate and then back to our routine. Never allow your pitchers throw without trying to hit a location. Every pitch they throw while doing drill work or bullpens should be thrown to a location.
If we have a pitcher struggling to hit a location then we have them over-exagerate that spot. So if they can't hit the outside spot, I have them throw 4 straight pitches 10-12 inches off the plate and then back to our routine. Never allow your pitchers throw without trying to hit a location. Every pitch they throw while doing drill work or bullpens should be thrown to a location.
I believe the best way to throw to a spot is to have the pitcher step slightly in the direction he is throwing. If he wants to go right down the middle, step right at the plate. To go inside, step around 2 inches towards the inside and to go outside, step about 2 inches towards the outside. Same theory that if you are throwing home, you step towards home and if you are throwing to 1st, you would step towards 1st.
If you do it this way, you don't have to worry about release point or changing your mechanics to hit your spot. You just step a little that way and throw. It only has to be a little step. Think of a triangle. The angle starts small and gets wider the further it gets away from the apex. Same with this. A little step on the mound will move the ball a good bit by the time it reaches the plate.
Hope this makes sense.
If you do it this way, you don't have to worry about release point or changing your mechanics to hit your spot. You just step a little that way and throw. It only has to be a little step. Think of a triangle. The angle starts small and gets wider the further it gets away from the apex. Same with this. A little step on the mound will move the ball a good bit by the time it reaches the plate.
Hope this makes sense.
The best way is to set up the mitt and tell him to work on hitting it.
Other than making sure the pitcher keeps his eyes on the target throughout his delivery (and when you start watching closely, you'll be surprised at how many guys don't), the rest of this advice IMHO is actually counter productive.
There is a natural tendency to deliver to the point you're looking at. Beyond that, messing with mechanics pitch by pitch is a recipe for disaster.
The difference in release point between the high & tight pitch vs. the low & away pitch is only maybe a fraction of an inch anyway, so suggesting to a kid that he make a conscious adjustment in release point will likely lead to too large an adjustment and resulting wildness and frustration.
Keep it simple and rely on the eyes.
Do bear in mind that if a kid is not sound mechanically in the first place, if he cannot repeat his delivery, if his base is unstable, no amount of repetition will get him there. So, take care of first things first. Taking a kid with a bad delivery and asking him to put the ball in a teacup is like the proverb about trying to teach a pig to sing. (As in, you'll only frustrate yourself and confuse the pig.)
Other than making sure the pitcher keeps his eyes on the target throughout his delivery (and when you start watching closely, you'll be surprised at how many guys don't), the rest of this advice IMHO is actually counter productive.
There is a natural tendency to deliver to the point you're looking at. Beyond that, messing with mechanics pitch by pitch is a recipe for disaster.
The difference in release point between the high & tight pitch vs. the low & away pitch is only maybe a fraction of an inch anyway, so suggesting to a kid that he make a conscious adjustment in release point will likely lead to too large an adjustment and resulting wildness and frustration.
Keep it simple and rely on the eyes.
Do bear in mind that if a kid is not sound mechanically in the first place, if he cannot repeat his delivery, if his base is unstable, no amount of repetition will get him there. So, take care of first things first. Taking a kid with a bad delivery and asking him to put the ball in a teacup is like the proverb about trying to teach a pig to sing. (As in, you'll only frustrate yourself and confuse the pig.)
Midlo Dad, I agree 100% "that messing with mechanics pitch by pitch is a recipe for disaster."
I fail to see where "the rest of this advice is counter productive."
I could care less what you think about what I posted but I see things that are worthwhile in the other post.
In crudy's, he referred to overexageration. Personally I see this work with consistant positive results. I thought he did a good job of describing a corrective measure. "So if they can't hit the outside spot, I have them throw 4 straight pitches 10-12 inches off the plate and then back to our routine." A lot of times this results in a compromise and a desired end result.
bballman's belief "to throw to a spot is to have the pitcher step slighty in the direction he is throwing." is also used by many in their pitching checkpoints. Maddux and Glavine in particular come to mind here.
Your own statement, "Keep it simple and rely on the eyes." is something that I would use from your post.
For anyone, IMHO, it is the ability to take all the advice given and mold it into what works best for that person. As a pitcher you have to feel comfortable while pitching and you have to have confidence in what you are doing.
I fail to see where "the rest of this advice is counter productive."
I could care less what you think about what I posted but I see things that are worthwhile in the other post.
In crudy's, he referred to overexageration. Personally I see this work with consistant positive results. I thought he did a good job of describing a corrective measure. "So if they can't hit the outside spot, I have them throw 4 straight pitches 10-12 inches off the plate and then back to our routine." A lot of times this results in a compromise and a desired end result.
bballman's belief "to throw to a spot is to have the pitcher step slighty in the direction he is throwing." is also used by many in their pitching checkpoints. Maddux and Glavine in particular come to mind here.
Your own statement, "Keep it simple and rely on the eyes." is something that I would use from your post.
For anyone, IMHO, it is the ability to take all the advice given and mold it into what works best for that person. As a pitcher you have to feel comfortable while pitching and you have to have confidence in what you are doing.
This topic should be interesting as it relates to the location vs. velocity debate. This topic also impacts the long-toss debate.
Location is determined by arm/hand/release adjustments of quarter inches, or less (as midlodad says). So, how do you instruct or practice location?
Does long-toss improve location? Or velocity?
Instead of long-toss, wouldn't it be best to practice pitching from a mound, and hitting spots? Then you practice velocity and location at the same time.
Location is determined by arm/hand/release adjustments of quarter inches, or less (as midlodad says). So, how do you instruct or practice location?
Does long-toss improve location? Or velocity?
Instead of long-toss, wouldn't it be best to practice pitching from a mound, and hitting spots? Then you practice velocity and location at the same time.
quote:Originally posted by CoachO:
bballman's belief "to throw to a spot is to have the pitcher step slighty in the direction he is throwing." is also used by many in their pitching checkpoints. Maddux and Glavine in particular come to mind here.
Coach0, it's funny that you mention that. My son's pitching coach pitched for the Braves from 1997-1999 with Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz and those guys. He has taught my son this method since he was about 9 years old and his command is very good.
I agree with you CoachO, my son worked with an active MiLB player this fall and one of the things they worked hard on was hitting spots on each side of the plate and the slight release point and finger pressure differences and how to get the feel for those in the bullpen. So MD this is something that high level pitchers work on all of the time.
They also discussed missing your spots and to make sure you miss to the side you are throwing to. One of the worst things a pitcher can do is “cross miss” I.E. missing inside when throwing away and vice versa. Finger pressure is key to this. They did work on eye focus and making sure he stayed glued on the target, which to MD point, he did not always do.
So my advice for slim is to find someone he can work with in his bullpens and work on one side or the other and get the feel of how those pitches come out of his hand.
They also discussed missing your spots and to make sure you miss to the side you are throwing to. One of the worst things a pitcher can do is “cross miss” I.E. missing inside when throwing away and vice versa. Finger pressure is key to this. They did work on eye focus and making sure he stayed glued on the target, which to MD point, he did not always do.
So my advice for slim is to find someone he can work with in his bullpens and work on one side or the other and get the feel of how those pitches come out of his hand.
