Staying closed with your shoulders

Are you closing during leg kick?

im closed the whole time, i guess im just starting to throw before my front foot lands

try starting out showing more back to the catcher/batter. As you stride forward remind yourself to stay closed until the arm comes into its high cocked position.

A drill I often use it to practice throwing from the set landing position. In other words, start with your strike foot down and throw from that position. You may want to film the process so you and your coach can break down your mechanics. I am a firm believer in using film.

i recieved some great advice from a series of coaches in a similar post...

1) The key to keeping the shoulders closed longer is the glove side arm... keep it strong and closed by keeping the glove side elbow away from the body longer. Dont pull the Glove to Chest but rather bring Chest to glove by exlpoding/rotating the hips.

2) I agree with Clint Taylor... the Power Position drill is great... focus on equal and opposite elbows and shoulders... if you have good arm action dont make any major changes to the arm side... work on a stronger glove side. (CHEST TO GLOVE)

3) remember that the hips should rotae first... this hip shoulder separation is a huge key to gaining velocity. (think Tim Lincecum)

4) as for the stride leg/foot... remember to stay back as you come out of your balance. ("foot to ground then stride down the mound") Drive with the heal of the lead Stride foot... this will help keep the front side closed as long as possible.

Bakstop: There is a bunch of stuff posted under "Mechanical question ??" thread on this stuff.