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Good piece. You refer to "young" pitchers without defining. At what age or playing level do you generally suggest that pitchers should be throwing to thirds, quadrants, spots, etc.? I realize that, certainly, some types of pitchers will do this even at the highest level.
Thank you.
As you said, kids develops at different paces. My feeling is that once a kid is consistently in the strike zone - I look for 60%+ strikes - then start to work on thirds or quadrants. Some kids can handle this at 10 yrs., others still can't do it at 30 yrs. Crawl before you walk, walk before running, etc.
As you said, kids develops at different paces. My feeling is that once a kid is consistently in the strike zone - I look for 60%+ strikes - then start to work on thirds or quadrants. Some kids can handle this at 10 yrs., others still can't do it at 30 yrs. Crawl before you walk, walk before running, etc.
Being able to throw strikes is always the key. I strongly beleive however that pitching is about hitting his target. If kids learn early enough to focus on the glove, it does not matter where the glove is. When my pitchers are struggling to hit the mitt we may have to set up over the heart of the plate. If they hit the mitt, the location of the zone doesn't matter. What matters is hitting the mitt. We do not even use the plate when throwing pens. Quadrants are for the catcher to know where to set up. The pitchers job does not change regardless. He must be able to execute that pitch to that location.
A good pitcher is one who throws a lot of strikes but not necessarily throws them over the plate for a strike. Throwing strikes, being able to place one down the middle is crucial at times and should always be the most important aspect of teaching young pitchers- try to hit your location. As players begin to master this then takes them to that next level of drawing strikes on pitches that are not necessarily thrown over the strike zone for a strike. Inducing a swing on pitches that are outside of the strike zone becomes crucial if one wants to dominate in pitching.
All good comments guys. Thanks for reading.
#1 Where is your landing foot? Would an imaginary line from your back foot to your front foot cross the plate?
Usually yes in my opinion. The line goes from the middle of your back foot to the catcher's mitt - wherever that is. The landing foot should land (for a right-hander) slightly to the right of that line. No more than an inch or two. The toes should be slightly angled towards the third base dugout. I'm a firm believer that command improves when a pitcher thinks of driving his whole body (center of gravity) down that line towards the mitt. If the weight goes to the target, the ball usually follows. As always, some pitchers, especially some lefty relievers, are very effective throwing across their body so it's never an absolute. Just my two cents worth.
I like your idea of staying in your lines toward the mitt and driving. Many young pitchers tend to just lift there leg in the balance position and kind of step out toward the plate or open up like a door (no body control). It is best for young players to stay in there lines and drive from the back. It improves accuracy and body control and will only help further with throwing strikes and better mechanics.
Wrote a post a little while ago along the same lines of what you have http://betterpitches.com/2010/...ers-view-home-plate/
