Throwing technique question

You want a pitcher to stay closed. But after watching the orientation of the stride foot on many pitchers, it seems to me that as long as they're not landing open, whatever works for them is what it right.

You want the lead foot to land facing the target. That would mean that the hips have snapped around hopefully to pull the torso around, which in turn helps to pull the arm through. See if you can find some clips of mlb pitchers to get the idea.

It's a matter of preference really. You will see both as being very effective at times.

If you draw a line from the ball of the plant foot directly to the target, the ball of the landing foot should land within a couple inches (either side) of the line.

Guys who land a bit closed generally have a bit more power. A bit open generally have a bit more movement. We've worked with a former MLB reliever in the past who was an advocate of landing slightly open about 2 inches (at most).

The idea is to get your momentum moving towards the plate. Extremes don't work well. If you land too closed, you end up throwing across your body. Too open and the ball will sail and you will pitch with your arm only, not getting your lower body into the delivery.

Within 2 inches either side is fine. Everyone's delivery is a bit different as is their arm action. Like most things in pitching, there aren't that many absolute rules, or else everyone's delivery in the "bigs" would look identical.

Personally: We work hard to land moving directly towards the plate to eliminate wasted energy. You want to watch carefully to make sure that the front side isn't openning too early causing a power leak.

Interesting question and one that we have debated in my household. My older son lands with his lead foot pointing to the target and I have been teaching my younger son to stay slightly closed. We have watched many, many MLB pitchers and the consensus is that there isn't any. They do it both ways and sometimes, although less frequently, even slightly open. The one thing that does seem consistent however, is that they land on the ball of the lead foot and not on the heel.

Some good points made here. There is one thing that they really need to do and that is make sure that they land on the ball of the foot and not on the heel rolling up to the ball of the foot. Try it yourself when you land on the heel of the foot the quad is not tight and powerfull it is in a relaxed state. When you land on the ball of the foot the quad is tight and powerfull. Slightly opened , slightly closed, straight at the target all good in my opinion whatever works for the particular kid. For posistion throws personally I like the 1 or 2 oclock set up with the lead foot. I feel that it really helps get the lead shoulder pointed at the target better and they can get alot more zip on the ball. Try this yourself and see what you think. When you field , funnell and then cross over plant the lead foot in the 1 or 2 oclock posistion when throwing. We teach this and our guys really like it. JMO

Great points by all. I have always taught players to try to stay a little closed. It seems to give them a stronger foundation.

The problem I feel, in allowing the foot to be open, is that you take the risk of the hips opening up too soon. I've found that especially with hard throwing high school kids that they gain more control being a little closed.

As we all know, there are many ways that will work for different players. The most important thing is for the him to be comfortable and do what works best for him, while trying not to re-invent the wheel.

quote:

Originally posted by justbaseball:
You want a pitcher to stay closed. But after watching the orientation of the stride foot on many pitchers, it seems to me that as long as they're not landing open, whatever works for them is what it right.

Elaborate please.

How does it jive with these, which are two of many.

Teacherman,
I like the clips, can you let me know where you got them so that I can find some more.
Thanks.

S E T P R O .com and www.pitching-mechanics.org.

Teacherman - Not sure what you're asking me here...in both cases the stride is closed as best as I can tell (straight ahead to slightly closed). The foot is open, which is no problem and is what I was trying to say.

quote:

Originally posted by justbaseball:
Teacherman - Not sure what you're asking me here...in both cases the stride is closed as best as I can tell (straight ahead to slightly closed). The foot is open, which is no problem and is what I was trying to say.

The ultimate bob & weave????

The posters question is what is the proper position of the lead stride foot when it touches the ground.

Your answers are.....

...You want a pitcher to stay closed.

...As long as they are not landing open what ever works for them is right.

...In both cases the stride is closed.

...The stride foot is open, which is no problem and is what I was trying to say.

Remind me not to ask directions from you.

Uh, ok.

Any particular reason you're always in attack mode?

Just...don't even try to deal with the ***...for your own good.

teacherman,

Who says he's "bobbing and weaving"? Perhaps you can help him understand your point rather than being a total p r i c k.

redbird - I appreciate the attempt, but you're not helping me here.

Anyways, I was just playin' with him a little. He always seems to butt heads with folks on here and I thought I'd pull his chain a bit. I'll stop, game over. Sorry for the intrusion.

justbb,

Sorry. Just a brain ****.

quote:

Originally posted by justbaseball:
Uh, ok.

Any particular reason you're always in attack mode?

Ignorance needs to be pointed out to help the kids through the rif raf. If they come here they are looking for good information.

I'll let the video speak for me. Nothing closed about those pitchers at landing (except shoulders). Foot, hips.......all look open to me.

Rif raf? Thats not too nice!



Looks pretty closed to me.



Foot open, everything else closed, which is what I said was fine. Go ahead and teach your pitchers to open up. I'd like to play your team.

See something open here? Glove hand...maybe?

Hmmm. Can't find much of anything open here.
Couldn't get the same shot from the front to post, but its even more descriptive. You can look here if you want:

http://www.photofile.com/Photos/Albums/2004_Baseball_Action/A's/Images/HudsonTim.jpg

OK, I'm done for now. Enjoy!

quote:

Originally posted by MoDad:
What is the proper position of the lead stride foot when it touches the ground?

Great still shots. Which show nothing. And none of them answer the question.

The two (now 4) pitchers I show are in the same positions as yours.....BEFORE LANDING. Unfortunately the poster wants to know the answer AT LANDING.

Try answering his question.

Good try at covering up though.

For your education.........

Here's your own example used against you.





Again, pay attention to AT LANDING. After all that is the posters question.

Maybe if you'd have paid attention while chasing those boys around the country???????

Our boy Teach can be a total di** with ears, but he's right this time, at least regarding the hips.
The prevailing wisdom these days, and it's shown in these vids and dozens more, is that Teach's guru's concept of "rotating into footplant" is the way to go. Your still shots are of pitchers still striding and haven't reached footplant. The explosive late rotation of the hips into footplant is a major source of power and velocity development.
As far as the foot goes (and this was the original poster's question), it is possible to land with a slightly closed foot and still get the hips to open, and many pitchers do this.

In my humble opinion of course

A dick with ears?????????????

At least you're right on your baseball. As compared to the flamers who've been BLOWN out of the water by the video.

I can't imagine posting still shots of pitchers before footplant to make a point about what is proper at footplant. Can you???

Matters not if you like me. I will keep the information on this site accurate.

Thanks rbinaz. I see YOUR point "rotating into footplant" and agree with you. Stated in a much more eloquent way I might add...one I'm much more willing to listen too.

I suppose I got into this argument because I see a lot of young kids let their front foot fly open (almost towards 1B for a RHP) and thus lose a lot of power. Everything open too soon. I have a LHP who could throw rockets if he would not do this.

Teacherman - Go back and look at Mark Prior's picture. Thats about as close as we can get in a still photo to knowing for sure we're about at foot plant. Couldn't find any stills closer than that.

Its been an interesting discussion. I learned a little. Just not sure it had to come with all of the insults. I sure hope that is not the way you teach/coach Teacherman.

Okay guys, gals and others of all descriptions!

A very good instructor told me a couple things that I'd like to pass along:

1. Pitching starts from the ground up, toes to finger tips.

2. Foot plant, and arm slot belong to the pitcher. Keep it natural, less to worry about.

3. The hips, the glove side and the torso, belong to the coach. Meaning that these are the things you need to monitor. If they begin to fluctuate, they need to be addressed. These things can change the action of the things you don't worry about!

4. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

These things made sense to me! Remember, keep it simple, less to worry about!

quote:

Originally posted by justbaseball:
...Anyways, I was just playin' with him a little. He always seems to butt heads with folks on here and I thought I'd pull his chain a bit...

I guess we know who pulled who's chain.