1. Knee Throwing (arm circles).
2. Strided position (chest over kneel–rotate 180 to little toe.
3. Back heel up (pinch knees).
4. Hip pocket position (foot straight to hole).
5. Full wind up.

B. Balance Positions

1. Hip pocket–down and up hold balance position.
2. Chest over knee (balance with palm to sky).

C. Scissors Clap

D. Bunny Hops

E. Drysdale

F. Butt To Wall Or Fence (Keeps You In Line)

G. Holding Runners On

LHP

1. Find a way to freeze runner.
2. Break runner’s rhythm.
3. Throw hard.
4. Step back move neutralizes runner who breaks on first move.
5. On move ball higher than elbow and push ball.
6. Knee to knee.
7. Pre-determine move.

RHP

1. Knee to knee, abbreviate what you are doing still gets ball there quicker.

H. Pre-Game Routine

1. Lift.
2. Stretch
3. Long Toss
4. Sprints.
5. Get good and loose.
6. Call for pitching coach to watch you.
7. Pitches to work on right before going into game.

• a. 0-2 command inside part of plate.
• b. Put away–best pitch.
• c. 3-2-Tough pitch.

2. 0-1-hitter now defensive, expects anything and must see himself for any type pitch. The element of pulling for power is cut down.

3. 0-2–really defensive. Contact somewhere is all the hitter thinks. Choke up, expect anything anywhere and must protect strike zone.

4. 1-2–should be set up for anything. Defensive, protect strike zone and just make contact.

5. 1-0–seen a pitch and is ahead. Knows you need a strike and he can afford to be selective on pitch and location. Expects fastball.

6. 2-0–all things go. Knows you must throw a strike, so pitch will likely be a fastball in a good spot to hit. Very selective, can be very aggressive. Think pull for power. Looks for certain pitch in certain location. Ideal hitting situation. Excellent hit and run pitch.

7. 2-1–still aggressive and selective. Has you over the barrel as he knows you must throw a strike. Pull for power still there.

8. 3-1–knows you must throw a strike. Aggressive, selective, and pull for power. Looking for certain pitch in certain location. Ideal hitting situation. Excellent hit and run pitch.

9. 3-0–all hell breaks loose. You’ve lost the hitter unless you’re lucky.

Remember

• Proper rhythm and timing are the basis of successful pitching. “A pitcher is only as good as his legs. Therefore, he must do a great deal of running.” Early Wynn
• “To be a winning pitcher, a player has to have control of the pitches he has.” Sandy Koufax
• “Getting better spin on the ball is one of the surest ways toward pitching improvement.” Johnny Sain

• a. Hitter must hit the ball.
• b. Fastball strike below waist–think spin and movement, not velocity.
• c. Curve/slider down in zone.
• d. Can throw change sometime.
• e. Definitely must throw this pitch for a strike.
• f. Fool hitter with pitch selection, not with location.

2. Percentage–1-1 and 0-1 and 0-0 (get ahead pitch)

• a. Want a strike.
• b. Fastball down on outer third of plate.
• c. Curve/slider is down crotch to knees.
• d. Can throw change sometimes (except on 0-0 count).
• e. 1-1 most pivotal count, go 2-1 much more predictable.

3. Fine–1-2

• a. Power pitches in good locations.
• b. Fastball outer third of plate below crotch.
• c. Curve/slider below crotch on outer third of plate.
• d. No off-speed pitch here.
• e. Use power pitch that gets hitter out now.
• f. Put away–your best pitch.

4. Extra Fine–O-2

• a. Let’s get him now–you have hitter where you want.
• b. Put ball in tough location–a non-strike outside at the knees or half- way between inside corner and toes at the belt buckle. Command inside part of plate.
• c. Want power in good location–hard fastball, hard curve or slider.
• d. Do not let count get past 1-2. If you have the hitter 0-2 and do not get the hitter with this pitch, then you must get the hitter with the 1-2 pitch.

* With a runner at third and less than two out, always go with power. Fastball and hard breaking pitch.

** If you are in trouble, think about location and movement, not velocity.

*** Smart pitching is when you get a hitter to hit an unprecedented pitch when you are behind in the count or in trouble.

2. When behind, don’t go inside.

3. When ahead, go inside to set up–where I make my living (on the outside).

4. When you go inside, go from black to dirt.

5. Embarrass hitter–don’t throw same location.

6.Don’t be negative with subconscious–harder you try, less effort. Example–don’t walk this hitter, pond-golf ball.

7. Get hitter out best way you can. Pitch to letter “L.”

8. I want my pitchers to pitch to their strengths. First pitch ground ball strike. 2 out of 3 pitches in the box. Play nine versus one.

9. What we want:

• 1. Pitch
• 2. Location
• 3. Execute

2. Think positively.

a. Must want to be a pitcher.

b. Must want to pay the price to be a good pitcher.

c. Must believe he can be a good pitcher.

d. Prepare to win–not lose–be positive!

3. Goals–pitch no hitter, 1 hitter, shutout, win game–motivate pitcher.

4. Pitch within yourself (know your strengths and limitations).

5. Learn how to set up and put away.

2. For good control, a pitcher must be in a groove. He must be mechanically consistent. Need a smooth, balanced delivery.

3. The pitcher must concentrate to have control. Throw to a small target. Soft center to fine center.

4. Wildness usually comes from a poor stride, either over- or under-striding. Landing on the heel, aiming the ball, taking the eyes off the target, trying to throw too hard, working too quickly or slowly are all causes of poor control.

2. The pitcher’s arm should snap straight across his chest to his left knee.

3. Bury shoulder or chest over knee.

4. Pinch knees and kick back heel up in the air.

5. Don’t cost yourself m.p.h. or control problems by not pitching on line.

2. Arm and wrist should be nice and loose.

3. The pitcher should find a consistent point of release.

4. Through practice, a pitcher will develop a “feel” of where he needs to release the ball in order to throw it in a certain location.

2. Every pitch should be thrown from the same arm angle.

3. Arm wrestle someone, best position for throwing, elbow up and behind ball.

4. “L” angle of arm. Elbow should be parallel to ground on release.

5. Ball in corner of mound and reach for it (long lever).

2. Depends on the pitcher’s height and how it suits his size and comfort.

3. When pitcher’s left foot comes down on the dirt, his right arm should be passing alongside of his head.

4. The knee of the striding leg should remain bent to avoid jarring. Don’t swing with leg.

5. The toe and heel should land simultaneously although the ball of the foot should take most of the shock.

6. The pitcher’s toe should point toward home plate and go straight to the hole. Pitching is like a ferris wheel, not a merry-go-round. Don’t swing with leg.

7. Lift and fall.

8. Take nose right to mitt.

9. Stay boxed up–knees, hips, shoulders.