Baseball Pitching Instructions Four essentials to great pitching

Baseball pitching instructions can be as complicated as you want to make them. I strive to keep pitching techniques concise and to the point.

There are 4 key elements in a solid pitching delivery

1. Balance Point

2. Separation

3. Release Point

4. Follow Through

When pitchers develop these four elements along with learning the key baseball pitching grips they will be well on their way to having a great season.

Achieving the balance point is the cornerstone in proper baseball pitching techniques.

The balance point is when the pitcher lifts his front leg (preferably waist high or higher) and is able to gather his weight and balance over his back foot.

The heal of the raised leg should be under the knee not under the buttocks (lt. Dan)

Some pitchers will tuck their chin slightly as if they were doing a mini-ab crunch to get their upper torso on balance also.

A great drill for this is to have your pitcher stand and raise the front leg (left leg for right handed pitchers and visa versa for left handed pitchers) balancing on his back leg. Gradually increase the time as the player is able to maintain balance.

Balance point is exactly that a point so in a game speed drill the pitcher does not hold the balance point for 5-10 seconds. They simply gather over their back foot and then go to the plate.

Once the foot begins to go towards home plate then the pitcher will begin to separate his hands. Separating the hands will determine how big the arm circle is.

Pitchers that have a short separation often times throw side arm or what is commonly called short arming the ball placing undue stress on the elbow.

One other common mistake at separation is when the pitchers "wrap" their arm behind their back rather than going off the back leg.

Pitchers that take the ball back straighter off their back leg rather than behind their backs are better able to get "on top" the ball. Getting on top the ball is important in avoiding arm injuries, gaining accuracy and velocity.

The main idea on the release point in baseball pitching instructions is to get the pitchers out in front at release. Pitchers do not cognitively process when to release so we need to look at other determining factors in getting the release to happen out in front.

One of two things needs to happen to get out in front. Either the body needs to slow down or the arm needs to go faster.

The balance point will help to slow the body down or keep from "rushing" to the plate. By staying back a little bit longer the arm is able to get out in front to a good release point.

Breaking the hands at separation a little more quickly will help to get the arm going to get out in front to a good release point.

Finishing the pitch or following through properly not only gets the pitcher to make a better pitch it will also get them into a safe, proper fielding position.

Baseball pitching instructions that concentrate on the beginning of the delivery and the end of the delivery have a way of achieving the middle parts without out much thought or effort.

If the pitcher is good at balance, separation and follow through then the release point will probably good as well.

Baseball pitching instructions would not be complete without going over the proper pitching grips for the four seam fastball, two seam (sinker) fastball, change-up and curve ball (if permitted).

Pitching Grips for many different pitches along with more baseball pitching instructions can be accessed at ebaseballtips