1. Front-Side Drills
- How to Do It: The pitcher focuses on the movement of their glove arm, which is critical in the pitching motion. The drill involves practicing how to use the glove arm to help the body rotate faster and move the chest towards the target.
- Purpose: This drill improves control and leverages the power of the pitcher’s core and hips.
2. Rocker Drill
- How to Do It: The pitcher starts with their feet apart, rocks back slightly, and then steps forward into a pitching motion. The emphasis is on the movement of the front side of the body.
- Purpose: It teaches good weight shift, promotes an "uphill shoulders" mentality, and is essential for developing a consistent pitching motion.
3. The Wall-Hip Drill
- How to Do It: The pitcher practices shifting their weight properly down the mound. This can involve using a wall to guide the hip movement, ensuring that the hip leads and the weight stays back.
- Purpose: This drill helps pitchers understand how to shift their weight effectively, focusing on the 'hip lead' action.
4. Hop Back Pitching Drill
- How to Do It: The pitcher starts on the mound and practices a small hop back with their pivot foot while maintaining balance. The focus is on keeping the weight inside the back foot.
- Purpose: This drill helps pitchers learn to use their legs effectively and create proper angles at the beginning of the pitching delivery.
5. 2 Ball Curveball Drill
- How to Do It: Two baseballs are screwed together, and the pitcher practices throwing this double ball so that it rotates end over end on a specific axis.
- Purpose: The goal is to improve the pitcher’s curveball by focusing on the rotation and break of the pitch.
6. Pitcher's Balance Beam Drills
- How to Do It: Using a makeshift balance beam, the pitcher practices their delivery, focusing on consistent alignment and body control down the mound.
- Purpose: To develop consistent delivery mechanics and improve balance during the pitching motion.
7. The Follow Through Drill
- How to Do It: The pitcher works on their follow-through after the pitch. The focus is on ensuring a strong arm snap across the body and a proper positioning of the pitching foot to square up to the plate.
- Purpose: To ensure speed, control, and proper fielding position in the follow-through phase of the pitch.
8. Bucket Pitching Drill
- How to Do It: Younger pitchers work on increasing the height of their front leg during the leg lift phase of their pitch. This can involve lifting their leg to a height that would allow them to place it on an imaginary bucket.
- Purpose: To emphasize the importance of a good leg lift and load in the pitching motion, particularly for younger pitchers.
9. Hips Drill
- How to Do It: This drill focuses on the movement of the hips during the pitching delivery. It involves specific movements to ensure the hips are actively involved in the pitching process.
- Purpose: To reinforce the importance of hip movement in effective pitching.
These drills are designed to build upon each other, enhancing different aspects of a young pitcher's mechanics. Regular practice with proper guidance will help young players develop effective pitching techniques.
