Green Little League presents Pitching Technique
tech-nique Skill or ability in a particular field he has excellent technique
Pitching technique has four steps: a) Straddle the rubber what s the situation? b) Step on the rubber ball in glove 1) Together bring your front leg next to rear leg 2) Up glove and knee raised, point back pocket at catcher 2a) Down glove, hands, leg come down. Hands do not separate until below waistline 3) Power Position long front step, breathe in deep, alignment to the plate 4) Throw & Follow-through After the pitch, you are a fielder!
Straddle the Rubber -What s the situation? -How many outs? -Where are the runners? -What s the count? -How should I pitch to this batter? Note: pitcher must have the ball at this point or it is a baulk!
Step on the rubber -Any ball adjustment should be done in the glove.
Step 1 Legs together -Ball remains in glove. -Hands are below the waist.
Step 2 Up -Raise glove/ball/knee. -Front knee passes center so pitcher s back pocket is pointed toward the catcher.
Step 2a Down -Hands drop to below waist before they separate. -Clean movement to get to Power Position. -Ball must make full rotation!
Step 3 Power Position -Take in a deep breath as your body tenses to deliver the pitch. -Step toward the batter with a long pitching stride. -Eyes locked on catcher s glove.
Step 3 Power Position Ball pointed toward center field. The greater the distance between these two points, the faster you will be able to throw as your grow and develop. Ball completes full rotation and is delivered over the top Rear elbow, shoulder, shoulder, front elbow in a straight line toward the catcher. Knees should be bent -Take in a deep breath as your body tenses to deliver the pitch. -Step toward the batter with a long pitching stride. -Eyes locked on catcher s glove.
Step 4 Throw & follow-through -Push off the rubber. -Throw overhand. -After the pitch, you are a fielder.
Straddle the Rubber -What s the situation? -How many outs? -Where are the runners? -What s the count? -How should I pitch to this batter? Note: pitcher must have the ball at this point or it is a baulk!
Step on the rubber -Any ball adjustment should be done in the glove.
Step 1 Legs together -Ball remains in glove. -Hands are below the waist.
Step 2 Up -Raise glove/ball/knee. -Front knee passes center so pitcher s back pocket is pointed toward the catcher.
Step 2a Down -Hands drop to below waist before they separate. -Clean movement to get to Power Position. -Ball must make full rotation!
Step 3 Power Position -Take in a deep breath as your body tenses to deliver the pitch. -Step toward the batter with a long pitching stride. -Eyes locked on catcher s glove.
Step 3 Power Position Ball completes full rotation and is delivered over the top Rear elbow, shoulder, shoulder, front elbow in a straight line toward the catcher. Knees should be bent Ball pointed toward center field. The greater the distance between these two points, the faster you will be able to throw as your grow and develop. -Take in a deep breath as your body tenses to deliver the pitch. -Step toward the batter with a long pitching stride. -Eyes locked on catcher s glove.
Step 4 Throw & follow-through -Push off the rubber. -Throw overhand. -After the pitch, you are a fielder.
We teach 4 pitches: Pitch 1 4 seam fastball Pitch 2 2 seam fastball Pitch 3 Change-up Pitch 4 Curveball All pitches are thrown using the exact same throwing technique shown above. The ONLY difference is how the ball is held in the pitcher s hand. The rotation of the ball, based on how the ball is held and released, dictates how the pitch will move. Yes, you can throw a curveball at this age as we do not teach any different throwing technique (no wrist snap).
Pitch 1 4 seam fastball A four-seam fastball, also called a rising fastball, a four-seamer, or a cross-seam fastball, is usually the hardest ball thrown by a pitcher.
Pitch 2 2 seam fastball A two-seam fastball is a variant of the straight fastball. The pitch has the speed of a fastball, but the general movement of a screwball.
Pitch 3 Change Up The changeup is the staple off-speed pitch, thrown to look like a fastball, but arriving much more slowly to the plate.
Pitch 4 Curveball The curveball is thrown with a grip that imparts forward spin to the ball, causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate.
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