Pitching is the most strenuous of motions in sports. Pitchers must be properly warmed up before taking the mound in practice or in games. Location, Location, Location The most effective pitch is a well located fastball. The second most effective pitch is a change up. Don’t start kids throwing curveballs too early.

Pitcher’s will feel better when properly warmed before throwing on the mound. Younger Kids: make sure that they warm up before the game. If they can get some throwing to a catcher on the side, use that time to loosen up more. 2 to 4 poles (sweaty before throw off mound) Cal: loosen up back and legs, stretch arm On Field: warm up catch with catcher. –Most work to 75’ –Slight Long Toss to ~120’ Form throw in BP front mound Throw from mound –Should be ready to go when leaving the bullpen

Feet about shoulder width apart Begin with arms together and hand on ball GS leg kicks up: Make sure eyes on target –Doesn’t have to be a “balance” point At top of leg kick, TS foot begins to push body towards home plate When leg begins downward, start to break the hands GS: Glove Side TS: Throwing Side

Keep pushing GS to plate with front foot closed GS leg should come down then towards the plate Throwing hand should loop behind TS hip to prevent batter from seeing the ball When getting close to planting the GS foot, rotate the foot to directly at the target. –This movement opens the hips

Continuing down the mound, arm stays hidden behind the TS hip Plant GS foot and bring TS arm above shoulder. –Try to have players arm less than 90 deg. –Show the ball to 3B (RH) or 1B (LH) Rotate the hips before rotating the shoulder Concentrate on keeping your chest over your knee Don’t lock the front knee, but keep it firm

Relaxed position with both feet perpendicular to the rubber initial step with the GH foot. Rotate TH foot to parallel with rubber GH Leg rises and hands still together The rest of the motion is like the Stretch Short GS: Glove Side TS: Throwing Side

Leg Kick out of Stretch is Easy to Run On Vary a leg kick with a Slide Step Raise the foot only a couple inches and continue with same motion to plate. Use both the Slide Step and the Leg Kick Also, make sure that pitchers do not use the same timing every time they go to the plate

Right Handers Step Off (C) –Disengage Rubber w/Right foot Slow Move (B) –Step Off and Turn to Throw to 1 st Base Jump Turn (A) –Jump Pivot to Snap Ball to 1 st Base –Best Move 3 rd /1 st : Man on 1 & 3 Left Handers Step Back –Disengage Rubber and Quick Flip to 1 st Balance then Read –Leg lift and when at Balance decide to step to 1 st or to home “Balk” move –45 deg. Line –STEP TO 1 st AFTER THROWING

Don’t Have to Throw the Ball –Must Disengage from Rubber Inside Move: –When at balance, bring GS leg across body towards second base Spin: –GS leads the turn to second Daylight: –SS/2B flashes glove on the break, use SPIN Timing: –Called before taking the sign –When SET, pitcher and fielder count “One-one- thousand” and then use a SPIN to throw to 2 nd –Fielder should be arriving JUST BEFORE the ball

Cover First –On any grounder to first basemen –“To the line, up the line” Backing up Bases –When a play is made to 3 rd, back up third at the FENCE –When a play is made to Home, back up home at the BACKSTOP –Don’t Stand in Middle of Diamond