Pitching in baseball is an art that combines power, precision, and strategy. The best pitchers are those who have honed their mechanics and mental approach through consistent, targeted practice. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to take your pitching to the next level, incorporating a variety of pitching drills into your routine can help sharpen your skills.
Key Pitching Drills for All Levels
1. The Towel Drill
The towel drill is a popular technique to help pitchers focus on their arm extension and follow-through. Instead of throwing a ball, the pitcher uses a towel held between their fingers. The goal is to simulate a pitch and snap the towel against a target, like a partner’s glove. This drill helps develop proper mechanics and arm speed without the stress of a full throw.
2. The Balance Drill
One of the biggest challenges for pitchers is maintaining balance throughout their motion. The balance drill addresses this by emphasizing body control. To do it, stand on one leg (your lead leg) in the set position and hold your leg lift for several seconds before completing a throw. This drill improves balance, stability, and core strength, all of which are critical for consistency on the mound.
3. The Power Position Drill
The power position is where a pitcher generates most of their strength for the pitch. In this drill, the focus is on breaking down the delivery into stages. Start with your legs in a slight bend, and your hands together at the chest. After pausing, simulate the arm motion of a pitch, concentrating on the lower body driving the upper body. This drill improves timing and helps pitchers understand how to use their legs to generate power.
4. The Flat Ground Drill
Not every pitch has to be thrown from the mound. The flat ground drill involves throwing at full speed on level ground to focus on accuracy, mechanics, and command without the added stress of the slope. This drill is excellent for working on pitch location and practicing different pitch types, such as sliders or curveballs, in a more controlled environment.
5. The Long Toss Drill
Long toss is a drill that focuses on arm strength and endurance. The pitcher throws the ball over increasing distances, gradually stretching their arm. It’s a great way to build arm strength and learn to throw with full extension, which translates directly to velocity and control on the mound. However, it’s important to pace yourself and avoid overuse injuries.
How Athletes Untapped Personalized Coaching Enhances Pitching Development
While these drills are essential for developing core pitching skills, the most effective training comes when these drills are tailored to meet the specific needs of each player. That’s where personalized coaching from Athletes Untapped can make a difference.
Every pitcher is unique in their mechanics, strengths, and areas for improvement. Having a knowledgeable coach who can identify subtle adjustments in your delivery or approach can accelerate your development. Here’s how Athletes Untapped incorporates pitching drills into its coaching philosophy:
Customized Drills for Your Needs: Not every pitcher needs the same type of drill. Some players may need more focus on control, while others need to improve velocity. Athletes Untapped coaches work closely with each pitcher to identify the specific areas that need attention and design drills that directly target those weaknesses.
Real-Time Feedback: One of the greatest benefits of working with one of our private coaches is the ability to get immediate, personalized feedback. When you’re performing a drill incorrectly or making small mistakes, a coach can correct them on the spot, ensuring that you’re developing good habits from the start. We also provide feedback outside of formal sessions through video analysis and tips from our coaches.
Tracking Progress: Progress is a long-term process, and consistency is key. Athletes Untapped coaches track each player’s development over time, making small tweaks and adjustments along the way. By focusing on measurable progress, players can see real improvements in their pitching mechanics and performance.
Focus on Injury Prevention: Pitching can be tough on the body, especially the shoulder and elbow. Athletes Untapped’s coaches emphasize proper form and conditioning to ensure that pitchers are building strength in a way that reduces the risk of injury, allowing for a longer and more successful career.
The Mental Side of Pitching
In addition to physical drills, pitching also requires mental toughness. Handling the pressure of a close game, staying calm after a bad inning, and being able to focus pitch after pitch are key skills every great pitcher must develop.
Athletes Untapped doesn’t just focus on the physical mechanics of pitching; our coaches also work on building the mental game. Pitchers are taught how to stay focused, calm, and confident on the mound, giving them the tools to handle high-pressure situations.
Wrapping Up: Take Your Pitching to New Heights
Pitching drills are essential for building a solid foundation, but the real growth comes when you have someone guiding you through the process. Whether you’re learning how to improve your velocity, perfect your curveball, or simply maintain better control, personalized coaching from Athletes Untapped can help refine your skills.
At Athletes Untapped, we believe in providing players with the tools, feedback, and confidence they need to succeed on the mound. If you’re serious about improving your pitching and want to see real results, our coaching team is here to help guide you every step of the way.
