Sunday, May 9, 2010

Baseball Pitching Techniques - Which One is Right For You?

By Nate Barnett

There is a battle going on in the baseball world today. No, I am not going to discuss the steroid issues in professional baseball. This is a different battle and it has been going on for years. The battle is about which pitching techniques are best for all pitchers.

To answer this quickly: there is no specific technique that is great for all pitchers. Every pitcher is unique and we shouldn't clone certain throwing techniques to certain types of pitchers. In fact, many of the coaches are "cloning" their pitchers and making their movements robotic like so there is no natural movement toward the plate. This ruins their natural ability to throw the ball.

Every pitcher has their own unique ability to throw the baseball and their own technique. The problem arises when many instructors start critiquing the pitching techniques of some of their best pitchers. Do these instructors know what they are talking about? Some do and some just have the greatest intentions in the world. But the reality of the situation is; most pitchers should be left alone if a coach doesn't know what pitching technique is right for each pitcher on their team.

There are still many myths going on out there about technique and delivery. Here are some common questions about the variety of pitching techniques: What mechanics are best for a pitcher who throws three-quarter arm slot? What technique should I use to throw faster? What do I do with a pitcher who drops and drives? How long should a pitcher's stride be? I heard you should point your toe in the direction of where you want to throw; is that true? Should a pitcher throw over the top of the ball and if so, what does that mean? What is opening up mean? Can I learn the right pitching techniques that will help me control all of my pitches?

You can find out the answer to these questions at The Pitching Academy.

Nate Barnett is co-owner of The Pitching Academy.

After finishing a professional career in the Seattle Mariners Organization, Nate pursued his coaching and motivational training career. You can find The Pitching Academy's videos, blog, and more articles when you visit the website.

The Pitching Academy's pitching mechanics DVD

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nate_Barnett

1 comment:

The Pitching Academy said...

Thank you Nate. I remember when you wrote this particular article and we discussed it in great detail.