Pitching Principles
We work with youth pitchers day in and day out. These are the commonalities we've found in how to teach pitching at a fundamental level.
At CageList we teach pitching in a set order, and we teach it through questions as much as answers.
01
The order we teach it in
- Mechanics
- Mindset and approach / confidence
- Arm care
- Mobility
- Recovery
- Knowing who you are as a pitcher (power? finesse?)
- Tinkering with different pitch grips
02
Questions worth sitting with
Not every question needs a canned answer. These are the ones we bring up with a pitcher to get them thinking, not to hand them a line.
- Does it matter what type of glove you have?
- How important is long toss?
- What happens when you go into deep counts consistently?
- Why should you be able to execute your mechanics in extremely slow motion?
- What are the top questions you should ask yourself if you want to be recruited?
03
The fundamentals, Q&A
- What is the most important part of pitching (beginners)?
- Throwing strikes. Learn how to make it spin (4-seam).
- What is the most important part of pitching (intermediate to advanced)?
- Fastball command, and command of your off-speed pitches too. If you can't throw a breaking ball for a strike, you shouldn't be throwing one.
- What is the best pitch in baseball?
- The change-up.
- When can we practice pitching?
- Every single time we're throwing.
- What are your pitching mechanics?
- Mechanics is just another word for your form.
- What is a pitcher's routine?
- The process of taking a sign and coming set on every single pitch.
- At what age should a pitcher start taking a sign from a catcher?
- As soon as they start pitching. This needs to be taught from the very beginning: the catcher gives the sign for a fastball down the middle every single pitch. It's repetitive, but it needs to happen as soon as kid-pitch starts.
- What does it mean to “come set,” and how do we do it?
- Taking a sign, then coming to a paused position with the back foot in front of the rubber and the hands about six inches in front of the chest.
- What is the wind-up, and when do we use it?
- A small jab step that helps build more momentum into the pitch. We use it when nobody is on base.
- What is the stretch, and when do we use it?
- Taking a sign, then coming directly to a set position. We use it when there are baserunners on base.
- What signs does the pitcher get from the catcher?
- Fastball, change-up, curveball, slider, cutter, knuckleball.
- What are the two types of fastball grips we should practice, and when?
- 4-seam and 2-seam, anytime we throw. Figure out which feels more comfortable, but get a feel for both. Make a game out of figuring out which one works best for you, both for accuracy and for velocity.
04What is your best pitch?
It's the mindset of working ahead.
Related reading
Same mental-approach thinking, applied to the box instead of the mound.
