INTERMEDIATE INSTRUCTION/DRILLS
TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS
PROBLEM: ball goes too low or into the dirt
POSSIBLE CAUSES: stepping short, releasing early, grip is too loose (ball is slipping out of her hand too soon)
PROBLEM:ball goes too high
POSSIBLE CAUSES:stepping too long, releasing late, squeezing the ball too tight (comes out of hand late), no elbow snap
PROBLEM:ball continuously goes to the right side of plate
POSSIBLE CAUSES:
(for right-handed pitcher)stepping too far across body, wrist snapping improperly (fingers pointing away from body when snapping), positioning feet on rubber too close and/or too far to the right, arm circle may not be straight
(for left-handed pitcher)step is too open (right foot pointing toward right side of plate), wrist is turning over instead of snapping, arm circle may not be straight
PROBLEM: ball continuously goes to the left side of plate
POSSIBLE CAUSES:
(for right-handed pitcher)step is too open (left foot pointing toward left side of plate), wrist is turning over instead of snapping, arm circle may not be straight
(for left-handed pitcher) stepping too far across body, positioning feet too close and/or too far to the left, arm circle may not be straight
DRILLS
One-Knee Drill
-Pitcher should get down on knee that's on same side of body as pitching arm
-She should have her body angled parallel with catcher
-From glove, she should push out into full windmill
-FOCUS OF DRILL: Wrist/elbow snap and release of ball is at hip...Person catching should not have to move their glove up or down from squat postion.
Walk-Through Drill
-Find an open area (in other words, NOT a fenced backyard) like a street or field
-Pitcher and catcher should stand at least, if not more than 40 feet apart
-Catcher will be slowly, continuously walking backwards while pitcher throws, forcing them to follow the catcher around the field, street, etc.
-FOCUS OF DRILL: Hip coming through...Pitcher should not be focused on wrist/elbow snap, however she should still be snapping and releasing at proper point