The "Less Is More" Approach

By narrowing the initial stance, you're essentially minimizing the amount of lateral movement the body manages before the drive phase begins.

Here is a breakdown of why this shift in footwork is so effective for command.

Shoulder Width Plus Stance        

The center of gravity starts too low, gets stuck, and the front knee creates instability by drifting behind your front hip.               

The front side is prone to "flying open" early, and the release point is inconsistent.         

Baseball Width Stance

The center of gravity stays centered over the rubber, and your front knee balances in front of your front hip.

The front side stays closed and is directional, with your release point becoming highly repeatable and linear.

The "Drift" Effect

When your feet are too wide, your weight often settles into the "wells" of your stance.

As you lift your lead leg, the momentum naturally pulls your knee backward toward second base to compensate for the wide base and creates a rotational rather than a linear move.

By keeping the feet about one baseball width apart, you simplify the pivot, stack the joints, and improve your timing.

Our Guarantee

We are so confident in a baseball width that we offer a unique promise:

If we can’t help you hit your target by fixing your starting position, send us a video, and we’ll point out where you can improve.

 

Coach Skip Fast
“Sequence Over Strength” –
The Missing Foundation of Pitching Mechanics
https://propitchinginginstitute.com
856-524-3248
skip@propitchinginstitute.com
#ElitebyChoice

Copyright © 2026, Pro Pitching Institute.

The Myth of Arm Dominance in Command

 

The "Complicated Command" Trap

Many pitchers fall into the trap of believing their throwing arm action is the sole driver of accuracy.

The small muscles of the arm sap velocity and do the job of the entire body, leading to frustratingly poor control.

The Foundation of Accuracy

True command isn't "aimed"; it is built from the ground up through a coordinated sequence:

Starting with weight centered over the back foot allows for a powerful leg lift without sacrificing balance and a clean, controlled lead side sets the "sights" and stabilizes the torso.

The lower body rotates and generates the kinetic energy, directing the momentum toward the target and the arm follows naturally, simply delivering the power generated by the legs and core.

"Simple Command" Defined

Command originates from a stable lower body and a repeatable delivery.

When the foundation is quiet, the arm does its job efficiently.

Think of the arm as the delivery vehicle. The lower body is the GPS and the engine.

Our Guarantee

We are so confident in this "foundation-first" approach that we offer a unique promise:

If we can’t help you hit your target consistently by fixing your kinetic chain, send us a video, and we’ll point out where you can improve.

 

Coach Skip Fast
“Command by Choice, Not by Chance”
https://propitchinginginstitute.com
856-524-3248
skip@propitchinginstitute.com
#ElitebyChoice

Copyright © 2026, Pro Pitching Institute.

The Balanced Setup

 

The height of your glove hand at the start of your delivery dictates the timing of your kinetic chain.

Elevating the glove too high creates "noise" and drag, whereas keeping the glove hand palm facing the target creates a direct, powerful path to the plate.

Natural View

In an elite pitcher, their glove hand remains in a "ready" position, typically tucked near the chest, and the glove hand stays below the level of the lead elbow.

From the catcher’s perspective, the pocket of the glove shows the palm and doesn’t let the front side drift or turn prematurely.

Why "Low" is Efficient

Starting with a high glove hand disrupts the "flow" of the delivery.

A high glove hand forces you to use your throwing arm as a counterbalance, causing it to "drag" behind your body's rotation.

High glove movement causes your stride foot to crash into the ground before your arm is in the cocked position, which leads to "flat" pitches with no life.

Keeping the glove below the elbow allows for a smoother weight transfer, keeps your center of gravity stable, and ensures your release point remains consistent pitch after pitch.

Our Guarantee

By maintaining a consistent path toward the front hip, you will see immediate improvements in your balance and accuracy or you can contact skip@propitchinginstitute.com for your mechanical update.

 

Coach Skip Fast
“Command by Choice, Not by Chance”
https://propitchinginginstitute.com
856-524-3248
skip@propitchinginstitute.com
#ElitebyChoice

Copyright © 2025, Pro Pitching Institute.

Why Narrower Feet Equal Greater Command

A common mistake among pitchers is the belief that a wider stance provides a more powerful base.

Over-extending your feet creates a mechanical disconnect, paralyzing your lower-body drive and rendering your glove hand ineffective.

Why does a wide stance sabotage your delivery?

When feet are too far apart, your front leg lift starts behind the front hip, forcing you to "push" out of a hole rather than "driving" from a peak.

Your body is so focused on maintaining balance that the glove hand becomes a mere stabilizer rather than an active trigger for momentum.

A wide base leads to a "collapsing" backside, changing your release point on every pitch and killing your command.

Expanding: Driving from the Pillar

By bringing your feet closer together, you transform your lower body into a high-tension spring.

A narrower base allows the back leg to stay under the center of mass longer, providing a more consistent "push-off" point.

With a stable lower body, your glove hand is free to bring your chest perpendicular to your target.

You achieve a repeatable release point, which is the singular secret to professional-grade accuracy.

Our Guarantee

Proper foot placement is the foundation of every strike. When you narrow your base, and your ball still misses the mark, see the website for your mechanical update.

Coach Skip Fast
“Pitchers: Get the Lower Body Involved^©”
Pro Pitching Institute
https://propitchinginginstitute.com/lower-body/
856-524-3248
skip@propitchinginstitute.com
#ElitebyChoice

Copyright © 2026, Pro Pitching Institute.