Understanding the Pitcher's Mindset

(An excerpt from our best-selling “New Fast-Track Strategies for Overcoming Pitching Challenges.”)

The Importance of Mental Resilience

One of the primary components of mental resilience is the capacity to manage pressure. Pitchers frequently find themselves in high-stakes situations where every pitch counts. The pressure to perform can be overwhelming, leading to self-doubt and anxiety. By developing mental resilience, pitchers can learn to view pressure as a challenge rather than a threat. This shift in perspective enables them to approach difficult situations confidently, subsequently improving their ability to execute pitches under stress.

Mental resilience is a crucial asset for pitchers who face unique challenges both on and off the field. The ability to bounce back from setbacks, such as a poor outing or a devastating loss, directly influences a pitcher’s performance and overall development. Unlike other positions in baseball, pitchers often experience intense scrutiny; their success is tied closely to individual performance metrics, which can amplify stress and anxiety. Cultivating mental resilience allows pitchers to maintain focus, adapt to adversity, and enhance their game.

Additionally, mental resilience fosters a growth mindset, which is vital for continuous improvement. Struggling pitchers often face repeated failures, whether a string of poor performances or an inability to master a specific pitch. A resilient mindset encourages pitchers to view these setbacks as learning opportunities rather than definitive judgments of their abilities. This perspective helps them focus on the improvement process and seek constructive feedback from coaches and teammates, ultimately leading to a more effective development trajectory.

Moreover, mental resilience is linked to emotional regulation, which is essential for maintaining composure during games. Emotions can fluctuate rapidly in baseball's competitive atmosphere. A single error can lead to frustration, while a successful strikeout can produce euphoria. Resilient pitchers learn techniques to manage their emotional responses, allowing them to remain level-headed regardless of the game’s circumstances. This emotional stability enhances decision-making and performance consistency, essential traits for any successful pitcher.

Finally, building mental resilience creates a support network among teammates and coaches. Struggling pitchers often feel isolated in their challenges, but resilience encourages open communication and collaboration. By sharing experiences and strategies for overcoming adversity, pitchers can foster camaraderie and mutual support within the team. This collective resilience improves individual performance and strengthens team dynamics, ultimately contributing to a more cohesive and successful unit on the field.

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

                                                  Copyright © 2024, Pro Pitching Institute.

Mastering Balance and Pitching Mechanics

Explore the importance of maintaining a balanced stance with your heels close together for effective pitching and the role of the glove hand in guiding the ball toward the target.

A balanced stance is fundamental for effective pitching.

Keeping your heels close together to maintain a stable base and ensure your weight is evenly distributed between both feet keeps your body balanced.

By keeping your body evenly distributed, you use your glove hand to trigger your lower body involvement and send the pitch directly to your target.

Benefits of Balanced Stance

Balanced mechanics enable efficient power and enhance pitch accuracy by transferring energy from your lower body through your core to your throwing arm.

A balanced stance minimizes stress on your joints and muscles and reduces the risk of injury.

These key elements significantly improve your pitching mechanics, achieve consistent accuracy, and produce power.

Ultimately, a balanced stance allows for more precise targeting and improved accuracy.

Getting Your Best Results

The Pro Pitching Institute teaches you to always keep your feet close together, or your instruction is free—no questions, no hassles… and no hard feelings..

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

                                                  Copyright © 2024, Pro Pitching Institute. 

Mastering the Balanced Pitch: A Step-by-Step Guide

Achieving consistent accuracy in pitching requires a well-balanced and coordinated motion.

The importance of maintaining a balanced stance with your weight over your back foot throughout the pitching motion produces an accurate delivery.

Starting Position

To maintain your weight primarily over your back foot, ensure your back foot is slightly to the second base side of your back foot, your front foot is close to your back foot, and your front foot points toward the target.

Preparation Phase

Keep your front knee slightly in front of your front hip and separate your hands to create tension in your core.

Delivery Phase

As your glove hand moves forward, it naturally shifts your weight towards the target.

The natural transfer of weight and momentum propels your throwing arm towards the target.

Key Takeaways

Maintaining your weight over your back foot is essential for stability and control.

The glove hand plays a crucial role in initiating the throwing motion and transferring power.

A well-balanced and coordinated motion leads to consistent accuracy.

Getting Your Best Results

The Pro Pitching Institute teaches you the balance to prompt a throw right to your target, or your instruction is free … No questions… No hassles… and no hard feelings.

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

                                                  Copyright © 2024, Pro Pitching Institute. 

Organized Motions – Balance

Finding your target with uncanny regularity comes from being “in balance” or starting your motion with your Front Knee in front of your Front Hip.

Your Body is Always Getting “In Balance”

The instant you’re “out of balance” becomes the instant your Body makes adjustments.

What should happen.

1.   Your Glove Arm triggers your Lower Body.

2.   Your Throwing Action is part of your entire motion.

3.   Your Glove Arm needs to move before your Front Foot.

4.   Your Heels being close creates an “in balance” motion.

5.   Your “in balance” motion has your Glove Arm promoting your Throwing Action.

6.   Your Lower Body rotates.

7.   Your Hands need to separate before your Stride.

8.   Your Back Knee begins toward Second Base.

9.   Your Shoulders need to be aligned with your Hips.

10. Your Stride needs to happen before your Hands move.

11. You need your Front Foot to move after your Hands.

12. Your Throwing Hand needs to stay in front of your Body.

13. Your Body is vertical going into your release.

14. Your Glove Arm initiates your Throwing Action.

 Starting “in balance” means you send your ball to your target with uncanny regularity, and your motion never changes!

Getting Better Results

The Pro Pitching Institute teaches you the balance to prompt a throw with uncanny regularity, or your instruction is free … No questions… No hassles… and no hard feelings.

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

                                                  Copyright © 2024, Pro Pitching Institute.

Organized Motions – Shoulder Alignment

For proper lower body engagement, accurate throws, and a successful pitching delivery, the importance of shoulder alignment is paramount.

The Foundation for Effective Pitching

When your shoulders are in line with your target, you promote Lower Body engagement.

Aligned shoulders allow your lower body to generate power and initiate the throwing motion.

A well-aligned upper body ensures a smooth and powerful stride and provides a stable base for the throw.

When your body is aligned, your glove arm moves freely guiding the throwing arm and initiating the release.

Misaligned Shoulders

Out-of-line shoulders can prevent your lower body from engaging effectively and leads to a less-accurate throw.

Misalignment causes your stride to be off-balance, limits the freedom of your glove arm, and hinders your ability to throw the ball accurately.

Conclusion

By maintaining proper shoulder alignment, pitchers ensure a more efficient and powerful delivery leading to increased accuracy and control.

Getting Better Results

The Pro Pitching Institute teaches you the Shoulder alignment to prompt a throw with uncanny regularity, or your instruction is free … No questions… No hassles… and no hard feelings.

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

                                                  Copyright © 2024, Pro Pitching Institute. 

Organized Motions –Lower Body Engagement

 

Lower Body Engagement Is Crucial For Effective And Accurate Throwing

A solid Lower Body engagement generates more power and allows the throwing hand to deliver the ball with greater velocity and accuracy.

The balanced position with the front knee in front of the front hip provides a more stable base for the throwing motion which improves control and accuracy.

The coordinated movement of the lower and upper bodies allows for better timing and efficiency in the throwing motion.

By setting up the Lower Body correctly and activating it through the glove hand, the pitcher generates more power, stability, and control, leading to improved accuracy and consistency.

No Lower Body Engagement

Your Front Knee is behind your Front Hip placing your balance over your Back Foot.

Your Throwing Hand fires the ball, and you get a larger-than-expected target area.

Lower Body Engagement

Your Front Knee is in front of your Front Hip placing your balance in front of your Back Foot.

Your Glove Hand Palm activates your Lower Body, and your Lower Body propels your throwing hand to the target with uncanny regularity.

Getting Better Results

The Pro Pitching Institute teaches you the Lower Body movement to prompt a throw with uncanny regularity, or your instruction is free … No questions… No hassles… and no hard feelings.

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

                                                  Copyright © 2024, Pro Pitching Institute.

Organized Motions – Proper Foot Strikes

Not “Foot Strike, Then Throw” …

In your Starting Position, your Front Hip finishes behind back leg, your Body fights gravity, and you lose control of the ball.

Your weight shifts forward causing your throwing action.

You hit your foot strike, and your weight initiating your throwing action sends the ball to a larger target area.

… But “Foot Strike, And Throw”

In your Starting Position, your weight balances just in front of your Back Foot.

You Glove Hand initiates your Stride, and your Lower Body initiates your Throwing Arm

Your Glove Hand Palm goes up, your Throwing Arm follows, and you hit your target with uncanny regularity.

The “Foot Strike, And Throw” Method

The Glove Hand acts as a guide and provides more control over the throwing motion.

A simultaneous foot strike and throwing action allow for better timing and coordination.

The more efficient transfer of momentum from the lower body to the upper body allows you to hit your target with uncanny regularity.

Getting Better Results

While both methods involve a foot strike and throwing action, due to factors like control, timing, and momentum "Foot Strike, And Throw," appears to be more effective in terms of accuracy.

The Pro Pitching Institute teaches you the starting position to prompt a throw with uncanny regularity, or your instruction is free … No questions… No hassles… and no hard feelings.

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

                                                  Copyright © 2024, Pro Pitching Institute.