MMV #074: Mechanics Aren't the Reason You Don't Throw Strikes

TMVP #012: 6 Step Process to Developing a New Pitch

In this episode, Jared walks through his 6 step process to developing a new pitch.

You can listen on: 

Spotify

Apple 

YouTube

Todays newsletter is sponsored by:

Grady's Pitching School provides high-quality and durable pitching training and development tools. 

You can order your plyo weighted ball training set here, or if you prefer plyos with seams, sets are available here.  

Coaches, teams, and facilities can now order directly at a discounted price. 

Open the order form here to order plyos, resistance bands, 9-hole pitching targets, and genuine leather practice baseballs.

If you would like to watch the video version of this newsletter, click here.

Many players and coaches think bad mechanics are the reason pitchers don't throw strikes.

While they matter to a degree, I don't think they are the main reason for most pitchers. 

Here are 3 actual reasons:

1. Easy Bullpens

Most of the time, bullpens shouldn’t be easy.

What does an easy bullpen look like?

• Low heart rate

• High success rate

• Nothing is tracked

• No game situations

• No batter standing in

• Generous strike zone

• Nothing is put on the line

• Always throw out of wind up

Create feelings and situations you are going to face in game.

Ideally you can make it even more challenging.

This is where tools like differential balls or smaller targets can be great additions to your programming.

You can checkout some of my previous newsletters for ideas, like this bullpen.

2. Lazy Catch Play

You make most of your throws playing catch.

Mature pitchers take this time seriously.

It’s not a time to goof off and casually throw the ball.

Know what your purpose is for the day and commit to your plan.

Be intentional with your breathing.

Be focused on a target every throw.

These throws add up very quickly and can make a substantial difference in your performance.

3. No Mental Preparation

There is no denying that the mental side plays a big role in your ability to throw strikes.

How much time do you spend visualizing?

Do you have a pre-pitch routine that you’re consistent with?

Do you have a plan of attack when you enter a game?

Mental preparation helps build confidence.

Confidence can be the difference between an aggressive pitcher and a timid one.

Back to the title of this thread: your mechanics aren’t the reason you don’t throw strikes.

We know that the delivery can’t be repeated perfectly every throw. But the smaller that bandwidth is, the better.

There are pitchers that throw completely different from each other, but still can throw strikes.

It comes down to how consistent you are within your delivery that makes the difference.

Challenging that system through things like differential balls is a great way to tighten that bandwidth.

RECAP

3 reasons you don’t throw strikes:

1. Easy bullpens
2. Lazy catch play
3. No mental preparation

That's all for today.

See you next week! 

Join me in Phoenix, Arizona August 9th-11th for my exclusive 3-day pitching masterclass.

Players will have their delivery analyzed with Kinatrax and ATMI force plates to better understand and maximize their mechanics.

Players will also be throwing on TrackMan and with an edgertronic camera to improve pitch shapes.

I can't begin to explain how excited I am for this camp!

Click here to join me.