A Simple Delivery Parents Can Teach To Little League Pitchers

When teaching a Little League pitcher, keeping mechanics simple is the key. That is why many only teach beginners out of the stretch position.

However, once you understand how a pitcher can build momentum by using his entire body to create energy instead of just his arm then any pitcher,  even beginner Little League pitchers can improve velocity dramatically.

Here is a video of a major league pitcher and a good example of a simple delivery any parent can teach. I have personally taught many pitchers this type of delivery in less than 10 minutes using a more defined step back…which helps create more momentum.

This is Yankees Don Larsen pitching a perfect game in the 1956 World Series.  This delivery was then referred to as the “no-wind-up” delivery.  But notice some of the excellent features such as starting in a step back position with the body further away from the hitter.  This helps build more momentum in a direct line toward the target…rather than stepping  back which is incorrectly taught today which takes the pitchers body off-line from the intended target.

Also notice that there is no leg lift or balance point.  Lifting the leg provides no additional forces or benefit for velocity.  Getting to a balance point creates a hesitation or slowing action which actually reduces pitching velocity.

Larsen could have dramatically increased his velocity by at least 5 mph using a couple of simple techniques we use when teaching Momentum Pitching.

1. move explosively into the pivot while getting the body lower with more support leg bend
2. get the front shoulder directed at home plate before pushing away with the leg that is back
3. make sure the front hip is directed sideways before breaking the hands
4. once the hands break force the front hip out using explosive back leg drive
5. stride out to at least body height

Understand how to build more momentum is a key ingredient to improving pitching velocity while reducing stress to the arm.  Using Momentum Pitching or even this “no wind-up” pitching mechanics is not only easy to teach but very effective and much more so than traditional pitching mechanics especially for Little League pitchers. 

Give a try and see if you too are not able to increase the pitching velocity of any pitcher using this type of Momentum Pitching type delivery.

Video analysis is the key to pitching improvement. And so isn’t building functional strength and flexibility. This is what I have been focusing on in our Explosively Pitching DVD program since 2004.  We teach parents how to help their sons use their bodies to pitch instead of just their arms. And how to get specifically stronger for pitching without losing flexibility. Not only does this improve velocity but reduces the risk of arm injuries. http://tinyurl.com/d4odch