Best and Worst Baseball Pitching Drills
In this video, Coach Dan Blewett discusses baseball pitching drills, differentiating between effective and detrimental ones for baseball athletes. The aim is to help baseball players, parents, and coaches identify drills that genuinely improve mechanics and contribute positively to a pitcher’s career, while dispelling common myths about pitching training.
Key Takeaways and Drills/Tips
Here’s a breakdown of pitching drills discussed:
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Avoid Quick Rocker Drills: They lack a clear purpose and don’t effectively translate to pitching mechanics.
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Rethink Connection Drills: While conceptually sound for reinforcing elbow angles, they’re often awkward and ineffective for most players.
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Skip Towel Drills: They can promote poor mechanics, such as low elbow positioning, and better alternatives exist.
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Eliminate Wrist Flips: They’re a waste of time and can reinforce poor throwing mechanics.
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Ditch Finish Drills: They disrupt the natural pitching motion and can be detrimental to mechanics.
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Reconsider L Drills: They teach incorrect arm positioning and don’t facilitate proper arm movement.
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Try Rocker Drills: Emphasizes using the front side and proper weight transfer, promoting good sequencing.
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Opt for Water Bottle Drills: A natural alternative to towel drills, improving arm path and spatial awareness.
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Incorporate Heel-Toe Drills: Teaches hip tilt, faster hand breaks, and shorter arm action.
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Include Quick Shuffle: Promotes rhythm, coordination, and prevents overthinking mechanics.
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Implement Lawnmower Drills: Helps adapt to a 90-degree arm angle and improves scapular retraction.
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Utilize Square-Up Funk Drill: Isolates upper body mechanics for curveball/slider development and teaches shoulder-hip separation.
Choosing the right baseball pitching drills is important for development and preventing injury. Understanding the purpose and effectiveness of each drill can help baseball players optimize their training and reach their full potential.
For more tips on improving your baseball skills, visit BaseballSkillsHub.com.