4 Tips to Improve Pitching Speed

By: C.J. Brooks

The pitcher is one of the most important positions on a baseball team. If you don't have a good pitching staff full of skilled individuals, it won't matter how well your team hits or scores runs, you're destined to have a losing ball club. Having a skilled pitcher who can throw a variety of pitches with good velocity is what will take any baseball team to the next level. Speed is a crucial ingredient in what makes an excellent pitcher. It's important that pitchers make sure they constantly work to improve pitching speed and technique so that they can stay sharp and focused during the game.

There are a few different ways for a pitcher to improve pitching speed. One of the most effective methods to increasing your velocity is to apply direct force to the back of the ball. In order to get the maximum amount of velocity possible, a pitcher needs to make sure that he is firing the ball with his pitching elbow down and around toward first base. A lot of coaches disagree with this particular method of pitching because of their attachment to the high cocked arm position that is common in baseball. This method also helps to train a player to stay behind the ball and aids him in reaching full extension with his elbow angle staying below ninety degrees.

Another important technique to help improve pitching speed is to have a good solid push and lead leg stability. One of the key aspects of pitching with a high velocity is the strength and stability of a pitcher's lower half of the body. Without good leg drive, the pitch thrown just won't be as quick or as effective, especially against good hitters. There are a number of different exercises you can do to improve your push and lead leg stability. Some of the most beneficial techniques are lunges, squats, leg presses, and calf raises.

The third important tip you can use to improve pitching speed is to improve your torso rotation during acceleration. The torso plays a very important role in getting the arm into the correct pitching position, so it's very crucial to make sure that these muscles are strong. There are a couple of techniques that are being used by a lot of major league baseball players that are very effective in strengthening the torso. One of the most common is the medicine ball. Players will pick these up and do twists while holding the medicine ball in order to work out their abs. It's also recommended for pitchers to do a complete abdominal workout as well.

One tip that will not only help improve pitching speed, but will also help you to lengthen your pitching career, is to work on rotator cuff durability and strength. A pitcher's success on the mound hinges on the condition of his rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is crucial to throwing solid overhand pitches, and is also responsible for putting some of the force on the ball when it's thrown. One technique used to improve rotator cuff durability and strength is football throws. The footballs should be thrown from 20 yards. It's also highly recommended to do arm swings as well to help with durability.

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