Pitching technique 10-11 yr olds

Question
My 10 year old started pitching last year.  His coach taught him to pitch from the stretch.  He did very well - very accurate, few walks, and pretty good speed.  His coach this year is teaching him the full wind up and he's not comfortable with it.  Any suggestions?

Answer
Aaron,

Thanks for the question.  I have a real big suggestion.  GO BACK TO THE STRETCH!!!!!

At 10 years old, there is no advantage to pitching from a full windup, especially if there are balance issues.  It is likely that your son's coach is having him take a step back to start the windup.  This can create issues when making the turn and leg kick as far as losing balance.  If a pitcher does not have good balance, he can not make good pitches.

If you have read my comments in the past, you will know the status of my oldest son, a freshman who ranks very high amongst pitching prospects.  He did not begin pitching from the full windup until the end of his 12 year old year.  Pitching at age 10, 11, 12 strictly from the stretch did not hurt him and age 12 or 13 is not "too late" to go to the full windup.

At 10, the most important thing to focus on is control.  If he can throw strikes, he will be successful.  If he is more comfortable from the stretch, that will lead to more strikes, which will lead to more success.

Let his coach know that for right now, you would like him to pitch solely from the stretch.  Then start working on the windup.

With my son, we worked on the windup for several months prior to him implementing it in the games.  It went like clockwork.

Also, that first step when moving into the windup should not be straight back, or straight to the side.  It should be a very short step, only about 6-12 inches and should be at a 45 degree angle from the rubber. All that step is for is to start the windup motion.  A big step back or to the side will get a pitcher off balance.  A short 45 degree angle step will start the windup motion and aide the pitcher into moving into the turn and leg kick in one smooth motion.

Good luck.  Let me know how he does. If you would like a copy of my "pitching with control bullpen" session, send your email address to me at [email protected].  

Have fun and encourage that boy!!
Coach Boss