Objective - To help pitchers perfect the proper back leg action. To stop foot drag and prevent overstriding.

Equipment Needed - A brick, block or wood or other suitable object. The object will be placed at a location just in front of the pitcher's pivot foot. The pitcher will be working out of the stretch. The pitcher should be reminded to roll and pick his back foot up so that it clears the object.

Procedure - The pitcher throws using his normal motion and delivery. If the pitcher fails to clear the object, then his back foot is "dragging" or he is "overstriding". Young pitchers should be coached to step out of the "hold" and up and over the block.

Equipment Needed - Good balls, Catching equipment, and glove.

Procedure - The catcher has 4 dots on his gear. The 4 dots or spots are different colors. Preferably, red, blue, green & white. The dots are taped to each knee on the shin guards and one to the left shoulder and right shoulder. The catcher or coach calls a color. The pitcher must hit that dot. The pitcher has 6 pitches to hit all 4 of the dots. All dots should be called in different orders each time. If he fails to do that he must do push ups. Two pitchers can compete to see which finishes first. The dots may be placed lower on the catcher to stress keeping the ball low or down in the zone.

Objective - To teach and reinforce the proper front shoulder action during delivery:

The drill is performed as the pitcher kneels on the pivot-leg knee. The pitcher will begin the drill with the throwing ann in the "T -position" and the stride foot aimed at the plate. The pitcher begins the throwing motion by pulling and tucking his front arm and glove. At the same time he is bringing his throwing ann and shoulder around and toward the plate. The drill should be performed many times to give the pitcher the feel of proper mechanics and front shoulder movement. The front elbow should be used as the guide for the front side. The glove should be extended out and tucked as the pitcher rolls his lead shoulder and pulls it in. This deceptive move is used to distract and deceive batters. The drill should be finished with the throwing arm in proper finish position outside the stride leg's knee.

Great Drill For Hitters, Catchers, and Pitchers!
The pitcher is throwing to a catcher as he normally would in pitching practice or bull-pen work. The pitcher is throwing at his normal pitching distance. The coach has one or two batters, with helmets on, stand in the batter's box without bats. Each batter will assume his regular stance and imagine that he is holding a bat. The batters will "track" or watch the first three pitches out of the pitcher's hand until they hit the catcher's mitt, making sure to keep their head and eyes on the ball all of the way. Next the batters will swing away with their "imaginary" bats. The batters will read the location of each pitch the pitcher throws and hit the ball where it is pitched. When two batters are tracking, they will do opposites. One will pull a pitch in a location that his tracking partner will hit to the opposite field. The coach can call out a count such as 2-0, 3-1, 1-2, and 0-2 to allow the batters, pitchers, and catchers certain mind-sets in different situations.
Note: If your hitters are too young to perform this drill, have a coach to stand in. The coach may wish to wear a helmet and wear a glove for protection. This is a tough drill, but it is great for developing concentration. Make sure all participates wear helmets and other proper protective equipment.

Pitching Drill
Great for developing control
The drill is used to develop great pitcher control by having the pitcher throw strikes at varying distances. The drill has a catcher set at a stationary plate. The plate never moves. The pitcher should begin throwing at a distance 1/2 of his normal pitching distance. You should have 6-8 distance markers with the first being at his starting point and the longest being twice his normal pitching distance. The markers should be at 10 foot intervals and in a straight line with the plate. The object of the drill is to develop control by gradually moving toward and away from the targeted strike zone. The pitcher is required to throw 1-3 strikes from each marker before moving to the next. The catcher serves as the umpire. Variations of this drill may be to have 1-3 pitchers working and competing against each other. The drill teaches them to work fast, concentrate, and execute a perfect pitch. Make sure your pitchers are in condition for this drill. They will find that throwing strikes from longer distance requires great mechanics and builds arm strength. Make sure your players stretch and warm-up first.

Pitching Drill Improves Control & Concentration
This drill is a pitching drill in which the young pitcher works at a smooth, rather fast pace, but only throw 50-60%. He should not be allowed to throw full speed. The objective of the drill is to teach concentration and develop great control. The pitcher has to throw 20 strikes before he throws 4 balls. He should be allowed to perform the drill at a shorter distance at first but he should be able to move to his regular pitching distance within a couple of weeks. If he throw 4 balls, he must start over. Be careful to not overwork him. However, keeping the distance short, emphasizing accuracy not speed, and making sure he proper stretches and warms up should prevent any chance of arm injury. With younger players you may want to make the drill a 10-3 drill. He must throw 10 strikes before he throw 3 balls or he must start over.

Suggested Conditioning Equipment

A great exercise device for pitchers can be made at home. A wrist roller can be made from three common materialss found in nearly every home. You will need a short 12" piece of heavy-duty broom handle or aluminum tubing. You will need about 36" of "ski" rope and a 10 lb. weight.

Workout Weight - A discarded plastic tennis ball container makes an excellent pitcher's exercise weight. Fill the can with sand or cement. Tape the top on. Then wrap the can over and over with tape. Athletic tape or duck tape works fine. This device is great for warm-up drills and light-weight exercises.

Tubular Exerciser - One of the best exercise devices can be made from surgical tubing that is available at most medical supply stores. Cut the tube in a 6' length. Tie a loop at both ends. Tape over the loop knots with tape to make sure that they do not come loose.