The Pitching Windup or Stretch

March 8, 2009

The windup is almost scared to the game of baseball. It really has no purpose besides a kind of placebo effect on the mental state of the pitcher. The windup represents the old style of pitching. Back in the day when the pitchers would use the windup to get their arms moving faster. Now that we have learned that doing this is destructive to pitching velocity the windup has become just an extra step to throwing in the stretch. A little more time to focus on the target.

Pitchers that prefer the windup over the stretch, when acceptable, usually say the reason is because they feel more comfortable in the windup. If this is the case for you or your pitchers then this is fine. The only problem is if there is a difference in between the pitchers delivery when in the windup to the stretch.Ã‚Â There should be no difference once the lift leg hip begins towards the target. Notice the video of John Smoltz below. The two deliveries are seamless between his windup and stretch.

I recommend pitching in the stretch more often because you will throw your most important pitches there. If you are more comfortable in the windup this is usually because you throw more practice pitches in the windup. I say, if this is the case, then switch it to the stretch. This will also help you when you have runners on base. When runners are on base you must do your best to help your catcher to hold the runners on. This means you may need to slide step. The key toÃ‚Â not losing velocity in the slide step is focusing on the “Load” position. This position is when your hips are driving to the target and you are squatting hard on your back leg. To build momentum you must drive off that back leg. First getting your hips moving as fast as possible and then finishing the back leg off with “Triple Extension.” This is extension of the ankle joint, knee joint and hip flexor. If you work hard to build momentum in the “Load” position, you can build as much momentum as you do with a high leg lift. Read my article on “Lift for Show, Load for Doe” to understand more about the “Load.”

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stretch I also recommend, when in the stretch, to start with more of your weight already over your back leg.Ã‚Â Have your feet almost shoulder width apart and your lift leg hip ready to fire to the target. This will help you get your lower half moving even faster to the target. This will also increase your delivery speed to help your catcher hold runners.

It is important to remember that whatever you do to your delivery in the windup or stretch, you must never change your delivery during the game. Your delivery must be the same every time. I do not believe in throwing from the windup with a high leg lift and then moving into the stretch with a slide step. This will change everything for you when it comes to locating your pitches. If you can keep your delivery the same every time then you will be more consistent with your location. This is why I recommend your windup and stretch must be seamless and throwing from the stretch more often.

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