How far should a pitcher stride towards home? I've heard 85% of height, but how do you teach that??

Let them do it a couple of times. They will normally put it where it will be comfortable with them. You might want to tweak it after that but really it should be a comfort thing for the pitcher.

Some guys have long legs and short bodies and vice versa. If you make them all do the 85% of height that will mess these kids up.

IMHO the longer the stride the better, but it's pitcher-specific. If you want to get a better stride work to strengthen the groin area.

I agree.

quote:

Originally posted by turnin2:
How far should a pitcher stride towards home? I've heard 85% of height, but how do you teach that??

I've heard 90% of height. You can't teach that IMO, one must do specific conditioning and excercises to strengthen those muscles needed to increase their lower body strength to increase the stride. That's why young pitchers should concentrate on lower body over anything else which includes glut max, hamstring, groin and calve muscles. As the pitcher grows and matures, his stride in relation to his height will change and adapt to his lower body strength.
JMO.

IF you decide you want to lengthen the stride you put a sock, towel or something of the sort out where they are currently landing then move it out a bit and have them try to land out where the sock is. After enough repetitions that will become their natural stride length.

CADAD,
Good drill, I didn't include that as I assumed that is a regular drill for pitchers, but that goes along with the conditioning needed to increase ease in stride as to not hurt oneself.

The towel drill is used by pros to get their stride perfected and release point out front.

quote:

Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
The towel drill is used by pros to get their stride perfected and release point out front.

Say what? Son has been using the towel drill for years.
Often before some college games, you might see pitchers with towels down in the pen.

recently posted:
http://clubhousegas.com/archive_player_prog.asp?id=160

TPM my son also used the towel drill for years and every pitcher on his teams have.
Just pointing out that even the pros use it to stay on top of their mechanics.

quote:

Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
The towel drill is even used by pros to get their stride perfected and release point out front.

Got ya.

Good video. We hold the glove lower to get more bend at the waist and follow through.

My son worked out with David davidson of the Pirates and he always did the towel drill.

Just for my clarification ...I was under the assumption that the towel drill was something a pitcher did by holding the towell in his hand and going through his mechanics. Are you all talking about the same towel drill that CADad is talking about where you place the towell on the ground to increase stride? I'm guessing that there are two types of towel drills, right?

Catfish,
I never meant that drill. I messed up with my reply to CAdad, my bad, got to read everything. See video.

quote:

Originally posted by TPM:
CADAD,
Good drill, I didn't include that as I assumed that is a regular drill for pitchers, but that goes along with the conditioning needed to increase ease in stride as to not hurt oneself.

Disregard that reply.

If you look at the clubhouse gas video for Virginia University the coach gives a great example of the towel drill. He also said something very interesting. For every foot you can get closer to the batter there is a perceived velocity increase of 3-4mph. The gun will still say whatever it is lets say 80mph but the batter becasue of where the pitch is released from it feels like 83-84. I showed my son the video last night and I hope it sunk in.

TPM...Thank you for clearing that up for me. The video is great. Over the years a number of our posters have asked about this particular towel drill. The video is a good demonstration. Thanks.

Catfish,
No problem I was not the one who posted it originally but kept it for future use here.

bb1,
Couple of interesing things, for those that wonder why pitchers height and velo is important for many, that reference is why. That's why the Andrew Brackmans' of the world are so attractive even with a bum elbow. His height and velocity, ability (they will work with his pitches and delivery) takes more precedence over anything else.
If the height and velo is not there, all the more important for working and increasing the stride, where the ball is released plays a big part in who likes you and who doesn't. Also is his reference to size (not necessarily in height) and trying to figure out a safe pitch count, everyone is different. This was brought up by infielddad, the smaller framed pitcher may have some really great stuff, but will he be able to remain on the mound for a longer period of time than those that are stronger.

There are apparently people who don't like the towel drill, but I've found it has helped my son. He works with Paul Reddick, who co-authored "The Picture Perfect Pitcher" with Tom House, a big proponent of the drill. My son has definitely benefitted from the emphasis of the linear extension toward the plate, and after watching the video of the UVA pitching coach discussed here, I'd say it is hard to argue with the success he has had in avoiding injuries.

Don't believe every thing you read or hear. According to some people he has only been at the college 4 years and was at Arkinsas Little Rock before that.
The towel drill is a good tool and I have never jeard anyone say anything against it. The only change I would make is lowering the glove to thigh level to get a better finish.