How to Pitch From the Stretch + Slide Step

Great simplified video coach. Helped my 11 year old tremendously.

Thank you for this, it helped me a lot

Very helpful thank you

Thanks Coach!

Very very good video. I have somehow found myself coaching our 10yr old team my son is on. I’ve had a difficult time finding simplified videos. Thanks a bunch.

thank you for these interessants tips!

Cool

Absoluety nailed it in regards to youth coaches and the insane times they try to get kids to deliver a pitch. I have 1 kid on my 9U club team who cannot for the life of him grasp the concept of a slide step. The rest on my stable is well enough for the age group. Around 1 1/2 - 2 seconds max to the plate. Fastest runner I’ve clocked on any team we’ve played out west going from base to base on 65’ has been 3.12 seconds. I just need to keep working with the kid.

4 years ago but very informative

Coach, should we always pitch from the stretch using the slide step or is there a time to use the leg lift at “cereal bowl height” like you demonstrate in your basic pitching mechanics video? I’m trying to figure out if I should pitch with just the slide step or with two sets of mechanics when in the stretch. Thanks!

distrupts hitters timing too

Thanks for your videos, but I was typed and to teach kids - lift and drift. Your thought on that ? Thanks

The slide step is effective if there is a catcher that can throw runners out, and I would not want to sacrifice time to the plate for a less than quality pitch. The guy at the plate is the one with the weapon. If the pitcher walks the hitter or grooves a pitch because he is focusing on trying to be quick to the plate instead of making a quality pitch, the runner(s) will advance anyway. In youth baseball, how many times does a team have a catcher that can make a quick, strong and accurate throw to second or third? From what I've seen of youth baseball, coaches should spend more time working with catchers on proper mechanics receiving the baseball, footwork, throwing to the bases and developing arm strength.

Who is #63 from the Orioles you showed in the video. I’ve got a freshman who is wanting to keep his hands low but needs to work on his slide step

How fast can you throw?

How do you feel about a youth pitcher that has ZERO threat of runners stealing while delivering the ball to the plate…..using a slide step exclusively? 10 year olds play in a way where the runner can’t steal until the ball crosses the plate…. I can understand that a kid doesn’t want to throw from the windup….or better said, dad doesn’t want them to because the child said he was confused and it was too complicated…which is of course valid since that is what he feels. This kiddo is lifting his leg a minimal amount….slide step. Great for holding runners on….but a non issue for another bunch of years. Rather than providing no help or forcing him to use a windup…I want to compromise but while explaining the benefit from practicing from the stretch with leg cereal bowl height or higher…as there is absolutely no reason to rush to the plate. Initially, I taught a small group of pitchers the windup. Many are doing great with the windup of course. This boy has pitched for his club team…without any pitching guidance and has settled in to slide step. What to do next for the child’s long term development and enjoyment as a pitcher? Also, what would you say the downside is in terms of fatigue and stamina relative to reaching pitch 80+ in a game while only using slide step vs windup or stretch with higher knee lift (cereal bowl or higher)… Every time I see him slide step with nobody on or with runners on that literally can’t steal, it rubs my brain in a way that has me thinking about what to do next….thankfully we have you Dan. Thank you. Just ordered two of your books and a shirt. Happy we can do things to support your business as we greatly appreciate your insight and effort.

He didn’t even show a pickoff move out of it. 🙄🙄🙄