Pitching Mechanics - The Leg Kick

How Little League Pitching (and the pitching of older baseball players, too) can be dramatically Improved with Proper Balance, Proper Pitching Mechanics and Proper Leg Kick during the act of Pitching a Baseball

The next step in acquiring the proper pitching mechanics is to discuss and analyze the kick.  Some pitchers have their pitching mechanics exaggerated when in the process of pitching a baseball so that the leg kick is very high and intimidating; resulting in their spikes physically going above their head.  Other pitchers have been taught since little league baseball that their pitching mechanics and pitching techniques when pitching a baseball can generate enough power for them to be successful by comfortably raising their knee to about waist level.  The size of the kick that each pitcher uses should be one where they can maintain their balance and be comfortable without causing significant head movement during the delivery of the baseball.

Pitching instructors teach that there is a moment at the top of the kick motion than a pitcher arrives in a state of perfect balance.  I often use this moment as a way to teach the proper mechanics of the pitching motion and as a way to enforce the concept of always being in balance during pitching delivery.  That moment occurs at the time that the kick reaches its top position.  If a pitcher is using the proper pitching mechanics and pitching techniques then the weight of the pitcher is evenly distributed on either side of their body and balance occurs while standing on the right leg alone.  I often tell pitchers when reviewing this position that if they are in the position correctly they will be able to remain there for a long period of time.  If a pitcher is not able to hold that position I am then able to review whether the pitching mechanics of the back-step and the arm raise are being performed correctly to be sure there are no sudden movements occurring.  These fundamental pitching concepts are typically easy to teach and to correct for little league baseball players and older, competitive players alike.

Once a pitcher reaches the balance position, the motion then naturally leads them towards the plate.  It is important as the pitchers body begins to move forward that his throwing arm reach backward at a 90° angle to the pitching rubber (flat arm with the ball held below the wrist).  I like to teach pitchers a drill where I stand behind them and place a baseball in my hand.  The pitcher then begins their motion without a ball and at the balance point they reach back and take the ball away from me and throw the ball.  The drill teaches the importance of the balance point and the natural method of reaching the arm backwards to start the delivery.   It is also important that at this point the pitchers wrist is on top of the baseball.  The pitcher should think of the drill as picking a ball off a table behind them - their wrist will be on top of the baseball.  This is easy to tell by simply looking to see that the fingers are on top of the baseball as the pitcher begins to stride towards home plate.  Failure to have the hand on top of the ball at this point will result in a large amount of shoulder fatigue by having the body heave rather than throw the ball to the plate.

As the pitcher begins the stride toward home plate to back leg will naturally bend or “collapse” to allow the leg to use the large thigh and calf muscles to drive towards the plate.  Tom Seaver was one of the best pitchers to watch for proper technique and mechanics for the rear leg.  His “Drop and Drive” technique has become a popular training method and is a great way of assuring that the pitcher is using their lower body to maintain control and generate velocity to be used in throwing the ball to home plate.  Tom’s knee would actually touch the ground during his delivery, allowing him to get maximum strength from his legs during his windup delivery. 

While the left leg has been lifted, the right leg is beginning to push the body towards the plate.  The glove hand is also beginning to pull itself forward and from the center to the left to allow for proper shoulder rotation and to allow for more torque to placed on the right shoulder.  The glove hand should end up in a tucked position directly above the left thigh and should be “quiet” during the delivery.  Excessive glove movement often means that the shoulders are flying open too soon or that the pitcher is straining to get more velocity on the pitch – neither situation is welcome in a controlled, natural motion.

By following these pitching tips regarding proper leg kick and achieving proper balance when pitching a baseball, little league pitching (and the pitching technique of older players too) can be dramatically improved.    

In the next section we will discuss the Pitching Mechanics of the Delivery . 

If you would like to return to the Baseball Skill Aids homepage, click on our logo in the upper left-hand corner.