Figure 2.11 (a) Pitcher’s proper hip alignment in comparison to hips that are (b) closed or (c) open.

Along with misaligned knees, I have also seen pitchers use many odd setups for the starting position of the hips. Obviously, the starting position for the hips is directly related to the position of the feet, so if the pitcher maintains the back-foot toe to front-foot arch relationship mentioned earlier, the hips will align themselves properly. The pitcher’s hips should be completely perpendicular to the rubber and the plate (see figure 2.11a). An inward turned hip or one that is severely closed off because of the foot placement can create a disadvantage for the pitcher when he begins to load his hip during the leg lift (see figure 2.11b). The loading and unloading of the hips will be addressed in greater detail later in this book.

Figure 3.13 Symmetry between the front and back side with the arms creating mirror images.

Creating symmetry between front (glove) and back (throwing) side is a matter of the pitcher understanding where the arm goes after the hands break at the midline of the body. Wherever the throwing arm goes and whatever distance it travels, the glove side should create a mirror image and a counterbalance by going in the exact opposite direction (see figure 3.13). If the glove side mimics the throwing side in length and angle, the pitcher will have a very good chance to be on time at the moment of truth: the release point. Consistently being on time at the release point gives the pitcher the ability to throw the ball where he wants and also gives him the best opportunity for making consistent secondary pitches. House referred to this as “equal and opposite.” We refer to it as matching. Both mean the same thing, but the term matching creates a more visual image that the pitcher can perceive faster. We have been matching things our whole lives.

Figure 12.1 The in-season cycle.

Figure 12.1 shows the phases that a pitcher should pass through during the season. These phases are designed to help the pitcher develop a structured routine throughout the course of the season and build purpose into the various training regimens that he will cycle through. After competing, the pitcher will evaluate thoroughly what went well and what went wrong, coming up with a basic plan that identifies the things he must work on before his next start. After

evaluating, the pitcher then passes into the repair phase; in this phase, he focuses on readying his arm and body for his next outing. This phase is short but extremely important, and it deals primarily with the ability portion (athleticism) of pitcher training. The third phase is the preparation phase in which the pitcher works on the skill elements of his game. This includes bullpen sessions for command and feel as well as mechanical adjustments or pitch development if needed.